HRRACI names finalists for Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2026

CEBU CITY -- More than 60 tourism and hospitality professionals, educators, and industry initiatives across Cebu have made it to the finals of the Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards (CTHA) 2026, recognizing the people and programs helping shape the province’s tourism industry.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) announced the finalists across eight categories, covering frontline and back-of-house employees, supervisors and managers, educators, sustainability programs and marketing campaigns.

Hotel and resort employees comprise the largest group of finalists, with establishments from Cebu City, Mactan, and other parts of the province represented in the competition.

For 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 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.

For Supervisor of the Year, the 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.

The Manager of the Year 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 awards also recognize the role of education, sustainability, and marketing in strengthening Cebu’s tourism sector.

Finalists for Hospitality and Tourism Educator of the Year 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.

For Sustainability Champion of the Year, the 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.

The Best Marketing Campaign of the Year 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.

HRRACI President Mia Singson-Leon said the awards go beyond recognizing how well nominees perform their regular responsibilities.

She said judges consider leadership, innovation, impact on guests and colleagues, improvements in workplace systems, and the ability to mentor and develop other workers.

For educators, the awards look at how effectively they prepare graduates for employment and competition in the global tourism industry. Marketing entries are assessed for their ability to translate market insights into business results, while sustainability initiatives are expected to demonstrate measurable impact.

Singson-Leon said the finalists also reflect the industry's resilience and ability to adapt, including workers who remained in tourism during its most challenging years and those who helped train younger workers amid labor shortages.

She identified technical competence paired with genuine care, adaptability to changing markets and technology, and pride in Cebuano identity as common qualities among many of this year's finalists.

The tourism industry is also navigating new challenges, including the growing use of artificial intelligence, shifting travel patterns, rising fuel concerns, and uncertainty linked to conflicts in the Middle East.

Despite these changes, Singson-Leon said Cebuano identity remains an important part of the visitor experience—from food and service to the way guests are welcomed and the experiences created for them.

Through the CTHA, HRRACI seeks to recognize not only professional skills but also the service, discipline, and distinctly Filipino hospitality that continue to contribute to Cebu's tourism industry. ###