More than 60 tourism and hospitality workers, educators and industry initiatives have made the cut for the 2026 Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards (CTHA), with this year’s finalists reflecting the people and programs shaping Cebu’s tourism industry.
The Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) announced the finalists across eight award categories, recognizing frontline employees, behind-the-scenes workers, supervisors, managers, educators, sustainability programs and marketing campaigns.
HRRACI President Mia Singson-Leon said judges are looking beyond how well nominees perform their regular duties, with leadership, innovation and measurable impact among the factors considered.
For employees, supervisors and managers, the panel also considers how nominees improve systems, train colleagues and contribute to guest experiences and team performance.
The Front of the House Employee of the Year finalists are Trisha Marielle C. Abellana of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Kyle Francis B. Alivio of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; Razel C. Bejagan of Seda Central Bloc Cebu; Marjorie C. Booc of bai Hotel Cebu; Argen Marie C. Catubig of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa; Shaun Andrei P. Del Socorro of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Marc Jay G. Delos Reyes of The Reef Island Resort Mactan; Quimquim Clau P. Dimol of Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu; John Andrew A. Gabales of Club Serena Resort; Ericka Zhane S. Gonzaga of Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan; and Cleford O. Maguate of Radisson Blu Cebu.
The Heart of the House Employee of the Year category recognizes workers whose roles are largely away from guest-facing areas but remain essential to hotel operations. Its finalists are Khenjee Alinsenorin and Barbara Caumeran of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Godofredo H. Canene Jr. of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Patricio B. Cuizon Jr. of Montebello Hotel Cebu; Ivy C. Icoy of The Reef Island Resort Mactan; Rosalinda L. Manliguez of Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan; Leonard P. Maybituin of Seda Central Bloc Cebu; Janna Rae D. Nabua of Mercure Mactan Cebu; Cherelyn M. Reomalos of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa; and Gil I. Sumipo Jr. of Radisson Blu Cebu.
The Supervisor of the Year finalists are Cecil Odilon H. Arce of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; Sheen I. Carmelotes of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Van Clinton A. Carvajal of Seda Central Bloc Cebu; Dave Clark P. Gandionco of Quest Hotel & Conference Center Cebu; Nikko L. Gasalatan of Marina Seaview Restaurant; Wende Ann D. Gumilao of The Reef Island Resort Mactan; Randy C. Lagas of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel; Roderick D. Manligues of Bai Hotel Cebu; John Claudi Nono and Romeo C. Tura Jr. of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Jessica Jean A. Quimzon of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; and Ramonita C. Samillano of Radisson Blu Cebu.
For Manager of the Year, the finalists are Maria Carriessa Anne D. Banting of Radisson Blu Cebu; Robert Conrad M. Bañez of Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort; Ariel C. Caintic of Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort; Kayla Marie M. Catipay of Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan; Venus D. Ferrolino of bai Hotel Cebu; Edmar L. Malaca of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; Ofelia O. Paras and Eric Christopher Villamor of One Tectona Hotel; Grethel Carmel M. Polloso of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Arnel G. Potot of Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu; Ronnie Martin A. Rebolledo Jr. of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Raymart Jerico R. Revillas of Mercure Mactan Cebu; and Michel Angelo C. Tablon of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa.
The Hospitality and Tourism Educator of the Year finalists are Nemesia W. Devero of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, Russel D. Tadena of Consolatrix College of Toledo City Inc., and Lilibeth C. Ygonia of the University of Cebu-Main Campus.
The awards also recognize sustainability efforts through the Sustainability Champion of the Year category. Finalists are “Dusit Tree of Life” by Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, “Growing with Purpose” by La Joya Farm Resort and Spa, “Skills Behind Walls” by Radisson Blu Cebu, and “A Perfect Circle: Transforming Hospitality Waste Into Community Happiness” by Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.
For Best Marketing Campaign of the Year, the finalists are “Pink Power” by bai Hotel Cebu; “LIKHA: A Journey Beyond Wine, Culinary, & Arts” by Mercure Mactan Cebu; “NUSTAR Dragon Boat Regatta: Advancing Cebu’s Sports Tourism Story” and “WOVEN: 4 Years of Elevated Moments” by NUSTAR Resort Cebu; “The Bloc Collective: A Lokal Pop-up” by Seda Central Bloc Cebu; and “#BookDirect” by Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa.
Singson-Leon said the awards also highlight how the industry has responded to challenges, with some finalists remaining in tourism through difficult years and helping retrain teams, while others have taken on mentorship roles for young workers from the Visayas and Mindanao.
She identified technical skills combined with genuine care, adaptability to changing markets and technology, and pride in Cebuano identity as qualities shared by many of this year’s finalists.
The hospitality industry is also adjusting to artificial intelligence, changing travel markets, the continuing fuel crisis and uncertainty arising from conflicts in the Middle East, making adaptability an increasingly important quality for tourism workers and businesses, Singson-Leon said.
At the same time, she said Cebuano identity remains central to the industry, reflected in local food, the way visitors are welcomed and the experiences created for tourists.
The 5th CTHA is co-presented by Ayala Center Cebu and Cignal TV and endorsed by the Department of Tourism Central Visayas.
The awards are supported by Platinum Sponsor Global Linens Worldwide Inc. and Sto. Niño Mactan College; Gold Sponsors All Filipino Foods Incorporated, Ambient Temp Innovation Solutions and Global 168 Marketing Corporation; Silver Sponsors Delsan Group of Companies and Remo Lights and Sound System; and Bronze Sponsors Eco Prima, La Carne Butchery & Steak Bar, LG LIFESPIN Laundry Shop, Link Broad, Mansor Security Agency, MCRI Global Corporation, Ng Khai, Prime Power Manpower Agency, PTN Travel Corporation, Servo IT Solutions and Winzen Café, as well as the City of Cebu.
Mora, Sanchez, Meñoza and Associates is the official auditor and tabulator, while Heritage Productions serves as the official digital and creative marketing partner, RMA News as official PR partner, and ALB IT Solutions as official scoring platform partner.
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