2026 Cebu tourism awards

CEBU, Philippines — The Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) has named more than 60 finalists for its 2026 Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards, spotlighting workers, educators and industry initiatives shaping the province’s tourism economy.

The awards span eight categories, covering frontline and back-of-house employees, supervisors and managers, as well as hospitality educators, sustainability programs and marketing campaigns.

The annual awards come as Cebu’s tourism industry continues to focus on service quality, workforce development and sustainability amid a more competitive regional tourism market.

Hotel and resort employees account for the largest share of finalists, with properties across Cebu and Mactan represented.

In the “Front of the House Employee of the Year” category, finalists include 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 in operational roles that are largely outside guest-facing areas.

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” category includes 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.

Education, sustainability and marketing

The awards also recognize the role of education in building Cebu’s tourism workforce.

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.

The “Sustainability Champion of the Year,” 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.

Finalists for “Best Marketing Campaign of the Year include “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.

The awards emphasize an industry increasingly measuring competitiveness not only through visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy, but also through service standards, workforce capability, sustainability and the ability of hospitality businesses to create distinctive experiences. — (FREEMAN)