People with Down syndrome get a taste of working in 5-star hotel

Five young adults with Down syndrome proved that nothing was impossible as they worked as interns for an upscale bayside hotel in Pasay City.

Recently, five-star Sofitel launched a three-day internship program in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), according to Shai Lagarde's report on Stand for Truth, Wednesday.

Each assigned to a specific task, from helping out in the kitchen to greeting guests in the lobby, Andie Cruz (22 years old), Annette Samin (17 years old), Nicey Ignacio (20 years old), Paolo Pingol (27 years old) and Angel Dadios (17 years old) enthusiastically immersed themselves in the experience and became inspired to join the work force.

DSAPI president Elmer Lapeña said, "I've been working with many companies and talking with them about our children and the possibility of gaining employment and actually work experience."

Hoping that the program will help her son secure employment, Marcie Cruz, mother of intern Andie, said, "So this one was what he really wanted to do, working in a hotel, meeting people, helping people. Of course, he looks forward to employment."

Annette's mother, Lea, meanwhile, said: "After each session, she goes home, and she takes pride in telling my parents, her lolo and lola, what she did."

Guests of the hotel also showed glee and joy upon seeing the interns working and helping out, said Russel Hipolito, the hotel's concierge supervisor.

"It's so fun po working with them, para po kaming may younger babies na kasama sa duty. Very sweet, very kind and very friendly po siya kaya halos lahat kami sa Le Bar natutuwa sa kanya," Le Bar receptionist Jymee Baello, the mentor of Nicey, also said.

Anna Laguerta, the talent and cultural manager of Sofitel, said this was the first program of its kind launched within the hotel.

"Based on that program of course we saw already a lot of potential from our young adults with down syndrome. Maybe in the future we might add that to our recruitment program," she said. — Kaela Malig/MDM, GMA News