By Trenzy Nichole Caculitan, BA ELS-4, The Centralian Link Intern
The Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines (COHREP) – Western Visayas successfully held the 5th COHREP Western Visayas Regional Skills Olympics on March 28, 2026, at Robinsons Place Iloilo.
The event gathered hospitality and tourism students from various institutions across the region. With the theme “COHREP Goes B.R.I.G.H.T. for SDG’s: Building Responsible, Innovative, and Globally-Competitive Hospitality and Tourism Professionals,” the event showcased students’ skills, creativity, and professionalism while promoting excellence in line with global industry standards. The program began with registration and preparation for participants, followed by the opening ceremony, which included an opening prayer, the Philippine National Anthem, welcome remarks, and acknowledgment of participating schools and sponsors. This set the tone for a day focused on talent, innovation, and healthy competition.
Participants competed in various categories within hospitality and tourism, including culinary competitions, cake decorating, table skirting, napkin folding, and centerpiece arrangement. Tourism-related events such as tour packaging, tour guiding, and flight attendant showmanship highlighted students’ communication and presentation skills. Flair bartending added excitement, allowing participants to show their precision and creativity in beverage preparation. Judging criteria and guidelines were shared before the competitions to ensure fairness and clarity for contestants. Each event tested technical abilities as well as time management, teamwork, and adaptability, which are key skills in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The event concluded with the awarding of winners, recognizing outstanding performances across all categories. Closing remarks and a final prayer marked the end of the program, celebrating the participants’ hard work and achievements. The 5th COHREP Western Visayas Regional Skills Olympics reinforced the organization’s commitment to developing future professionals who are skilled, innovative, and competitive in the hospitality and tourism sector.