A King's Noble Mission
07.01.2010, 16:34
It was an idea sparked by some friends, an idea that later on reinforced by global initiatives to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
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I think it is our corporate responsibility to initiate such move. If I don’t do it, who will?"
Those were the thoughts of Ian King, the youngest among the siblings of Victoria Court owner Archie King. This bachelor, who is one of the managing directors of the King’s family business, is hoping to save lives by taking a stance against the deadly virus.
While the Kings’ motel business has gained a rather infamous perception as a first-class, premium drive-in hotel in the Philippines, Ian found just the right people to embark on an advocacy right on his family’s own turf. Together with the hotel management, Ian is promoting awareness on safe sex starting with their patrons.
At first the hotel offered free condoms, but later on, Ian and his staff found themselves back on the drawing table to map out a plan to pursue their mission.
Even during his trips abroad, the young motel mogul would continue his research to find ways to create awareness on the perils of unsafe sex, and the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. Eventually, internet-savvy Ian realized there’s a greater possibility he could reach more people by putting up and maintaining a website dedicated to provide as many information on HIV/AIDS.
Guided by other sites such as that of the United Nations AIDS, one.org and youthaids-aldo.org, Ian had the website stophiv.info built.
"(At the moment) we’re just an awareness campaign. We are trying to target the youth because they are the most experimental and naive... In the near future, we’re going to bridge all organizations to have a joint effort to help stop HIV. Our main goal is to see to it that people have safe sex if they are untested. So get yourself checked!", says Ian.
The website serves as a means of raising funds for HIV-positive individuals. Stophiv.info came up with a set of merchandise such as t-shirts, bands, and dog tags that will be made available for sale. Part of the proceeds will help fund the motel’s other prevention initiatives and another portion will go to people living with HIV (PLWH) that need to take anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment to suppress the reproduction of the virus in their body and delay the progression of their infection into AIDS, thus prolonging their lives. The very essence of the project lays in the involvement of both advocates and individuals who themselves are infected with HIV.
Big plans are already on its way for the STOP HIV project. At the moment, the project is supported by PNAC.
"We are planning another event on December for the World AID’s Day. For those who want to be involved with the project, we encourage volunteers. Our details are on the site or you can drop by our Pasig office for an appointment. But first, you need to be aware and get yourself tested," Ian adds.
Future plans include the transformation of the project into a foundation dedicated to serve persons with HIV/AIDS.
Beyond business
The Kings see business in all aspects, thus, from being motel entrepreneurs, they are moving beyond business to become advocates of life through STOP HIV.
Recognized for their initiatives, the government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded the company for their excellence in managing a motel and for being an example of a business that cares to both their employees and community.
This year made the YEAR of Victoria Court. Much to everyone’s awe, the first drive-in-hotel with ISO Certification bagged three awards for the Department of Trade and Industry’s 16th Pro-Active Programs Achievement Award 2005 which, was held last June 16, 2006 at the Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
t is in the recognition of companies such as Victoria Court that DTI conceptualized the Search for Model Companies. Formed in 1989, the award aims to recognize the effort of client companies that established programs borne out of conduct and implementation of any of the Pro-Active programs for competitiveness.
Leading with Compassion
Aside from social/community responsibility programs and quality service in terms of customer relations and hotel management, Victoria Court boasts of its employee and management relationship. It is not hard to imagine for the company to be recognized in the field of Labor Management Cooperation.
Warm and elegant would be the perfect adjectives for a Victoria Court experience. And this goes to the management’s bond with their employees. With more than 500 employees, each has the right to be heard. They have an open policy consenting employees to go directly to the owners to say their plea without being reprimanded.
More so, Victoria Court Management shows consideration to unions without vexing of internal dissenter.
Policies, programs and projects implemented through LMC programs of Victoria Court highlights how the management coexist with their employees and making this program work for the company’s performance in running the hotel.
The first King that ventured into the business continually put into his mind that going after the manna in the dessert is a piece of good fortune that should be shared to his blood kin, close knit, employees and community. This value went on and has been the guiding principle of transforming a business into a kingdom of dreams.
From the 1980s, the company made sure that apart from quality customer service in each Victoria Court in the country, the company should also take care of one of its valuable assets--- the employees.
Good Samaritan
Employees enjoy a wide array of benefits that includes housing, employee to entrepreneur trainings, insurance that’ll cover PhP50, 000 per illness per year extended to the family, wedding gifts, profit sharing, and of course bonuses. In some occasions such as Archie King’s birthday last year, he gave everyone bonuses multiplied by the number of years in service at Victoria Court. Of course everyone, down to the 500th personnel got a windfall.
"We are supportive of our employees. As much as possible we provide them an avenue for development so as they may achieve their own financial success in their lives. Most companies would frown down on providing entrepreneurial trainings for their employees since it would mean opening opportunity for the employees to leave the company. And that’s bad for business since you’ll go through about the tediousness of recruitment.But the management of Victoria thinks of it the other way around. We would love to see our employees branch out from the company to find their own niche of success.", shares Mr. William Go, the Chief Operating Officer of Victoria Court.
It is said, "To be a master is to serve," indeed the Kings have served well and this principle is continually witnessed in their daily relation with people. In this light, they have transformed business from being "business as usual" to changing lives. It would not be a wonder if sooner they’ll achieve the Philippine Quality Awards. The hotel is continuously looking for ways on how to be of help to the Filipino people, and at the same time, giving the best quality of service for its clients.
Once again, Victoria Court’s quality service and customer value are recognized not only by its satisfied clientele, beneficiary-communities/people but also by the government arm that ensures and protects both business establishments and consumers.