𝑺𝑩𝑴 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝟐-𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓-𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚

The School of Business and Management (SBM) of J.H. Cerilles State College successfully conducted a two-day seminar workshop and team-building activity on May 26–27, 2025, at the JHCSC Pagadian City Extension Campus Hostel. Anchored on the theme “Innovate, Adapt, Thrive: Strategic Management in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry,” the event was spearheaded by Dr. Myrna V. Ceño, DBM-HM, as part of her course instruction in HM 125, TM 121, and ENTREP 118. The event aimed to equip third-year SBM students with practical knowledge and hands-on experiences in the dynamic field of strategic management.

Gracing the event were esteemed speakers, including Municipal Tourism Officer Mr. Januarius Paglinawan, JHCSC Planning Director Dr. Cleofe A. Baterna Jr., and SBM Dean Dr. Julito V. Mandac Jr. Faculty members, alongside staff, also took part in the engaging sessions.

Mr. Paglinawan, the first resource speaker, delivered a compelling talk titled “Tourism Beyond Events: Community, Culture, and Strategy.” He highlighted the multiple layers of tourism strategy, which include community and culture, product development, partnerships and stakeholders, awareness and storytelling, capacity development, events, and legacy building. Mr. Paglinawan emphasized that tourism fundamentally begins with the people—underscoring that local communities’ identity, culture, and involvement are the core of meaningful and sustainable tourism.

Dr. Baterna followed with a session on “Develop Teamwork and Leadership Skills,” where he dissected the concept of leadership and its vital connection to influence. He inspired students to discover and develop their leadership potential by drawing on examples of transformational leaders throughout history. Dr. Baterna encouraged students to lead with purpose and view themselves as agents of change in their local communities and the global tourism landscape.

Dr. Julito V. Mandac Jr. capped the seminar with a talk on “Applying Strategic Management Concepts to Real-world Tourism and Hospitality Scenarios.” He discussed the importance of using analytical and strategic tools to solve actual industry challenges, urging students to adapt theoretical knowledge into innovative practices as they navigate the sector’s complexities. His lecture reinforced the practical applications of their coursework in future business and tourism endeavors.

To complement the academic sessions, a team-building activity was held to enhance students’ collaboration and interpersonal skills. Through a series of games, communication drills, leadership challenges, and a high-energy Zumba session, participants learned the importance of trust, cooperation, and effective communication. These activities not only provided a refreshing break but also strengthened camaraderie among students and faculty.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of motivation among students. Through the seminar-workshop and team-building activities, they gained key strategy, leadership, and teamwork skills essential for their academic and career growth. Faculty also benefited from the collaborative atmosphere. The experience laid a strong foundation for students to become innovative and resilient future leaders in the tourism and hospitality industry.