15 December 2025
This fall, Silvera CEO Kyle Fawcett held meetings with residents in seven of Silvera’s newest communities. Silvera began operating these Government of Alberta buildings on April 1, 2025. Residents provided lots of encouraging feedback, including compliments for Silvera’s maintenance and housekeeping staff. One of these employees is Bayani Dionisio, a custodian at two of Silvera’s independent living communities. Our sincere thanks to Bayani and his colleagues for going the extra mile to help make Silvera homes clean and comfortable. Here we share Bayani’s story.
Bayani Dionisio, Silvera’s singing custodian, has enjoyed a career that has taken him across continents. He grew up in Manila, Philippines, where his early years were shaped by his paternal grandmother, whom he credits for teaching him how to clean, cook and iron. “She told me to always help out where you can. I’ve adapted and remembered her lessons wherever I’ve gone in life,” he says.
Bayani’s career began in Qatar and then on cruise ships, where he learned not only the art of cleaning but also the value of connecting with people. Part of that connection was his desire to be able to speak to people in their own languages. Today, he can speak some Arabic, German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Tagalog, and a bit of French and Japanese, all taught to him through a combination of co-workers, guests and Google.
His attention to detail and pride in his work helped him rise through the ranks on the cruise ships, where he eventually became a housekeeping supervisor. Along the way, he met his wife, Noemi.
Together, they arrived in Canada in 2008, to a resort in Golden, BC. Bayani says he was able to impress his supervisors with his efficiency and the skills he learned on cruise ships. He often created towel animals for VIPs, using his creativity to delight guests.
Bayani started at Silvera in 2021 after many years in Calgary’s hospitality industry working for the Westin and Hilton. He is known not just for his extra attention to cleanliness, but for his commitment to relationship-building.
He often sings while he works (“mostly love songs,” he says, while admitting he’s not a great singer, but it’s something he really enjoys), leads residents in birthday songs, and connects with people through his warmth and humanity. “Relationship building is part of Silvera’s core values,” he says. “It is so important to me to develop good relationships with people.”
Each day, during each task he completes, Bayani follows his personal credo: the ABCs. “A is always be attentive, B is be prepared, diligent, and adapt to issues or changes, and C is check all of the areas I’ve cleaned and complete any outstanding tasks.”
Carolyn McEachern, Silvera’s Housekeeping Manager, says Bayani is “a true professional. He is highly skilled, detail-oriented, and deeply knowledgeable in the craft of housekeeping. Bayani is respected by everyone who has the pleasure of working with him.”
In 2016, while working together at the Westin in Calgary, Carolyn nominated Bayani for the White Hat Award – a local hospitality industry award. Bayani won the “Best in Cleaning” category.
Bayani’s personal philosophy is simple. “If you’re not satisfied with your work, you can’t be good at what you do. You need to love your work and own it,” he says.
“I always want to excel and continually look for ways I can improve.”
Silvera CEO Kyle Fawcett speaks with residents in one seven of Silvera’s newest communities this fall.