Ready for the Field: 72 Marian Tourism and Hospitality Students Don Caps and Ties for OJT Deployment

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Ready to trade the classroom for the front lines of the global tourism industry, 72 Tourism and Hospitality Management students from Saint Mary’s University (SMU) took a significant step in their professional journey on March 17, 2026.

The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management hosted the solemn Cap and Tie Ceremony at the Sacred Heart Center, a rite of passage for Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) students. This traditional ceremony serves as the university’s official endorsement, signaling that the students have met the rigorous academic and character requirements necessary to begin their On-the-Job Training (OJT).

The event was graced by Hon. Eunice Galima Gambol, who served as the Guest of Honor. In her address to the aspirants, she emphasized the vital role of local hospitality in the national economy and encouraged the students to be ambassadors of Filipino excellence. The ceremony was also attended by high-ranking University officials, the dedicated faculty and staff of the HTM department, and the proud parents of the trainees.

During the ceremony, the capping and donning of ties symbolized the students’ transition from theoretical learners to industry practitioners. These student-interns are set to be deployed across key tourism hubs, including the local industry in Nueva Vizcaya, and the world-renowned destinations of Boracay and Baguio.

This internship program advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing essential vocational training and practical skills for career readiness. Simultaneously, it supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by developing a professional workforce that drives sustainable tourism and creates high-quality employment opportunities within the global hospitality industry.