Espazio Café, Tacloban City – July 31, 2025
The Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII proudly hosted the Mini-Awarding Ceremony for the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) on July 31, 2025, at Espazio Café, Tacloban City. The event celebrated the dedication of tourism stakeholders and service providers who successfully completed the FBSE training program and consistently uphold the highest standards of hospitality, anchored in the Filipino core values.
Attended by representatives from various tourism-related establishments, government agencies and institutions, the ceremony highlighted a shared commitment to positioning Eastern Visayas as a leading tourism destination distinguished by its culture of warmth, respect, and service excellence. More than a recognition of achievements, the gathering served as a reaffirmation of the region’s collective vision to raise the bar for customer service in the tourism and hospitality industries.
Representing Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Ms. Maffel Ivy S. Nacinopa, core faculty member of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) program under the College of Management. NwSSU’s commitment to integrating service excellence to both academic instruction and professional practice, inspiring students and colleagues alike to embody the principles of genuine Filipino hospitality.
As a proud stakeholder, NwSSU conveyed its sincere gratitude to DOT-RO8 for championing the FBSE program and for continuously engaging the academe in meaningful capacity-building initiatives. The university emphasized that embedding service excellence principles into the learning experience of faculty, students, and tourism practitioners contributes significantly to producing globally competitive graduates and cultivating a tourism sector that reflects authentic Filipino hospitality.
NwSSU also commended DOT-RO8 for fostering partnerships among the academe, local enterprises, and government agencies, working together to enhance service quality standards in the region. The university expressed its enthusiasm for future collaborations that will further strengthen the synergy between education and industry, contributing to the sustainable development of tourism in Eastern Visayas.
The program concluded with an inspiring message from the Dir. Karina Rosa S. Tiopes, Regional Director, DOT Regional Office VIII encouraging awardees to be true ambassadors of the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence within their institutions and communities ensuring that every guest’s experience in the region is memorable, meaningful, and authentically Filipino.