TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN — On October 5, 2025, the Hospitality and Tourism students of Saint Mary’s University (SMU) brought significant recognition to the province of Nueva Vizcaya, fiercely competing to earn the title of 1st Runner-Up at the highly contested 4th North Luzon Tourism Expo (NLTE) Tourism Quiz Bee Competition.

Representing the province under the leadership of Governor Atty. Jose “Jing” V. Gambito, the SMU team demonstrated exceptional knowledge across the competition’s three rigorous rounds. The team achieved a final score of 41 points—a close margin behind the winning team from Cauayan, which secured 42 points.

The annual NLTE Quiz Bee is a major academic event aimed at promoting deeper understanding and appreciation of the tourism industry across the region. This year’s competition featured top contenders from key areas, including Cagayan Province, Tuguegarao City, the City of Ilagan, and Isabela Province.

SMU’s compelling performance highlights not only the quality of education at the university but also the growing commitment of Nueva Vizcaya, a province celebrated for its vast, pristine natural landscapes and resilient indigenous cultures, to developing future leaders in its tourism sector.

The successful SMU student participants were Almyra Garcia, Rose Ann San Andres, and Meji Fatima Gomez, accompanied by their coach Rowena Vennessa Gayagoy. SMU’s near-victory underscores the caliber of talent emerging from Nueva Vizcaya in the field of tourism and regional development.