The Moodie Davitt Report may bear the names of its Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and long-time President (and since 2015 Co-Owner) Dermot Davitt, but there is a lot more to the company than its two leaders.
Our diverse and inclusive, multi-talented, multi-cultural 24-member team (including regular freelancers and consultants) is based across numerous locations, including Hong Kong, Hainan, Ireland, Rhodes (Greece), Wales, England and the Philippines.
They speak eight languages between them and collectively represent the leading travel retail B2B publisher and events company with distinction across administration & finance, editorial, events, film, research, sales and technology.
We are pleased to introduce the team in this regular column. Please meet our Manila-based Associate Editor Camille Bersola.
Tell us a little about yourself
I was born in Quezon City, the largest city in the Philippines. The second oldest of seven children, I grew up in a close-knit family, which forms an important part of my strong support system.
It was in my paternal grandfather’s house, located outside the military camp, where I spent my formative years. Living in that neighbourhood helped me prepare for life’s bigger battles. It was where my family witnessed how the historic 1986 People Power Revolution transpired. My memories of what happened 38 years ago are vague, but I do recall the crowds of soldiers and tanks surrounding our neighbourhood; the massive crowds of people waiting, wondering what was going to happen.
Then came 1989 when a bloody military coup shook our community. I have vivid memories of uniformed men everywhere in the neighbourhood, 6×6 trucks and armoured vehicles rolling down the streets. The sounds of T-28 planes seemingly hovering over our house and the constant explosions. But we lived to tell the tale.
Years later, there would be occasional violent protests and riots around our area. The smell of gas and the sounds of gunshots were nothing unusual.
I attended an all-girl Catholic school in the 1990s and was later home-schooled until I finished high school.
I was ten when I discovered my interest in news and current affairs, thanks to my late grandfather, Pedro Bersola. He was a World War II warrior, a member of the pioneer class of the Philippine Military Academy and a sage, who played a very important role in my upbringing and education.
I took up journalism in college at a small school run by the owners of The Manila Times. That’s where my career in journalism began before working for several other media companies in the Philippines, including The Philippine Star, which became my home for four years.
In 2015, I jumped at the opportunity to work in Macau, an entirely different environment and experience for me and a new career as a TV journalist for a local broadcaster. The work was not as glamorous as it sounds, but my job was a very meaningful one, as I had the opportunity to become the voice of the Filipino migrant community there.
I spent almost seven years in the city before returning home in September 2021 at the height of the pandemic when nothing went according to plan. But I would say it was a time for some deep reflection, and I gave myself a much-needed rest.
When did you join The Moodie Davitt Report?
I joined The Moodie Davitt Report in January 2023 on a temporary basis. It was our former Asia Bureau Chief Jeannie Wong who responded to my application and endorsed me to Martin, who was then looking for someone to be part of the editorial team in Asia.
I met Martin in Manila in March last year to officially welcome me to the team.
What is your role?
I am an Associate Editor, assisting the editorial team on Asia-focused coverage. I write feature stories and news related to the travel retail sector.
A highlight of your time with The Moodie Davitt Report?
The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality 2023 was a memorable one for me. I was so glad to have met some of my colleagues from the UK and Hong Kong for the first time after months of virtual meetings.
I was also proud to be part of a very successful event that gathered interesting and highly regarded figures from the travel retail and F&B sectors.
What is your approach to work, your business philosophy?
I believe in the saying, ‘Fortune favours the bold’. I’ve learned that in life, success is not always guaranteed so if you never try, you’ll never know. I focus on anything that offers opportunities for personal growth and development.
For me, it’s always good to try to step out of my comfort zone and take risks, but still strike a balance between being bold and cautious.
What is it that makes you tick?
Life becomes uninspiring when there’s nothing to look forward to in the future. So having new experiences, whether it’s a travel destination, creative pursuits, business opportunities or community involvement always keeps me going.
How important are leisure time and out-of-work interests?
I believe maximising leisure time and immersing in out-of-work interests are very important in boosting productivity and protecting our wellbeing. I prioritise selfcare, rest and relaxation to help me recover from burnout and reignite my creative spark.
A must-have in duty free?
A duty-free-exclusive chocolate brand or a brand I’ve never tried before. I also make sure to find limited-edition lipstick collections and skincare sets for my sisters and nieces.
And a desert island choice of music and book?
Now that would have to be songs I can sing along to, the ones in my karaoke playlist. And while there are many standouts they would certainly include Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos, Zephyr Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Doo Wop by Lauryn Hill, Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine, 1234 by Feist, The Feels by Twice, Hypeboy by NewJeans and Seven by Jungkook.
A good novel by Salman Rushdie or Chinese writer Mo Yan, or other memoirs and biographies, would always be good company. ✈
Previously on Meet The Moodie Davitt team
Introducing Development and Systems Operations Director Matt Willey
Introducing Reporter Ameesha Raizada
Introducing China Chief Representative Zhang Yimei
Introducing Vice President Sales Sarah Genest
