THE Tourism Hospitality Management students of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod recognized the various stakeholders of the tourism industry in Bacolod City and the Province of Negros Occidental during the Gawad Agustino-Gabi ng Parangal 2023 held at La Proa Hall, L'Fisher Hotel on May 17.

Graduating students made their best effort to put up this event with the full support, guidance and supervision of Tourism Hospitality Management Program Head Belinda Berbenzana, awards chairperson Christy Alexa Peller, and Airyn Apalle with the support of College President Fr. Arnel Dizon, Finance and Administration VP Fr. Bernardo Coleco, and Academic Affairs VP Gereon Cabarles.

The various stakeholders include those companies and entrepreneurs who engage in Pasalubong Center, Chicken Inasal, Coffee Shop (Local), Coffee Shop (National), Pastry Shop, Family Restaurant, Hotel, Resort in Negros Occidental, Natural Attraction, Festival, Heritage Ancestral, Tourism City, Tourism Officer, City Plaza, Pizza (Local), Pizza (National), Fast Foods, Milktea Shops, Travel Agency, Cleanest and Greenest City, Entreprenuer, Mall, Social Media Influencer (Male) and Best Social Media Influencer (Female).

One of those recognized for their feats was Grab Food Philippines for its invaluable contribution and dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic for providing users with the transportation food delivery and digital payment services via mobile application.

Jocelyn Yoshida, Grab Philippines Regional Operations Manager received the award and with the moral support of Malou Inocando - Tabar, Grab's Public Affairs Manager.

Yoshida said, "I am grateful to receive the award on behalf of the heroes of the Philippines particularly our drivers, peers and merchants who were tireless with us in fulfilling this success. The existence of Grab in our community, in the country and Southeast Asia has made the lives of passengers and consumers comfortable, especially during the pandemic when the mobility of people was restrained.

“Our Grab delivery partners, drivers, merchants and my fellow Grabbers who worked together and faced risks delivering food & packages to ensure your needs are delivered to you at the confines, comforts & safety of your homes, serving our customers day and night and even rain or shine to make things more convenient and safer for you. I offer this award not only to them but to every one of you who availed of our services from lugaw to milk tea and even during your special occasions with the family.

She said, “This award truly means so much to us, especially after the pandemic we all went through. We were all in together. Thank you for moving forward together with Grab."

Mr. Ricardo Cano Tan, founder of Campuestohan Highland Resort received the award wherein Campuestohan Highland Resort was named Best Resort in Negros Occidental. On that day also, CHR was named of the Top Tourist Attractions/Sites given by the Department of Tourism Region VI on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Such a separate award was duly received by Ralph Richard "Siote" Tan, son of couple Cano and Nita Tan.

Others winners include Bong Bong's Finest Delicacies (Lacson) as Best Pasalubong Center; Nena's Rose (Lacson), Best Chicken Inasal; Bob's (Lacson), Best Coffee ShopOtherl); Coffee Project (Mandalagan), Best Coffee Shop (national); Calea Pastries and Coffee (Lacson), Best Pastry Shop;

18th Pala Pala, Best Family Restaurant; Seda Hotel, Best Hotel; Mt. Canlaon, Best Natural Attraction; Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz City, Best Festival; The Ruins (Talisay), Best Heritage Anscestral; Best Tourism City, Bacolod City;

Ma. Teresa Q. Manalilii, Best Tourism Officer; Best City Plaza, Bacolod City; Greenoz Pizzeria and Restaurant (Lacson), Best Pizza (local); Yellow Cab, (Ayala Mals Capitol), Best Pizza (national0; Mc Donald's East, Best Fastfood; Got Tea (Lacson), Best Milktea Shop; Sejour Tours and Events, Best Travel Agency; Cleanest and Greenest City, Bago City;

Best Entrepreneur, Richmond Villan; Best Mall, SM Bacolod; Social Media Influencer, Maurene Anne Villanueva (Mauee's Happy Feet), Social Media Influencer (Male), Lester Nillos (Lexplorations); and Vallacar Group of Bus Companies.

Furthermore, Berbenzana lauded the THM students for organizing the meaningful event.

She also congratulated the winners and likewise the nominees who were subjected to a lot of eliminations. The top 4 were already considered one of the best in the respective category.

"We train our students, how to be hands-on in their respective undertakings. Our industry partners would be glad for our students because our institution will produce not only the best but the most qualified graduates. This is all for you," she said.