Home is where the heart of Manila is.
Maria Patria Alodia Puyat brings her strong growth track record back home to Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria.
As she embarks on another exciting chapter with IHG, Patria becomes the first-ever Filipina General Manager for an InterContinental Hotel Group property in the Philippines. She succeeded Barun Jolly, who led both hotel brands until October 2022. And the announcement could not have been more perfect, as it happened on the day before International Women’s Day this year.
Patria’s stellar career spans over three decades of industry experience. From her dreams of working at a hotel at an early age and finishing her studies at the prestigious Les Roches University in Switzerland, it was not long after that she finally kickstarted her career as a Sales Executive at the InterContinental Hotel Manila. The first glass ceiling broke years later when she became the first Filipina Woman F&B Director of the property.
Leaving the Philippines in 2009 allowed her to take on more opportunities and pursue her dreams overseas while keeping in mind her true purpose and commitment to help everyone propel her to greatness wherever she goes. After being offered to lead the Conferences and Events for the InterContinental Dubai, she received the most considerable feat of becoming the first Filipina and first Pre-Opening General Manager for Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City, also known as the region’s most prominent Holiday Inn property.
As the only female and, at times, the only Asian in a male-dominated workplace, Patria never doubted herself as she continued to reach for the skies while working overseas. Amidst various accolades and commendations, she also finds fulfillment in giving back and imparting her knowledge to the younger generation of hoteliers.
Patria continues to break glass ceilings and barriers of diversity and inclusiveness by leveraging her outstanding attributes and staying focused on her goals. A fitting example was when she spearheaded and steered a livelihood project while still the head matriarch of Crowne Plaza Vientiane in Laos. The program was designed for young adolescent females and taught them the right skills to give them the confidence and freedom to choose their future.
Patria’s extensive and diverse hotel industry knowledge, dependable work ethic, innate creativity, and passion for growth make her one of IHG’s most esteemed leaders. And nothing is better than a warm hug back home in Manila. With her at the helm of two iconic hospitality properties in the heart of Ortigas Center, Patria remarks on the three guiding principles she lives by: “Gratitude. Respect. Trust.”
Truly, her home is where the heart of Manila is at Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria. Under her vision and brand leadership, she is now working her way through exciting plans and new challenges, to take both hotels to greater heights as the top choice for meetings, events, and memorable stays. Such plans include creating a more exciting look for both hotels, ongoing renovation of guest rooms, and revamping common spaces to provide the most exceptional experience for all its guests and IHG® One Rewards members.