By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Congratulations to Dr. Maria Amihan Tamayo Panes, a faculty member of Central Philippine University, for receiving the Philippine Tourism Pillar Award as a Regional Nominee at the Philippine Tourism Awards by the Department of Tourism! CPU is so proud of you!

Dr. Maria Amihan Tamayo Panes, a faculty member of Central Philippine University, received the Philippine Tourism Pillar Award as a Regional Nominee, one of the major categories of the Philippine Tourism Awards by the Department of Tourism, on December 9, 2024, at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City.

Currently, she is the Program Coordinator for the BS Tourism Management program under the College of Hospitality Management and a Full-time Instructor under the Graduate School Program on Tourism and Hospitality Management. She was the former Program Coordinator for the CPU-CHM and the Tourism and Hospitality MBA and DM programs for the School of Graduate Studies and Program Head of the Graduate School Program on Tourism and Hospitality Management.

“As a tourism advocate, I am so humbled and honored with this recognition, which will further inspire me to carry on with my mission to train and mentor more tourism front liners and future professionals of the industry,” she said in an online interview.

According to the Department of Tourism – Philippines, the awarding is part of the DOT’s 50th founding anniversary in honoring tourism industry pioneers and institutions. It is a one-time recognition program that seeks to show appreciation to individuals, enterprises, destinations, and organizations that have contributed to Philippine tourism.

“My academe involvement in Central Philippine University, started in the year 2000. Before I was called to do a demo teaching, I had never stood in front of a class, but when I did for the first time, it seemed that I have been doing it my whole life. I discovered a newfound passion – that I was designed to teach. That started my teaching tourism and hospitality subjects in the university which I have been doing this for the past 24 years,” Dr. Panes wrote on her Narrative of MTP Tourism Career.

The Philippine Tourism Pillar Award recognizes an individual whose career in Philippine tourism spans at least 35 years. These individuals embody true Filipino hospitality and have contributed to socio-economic growth and environmental protection.

When asked of her message to the Centralian community in receiving such recognition, she remarked, “For CPU Community: I share with you, with so much pride and gratitude, this recognition. This is also a testimony that we can always do something significant in the community. Our mentorship should not be confined in the academe. We can still do more in the discipline that we teach. Let’s maximize the talents we are blessed with.”

Indeed, Dr. Maria Amihan Tamayo Panes’ achievement serves as an inspiration to the community and a reminder of the potential that lies within each Centralian to make a significant impact in their chosen fields.