The Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) bared the list of finalists for the Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2026. The finalists span eight categories, from front-of-the-house staff to sustainability champions.
The more than 60 CTHA 2026 finalists reflect the people and initiatives helping raise Cebu’s standards in tourism and hospitality. From frontline employees and managers to educators, marketers and sustainability advocates, the finalists represent the industry’s focus on service, innovation and resilience.
The CTHA recognizes employees, supervisors and managers who make a difference in daily operations and guest experiences, as well as educators and industry teams whose work contributes to the growth of Cebu tourism.
Hotel and resort employees make up the biggest group of finalists, with establishments across Cebu and Mactan represented in the competition.
For the Front of the House Employee of the Year, the 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 also made it to the list of finalists.
The Heart of the House Employee of the Year category recognizes employees whose work often happens away from the guest-facing areas but remains 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.
Educators and industry initiatives also recognized
The awards also highlight the education’s role in preparing the next generation of tourism workers.
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 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.
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 judges look beyond how well nominees perform their regular duties.
For employees, supervisors and managers, the panel considers leadership, innovation and the impact they make on guests and their teams. Judges also look at whether nominees have improved systems, trained colleagues and helped raise the overall guest experience.
For educators, the focus is on whether their graduates are ready to work and compete in the global tourism industry. Marketing campaigns are assessed based on whether they turn market insights into actual business results, while sustainability programs must show measurable impact rather than simply serve as promotional activities.
Singson-Leon said the finalists also tell stories of resilience and reinvention.
Some stayed in the industry through its most difficult years and helped retrain teams from the ground up. Others turned labor shortages into opportunities to mentor young workers from the Visayas and Mindanao.
She also pointed to three qualities shared by many of this year’s top performers: technical skills combined with genuine care, the ability to adapt to changing markets and technology, and pride in Cebuano identity.
As hotels and tourism businesses adjust to artificial intelligence, changing travel markets, the continuing fuel crisis, and uncertainty brought by conflicts in the Middle East, Singson-Leon said adaptability has become increasingly important.
At the same time, she said, Cebu’s identity remains central to the industry.
That identity comes through in the food served, the way guests are welcomed, and the experiences created for visitors.
Across all categories, the awards seek to recognize more than professional competence. They celebrate the heart for service, discipline, and the Filipino brand of hospitality that continues to shape Cebu’s tourism industry.
The 5th Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards (CTHA) is Co-Presented by Ayala Center Cebu and Cignal TV, and Endorsed by the Department of Tourism Central Visayas. The event is also supported by the following sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors:
Global Linens Worldwide Inc.
Sto. Nino Mactan College
Gold Sponsors:
All Filipino Foods Incorporated
Ambient Temp Innovation Solutions and
Global 168 Marketing Corporarion
Silver Sponsors:
Delsan Group of Companies
Remo Lights and Sound System
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
Winzen Café and, the
City of Cebu
Official Auditor & Tabulator:
Mora, Sanchez, Meñoza and Associates
Official Digital and Creative Marketing Partner:
Heritage Productions
Official PR Partner:
RMA News
Official Scoring Platform Partner:
ALB IT Solutions
