Written by Raign Nicole Calbes and Rachel Grace Liclican
The University of Baguio’s School of International and Hospitality Tourism Management (SIHTM) has once again demonstrated excellence by clinching the prestigious titles of Overall Champion and Presidential Awardee during the 17th Annual Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism (HRT) Week held from October 24-26, 2024, at the Baguio Country Club. Students from SIHTM competed in a diverse array of categories, each showcasing unique skills, knowledge, and creativity.
With an impressive outcome, UB brought home 6 Gold Medals with Distinction, 17 Gold, 20 Silver, 14 Bronze Medals, and 5 Diplomas. UB’s remarkable performance also earned the university the title of Overall Champion for the Academe, along with the prestigious Presidential Award across divisions, both professional and student, for securing the most gold medals in the competition. Additionally, UB was recognized as the Overall Champion in both the Food Showdown Klasika Moderna Kulinarya and the Potatoes USA categories.
Furthermore, the University achieved a remarkable record, earning 6 golds with distinction, as students in the categories — Potatoes USA, Best Regional Ingredient- Kiniing, Best Regional Ingredient – Achara, Best Regional Ingredient – Rice, Creative Cake Decoration, Jams and Preserves — received perfect scores from the judges.
Here’s a streamlined list of the UB-SIHTM winners and their respective categories:
Potatoes U.S.A. Plant Forward Competition
Coach: Chef Klyde Anjello Mortel
- Gold with Distinction: Carl Andri Y. Sampayan
(Apprentices: Shynhar Duagan, Kurt Zion Malong | Working Committee: Dafhnie Dona-al, Veejay Falcasantos)
- Gold: Johanna A. Capulas
(Apprentices: Wyan Lee Buminaang, Kyla Lizardo | Working Committee: Francis Rose Leoncio, Nelvin Alacar)
Best Regional Ingredient – Kiniing
Coach: Chef Sweet Eulynette Garcia
- Gold with Distinction: Eunalyn Tuguinay, Lowell C. Tagapuen
(Apprentices: Blezelle Koliwa, Alpha Marie Dagman)
Creative Cake Decoration
Coach: Chef Ailene Manecla
- Gold with Distinction: Shane Chie H. Ananayo, Estelle Adjs C. Caliwan, Mikaela Isabel Pulido
(Apprentices: Scott Iverson Sapul, Charles Albert Buenvenida, Kristine Nickole Almojera | Working Committee: Breanna Isabel Almoite)
Regional Fruit Jams and Preserves- Baguio Berries
Coach: Chef Racquel Tacwigan
- Gold with Distinction: James Alfred C. Ominga
(Apprentice: Reychelle Martines Tomas | Working Committee: Prince Zhedrick Macabio)
Best Regional Ingredient – Rice
Coach: Chef Sweet Eulynette Garcia
- Gold with Distinction: Clarisse D. Santos, Megan L. Hidalgo
(Apprentice: Judivina Calde, Kylie Shanyn Macarias)
Pantry Chef – Regional Achara Salad
Coach: Chef Sweet Eulynette Garcia
- Gold with Distinction: Clement F. Aniway, A-Jay S. Sarmiento
(Apprentices: Dina Fanitog, Daniel Martinez)
Klasika Moderna Kulinarya
Coach: Chef Robenson Dasalla
- Champion/Gold: Arjheuv Geer, Nioby Dale P. Dupali, Preston Earl F. Tumapang
(Apprentices: Lois Mae Balagtas, Kylle Cyrus Velasco, Edrix Maron Balicha | Working Committee: Eurique Kane Gabriel David, Indhira Loise Buned, Zyra Jene Eban | Student Coach: Allen Jhon Cruz)
Travel and Tours
Coach: Ms. Joanna Marie Villavicencio
- Highest Gold: Julianne Kyle M. Quitaleg, Christian Jay-Vi Acuña
- Gold: Sharon Princess Dwayne U. Tamayo, Jomel T. Legaspi
- Silver: Mary Angel M. Guarin, Marvin Carl R. Castro
(Apprentices: Valerie Catacutan, Seann Rheyver Garcia, Shanylle Alalag | Working Committee: Rommel Lanuzo, Hannah Alabaso, Von Franz Nesperos, Mhyiel Angelo Villanueva, Yolan Cobcobo, Mark Joseph Villanueva, Jush Matthew Sagun)
Best Traditional/Modern Regional Recipe – Pinakbet
Coach: Chef Carlo John Carpio
- Gold: Eirhen F. Fuentes, Xyrel T. Bandas
(Apprentices: Nico Adrian Mang-usan, Gian Salvador Miana | Working Committee: David Jan Tenerife, Amber Khate Gomez, Ezer Karl Sumago)
Cacao Concoction
Coach: Mr. Fernando Bagay
- Gold: Kurstian Earl Moral
- Silver: Jemimah Sison, Sean Tavara
- Bronze: Crisean Lance D. Banglot
(Apprentices: Darryl John Leal, Jerrico Alvarez)
Best Regional Ingredient – Vinegar
Coach: Chef Klyde Anjello Mortel
- Gold: Maria Angelica V. Godito, Eirol-Lian L. Puno
(Apprentices: Terrence Razon, Justin Dave Diaz | Working Committee: Jericho Mercado, Zenan Cabulay)
Bellman’s Hour
Coach: Ms. Jennifer Sese
- Highest Gold: Mark Timothy M. Andal
- Silver: Princess Diane G. Esteban, Jamaica Jane A. Labagnoy
- Bronze: Caleb Krysstofer Josiah S. Lozares
(Apprentice: Geo Makenth Oris | Working Committee: Erica Ramos)
Best Traditional/Modern Regional Recipe – Pinikpikan
Coach: Sweet Eulynette Garcia
- Gold: Elijah Longid, Oj M. Quidpoan
(Apprentice: Jaybee Balaki | Working Committee: Ruthie Cloie Agmaliw)
Panghimagas – Kakanin Flambé
Coach: Mr. Mark Anthony Santos
- Gold: Marianne Greyz R. Diaz
- Silver: Geom S. Garces, Leann Veatrice E. Ravina
(Apprentices: Shan Luke Ascueta, Lionel Shuheb Khan, Robert John Fulgencio | Student Coach: Bea Margaret Chewachew)
Mocktail Mixing
Coach: Mr. Mark Anthony Santos
- Gold: Rhona Mae S. Soriano
- Silver: Bianca Angeli A. Calaramo, Ma. Kristanna Renowa Naboa
- Bronze: Prinz Chester P. Alejandro
(Apprentices: Prince Charles Ventura, Aries Jhel Ugay)
Cocktail Mixing
Coach: Mr. Michael Tambol
- Gold: Jarzen Lomahan
- Silver: Princess Cambi
- Bronze: Jeanette Oggang
- Diploma: Jessica Borja
(Working Committee: Acestrevor Catbagan, Jeremy Evangelista)
Events Planning
Coach: Ms. Rachel Grace Liclican
- Gold: Jhonna Gail V. Escuadro, Pearl Kyna F. Appal, Charles Marion C. Adam, Johna P. Pasamonte, Michi Jaucian P. Sarmiento
(Apprentices: Mary Jhoe Fronda, Tehya Rafayelle Nuñez | Working Committee: Monica Sino Cruz)
U.S.A. Poultry and Cold Storage Competition
Coach: Chef Robenson Dasalla
- Gold: Rajen L. Albert, Jacob Munar
(Apprentices: Bien Haniel Acutin, Rojan Rivera | Working Committee: Val Pamplona, Vincent Harnois | Student Coach: Allen Jhon Cruz)
Regional Pica-Pica
Coach: Chef Robenson Dasalla
- Gold: Amor Macayan, Francis Miguel Sayaboc
(Apprentices: Roniel Torrejos, Briliant Deanlord Bodoy | Working Committee: Chris Joshua Danglose, Eureka Elloran, John Lloid Flora, John Hoshea Lizardo, Joseph Morales, Allyna Palangeo | Student Coach: Allen Jhon Cruz)
Centerpiece Design – Lobby
Coach: Ms. Mary Joy Limpin
- Silver: Paulynna A. Balajadia, Patricia A. Domingo
(Apprentices: Shane Galates, Voughn Baron Castro | Working Committee: Yezhua Octaviano, Jamile De Leon | Student Coach: Reagan Gallate Ateteo)
Plated Kakanin-Regional Bibingka Galapong
Coach: Chef Racquel Tacwigan
- Silver: Dona Fe P. Lopez, Israel Balian
(Apprentices: Adrian Bryce Valencia, Jamae Osian)
Kakanin – Tupig
Coach: Chef Racquel Tacwigan
- Silver: Hannah M. Bordeos, Zaireen L. Albior
(Apprentices: Christian Jhoop Ang, Johncris Raven Acayan | Von Denzel John Buen)
Floral Design Centerpiece
Coach: Ms. Kresdale May Pacalso
- Silver: Fholyn Nicole M. Gundran, Rencyl Mae S. Inggo
(Apprentice: April Aisa Amolar | Working Committee: Lexi Mae Eloponga, Jasper Molot)
Pralines
Coach: Chef Ailene Manecla
- Silver: Andrei M. Halover
(Apprentices: Jon Gareth Falinchao | Working Committee: Simon Paul Ponadon, Katie Lumadeo, Venesse Bonglig, Michelle Kyle Almoite)
Quiz Bee Competition
Coach: Ms. Rachel Grace Liclican
- Silver: Ethn Lloyd Alwen Mallare, Kathy Delopiere, Seth Owen Peralta
- Silver: Jan Ray Villanueva, Sahara Faye Gonzales, Eugene Angelo Guidangen
- Bronze: Maria Gabrielle Vazquez, Maria Isabel Caretativo, Edward Ian Chan
(Working Committee: Ma. Sophia Angela Padiwan)
Coffee Concoction
Coach: Mr. Fernando Bagay
- Silver: John Czar Lipaen, Bryan Addom
- Bronze: Dareen Relativo, Joehem Cacho
(Apprentices: Earl Nathan Mendez, Maru Raymundo, George Gapuz | Student Coaches: Cleo Ivy Unay, Miguel Acosta)
Fruit and Vegetable Carving
Coach: Mr. Fernando Bagay & Ms. Dixie Lidawan
- Silver: Adrean Gylle Dawa
- Bronze: Josh Lawingan
Bouquet Design
Coach: Ms. Kresdale May Pacalso
- Silver: Ann John B. Norel
- Bronze: Alex Gwynneth B. Alban
(Apprentice: April Aisa Amolar | Working Committee: Lexi Mae Eleponga, Jasper Molot)
Napkin Folding
Coach: Ms. Desiree Anne Olimpo
- Silver: Kevin John Monang Manuel
- Diploma: Albert Diane Clapano
(Apprentice: Kizha Nicole Del Rosario, Aeron Payando)
Table Setting with Floral Centerpiece Display
Coach: Ms. Kresdale May Pacalso
- Silver: Abel D. Villamar, Lara Jean S. Soriano, Felix Jobert D. Villanueva
- Diploma: Dave B. Macapallag, Shari Dana S. Kimpay, Princess Paulyne C. Adap
(Apprentices: Kyllie Jhoane Sta. Maria, Neilglen Bula, Charls Vincent Angeles, Cendriole Louisse Segwaben | Working Committee: Maria Louella Arquero, James Michael Factora, Kathlyn Mae Daguio, Moises Antimano)
Best Regional Ingredient – Bagoong
Coach: Chef Carlo John Carpio
- Bronze: Domingo Fermin L. Munar III, Keith Ronald U. Asuncion
(Apprentices: Jemaidan Gera Magday, Nath Justine Rei Fuentes | Working Committee: Cheryl Ann Mahicon, Cassius Clay Laoyan)
Wedding Cake
Coach: Chef Ailene Manecla
- Bronze: Sean Angelo D. Sebastian, Jhan Carl P. Casticimo, Hazel Grail D. Lalio
(Apprentices: Alliyah Pernada, Nadine Cara, Helena Alecxa Zarate | Working Committee: Dexter Mabalot, Nicko Felipe)
Baby Cake Display
Coach: Chef Ailene Manecla
- Bronze: Jalila D. Digermo
(Apprentice: Alfredo Roberto Salcedo | Working Committee: Jasmine Salvatera, Maria Alexandra Gervacio)
Flairtending
Coach: Mr. Jumel Oliver Salva
- Bronze: Humbert Buenavente
- Diploma: Apryl Joyce Castillo
(Apprentices: Yushiko Bartolome, Dannrey Lloyd Octubre)
The Housekeeper
Coach: Ms. Mary Joy Limpin
- Diploma: Darren D. Caces, Mhaben P. Sansait
(Apprentices: Denmar Madayag, Jed Rio Huliganga | Working Committee: Zayza Nidogma, Eralyn Alvarez, Xyza Talingdan | Student Coach: Jhoser Advincula)
This year’s Hotel, Restaurant, and TourismWeek fostered a spirit of camaraderie and professional development, offering insights into current trends in hospitality and tourism. With participants leaving renewed and inspired, the University of Baguio School of International and Hospitality Tourism Management has further solidified its reputation as a vibrant hub of culinary, hospitality, and tourism education, inspiring the next generation of champions in the industry.
