THE icons, leaders, prime movers, and stakeholders of our country’s tourism industry recently gathered at the huge ballroom of Okada Manila for the first-ever Philippine Tourism Awards hosted by our Department of Tourism.
Outstanding personalities from both the private and public sectors involved in the development and promotion of our tourism industry were given due recognition for excellence in their respective fields of endeavor.
The carefully selected group of winners began with 353 nominees across various categories, eventually narrowing down to 102 finalists, from which the stellar list of winners was chosen.
During her keynote speech, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco applauded the finalists and the winners as they “carry the stories of our communities, the hopes of our families, and the honor of our nation.” She further expressed her wish that our tourism industry “will continue to be a wellspring of hope, unity, and pride in our identity as Filipinos.”
I liked it when she further addressed the awardees by saying, “You are proof that the Filipino spirit of hospitality, innovation, and perseverance can carry our nation forward. Today, we honor you, but in truth, it is our country that is honored by your work.”
Having been involved with our tourism industry for the past 55 years of my life, this heartfelt message hit me right to the core and further strengthened my resolve to do what I can for our industry.
The first set of awards was for the “Tourism Pillar” enterprises, subdivided into Travel and Tour Agencies: Marsman Drysdale Travel, Rajah Travel, Baron Travel, and Travel Services; Resorts: Baguio Country Club, Chali Resort and Conference Center, and Mambukal Resort; Hotels: Embassy Hotel, Grand Astoria Hotel, Hotel del Rio, Montebello Villa Hotel, Taal Vista Hotel, The Boac Hotel, Apo View Hotel, Davao Insular Hotel, De Luxe Hotel, and The VIP Hotel.
Awards were also given to “Tourism Pillar” Individuals, subdivided into MICE Professionals: Ma. Cristina Capistrano, Elizabeth de la Fuente, Dexter Deyto, Ma. Lourdes Lagandaon, Ma. Irene Lloren, Marisa Nallana, Patrick Lawrence Tan, and Mary Ann Montemayor; Allied Professionals: Joji Bian and George Tapan; Travel and Tour Operators: Alejandra Clemente, Macrina Fuentes, Alice Queblatin, Lourdes Sultan, Paul Lim So, Cesar Cruz, Jose Luis Yulo, and Yolanda Wong; Tour Guides: Bienvenido Claravall, Cecilia Duran, Mary Ann Imbong, Danilo Montenejo, Dolores Salamanca, and Pedro Young; Hoteliers: Anthony de Leon, Arthur Lopez, and Adelfa Pace. Posthumous Awards were given to Josefa Aquino, Jaime Barrientos, and Yvette Lee.
The Tourism Pillar Excellence Awardees were Philippine Airlines, The Manila Hotel, Philippine Travel Agencies Association, and the University of the Philippines-Asian Institute of Tourism.
Awards were also given to Media: Pinas Sarap (Travel Show), Lost Juan (Tourism and Travel Vlog), and Erwin Mascariñas for Tourism Journalism; and to Outstanding Individuals: Joseph Estrada for Community Tour Guide, Ma. Lorena Guba for Regional Tour Guide, and Shauna Indra Salina Curran for Tourism Frontliner. Tourism Industry Excellence Awards were given to Cebu Pacific and Megaworld Hotels and Resorts.
Institutional Awards were also given to: Southwest Tours Boracay, MAD for Social Tourism, Marang-Marang Women’s Association, Philippine International Convention Center, Professional Organizers Unlimited, Dapdap Sunset Grill, Puerto Pension Inn, and Greenleaf Hotel.
Product Awards were given to: The Farm at San Benito for Filipino Brand of Wellness Enterprise, Real Great English Corp. for ESL School, Cebu City for ESL Destination, Ephrathah Farms for Farm Tourism, Ticao Island Dive and Resort for Dive Operator, Puerto Galera for Dive Destination, Puerto Princesa for Cruise Destination, Sta. Cruz, Laguna for Food and Gastronomy Destination, Isabel de Basilan for Living Cultures Destination, Las Piñas Bamboo Organ for Arts Destination, Manila’s Quiapo Church for Faith-Based Destination, Camiguin for Eco-Tourism Destination, Bolinao for Municipality Tourism Destination, Sipalay for City Tourism Destination, and Bohol for Province Tourism Destination.
It was indeed a glorious night for our country’s Tourism Industry, as the radiant smiles of everybody in the venue signified the relentless dynamism and energy of our Industry’s stakeholders as we continue to move toward an even brighter future.
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