Southern Leyte State University – Sogod Campus (SLSU-SC), Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Management (FHTM) brought the entire campus alive as it celebrated World Tourism Day 2026 on September 30 at the SLSU Multipurpose Court (MPC), filling the day with pageantry, friendly rivalry, and meaningful learning.
The full-day event commenced at 8:00 AM with a campus-wide parade, setting the tone for a whole day activities. Dr. Constantino G. Medilo Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), delivered the welcome remarks to formally open the celebration. FHTM Dean Dr. Dinah F. Catamco followed, sharing the rationale behind the gathering and the importance of the occasion. Faculty, students, and guests then joined a lively Unity Dance that embodied the college’s spirit of oneness.
Afterward, Warren Joseph U. Campijiyos, FHTM faculty, introduced the panel of judges: Mr. Eugenio Tahil Jr., Engr. Khorina Aguilar-Tablada, and Dr. Shepherd Bib S. Bernales.
The core of the celebration featured various contested activities, including a quiz bee, scrap art making, amazing race, a debate, a sales blitz, and a tour guiding competition. By mid-morning, certificates of appreciation were presented to the judges, followed by the announcement of the morning contest results:
For Quiz Bee Competition, HM 2A (1st Place), TM 3B (2nd Place), and HM 3A (3rd Place).
Amazing Race winners, The Nomads – BSTM 3rd Year (1st Place), The Travelers – BSTM 1st Year (2nd Place), and The Adventurers – BSHM (3rd Place).
Sales Blitz winners, BSTM 3rd Year (1st Place), BSTM 1st Year (2nd Place), and BSHM 3rd Year (3rd Place).
Tour Guiding winners, Lovelly Caquilla (1st Place), Ann Kimberly Isip (2nd Place), and Rovy Claire C. Centino (3rd Place).
In the afternoon, the community gathered for a seminar led by resource speaker Maharida Manindar, which added an educational dimension to the festivities. This was followed by the much-anticipated ‘Mr. and Ms. Tourism Diversity 2026’ pageant, which showcased the college’s richness in culture, poise, and creativity as candidates dazzled in sparkling costumes. Mr. Darwin M. Dangcala led the presentation of criteria, while fellow faculty member Joshua M. Obtiar introduced the board of judges.
After an intense competition, Contestant #1, Flora Mae Paeldilan, was hailed as Diversity Icon 2026. She was joined by runners-up Contestant #5, Sean Arkein Adobas (1st runner-up), and Contestant #11, Kith Nathaniel Cabusas (2nd runner-up).
A group photo opportunity capped the event, drawing a successful, unifying, and memorable World Tourism Day celebration to a close.