Passion and commitment to excellence: Undefeated UB-SIHTM lands 8th HRT Weekend Overall Championship What is the recipe

for success? For the University of Baguio's School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM), it is a combination of passion and commitment to excellencea tandem that has proven unbeatable for the past eight years. An extravaganza of competitions pitting the country's best hospitality schools, the HRT Weekend (Luzon leg) has named no other champion aside from UB in its almost decade-long run. This year, UB bagged awards in 32 categories, including the coveted gold medal in the Battle Royale: Chef Wars Modern Filipino Kulinarya. This makes the UB teamcomposed of Robenson Dasalla, Don Paule, and Sweet Eulynette Chumawarthe official entry for Luzon for the National Food Showdown on September 17 to 18 in Manila. They will compete against three other teams from the National Capital Region, Visayas, and Mindanao. UB also bagged gold medals in the following categories: Amuse Bouche, Centerpiece for Lobby/Focal Display, Stage Deco Competition, Table Setting: Filipino Fine Dining, Bellman's Skills Competition, and Dish Garden Centerpiece. UB's IHTM students also went home with silver medals in twelve categories: Cold Seafood Buffet Platter Free Style, Cold Meat Buffet Platter Free Style, Amuse Bouche, The Happy Hour Sizzling Appetizer, Pralines Dessert Free Style, Fruit and Vegetable On Stage, Ice Carving, Fruit Flambe Free Style, Table Setting: Filipino Fine Dining, Bed-Making Competition, Dream Team Challenge Competition, and Tour Package Presentation. Ten sets of bronze medals were also awarded to the University for the Cold Meat Buffet Platter Style, The Pantry Chef (where UB is also the highest pointer), National Food Showdown Battle Royale: Chef Wars Modern Western, Regional Cuisine Live Cooking Free Style, Plated Desserts Free Style, Creative Cake Decoration, Baby Cakes Display, Ice Carving Free Style, Flower Arrangement Centerpiece, and Fruit Flambe Free Style. Aside from these, the three-day competition series also included the Mr. and Ms. HRAB 2011 pageant, where UB brought home the Mr. HRAB title through IHTM student Clarence Inso and the Ms. HRAB 1st runner up award courtesy of Kimberle Penchon. Finishing second runner-up for Mr. HRAB is Kim Sion, who was also awarded the Darling of the Press. Also bringing home special awards were Myle Costales and Robert Bruce for Mr. and Ms. Congeniality, and Ephraim Paul Paran for Mr. Photogenic. Hazel Clarence Ibay was named Best in Evening Wear and Ms. Talent, while Brandon Nick Oller was awarded Best in Vintage Casual Wear and Best in Evening Wear. Ibay and Oller were also among the Top 6 contestants. Proving they're unbeatable not just in the kitchen, the UB Dance Troupe clinched the first runner-up award in the HRAB Got Talent Too! Competition, the only team this year to make the cut. Despite 35 formidable opponents from Luzon who have given it stiffer competition this year, UB's undefeated streak prevailed, proving year after year that it is one of the country's best hospitality schools.

But the School of IHTM, as its Dean Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro says, remains humbled by its achievements. "I advised them to always remember that they are not competing with others but with their own selves, so they have to continue honing and developing their skills and talents and bring out the best in them every time." .