Written by Christian Jay-vi Acuña & Raign Nicole Calbes
The entire University of Baguio Cardinals Gym was filled with cheers and yells as the University of Baguio-School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management proudly hosted the 4th National Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Skills Olympics (NTHSSO) last March 1, 2025, bringing together the brightest minds and most talented students from different schools and universities across the country. This event served as a platform for future tourism and hospitality professionals to demonstrate their expertise, creativity, and technical skills in various competitions designed to mirror real-world industry standards.
This year’s NTHSSO not only highlighted the technical capabilities of students but also fostered camaraderie, innovation, and a deeper appreciation for the dynamic fields of tourism and hospitality industry, as well as becoming a valuable platform for students to practice good sportsmanship. Each competition category was crafted to assess participants’ knowledge and abilities that are key qualities essential for success in the industry.
Mr. Eunkyu “Nick” Chun, the Executive for Membership and Youth Programme at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), honored the event by delivering an inspiring and motivational message to the student competitors.
Among the schools who participated during the 4th NTHSSO are: Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas, Far Eastern University – Manila, Mariano Marcos State University, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation – Lucena City, University of Northern Philippines, STI College San Jose, Pangasinan State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bambang Campus, and Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bayombong Campus.
Here is a streamlined list of the winners and their respective categories:
A.1: International Flight Attendants’ Showmanship
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna & Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation – Lucena City
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
A.2: TikTok Dance Competition
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
A.3: Singing Tourism and Hospitality Professionals
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
A.4: Tour Package Proposal
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Silver: Pangasinan State University
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
A.5: Travel Infographics
- Gold: University of Northern Philippines
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Bronze: Far Eastern University – Manila & Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bambang Campus
A.6: Tourism Quiz Bee
- Gold: Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation – Lucena City
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
A.7: Local Virtual Tour Guiding
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
- Silver: Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation – Lucena City
- Bronze: University of Northern Philippines
A.8: Convention Planning
- Gold: Far Eastern University – Manila
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna & Far Eastern University – Manila
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
A.9: Destination Marketing
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Silver: Far Eastern University – Manila
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna & Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
A.10: Travel Feature Article Writing
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Bronze: Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation – Lucena City
A.11: Hotel Product Presentation
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
A.12: Front Office Dream Team
- Gold: Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas
- Bronze: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
A.13: Travel Vlog
- Gold: Far Eastern University – Manila
- Silver: University of Northern Philippines
- Bronze: Far Eastern University – Manila
A.14: Tourism Photography
- Gold: Mariano Marcos State University
- Silver: Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
- Bronze: STI College – San Jose
Furthermore, one of the highly anticipated parts of every National Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Skills Olympics is the awarding of trophies to the schools and universities that achieved the Overall Champion, First Runner-Up, and Second Runner-Up positions, based on the total number of gold medals earned across all categories. This year, the Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna was awarded the Over-all Champion, making them the Over-all Champion for four consecutive years. Meanwhile, the Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas was awarded as the Overall First Runner Up, while the Far Eastern University – Manila was awarded the Overall Second Runner Up.
As future leaders in tourism and hospitality, the competitors embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism, demonstrating their potential to elevate service excellence standards. The event also facilitated valuable exchanges between industry professionals, educators, and students, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and development in shaping the future of these dynamic fields.
The NTHSSO has been spearheaded over the years by its Emeritus Event Chair for ITHSC and NTHSSO and UB-SIHTM Dean, Ms. Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc. Leading the organizing committee for this year’s event was Ms. Joanna Marie V. Villavicencio, Overall Chair of the 9th ITHSC and 4th NTHSSO, alongside Ms. Dixie Lidawan as the Chair, Mr. Vryx Kervin Bides as the Co-Chair for the 4th NTHSSO, SIHTM faculty members, and students.
With another successful year of intense, yet inspiring competition, the National Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Skills Olympics continues to pave the way for young professionals to hone their craft, celebrate their passion, and contribute to the ever-evolving global tourism and hospitality industry.
