BAGUIO’S HRAB AWARDS FULL-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP TO EIGHT TOURISM STUDENTS

May 25, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) has awarded full-year scholarships to eight tourism students from various universities in Baguio City. The announcement was made during a press conference and
contract signing event held at the Baguio Country Club on May 22, 2024. HRAB President Anthony De Leon emphasized the organization’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in the hospitality industry. “We have to help prepare the future leaders of the industry, and that is one of the reasons we are investing in their training and
education,” De Leon stated.

The recipients of the scholarships are enrolled in the following institutions: University of Baguio (UB), University of the Cordilleras, Baguio Central University (BCU), Baguio School of Business and Technology, Philippine Institute of Culinary Arts in Baguio City, Benguet State University (BSU), Cordillera Career Development College and Kings College of the Philippines in La Trinidad, Benguet. De Leon also mentioned that HRAB is considering extending scholarship programs not just for tourism students but also to educators teaching tourism-related subjects.

One of the scholars, Preston Earl Tumapang, a thirdyear culinary student at UB, shared the impact of the
scholarship on his education. Tumapang mentioned that his tuition and miscellaneous fees for a semester amount to about PHP35,000. “Malaking kabawasan ito sa expenses ng mga magulang ko (This is a big help in reducing my parents’ expenses),” Tumapang said. Another scholarship recipient, Mhar Chris Martes, a third-year hotel and restaurant management student at BSU, expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

“I am grateful because not many students are given scholarships, especially by professionals in the field I am preparing to go into,” Martes said, noting that while his tuition and miscellaneous fees are subsidized by the
government, there are other expenses that need to be covered. Jocelyn Ang, Dean of BCU’s College of Hotel and
Tourism Management, explained the criteria for selecting the HRAB scholars. “We chose the HRAB scholars
based on the students’ request for a scholarship, their grades, and family income,” Ang said.

HRAB spokesperson Andres Pinero, speaking during the press conference, clarified that the scholarship
recipients and their institutions are not obligated to give back to HRAB as per the Memorandum of Agreement.
“Our aim is to support students who aspire to complete a tourism-related degree but lack the financial means. Although we do not mandate a specific grade average, we hope our scholars will strive to excel in their studies,” Pinero stated. The panelists at the press conference included: Anthony De Leon, General Manager of Baguio Country Club and HRAB President, Mary Lou Galiste, HRAB Executive Director, Councilor Jose Molintas, Chair of the
Committee on Laws, Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, Chair of the Committee on Education.

Juannah Rae Basilio/UC-Intern