The Freeman nominated as Tourism Journalist of the Year

CEBU, Philippines — The Freeman has been nominated as Tourism Journalist of the Year by the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas for the Philippine Tourism Awards and will head to Manila along with other nominees in Region 7 for the awarding ceremony.

Melandro M. Mendoza, General Manager of The Freeman, received the certificate of recognition on behalf of the longest-running newspaper in Cebu, the only media outlet nominated in the region, during the recognition of nominees on Saturday, September 28, at the Cube Wing, SM Seaside City Cebu.

DOT-7 Director Judy Dela Cruz Gabato welcomed the nominees of this year, followed by a message of support from Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu Vice President Josef Victor Chiongbian, Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Vice President Andrew Fernandez, and President of Cebu Alliance of Tour Operators Specialists Alice Queblatin.

The Philippine Tourism Awards is the largest platform recognizing individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to promoting tourist destinations, food, and the Filipino brand of service in the country. Individuals and institutions recognized as nominees include the following:

Tourism Pillar Institution:

* Bohol Beach Club

Tourism Pillar Nominees:

*Alice K. Queblatin * Atty. Lucas Nunag * Lourdes Sultan * Macrina Ramos Fuentes * Carmelita Dejaresco Joven * Danilo Navarra Montenejo * Yolanda Wong

Tourism Industry Individual Nominees ESL of the Year: * Teodorico Jimenez Tour Guide of the Year: * Mary Grace Melendres * Ma. Lorena Guba * Josefina Larena •

Media Award Individual: Tourism Journalist of the Year: * Niña Mae C. Oliverio * Morexette Marie Erram * Jessa Ngojo * Rashe Zoe Sophia B. Piquero * Emmariel P. Ares

• Tourism Award for Enterprise Tourist Land Transport of the Year: * Himaya Jours Corp.

Tourism Destination of the Year: * Loboc River, Bohol - Municipality of Loboc * Cebu Province * Bohol Province Dive Destination of the Year: * Municipality of Panglao * Municipality of Moalboal * Balicasag Island, Panglao

Eco-Tourism Destination of the Year: * Bohol Province * Bojo River, Aloguinsan, Cebu * Kawasan Canyoneering Adventure, Badian

Tourism Association of the Year: * Bojo Aloguinsan

Eco-Tourism Association Food and Gastronomy Tourism Destination of the Year: * House of Lechon Tagbilaran * Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu Resort of the Year: * Kandaya Resort Star Rated Resort of the Year: * The Bellevue Resort * Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark * Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Hotel of the Year: * Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown * Radisson Blu Hotel * Quest Hotel and Conference Center * Kew Hotel Tagbilaran * Crimson Hotel Mactan

Hotel Star Rated of the Year: * Bai Hotel Cebu Homestay of the Year: * Dapdap Sunset Grill Apartelle of the Year (Apartment Hotel): * Alicia Apartelle MICE Venue of the Year: * Radisson Blu Hotel * Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark

Faith-Based Tourism Destination of the Year: * Municipality of Boljoon, Cebu * Bohol Province Filipino Brand of Wellness Service Enterprise of the Year: * Chi The Spa at Shangri-La * Almont Amuma Spa, Inc.

Farm Tourism of the Year: * Lamac Multipurpose

Cooperative ESL of the Year: * Executive Village Tutorial of Fluent English Corp. * Center for Premier International Language Studies * Global Language

Cebu ESL Destination of the Year: * Cebu City ESL School of the Year: * Real Great English Dive

Operator of the Year: * Emerald Green Diving * Bongo-Bongo Divers

Living Cultures Destination of the Year: * Lapu-Lapu City Tourism

Journalist of the Year: * The Freeman — (FREEMAN)