At Cebu Hotel Connect 2026, AppleOne Group’s Samantha H. Manigsaca puts Cebu and the regions at the center of a bigger conversation on the future of Philippine hospitality.
As Cebu Hotel Connect 2026 concluded its two-day run on September 24-25, 2026, at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Samantha H. Manigsaca left delegates with a message that goes to the heart of why the regional hospitality summit was created: the future of Philippine hospitality will be shaped by those who believe in our destinations, invest in our people, and choose to build together.
As Chairperson of Cebu Hotel Connect 2026 and Vice President for Hospitality of AppleOne Group, Manigsaca welcomed the gathering of hotel owners, industry leaders, developers, suppliers, entrepreneurs, tourism stakeholders, and other members of the hospitality community.
Reflecting on the first day, she described the summit as more than a gathering of professionals.
“It was a meeting of minds, ideas, and shared aspirations for the future of Philippine hospitality,” she said.
For Manigsaca, the conversations reinforced a belief she has consistently emphasized: hospitality is ultimately about people.
“It is about the associates who serve with care, the leaders who create opportunities, the entrepreneurs who take risks, the communities that welcome visitors, and the partners who choose to build something meaningful together,” she said.
Beyond Greater Manila
The summit reflects AppleOne Group’s deep belief in the potential of Cebu, the Visayas and Mindanao—and the opportunities that exist beyond Greater Manila.
In her earlier interview with Hospitality News Philippines, Manigsaca spoke about the need to look beyond the obvious markets and to recognize the potential of destinations that already possess the natural, cultural, and human assets needed to create compelling hospitality experiences.
During her closing remarks on Day One, she reinforced that message.
The Philippines, she said, is rich in natural beauty, culture, gastronomy, history, and, above all, people. These are not assets that need to be created; they are already part of who we are.
“Our responsibility is to make them more accessible, more sustainable, and more meaningful for the people who experience them, and most importantly, for the communities that call these destinations home.”
That philosophy is central to Cebu Hotel Connect.
The summit was created to elevate the conversation around the opportunities beyond Greater Manila and to position Cebu, the Visayas, and Mindanao not only as leisure destinations, but also as places where businesses can grow, investments can flourish, communities can benefit, and the hospitality ecosystem can move forward together.
For Manigsaca, Cebu should not simply be a place people pass through.
“It is a place to stay, to meet, to invest, to build, and to return to.”
Making the Table Bigger
One of the strongest themes of Cebu Hotel Connect is collaboration.
Manigsaca believes no single company, organization, or individual can build a destination alone. It takes developers, operators, government partners, tourism stakeholders, suppliers, entrepreneurs, educators, and communities working toward a shared purpose.
“That is the spirit of this summit,” she said.
Cebu Hotel Connect, she added, is about “making the table bigger”—creating space for established industry leaders alongside regional players, boutique developers, local entrepreneurs, and emerging voices.
It is a philosophy that also reflects Manigsaca’s own leadership approach.
Having started her career on the employee side of hospitality, she has consistently emphasized servant leadership and the importance of creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
“Hospitality starts with our people,” she said in the HNP interview. “If our associates don’t feel valued, it’s very difficult to expect them to make our guests feel valued.”
Growth with purpose
The conversations at Cebu Hotel Connect also highlighted the opportunities—and responsibilities—that come with the continued growth of Philippine tourism and hospitality.
Travelers today are seeking more than beautiful destinations. They are looking for authentic experiences, wellness, culture, gastronomy, connection, and a deeper sense of place.
The Philippines already has these experiences in abundance. The challenge, Manigsaca noted, is making them more accessible while continuing to improve connectivity, strengthen infrastructure, invest in people, and develop destinations with care and long-term vision.
For her, growth must always have purpose.
“The true measure of success is not only whether a project performs well, but whether the community around it is better because it exists.”
She challenged industry stakeholders to ask themselves: Are we creating more opportunities for people? Are we helping local businesses thrive? Are we preserving the character of our destinations? And are we building something future generations can be proud to carry forward?
Turning conversations into action
As the two-day of Cebu Hotel Connect 2026 concluded, Manigsaca urged delegates to carry the conversations beyond the conference room.
“Let us turn introductions into partnerships, ideas into actions, and shared belief into lasting progress,” she said.
Her message to hospitality professionals was equally personal: thank you.
Much of the industry’s work happens behind the scenes, she noted, but it is the dedication, resilience, and generosity of hospitality professionals that make exceptional guest experiences possible.
And for the next generation of leaders, her message is one of continuous learning and purpose.
“Leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about being willing to listen, to learn, to grow, and to bring others with you.”
For Manigsaca, the conversation now unfolding in Cebu is about more than a two-day summit. It is about creating connections and opportunities that continue long after delegates leave the venue.
And as Cebu Hotel Connect 2026 moves forward, her closing message sets the tone:
“The future of Philippine hospitality will not be built by waiting for the opportunity to come to us. It will be built by those who believe in our destinations, invest in our people, and choose to believe together.”
