A night of acknowledgement and gratitude unfolded as the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) gathered to honour recipients at the annual Virtus Awards.

Held at the City of Dreams on November 9, 2023, the 2023 Virtus Awards centred around the theme “Beyond the Bottom Line” and celebrated three outstanding winners across individual categories. Charles Patrick Estupin, Sales Manager of Crimson Filinvest City Manila, received the Outstanding Sales and Marketing Associate Award. Cesar E. Villaganas, Senior Sales Manager of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu, was honored with the Outstanding Sales and Marketing Manager Award, while Karlene M. Capunitan, Director of Sales of The Ascott Limited, received the Outstanding Sales and Marketing Leader award.

Robinsons Hotels and Resorts secured the Outstanding Marketing Campaign award for their “Let’s Go, Go, Go” campaign. Embracing the trend of “revenge travel” in 2023, the campaign catered to various traveller profiles – the planner, the adventurer, and the chatter. Go 24/7 provided flexibility for early or late arrivals without extra charges, Go 365 encouraged early bookings with rate security, and Go (Buy) Online simplified room reservations and voucher purchases via private messages on FB Messenger and brand websites.

Nonito Antonio Cuizon, Director of Marketing of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, highlighted the alignment with the Department of Tourism’s push for local tourism promotion in 2023.

“This is the first time we’ve had such a high number of entries for this category, and they were all outstanding campaigns,” Cuizon shared, expressing his pride in the achievement.

Capunitan, representing The Ascott Limited, expressed her pride in the first win for Ascott at the HSMA. She emphasized the significance of representing Ascott, a company that has positively impacted the hospitality industry.

Loleth G. So, President of HSMA, acknowledged the record-breaking 49 nominees for the Virtus Awards, emphasizing that all nominees were winners in their own right.

In her inspirational message, Rose H. Libongco, Chair of the 9th Virtus Awards, stressed that the awards are not the end but a step in the ongoing journey for winners to hone their talents and prove their worth in the ever-changing landscape.

The Virtus Awards, designed to encourage adaptation and resilience within the pandemic-affected hospitality sector, adopted the theme “Beyond the Bottom Line” this year. The event was organized by HSMA with support from the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, and gold partners Atlantis, Isentia, and City of Dreams Manila; silver partners Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila, Buoyant Industrial Systems, Inc.; and awards night cocktail partner Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc.