By Kriss Kringle Inge C. Bancolo
BS Tourism Management 4th Year, CPUR Vice President 2022-2023

Batch 1 participants from the CPU Dr. Lucio C. Tan College of Hospitality Management on-site industry training at Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The CPU Dr. Lucio C. Tan College of Hospitality Management has finally taken flight on its first-ever on-site industry training with practicum activities in Cebu. After almost three years of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPU CHM students have been able to experience the rebuilding of the tourism and hospitality industry in Cebu. The students were accompanied by the College Dean and Professors headed by Prof. Ma. Medalla P. Baliao, Prof, Ismael A. Almajar Jr, Dr. Myrna T. Luceno, Dr. Ely S. Lazaro.

Students were immersed in many different tourist destinations in Cebu. On the first day, the students went to the largest Ocean Park in the Philippines, the Cebu Ocean Park which is also the first marine park in the Visayas and Mindanao, bringing together over 200 species of sea animals, birds, insects, and reptiles. They also had their photos taken at the oceanarium, a large-scale seawater aquarium that displays marine species like sharks and fishes. After a long day, the students had their buffet dinner at the Pusô Bistro and Bar where different selections of international and local cuisines were served.

On the second day of the tour, students went to the Cebu Safari where they witnessed exotic animals coming from different parts of the world, mainly from Africa and South America. From tigers to the species of the African Savanna, to meerkats and apes, and from the vast orchid collection in Michel’s Garden to the Gardens of the world, students connected with animals and nature. The students also learned how they can help conserve the planet and witnessed the Bird show at the Safari Stadium. They ended their second day by enjoying adventure rides like ATV Ride, Zip Line, and more.

CPU CHM students at the Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Cebu, Hillary Hall 1.

On the third day, the students learned and witnessed what it feels like to be a hotelier. Several testimonies were also shared coming from different managers and supervisors of the Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Cebu; Mr. Cesar Villaganas (Accounts Manager), Ms. Marianne Heyrosa (Duty Manager), Mr. Julius Lape (Food and Beverage supervisor), and Mr. Joel Espina (Executive House Keeper). They gave students a glimpse of what it feels like to work in a certain department of the hotel.

The speakers shared their experiences, especially at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the hardships they encountered during typhoon Odette. The Food and Beverage supervisor, Mr. Julius Lape said that during typhoon Odette they had to climb upstairs from the kitchen on the ground floor to go to the 25th floor because there was a province-wide power outage at Cebu for several days. Despite the challenges that they have encountered, Ms. Marianne Heyrosa the Duty Manager of the Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Cebu gave the students advice that would inspire future and aspiring hoteliers: “Just boost your confidence and never give up.”

Through the years, Dr. Lucio C. Tan College of Hospitality Management has been able to provide quality education to its stakeholders. This on-site industry training program with practicum activities for the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management and Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management has been an avenue and has become an essential component of students’ curricular programs. As such, it is highly desired by the industry because it exposes and immerses the students in real-world scenarios. This experience allowed the participating students to put their theoretical skill sets learned in classrooms to the test in a controlled environment under the supervision of one of the well-known 3-star hotels in Cebu: the Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Cebu.

As you can see, despite the numerous challenges that the tourism and hospitality industry has encountered, the industry still manages to rise and stay resilient. As the years go by slowly, this on-site industry training with practicum activities is a manifestation that the industry is gradually flourishing and going back to what it was before and even beyond.