Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya—Saint Mary’s University (SMU) marked the start of a week-long celebration of industry excellence on December 1 with the official launch of the 1st JTHMAP Regional Seminar & HTM Skills Olympics. Held at the Fr. Tonus Cornelius Gymnasium, the event underscored the university’s commitment to strengthening immersive learning and professional development for future hospitality and tourism leaders. The opening ceremony, which featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting, was led by key figures, including Dr. Regina D. Ramel (Dean of the School of Accountancy and Business) and Dr. Jocelyn Carag (CHED Region 2 Education Supervisor I).

The week’s academic focus began with the 1st JTHMAP Regional Seminar, which featured three distinguished speakers delivering insights on global trends. Dr. Jocelyn Carag discussed “Internationalization in Higher Education Institutions: Leveraging Partnerships in the Global Setting”, while Mrs. Ma. Theresa Farrah C. Dugay, EnP, presented “Tourism Governance in the Modern Era”. Crucially, Mr. Edison B. Bumatay, Former JTHMAP President, addressed student leadership and organizational synergy in his talk, “Leading through Connection: Harnessing Synergy in Hospitality”.

A hallmark of the event was the hands-on competitive showcase of talent. Culinary teams battled fiercely in TARAON Season 2: The Great Flavor Mashup through Elimination and Culinary Class War Semi-finals. This culminated in the grand finale, LATOK ROYALE: The Ultimate Battle. Concurrently, students expertly managed a Fine Dining Event, “Sining at Lasa: A Filipino Gastronomic Journey,” at George de Busschere, celebrating Filipino heritage through elevated dining. These practical, high-stakes activities are directly implemented as outcomes-based learning and teaching from their subjects, including Culinary Fundaments, Specialized Food and Beverage Services, Catering Management Specialized, Professional Development, and Applied Ethics, Bar and Beverage Management among others.