NUSTAR Resort & Casino Cebu emerged as a big winner at the 2025 Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards (CTHA), taking home the Hotel and Resort Manager of the Year and Best Marketing Campaign of the Year award, while Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan was named Sustainability Champion of the Year. The August 13 ceremony at Ayala Center Cebu’s Activity Center was a lively affair, with supporters waving balloons and placards to cheer on their hotel’s finalists.
The annual event, organized by the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI), celebrated industry professionals whose dedication, skill, and resilience have kept Cebu’s hospitality sector vibrant, even in the face of recent challenges.
Department of Tourism Central Visayas Regional Director Judy Gabato said the awards honor not just skills, but also the warmth and dedication that make guests feel at home in Cebu.
“The true measure of our success is not just in the number of arrivals or the beauty of our destinations, but in the people who welcome our guests and turn ordinary encounters into extraordinary memories,” RD Gabato said. “We look for resilience—the strength to rise above challenges and inspire others to do the same.”
She also highlighted the value of innovation, describing it as the courage to think differently and lead the industry toward a more sustainable and globally competitive future.
RD Gabato recognized every nominee for embodying these qualities, whether welcoming guests with warmth at the front of the house or working behind the scenes to keep operations running smoothly—each role contributing to the vibrant rhythm of hospitality.
HRRACI president Mia Singson-Leon said the awards were born out of the industry’s determination to honor those who went above and beyond during the pandemic and Typhoon Odette.
“Hoteliers showed up every day despite personal losses, delivering service the best way they could. This is our shout-out to the people behind the smiles, the care, and the excellence,” she said.
In her speech, Ms. Singson-Leon honored the resilience and excellence that define the people behind the industry.
“You are the backbone of the school’s hospitality industry, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every guest has an unforgettable experience. Your dedication, your passion, and your commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed,” she emphasized.
CTHA 2025 chairman Ron Manalang said the awards embody the industry’s mission to elevate Cebu’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.
“Together, we reaffirm our commitment to excellence, collaboration, and, of course, togetherness,” Manalang stressed, setting the tone for the gathering.
He reminded nominees that they are “already winners” with their dedication and growth. Manalang urged them to continue striving for excellence, to represent their brand with pride and passion, and to recognize that their achievements are rooted in the steadfast support of their hotel and the love of their families. Collectively, they are shaping a remarkable path toward success.
This year’s winners include:
Front of the House Employee of the Year: Jason D. Tampus, Belmont Hotel Mactan
Heart of the House Employee of the Year: Cresta R. Oba, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown
Supervisor of the Year: Lychiell Jane Alde, Bai Hotel Cebu
Hospitality and Tourism Educator of the Year: Welou Dil B. Diaz, University of Cebu-Main Campus
Hotel and Resort Manager of the Year: Key Ann B. Garcia, Nustar Resort & Casino Cebu
Sustainability Champion of the Year: Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan
Best Marketing Campaign of the Year: Nustar Resort & Casino Cebu
Since its inception, the CTHA has grown from 31 nominees in its first year to 55 this year, underscoring Cebu’s continued strength as a hub for world-class hospitality.
The 4th Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards (CTHA) is in Partnership with Ayala Center Cebu, Powered by Ng Khai and Endorsed by DOT Region VII. The event is also supported by the following sponsors: Converge, Seda Hotels Cebu of AyalaLand Hospitality, Globalinens Worldwide Inc., NUSTAR Resort & Casino Cebu, Cebu Pacific, Club Serena Resort, Marina Seaview, Radisson Blu Cebu, bai Hotel Cebu, TravelCare, Delsan Office Systems Corporation, Mora, Sanchez, Meñoza and Associates as Official auditor and tabulator, Scoring Software provided by ALB IT Solutions, Logistics by AZUL Handyman, Coordination by AZUL MARKETING & EVENTS PHILIPPINES, RMA News and the Cebu Online News Press Corps as Media Partners.
