0:15When did you find out that you will be hosting?0:25Somewhere in September or October something like that September. Brother Dennis informed us about it but it was not yet sure because the first meeting with Archbishop Soc Villegas was when they visited the place.0:40So, youve been communicating with Archbishop Soc Villegas?0:45Yeah. Brother Dennis asked me to be here one Sunday and then met Archbishop Soc Villegas and Father Rey Evangelista told us that theyre looking at it as a possible home for the cardinals the entourage.1:05When did we get the confirmation?1:07I think 1st week of October.1:15Would you know why they chose Benilde? 1:18What I heard is the proximity from the nositier which is I think few blocks away from here and I think they also like the first of all, when they saw the rooms and its like the place is easy to contain and they could see that the streets they could block it off and contain because this is not just an ordinary entourage but the head, the secretary of the state of the Vatican is in this building.1:50What was your reaction after finding out that?1:53Mixed feelings like excited and nervous and theres a lot of things in my mind. Of course we are fully aware of the security behind it so its like you dont want anything toward incident should happen while theyre here so mixed feeling and excitement at the same time.2:18What are the preparations that had to be made?2:20Brother Dennis created we have our first meeting in SDA in the office and Brother Dennis said we have to create a secretary for this and they have designated Maam Letty Rowena Antonio and Hector. After that, thats the time that they already made a community for each area. For example accommodation in the hotel, who will be taking care of the food and everything, transportation.2:48So, were there any special arrangements made particularly for them?

2:55At first, Brother Dennis told me to prepare a budget for this the accommodation and the meals. We made the presentation to them last I think 1st week of December, second week of December before the Christmas season and it was approved. That is our basis for whatever preparation well be doing.3:18How many members did we house here?3:23There were 33. There were 24 cardinals. The rest out of 33 were Vatican security and they were the advanced party including the liturgy team. The liturgy team came ahead first together with the Vatican security because they need to go through all the places that the Pope will be visiting.3:50So, there were 33 lahat lahat na?3:5333 from them and we also had Filipino priest who was the head of transportation committee. Father Kilong Kilong was the communication guy for the Pope visit, he was also here. And the priest they need to move from Nursietur to here because the Pope and the personal aid, personal doctors of the Pope should be staying there so they only have 9 rooms there. They asked to also accommodate local priest and the list. There was a visit from the Vatican around October. There were two visits October and another is on November. The final visit was December. The first was the ocular with Dr. Kurvine and the one whos always with the pope the guy in black and white hair I just forgot his name. They made a visit and they saw the rooms, gave instructions, asked for the floor plans. I sent those directly to the Vatican. I was assigned tp be the only person who will be personally talking to the Vatican5:15Initially, they asked for the floor plans?5:18Floor plans of the second floor, ground floor, 11th, 12th and the roof deck. And we are not allowed to assign the rooms. They gave room assignments for each one of them. All the cardinals are in the 11th floor and the rest are in the 12th floor. Those list came in first week of January because they cannot reveal the list by December.5:50How about the second visit in November? What happened?5:53We had a meeting at Vatel and finalized if the need for example I asked them do we need butlers in the floors because for hotels, we have a VIP guesting. They said no need. A security will be fine. And then we decided the secretary that there will be one number to be dialled from each room. We arranged everything in the room even the logistics how to do the services during the time that theyre here. We decided to move the office on the 4th floor to have secretarys office here in the 2nd floor because these are the meal area. In case they will be needing anything, we will always be there.6:34Sino yung mga kameet ni Sir June..?6:38There was the accommodation committee assigned by the Papa visit group. Its a whole team from Malacanang that said so accommodation committee was headed by Father Evangelista, father Jimmy Marques and Brother Dennis. The other accommodation committee is in charge of the Diamond hotel. Brother Dennis is in charge for this one. The people who stayed in Diamond are 80 international journalists and 41 foreign archbishops

7:12Dun sa 33 na nahouse natin dito kasama na dun ung mga Filipino workers?7:16Not yet.7:17How many would you say yung nahouse talaga natin everyone kasama ung mga Filipnos?7:2439 rooms total 40 pax but the foreigners are all the 33 then the cardinals are the 24. The rest are the national security.7:42Which particular areas were used? Can you identify each one of them?7:46The tulus and avenue was their meal area. The burdue was the meeting room and the sal de leon was their business center like the computers there or if they would like to communicate something. We're not sing the ground floor for security purposes and actually before the preparation, CSB also invested on buying an x-ray machine so all the items that are being brought inside this building should be x-rayed one week before the arrival of the entourage and the roof deck, the Vatel they utilized the space as their after meals area so if they would like to have a drink or have a snack, we prepared some cheeses, wines and juices for them.8:44And then the rest of the floors, dun sila nagstay?8:4711th and 12th but the cardinals are exclusively on the 11th even the cameramen, the photographers, the Vatican doctors.8:57So, the cardinals stayed at the 11th floor then sa 12th floor yung others?9:02Guards and the Filipinos, even the driver of the Pope the covelli was staying in the 12th floor 9:20As the General Manager, would you say this is one of your memorable experience?9:26Definitely. I was not really expecting that I will be seeing the Pope. What I was looking forward is serving people holy men like these to be in your hotel and me alone cannot do everything so I cannot really do this alone so I asked through Maam Letty that we can accomplish this by group.10:00 (cut)10:40 (continuation)In what ways did Benilde play an important role during the apostolic visit?10:52We are so thankful because first it as to keep this place as secure as possible make the stay of the entourage as confidential as possible and we followed their protocols. For example, first, I asked, because the last night was sponsored by former Ambassador Vera for the dinner. They were even asking who are the attendees of this dinner so those things. And I was also asked if we could document the spontaneous happenings but they said absolutely the answer in the email was absolutely no photos and I will be the one to cue on the pot the time that they could only take pictures. We were really just around here and the first instruction was limited access to the meal area only the cooks and waiters will be there. Most of the time, I was talking to them. Every day, Dr. Courvinni talks to me because he is the head of the papal visit so whatever transactions, even though their schedule in Tacloban was not followed, I was the one who received the call that they will be coming earlier than expected because when they left for Tacloban, their breakfast was as early as 4 clock and then 5 because the liturgy team will be there ahead of time than them and then they left around 7 oclock. We were expecting that we will only be serving dinner. Suddenly they called that they will be coming back earlier than expected and please serve us lunch. So, we are prepared for those flexibilities. They were so thankful with that because we have anticipated that these type of people will definitely have some schedule that might be changed once in a while. Were just here on standby. Whatever changes, we should be prepared. Its a very very big role. I think flexibility adapting to the flexibility of their situation was critical that we were able to face those challenging moments.13:12Were there any other challenges that you encountered?13:17During those days, the average sleep that we get is around 2 3 hours because of the demand of the time but every time they come back, its like the energy goes back to us again. We sometimes forget that we rarely sleep but we had a very good rest after the event and I think we have a good sleep on the night of 18th or 19th. It was really relieving because on the last night on the 18th, they were able to accomplish all task cause that was the last dinner so everyone was relaxed and there was no more tension so we were able to have a chance to take photos with some of them I was able to get some signatures form them because we posted all their pictures on the wall. We wanted to make sure that when we receive them, we will be able to greet them. We were asking how we are going to call them by their names. Do we need to call them by breveren or cardinal or eminency something like that. To be safe we ask them to call them Senior all of them.14:34You talked about welcoming them, what was their say in Benilde the first time they arrive and when did they arrive?14:42While we were watching on the television that they arrived, I know the schedule was luggage will come first here in the hotel and then maybe after the dinner, thats the time that they will be coming over here. What happened is their luggage was put on hold because their luggage were altogether with the journalists and what happened is it was the delay from I think the immigration. We were waiting for the luggage and then suddenly, it arrived together with the delegates. We were sending the luggage up and the delegates, the cardinals were coming. The security was panicking because their goal is to have the luggage inside the room and we were able to that within 10 minutes with the help of the guards and everybody. We were surprised because Brother Dennis and Robert Tang were outside the hotel and the luggage were delivered. Tthey saw that one cardinal was grabbing for his bag. Brother Dennis was helping and Mr. Tang was bringing the luggage. I saw a luggage bigger than Mr. Tang. All of those, we were able to execute. I went upstairs and opened all the doors to make sure that the guards could easily easier we have those names in front of the doors so the guards could identify which is which. Those things we considered too. They were quite satisfied on that flexibility and adapting to that.16:34Who else were there? Brother Dennis, Sir Bob16:38Brother Mike and the rest of the secretary team was observing.16:45Based on your interaction with the entourage of the cardinals, how do you think they find their experience here?16:52They were so thankful and Cardinal Paroline wrote a letter and we post it in our small museum. We are putiing all of those memorabilia there. They were thanking all of us because we were able to take care all of them and whats important is keeping the confidentiality that they were here. Last night, there was an appreciation party hosted by Malacanang and Archbishop Soc Villegeas was saying I would like to congratulate the Hotel Benilde team and Brother Dennis for hosting. Everyone was looking at the popes visit but no one knows where the cardinals and securities were staying. I admire and congratulate because they were able to keep it as confidential as possible. Even the own brothers of De La Salle do not know that they are hosting the group the VIPs. The Cardinal Paroline is very important. Even though he walks at the hallway or they go to the chapel at the 8th floor, he is always surrounded by the Vatican guards. He is very important for the Vatican because I think he handles everything the economy, finance and everything.18:22Hes the second in command of the Pope?18:26Actually, Im looking at it. Its like if the Popes job is to promote Vatican and the religion and I think Pope is the image but behind that is the people who supports the Pope and I think thats their own job description thats only my theory. 18:49Which has been the most memorable part?18:52I didnt expect it but Xavier who serves as the sacristan of the entourage called me one morning on the 18th before going to the youth in UST. They were celebrating a mass then and they were saying Sir Dennis, is there any camera - I have an SLR that I always have on standby on anything like this. I said yes and I think thats the most unforgettable to me to have a photo. I prepared everything and the tripod. I made sure that the place is on the right shutter and everything so when I took the picture of the chapel while theyre having mass. I saw Dr. Cubenile was looking at me. I think he allowed me to document that part. After the mass, they are aware that there will be a photo for that part. I think that is the most unforgettable moment because I was lining up with the future popes. Whoever replaces Pope Francis are all beside me. I was having goose bumps while I was having that photo with them and I am so thankful for that opportunity. I didnt expect that it will happen but for me that was my most unforgettable experience. That was around 7:30 Sunday morning.20:42Any other particularly heart-warming scenes, funny, touching memorable..?20:51We have funny moments with the Vatican security because when you look at them, you see that they are stiff. But after the tension was gone, they were so accommodating. Its nice to experience an interaction with them because its like talking to sacred people, holy people and then its heart-warming every time you see them. I would say that they were all taken care of and they are such humble people. Theyre not demanding, theyre easy to please people.20:42Can you tell what the routine of the cardinals was? In the morning they would get up and when would they pray?21:50They make sure that they celebrate mass ever morning. Even some of the Vatican guards would join them during this event and I just saw that in spite of their age, they could still cope up with their busy schedule. Thats their routine, they celebrate mass every morning and they go after the schedule. They will have brunch somewhere else and they come back. I think the rest time for them is very important maybe a couple of hours in the afternoon before they go out. I could see that their schedule is somehow like that.22:26Since youre the boss of all the Benildean staff here, how did you find the interaction of the entourage with the staff?22:35Along with what I said earlier, it was more relaxed on the last night of 18th and I think thats the time thats everything was broken the tension, the tightness of security. They were able to give us a time to have a moment with them at that night of 18th. 23:02How do you think the success with the stay of the entourage reflects the Hotel Benilde?23:12I think number one Hotel Benilde or De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is now part of history thats why I was saying I hope we could keep those names on those doors and ask the CIC to design a plate that could last so many years. That plate should be stronger than the door something like that. And we will keep those plates on those doors so every time a guest comes in and ask why there is a plate here. Its because this room has been part of history and the Popes entourage was here and they slept here. Whoever sleeps in that room becomes part of that history.24:02 (Miss Annel talks about arranging a shoot with those doors)24:38How many staff lahat?24:42It was a three shift duty. A total was 159 altogether security, secretariat, engineering, housekeeping of the school, housekeeping of the hotel, hotel staff, drivers who were assigned during the day because there are lot of times when we need to buy something, which we need to do. We have a checklist. There are few things that that we need to buy outside like mouthwash we decided to put that on the toilet. Those are some of the little things that we have arranged.25:20Ano yung time coverage nung three day shift?25:23Iba-iba. But the regular is 7-4. Some will come at 1 to 10pm and some will be here at 10-7 something like that.25:35How long did they stay? Yung advance party..25:40The advanced party came at January 9. The advanced party is the one who needs to leave early nad need to check out later than them so they check out on January 20.25:51Sino yung part ng advanced party?25:524 Vatican security and head of the liturgy. If you could see Mount Senior Peronni. Every time the Pope gives mass. Perony is the bald guy and there were three of them and Perony was the first one to arrive. On January 13, additional three guards - head of the security came. Vatican guards we call it jandevarae something like that. 26:30Is that different from cease guards?26:32I think the lay mans term is cease guards but the name is jandevarae something like that and we just call them the Vatican guards.26:42Yung staff natin, did they undergo special training for this?26:48I think Maam Letty is able to read as an HR where do you fit something like that. She kept on saying something like you were perfect for this and you were at the right time and right place, you fit for this each one of us. Its like were a big puzzle that was laid down together until it became a perfect picture of the whole team. Every person contributed a special role.27:20 When you said goodbye dun sa mga cardinals, how was the scene?27:28We were saying that we will miss you and I requested that there should be a last photo shoot for the whole entourage before they leave and that happened on the morning of the 19th around 7:20.

27:42What did you learn from this experience as a practitioner? And what can our students learn from this experience also even from an outsiders point of view yung students natin..28:00Things like this like what brother was saying we do not ask for this. They were the ones who approached us and gave us this opportunity. Its like an opportunity for the Lasallians to share what we can do. Theres a lot of people here who work more than the regular shift and they dont mind at all because its the way youd like to have to share as a Lasallian or as a Benildean serving those type of people and I think what we could learn from this is its nice to be part of an organization that is always willing to serve without asking what would be in return. I think thats the best part serving something and not expecting anything in return. Even though any of us didnt ask that I hope we could see the Pope, our role here is to make sure that all of those entourage will be in one place. We even did their laundry at peninsula to make sure that their clothes would not be jeopardized or damaged in any way. We decided to do that because you should bring those clothes to a reputable (). Actually the valley of Peninsula was closed and it happened that the concierge are Benildeans the front desk people were Benildeans. Their ID numbers are 106 and 108 and when they heard that we were Benildeans they said okay, we will open the Valet for you. Its like its not just in this building. The Benildean Pope fever spread around and you could see that all the linkages are still related with the Benildeans. I would say that everything was perfect. Even though there are some situations like that, we were able to cope up and convert into very productive situation.30:20Whats your message for your team after the Papal visit?30:24Definitely, job well done for all. Definitely, no one would have done this with just a certain team just like I mentioned earlier. We are like 500 pieces of puzzle that was laid down and after putting up all those pieces of puzzle, it was gathered and you could see the picture the image of the Benildean spirit is there and I think that was the real heart of those people who served during that time.31:00I saw dun sa exhibit na parang merong Papal poem na may naka-engrave na Nino of Tacloban. Pano siya binigay?31:18Actually, it was a souvenir for Tacloban. It was like a combination because the poem has two sides the other one is a Vatican seal and the other is the Tacloban seal. Meaning, it was a poem to remember that Vatican came to Tacloban. It was a gift I think from Tacloban given to them because it was placed in all the rooms from Cardinal Tagle.31:52So, it was not given to Benilde? I thought parang bigay nila..31:55Cardinal Tagle save some and gave to Benilde.32:02Did they give anything else as a souvenir?

32:07The guards were giving rosaries to some people and even our waiters were given the caps of the Vatican guards. Some gave pins of Philippines and Vatican pins. Its nice to see that theyre on television the translator for example Mon Senior Miles. He was there and suddenly, you see him here beside you and theyre all kind hearted. Its an experience that youll never forget. 32:50I was supposed to interview Chef Mae about the food but would you know din kung anong type ng food yung pinrepare nila?32:57During the meeting with the Vatican people last November, we were asking them what type of food would you like. They were saying international food and then of course put some Filipino dishes too. I also asked them. I was translating Italian to English and I was asking how their food was. They said its good combination of Italian and Filipino.33:32Any particular favourite na Filipino food?33:35When we served lechon on the 17th birthday of Parolino. They were saying form one table to another Lechon, Lechon because they do not have that in Italy. They dont do that. The lechon registered to them.34:03Where did you get that lechon?34:08I dont know where Chef Mae got it but they love sweets. And then we bought a coffee machine nad they were surrounding it. First, the coffee machine was bought and I asked Ben Hur and Mr. Pacheco. They were the ones who made the, I asked the suppliers to come over and I tested the coffees. They were the ones who chose the coffee for the Pope. I was also the one who assigned the plates that will be used for the Pope and they approved it.34:45Can you talk about the setup in the dining?34:47The plates, before around November, I asked Cornerstone. Cornerstone is the supplier in SHRIM. I asked if they have plates that would be perfect for the Pope. He said yes and then they brought me the plate and they presented it. Those plates were made for the prince of Brunei. It was customized for the prince. I think they had an agreement that after 4 years or 5 years, if they made more than what they ordered, this is the purpose of if they would reorder they would be able to deliver for a short time. After four years, if the did not reorder, they are now allowed to sell it outside but the condition is they will not just sell it. They will need the purpose why theyre selling it and when I told them about it. Those plates are called Bone Plates. The plates are 40% bone made from cow and these passed the quality for the palace in UK thats why its called royal daultan the name of the plate because it was approved by the royal family. When I showed it to Maam Letty, it passed. It was quite expensive but I told Ben Hur that this plate will be the representation of that event then maybe we could place it somewhere because those plates are history. We could put them into something and people could see those plates. I dont want to be having plates that are just regular plates. Of course, even though you say that you dont want to spend so much on that but these are special people and we would like to have durable plates. It matches the guests. And I think it was a good investment for Benilde. We will be setting those aside and maybe we will be using it for whoever would suit for those plates. I was saying to Brother Dennis maybe we could use it for the next Lasalle Assembly or Lead Assembly for the Brothers. We will be using it for those occasions.37:28In the secretary team, there were moments when we were so sleepy but then someone will throw a joke. You could put smile and humour during this time of holy moments and thats what drives us. Its really exciting that feeling of being with them. Its quite extraordinary. We are not allowed to sleep here so I need to go home. Except for two because the secretariat telephone operators need to be here for anything 24/7