Mandaluyong City – August 31, 2025. The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) College of Management and Tourism proudly represented the institution at the COHREP 2025 National Skills Competition: COCOlinarya Turismo 2025, held during the 39th National Coconut Week organized by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines (COHREP). With the theme “Exploring Horizons, Empowering Futures: The Coconut as Catalyst of Paradigm Shifts in the Tourism and Hospitality Education Landscape,” the competition highlighted the significance of the coconut industry while enhancing students’ skills in culinary, tourism, and hospitality education, and promoting camaraderie and sportsmanship among institutions nationwide.
UBLC students showcased exceptional talent and innovation in various categories of the competition. Mark Aaron Magnaye, a 2nd Year BS Hospitality Management student under the mentorship of Ms. Rona Mae S. Saturnino, earned a Silver Medal in the Coconut Dessert Challenge for his plated coconut-based dessert creation, which demonstrated creativity, technical expertise, and mastery of presentation. In the Cocktail Challenge: Talking Bartender, Be Anne Dhaneise K. Lago, a 4th Year BS Hospitality Management student coached by Mr. Alfie V. Lindo, placed 10th with her signature coconut-based cocktail. This category combined mixology and storytelling, requiring participants to prepare a drink infused with coconut alcohol while narrating its cultural or personal inspiration.
Meanwhile, the UBLC team composed of Ladielee B. Magno, Badeth P. Tibayan, Elmira Angela B. Panaligan, and Shan Ivan S. Miranda secured 4th Place in the Tourism Business Pitching competition under the guidance of Ms. Jinky R. Asugui. Their innovative business pitch featured sustainable bathroom cleaning products—a toilet brush, floor scrubber, and a multi-purpose air freshener—all crafted from coconut fiber. Designed to specifically target hotels and restaurants, the project addressed the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives in the hospitality industry. The pitch strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production and 13 – Climate Action, by promoting sustainability, reducing waste, and encouraging the use of renewable resources. Competing against 10 strong entries nationally, the team’s 4th Place finish was a notable achievement that underscored the talent, hard work, and dedication of both the students and their mentor.
In addition, Danica Faith Nonato and Carlos Miguel Señora, 2nd Year BS Tourism Management students coached by Mrs. Ma. Carolina R. Martinez and Mr. Joshua Ramil D. Katigbak, brought further pride to UBLC by placing 4th in Habi ng Lahi, a competition highlighting coconut-inspired festival costumes. Their creation embodied sustainability, craftsmanship, and the vibrancy of Philippine cultural traditions.
Beyond competition, COCOlinarya Turismo 2025 served as a premier platform for students nationwide to explore the versatility of coconut in creating culinary masterpieces, developing innovative tourism concepts, and designing sustainable cultural expressions. It underscored the coconut’s role as a vital agricultural product and a catalyst for innovation, sustainability, and responsible practices in the tourism and hospitality industries.
The UBLC College of Management and Tourism’s success in this national event reflects the University’s continuing commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development. By actively engaging in prestigious competitions such as COCOlinarya Turismo 2025, UBLC strengthens its mission of producing globally competitive graduates who embody innovation, cultural appreciation, and social responsibility in line with the institution’s core values.