𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

On October 17th, 2024, the much-awaited Travel Expo was significantly participated by first-year students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management taking the professional course Philippine Culture and Tourism Geography (CPHILTOUR). The event showcased the colorful, artistically crafted booths and took place at Plaza San Jose. These booths were creatively designed and handled with utmost care and effort. By displaying every intricate design and finishing touch that gave the individuality and beauty of their work. The themes of each booth were namely CALABARZON, Cordillera Administrative Region, BARMM, Central Visayas, and Negros Island Region.

It mainly focused on travel destinations, cultural experiences, and engaging activities that attracted the professors and students. They made it engaging and lively as every booth presented had traditional music, authentic decors, and captivating presentations representing each assigned region per section. The students successfully transformed the campus into a miniature globe tour by providing knowledgeable information on essential travel tips, local cuisine, and prominent tourist destinations while dressed in exquisite traditional wear.

The Minor Awards were presented by Dr. Felipe. First, HTM-101 won the Best in Costume award for its creative representation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Moving on, the LTSP Choices Award was awarded to HTM 1-5 for their outstanding presentation of Negros Island Region. The CSC Choices Award was given to HTM-102 in recognition of their excellent performance showcasing the beauty of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

HTM 102 won the Best Male Star Dancer award again, and HTM 105 took home the Best Female Star Dancer title in the performance categories where they showcased their powerful yet graceful dance moves.

Lastly, for the minor awards, the Stakeholder's Award title was proudly presented to HTM-104, representing the CALABARZON region.

The major awards included Best Male Tourism Icon from HTM 102 representing Cordillera Administrative Region is Aki Roque. Mercy De Jesus, who is also from HTM 102, was not to be outdone as she won the title of Best Female Tourism Icon by elegantly capturing the beauty and essence of her region.

Presenting next, their amazing take on Kasuotan Pinoy for the Best in the Male Category is HTM 102 Cordillera Administrative Region, Russel L. Lopez. While for Best Female Kasuotan Pinay goes to HTM 105 Negros Island Region by Wayne Bamba.

The winner of the Best in Male Category for Kasuotan Pinoy was Russell L. Lopez of HTM-102, his performance focused on traditional Filipino wear captivating the audience with its cultural significance. Meanwhile, Wayne Bamba from HTM 105, who was representing Negros Island Region, won the Best Female Kasuotan Pinay title. Presenting the rich heritage of her region leaves an impactful impression on the audience.

The ceremony continued with the announcement of awards, each recognizing outstanding contributions to tourism and cultural representation.

Once again, HTM 102 won the Best Traveler/Travel Package award, highlighting the diverse presentations regarding the Cordillera Administrative Region. Their creative approach to travel experiences captured the significant essence of its culture and natural beauty.

Next, HTM 105, representing the Negros Island Region, won the Best Travel Exhibit award. Along with showcasing the region’s distinct attractions, the exhibit included interactive features emphasizing its rich culture and history.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, represented by HTM 101, was proudly awarded the Best Travel/Cultural Presentation Award. Their performance portrayed the regional traditions, vibrant, inspiring, and educating the audience.

The highlight point of the event was HTM 105 from the Negros Island Region, earning the Grand Championship of the Philippines SHTM Travel Expo Presenter of the Year achieving an impressive score of 96.2 points. This award recognized their excellence in presenting ability and the creativity of skills in portraying the region uniquely.

This event has truly been a successful and wonderful learning experience for students and the audience. This event has been a successful and memorable learning experience for students and the audience. Learning and experiencing an overview of the Philippines’ natural beauty and rich culture. We proudly display our deep love for our nation by standing tall and with pride.

Article by: Kaye Castillo

Photos by: Juan Carlos Alkuino