Taking To Heart A Father’s Example
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Sitting at the dinner table with newlyweds telling one another, “I love you more,’ ‘No, I love you more’ can initiate the gag reflex for some.
Switch out those lovebirds with a father and son, and you’ve got yourself a Hallmark tear-jerker.
Such was the case when MidWeek sat down with Proceso and Joey Ibarra at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa - the place of their employment and the heart of their incredible father-son bond.
To celebrate Father’s Day, Joey wrote a letter about his dad, which was posted on the Marriott’s Spirit of Aloha blog (http://www.marriotthawaii.com/spiritofaloha/)
He wrote:My father has been working at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa since 1979, two weeks before I was born. I practically grew up in the hospitality industry. Through the years, through my father’s eyes, I’ve seen the industry change many times. I have many fond memories of attending company picnics, participating in the industry’s charity walk, and of course the Christmas parties.
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I started working at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in 2001 and then took a short break, later to return in 2003. I started as a PBX operator, and then later cross trained as a guest service agent. In 2006, I transferred into the reservation department and learned a great deal working with a great team. I later realized that I missed the face-to-face interaction the front desk offered. I transferred back into the front office and was soon promoted to front office supervisor, and then to front desk manager in 2008.
During my journey with Marriott, my father has been my sounding board. He’s always there with an open ear listening to my questions while providing me with sound advice. I remember speaking to my father after I applied for a supervisor position I did not get. My father said two words, “Be patient.” He said to keep doing what you do, and when the time is right everything will fall into place. He could not have been more right. As the saying goes, “Father knows best.”
My father’s birthday falls in June and hence, we’ve always had a combination birthday and Father’s Day celebration. He’s a laid back kind of guy, and loves nothing better than heading down to the beach for a barbecue.
This June my father turns 62, and he plans to retire after more than 30 years of service with Marriott. He plans to celebrate Father’s Day and his birthday with our family in the Philippines. My father is truly my inspiration.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. -Joey
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This was letter No. 2 for Joey, as he recalls the first time he wrote about his dad.
“When I was in elementary school, we had an assignment to write about the most important person in our life and I wrote about my dad,” says Joey, a Kamehameha Schools and Princeton University grad. “My dad has really sacrificed a lot. He’s worked at this property for over 30 years. He just shows up to work and does his thing and provides for our family. He worked two full-time jobs (also doing yard service) for 20 years, and while it saddens me that he’s retiring, it’s time for him to enjoy life. He’s earned his retirement.”
In October, Proceso will be hanging up his steward uniform after dedicating the past 31 years to the Waikiki Beach Marriott.
“This is like my home. I stay here five days a week. I’m here more than I stay in
my house,” says Proceso. “It’s going to be 31 years that I’ve been here, so I guess it’s time. My body is feeling tired. Now when I get up in the morning my back sore and my knees sore.”
This past January, Proceso and Joey shared their moment in the spotlight as they were both honored at the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association’s Na Poe Pa’ahana Awards, which honor outstanding employees in the hotel industry. Joey received Hotel Manager of the Year and Proceso received Steward, Food & Beverage Person of the Year.
“For the Na Poe Pa’ahana award, we nominated Joey because he was the obvious choice,” says Gerald Nakashima Jr., director of room operations. “Joey is the kind of manager and person who’s hard to find. He’s very responsible, very engaging with people and he takes genuine care of everyone.”
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The award culminates many unforgettable years at the Marriott. It offered Joey and Proceso a walk through the memories, starting with trips from Kalihi to Waikiki to pick up Dad.
“I remember we went with my mom to pick up my dad at 10:30 at night and it was a big thing for us. All the kids would hop in the van from Kalihi and it was fun.”
Joey remembers the pride he felt when he would visit the hotel his dad worked at. It’s what he says brought him there to pursue his own career ambitions. With an incredible education foundation - Joey has an East Asian Studies degree with a focus on Tokugawa Era Japanese History and Japanese Language from Princeton University. But it’s his love for his job and work ethic that he says he learned from his dad that he hopes will create further opportunities at Marriott.
“I love my job,” says the 30-year-old. “Being from Hawaii and being part Hawaiian, this job is a great opportunity for me to share my ho’okipa, my hospitality and the Hawaiian culture.
“I don’t know if it has to do with the fact that I came up from PBX operator, to front desk agent, to reservations, to front desk manager, but these people are my family. I truly care about each and every person I work with. Every single day I go to work I look forward to it.”
The family bond extends beyond this hard-working pair: Mom is Violette and Joey is the middle child between Chad, 31, and Jessica, 28.
“I think my dad being an immigrant and coming from the Philippines when he was 28 not having anything is amazing,” says Joey, who says he got his looks from his dad, noting that his mom is of Hawaiian ancestry. “He built his life here and gave me all this opportunity. I’m really proud of that.
“My dad is not a complainer, he shows up and does the job and he does the job well, and that’s something that he’s ingrained on me.”
Dad returns the compliment, saying, “Right now I’m so proud with him and what he’s doing. I’m proud. I’m so glad I get one son like him.”
Proceso’s retirement will take him back home to the Philippines, where he plans to build a home to live for half the year. Joey jokes that his dad needs to build him a room for his annual visits, but the the laughter subsides as Joey says that the distance also will mean no more father-son lunch breaks.
“Because I’m in the front office area and he works in the main kitchen, we don’t get to really work together, but I do try to arrange my lunch breaks when he goes,” says Joey. “My dad is a man of habit, so I know exactly when he’s going to be in the cafeteria and how long he’s going to be there. So I always know where to find him.”
Father’s Day will be an extra special one for the Ibarras this year. Dad’s 62nd birthday, a well-deserved retirement, two distinguished awards and a recent promotion.
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