That custom-designed Far Eastern University Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (FEU ITHM) logo pin resting on one’s collar is not just a piece of metal—it is one’s official entry ticket into the global workforce.
When over 600 freshman-Tamaraws from the FEU-ITHM packed the historic FEU Main Auditorium last Sept. 25 for the annual Pinning Ceremony, they were not just attending another university event. Under the theme “Beyond the Pin: A Journey of Excellence and Preparedness,” these first-year students officially stepped up to embrace a future where culture, grit, and world-class service meet.
Stepping into college life can feel overwhelming, but traditions like the Pinning Ceremony serve as a powerful rite of passage that bridges the gap between classroom theory and the real corporate world. For incoming Tams, receiving that pin is an immediate reminder that their journey toward becoming global tourism or hospitality professionals starts right now. It sets the tone for the academic excellence, professional discipline, and unmatched passion they will need to survive and thrive in the industry.
This was not just a Manila-exclusive affair; it was a large cross-campus display of unity. Proving that distance is nothing to dedicated Tamaraws, 56 Hospitality Management students from FEU Pampanga—accompanied by key campus officials—made the trip to join their FEU Manila peers in the auditorium. Together, a powerhouse group of over 600 students locked arms to celebrate a shared future.
Opening the program, FEU ITHM Dean Dr. Harold Bueno dropped some serious perspective that shifted how everyone looked at their uniforms. He pointed out that their scarf and necktie are not just stylish—they are handwoven by the Mangyan Indigenous People, while other pieces are crafted by the women of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
“So you are not simply wearing a uniform. You are wearing stories. You are wearing culture,” Dr. Bueno said, reminding students that true Filipino hospitality—tapat at totoo (faithful and true)—lives in genuine care for others.
He reminded the students that the pin does not magically make them a professional; their knowledge makes them capable, their discipline makes them dependable, and their heart dictates the kind of practitioner they will become. He challenged every Tam in the room to stay brave against adversities, not just in school, but in life, and to always choose and love the Philippines.
Theory is great, but hearing from people who have actually conquered the real world hits differently. Distinguished keynote speakers Chef Felix Asuncion, CEO of Asuncion Ventures, Inc., and senior crew of PAL Express, Mhiles Villanueva stepped up to give students a raw, unfiltered look at what is waiting for them after graduation. Drawing from their years of hands-on industry experience, they offered practical advice on embracing change, pushing through field challenges, and maintaining a burning drive for career growth.
As the auditorium filled with cheers from faculty, administrators, and peers watching the students proudly don their pins, one thing became clear: this goes far beyond campus walls. Whether they are going to manage hotels, working in airlines, or organizing international events, they carry the FEU Tamaraw spirit—and their “ganda, galing, talino, at talento” [beauty, skill, wisdom, and talent]—wherever their careers take them.
By fostering cross-campus collaboration between Manila and Pampanga, FEU continues to solidify its role as a premier institution. Initiatives like the Pinning Ceremony do more than welcome new students—they actively shape a generation of values-driven, resilient professionals ready to lead and elevate the global tourism and hospitality landscape.