Fascination with Horses: A Perk in My Job of Making Guests Happy
DSY with Ms. Krysten Chan
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The Singapore Polo Club is the only membership association in Singapore with 1,200 subscribed patrons, most of whom know Krysten well. Imagine the charming Filipina presence greeting you each time you pass by the front desk, switching one’s mood from feeling exhausted into a soothing delight.
Dahilsayo interviewed Krysten regarding her career and her evolving fascination with horses. The blue texts below are verbatim. To capture Krysten's thoughts and emotions as untainted as possible, DSY avoided revising the language usage too much.
When asked about her life as a career professional, Krysten said:
I'm particularly interested in the hotel sector. I had been working in the hotel sector even before I arrived in Singapore. It was initially in a different department, then. I was working in the kitchen in the Philippines back then. It slightly changed when I moved to Singapore where I started being assigned in the front lines rather than in the kitchen. That was at the front desk of the Grand Hyatt Singapore before I was given the opportunity to join the Singapore Polo Club. Although I also worked at the front desk, as time went by, more responsibilities were given. Now, my role has expanded to include running the front desk, membership, and the club rooms.
Krysten took up her MBA in Singapore about seven years ago. She then returned to the Philippines right after that. Then, in Manila, she was commissioned by a university group to conduct a research related to courses adopted in the universities, for around two years. However, her desire was to get a full-time job back in Singapore. Incidentally, right after graduating from her MBA, she had already applied for jobs there. It was only in a couple of years when she finally got an interview in one of best among Singapore’s 400 accommodation establishments. That was through the endorsement of her former Singapore college professor. She initially served in the cocktail reception as she resumed her stint in the city state.
The Big Break
It was a good time to be in Singapore for me right where I want to be in—the hospitality sector. My progress was fairly quick. I continue to have a good time here. At the same time, I also want to widen my experience a little bit further. I'm now searching for alternative opportunities, receptive to new possibilities.
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While eyeing to work in farther countries, I discovered that being in Singapore is not a bad alternative. It is mostly due to proximity to my home country. When I was still in the Philippines—actually, when I was still young—I knew in my heart that I wanted to travel abroad to discover other places. It was not my full intention to relocate to Singapore. I was simply seeking for somewhere to do my master's program outside of the Philippines. I was looking for far away places for an MBA program. There were several countries, but I believe Singapore was the most sensible choice out of all of them.
There are more reasons why I so far decided to stay in this city. One: Singapore is safe. Second, the Philippines is just nearby. So traveling is simple. Right for me and my family to come and visit. There was where it began. It all started when I applied to the school and was accepted, so yeah. At first, people said, "Oh, maybe just take the masters here and move somewhere else." But I must admit that I felt somewhat at ease here. I have been here for seven years already.
It's good, I guess. Efficiency, safety, and convenience are all strong points of Singapore. It's all quite simple to understand. The weather in Singapore is the only thing that I'm not really fond of. It is very hot. However, other from that, I like living here. Rising living expenses are a given. As it is everywhere else, I believe that's where it happened. In reality, there is nowhere to actually hide. However, if you're a local, you already know it. I assume that you don't need to worry too much about me. Undoubtedly, it is practical. It is secure. In this place, I met a lot of nice folks, too.
Overcoming Difficulties
Challenges? Due to the presence of my cousin in Singapore, I would say not much. Prior to relocating here, I visited Singapore to get a feel for the city before making my decision. After that, I had support. I recognized a few locals. I'm Chinese, so getting used to life here obviously takes some time. Because, certainly, some Malay terms are similar to Filipino words, as are some Chinese and English words.
It's a little bit simpler to spend time with people here, in a manner of saying. I initially had a very difficult time with the language, especially Singlish. That was one of the biggest obstacles. However, it becomes simpler as you progress and gain a better understanding of how things are in this clean country.
Success-wise, I would think of my work as an example and think of it as my expertise in the equestrian sector. Or I was completely lost and oblivious, not knowing what I was getting myself into at the Polo Club. So it's like, front desk, quite simple. However, I didn't anticipate learning as much as I did, not just about the club per se, but also about the horse-related sport. I'm now fascinated by horses as a result. The good that horses can do for humans extends to foster social interaction. Okay, emotional assistance and also regarding mental health.
Horses and Their Owners: Healers Alike
Horses have a lot of potential as aids. Working at the Singapore Polo Club, I think I actually grew up a lot in terms of how I interacted with people, those who own the horses and their dependents, especially. Even though I interact with many individuals, my experience in the hotel is different from what it is when I am at the Polo Club. With members, you essentially live in the club because you see them every day. I believe my response to a situation would differ now from how I would respond before, when I was still in the hotel. So in general, I believe that working at the Polo Club helped me to mature significantly in terms of how I relate to others and how to enhance their abilities and interests.
Growing Gracefully
Of course, when people say people, they also mean my co-workers, so certainly, I think I did better on that day. Personally, I believe that the growth has been good. You also meet folks from various backgrounds on the social side of things. Considering that we have members from all over the world, nations. Wow. Polo players who compete in international competitions are paid. Before, for instance, there were people from the UK who worked with the royal family.
So it brings out a different experience at one time, what level of prestige Polo has, and on the equestrian side of things you get to see kids example learning from small and now competing to a high level. Wow. Yeah. So it's, yeah, it's really an eye opening.
As a result, it highlights a different experience at one point, the level of prestige Polo has, and on the equestrian front, you get to witness Kids as an example developing from tiny and now competing to a high level. Wow. Yeah. So, yes, that is definitely eye opening.
It is a great deal, especially in terms unrelated to the game itself. You get to learn all these things that can increase your vocabulary, right? Oh, the terminologies and jargons that they use, okay. You won't be able to learn it when you work outside, after all. Then, socially, of course, you interact with a lot of people and make friends. And I believe that you observe various individuals. The fact that we work with so many diverse colleagues allows them to respect you and your position—basically, yourself—more.
As I mentioned, I had never worked in this business before. Inside a hotel, not every day do you see folks. visiting tourists. as a club. Since I don't yet know everyone, I initially faced a hurdle. The members were unknown to me. Naturally, it would get frustrated occasionally that I didn’t know them. After all these years, though, my department started receiving less complaints. As a result, we have been front desk's top competitor when it comes to customer care for the previous few years. I believe that's something for which I should be proud.
We have a relationship with the members currently. I know. I am recognized by them. And even before they express an opinion or make a request, I already know what they expect. In light of that, I believe that my team has started feeling at ease as the members consider them more of reliable friends now.
Asked About Being Away From Family
Being separated from your family for a lengthy period of time is stressful. But I suppose the willpower to actually desire to accomplish it lies in you. Whom are you doing it for, exactly? Yeah. Yes, you must reflect and, as you have frequently advised, dive deep. Likewise, consider the big picture. Do you seem to be getting better? For yourself only? For all people? Or who do your actions affect, if anyone? because of a work example? I do put in a lot of effort. However, I also consider the stakeholders and members—are they satisfied with the service?
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How can I make their service better? And what can we do to make our lives simpler and receive little to no complaints? If we don't perform tasks correctly? Our lives become more challenging as more complaints are received. Right? We therefore endeavour to be as complaint-free as possible. We dislike grievances. Therefore, while working hard is important, you also need to enjoy or love what you're doing.
I understand that I'm not as fortunate as some individuals in that, yes, I get to select my profession; after all, some people are compelled to work. I suppose that's one of it—not what, like, the industry that they actually want to. because I enjoy this sector. Right. Therefore, you took into account my enjoyment of my profession in addition to the difficult work. Right. And knowing that I accomplish these goals makes me happy at the end of the day. Then, I suppose, it's just a matter of course that pay is one thing. Yes. The benefit of seeing people delighted with what you're doing will follow.
And I am aware that others value you. It's one of the things that keeps you going, in my opinion, when others congratulate you on a job well done. I appreciate you doing this. You are aware of it? It's definitely one of the main motivations, in my opinion. And I suppose, certainly, it's incredibly difficult to work without your family or your close friends at your side, as I've already mentioned.
It’s a Matter of Mindset
However, I suppose it's just the mindset of "Yeah, I want to accomplish this." And I'll carry it out. You have to make a decision because it's alright to say, "I want to give up," or "I want to follow through with it," so it's all about staying strong. At the end of the day, I believe I whine, sometimes, and I believe it to be normal. We moan, we're not satisfied, we get jealous, or we experience all these emotions because we're human, but at the end of the day, it's about deciding that we'll figure this out and that we'll make it through.