𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀

Kalibo, Aklan- The Department of Tourism Region VI, through its Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP), in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Kalibo, Aklan, successfully conducted the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Training and Site Guiding Seminar on August 11–14, 2026, at Ati-Atihan County Inn, Kalibo, Aklan, with 24 participants successfully completing the training.

The four-day training aimed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of local guides in Kalibo, Aklan in delivering quality service and providing meaningful, accurate, and engaging experiences to visitors exploring Kalibo’s tourism destinations.

The program was formally opened through the welcome remarks of Hon. Ronald Marte, Sangguniang Bayan Member and Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, while Ms. Carla S. Doromal, Executive Assistant, also delivered a message on behalf of Hon. Juris B. Sucro, Municipal Mayor of Kalibo.

For the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence component, Dr. Felix G. Delos Santos Jr. served as the resource speaker, emphasizing the importance of Filipino values, culture, and hospitality in creating memorable experiences for tourists.

The participants also gained a deeper appreciation of Kalibo’s tourism assets through a session on Local Tourism and Products of Kalibo, Aklan, facilitated by Ms. Rhea Rose Meren, Development Management Officer III.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Kalibo likewise conducted a session on Basic First Aid, equipping participants with essential knowledge in ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors.

Meanwhile, Ms. Consorcia Erlyn S. Alunan served as the resource speaker for the Site Guiding Seminar, where participants developed their skills in storytelling, destination interpretation, visitor engagement, and responsible guiding.

As part of the practical component, the participants underwent a mock tour assessment covering various tourism destinations in Kalibo, including:

📍 St. John the Baptist Cathedral
📍 Museo it Akean
📍 Ati-Atihan Museum
📍 Pastrana Park
📍 Aklan Freedom Shrine
📍 Dantayan Artist Village
📍 Kalibo Ostrich Farm
📍 Tigayon Hill
📍 Pook Port
📍 Bakhawan Nature Study & Eco-Park
📍 Haboean Weaving Studio & Café

The training is particularly significant for Kalibo, Aklan, a destination deeply rooted in culture and tradition and widely recognized as the home of the Ati-Atihan Festival, known as the “Mother of All Festivals.” With Kalibo welcoming visitors drawn to its vibrant heritage, religious traditions, arts, crafts, culinary offerings, and festival culture, strengthening the capabilities of its tourism workforce is essential in ensuring that every visitor receives not only warm Filipino hospitality but also an authentic and enriching experience.

During the closing program, Hon. Phillip Y. Kimpo, Jr., Vice Mayor of Kalibo, delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the municipality’s vision and ongoing preparations to position Kalibo as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in Western Visayas. This direction underscores the importance of having a skilled, professional, and service-oriented tourism workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of business and leisure travelers.

Hon. Ronald Marte, Sangguniang Bayan Member and Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, also delivered an appreciation message, recognizing the participants for their active participation, commitment, and willingness to further develop their skills in tourism service and site guiding.

The successful completion of the training reflects the shared commitment of the Department of Tourism Region VI and the LGU of Kalibo to continuously strengthen the local tourism workforce and prepare the municipality for greater opportunities in tourism development.

Through the FBSE Training and Site Guiding Seminar, Kalibo’s local guides are empowered to become 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 —𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗼, 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

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