Championing Filipino-centered and sustainable tourism, third-year De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (CIHTM) students hosted the launch of Tourism Fest 2026 at the Sentrum, April 29.
In an interview with Lavoxa Online, Tourism Fest Overall Chairperson Maria Antoinette Villarino highlighted the event’s role in promoting environmental awareness for sustainable tourism.
“Kailangan ma-realize nila na habang maaga pa, gawin natin ‘yung part natin para mapangalagaan ang ating environment na talagang super important part of tourism […] it affects the improvement and growth of the economy of the country,” said Villarino.
Missy Raye Tumale, a junior BS Tourism Management student from DLSL, reflected on the importance of increasing awareness on pressing tourism issues in the Philippines.
“Yung dami ng problema natin sa Pilipinas, especially sa tourism industry [ay nangyayari] without us being aware [of them]. Since we practice sustainability, we also have to learn kung ano nga ba ‘yung talagang nangyayari in tourism industry,” Tumale stated.
Echoing this perspective, the event featured two competitions: “Responsible TraveReel Challenge”, which served as a digital storytelling platform to promote practical eco-tourism, and “Sustainability Speaks: Impromptu Challenge” that allowed students to convey innovative solutions for green practices.
Sustainability Speaks champion Christian Edrian Orosco, a First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) Colleges student, expressed how studying for the competition enlightened him about recent local environmental issues.
“‘’Yung mga nalaman ko na pangyayari sa Philippines katulad ng sa Boracay, sa Tubbataha Reefs ay nalaman ko while preparing for this competition. It widened my perspective and knowledge,” said Orosco.
In addition, Rafael Dionisio, co-founder and president of Make A Difference (MAD) Travel, asserted that interrogation of destructive economic agendas should be done to shift toward more eco-friendly practices.
“Bakit kailangang pumutol ng puno para kumita ng pera? […] kaya mahalagang mainitindihan natin kung saan nanggaling ‘yung mindset na para kumita, kailangan nating sirain ang kalikasan,” said Dionisio.
Behind the successful event, Executive Vice Chairperson for External Affairs Reinhardt Chlaude Gaoiran shared that inviting other schools was a challenge due to recent economic issues.
“Because of the global issue regarding sa [Middle East] war and also the oil price hike, naging isang factor ‘yun kung bakit maraming schools ang hindi nag-push through sa event na ‘to […] Bukod sa need namin din ng malaking funds, hindi siya naging madali,” Gaoiran said.
Amid setbacks, Gaoiran hoped that students would become more mindful of initiatives that contribute to a healthier environment.
“Be more mindful sa kapaligiran natin especially [dahil] gawa ‘to ni God. And we actually hope na mas […] tumulong sa kapaligiran especially like clean up drives, tree planting activities,” Gaoiran added.
With the theme “SINAG: Showcasing initiatives and Nurturing Advocacy for Green Tourism,” the event drew 318 BS Tourism students with representatives from DLSL, FAITH Colleges, Systems Technology Institute (STI) College Lipa, and Westmead International School.
