Presentation of certificates and tokens of appreciation to the event’s distinguished speakers and partners, together with the MICE class, MICE advisers Ms. Hanie Infante and Ms. Kate Damasco, panel moderator Mr. Johncent Del Rosario, and FEU ITHM Associate Dean, Mr. John Lester Tuason.
The Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) marked World Earth Day last April 22 with a forum on “Powering the Future: Renewable Energy in Philippine Tourism” at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Main Auditorium.
Spearheaded by the Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events Class-Section 5 (Mithi Productions), the event brought together over 500 attendees, including students, faculty members, and industry professionals. The forum served as a platform to explore the intersection of renewable energy and tourism, encouraging action toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
The forum featured three guest speakers from the renewable energy and hospitality sectors: Wendell Tamayo, president and CEO of GenWATT Energy Solutions; Patricia De Mesa, assistant manager of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts; and Matt Levin Tan, COO of SOLX Technologies Inc. and director at Green Antz Builders Visayas. Their presentations emphasized the importance of adopting clean energy solutions within tourism operations, showcasing innovative strategies that support both environmental sustainability and service excellence.
This event reinforced FEU’s 2023–2025 Aspirations by fostering academic excellence through the integration of industry insights into student learning. It also demonstrated distinctiveness with purpose by tackling timely environmental issues through education and upholding the value of sustainability as a guiding principle for future-ready professionals.
Furthermore, the event aligned with the broader goals of the tourism industry by promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 13: Climate Action.
The forum contributed to course expected learning outcomes by reinforcing students’ grasp of strategic management principles and their application to sustainable tourism. Through the insights shared by the guest speakers, students were able to connect theoretical concepts to practical innovations in renewable energy.
They examined strategic issues and emerging trends in the industry, developed skills in research and data interpretation, and explored solutions for mitigating tourism’s environmental impact, particularly in relation to energy consumption and sustainability practices.
In line with these learning outcomes, “Repurpose & Reinvent: A Workshop on Sustainable Solutions” was held, where selected students transformed plastic waste into functional and creative items. Guided by guest speakers Catherina Agregado of Plastics by Manila Automat and CG Christ Atejada, the session promoted environmental awareness, resourcefulness, and eco-conscious behavior through recycling and repurposing practices.
The 2025 World Earth Day forum was made possible through the partnership with Travel Asia, coordinated by Rhea Vitto Tabora. It strengthened FEU-ITHM’s role in promoting environmentally responsible tourism education.
The institute plans to pursue more sustainability-centered events, industry linkages, and curriculum integration. Through continued collaboration with clean energy leaders and advocacy for sustainable tourism practices, FEU remains at the forefront of building a greener, more resilient future for the travel and hospitality industries.
