Shaping the Next Generation of Filipino Hospitality Leaders

Batangas City- Megaworld Hotels & Resorts and Lyceum of the Philippines University–Batangas Forge Strategic Partnership for Hospitality Education and Sustainable Tourism

In a landmark move that strengthens the future of Philippine hospitality and tourism education,
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts and Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 12, 2026, at the LPU Batangas campus.

The partnership was celebrated through a ceremonial Sampaguita planting activity at the LPU –
Batangas Riverside Campus attended by leaders and representatives from both institutions, symbolizing a shared commitment to nurturing the future generations.

The MOU signing, which took place in the Main Campus, marks another significant milestone for the
Sampaguita advocacy of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the hotel group’s signature brand of service
anchored on love, honor, dignity, and healing.

“This partnership with Lyceum of the Philippines University–Batangas is a meaningful step forward
in shaping the future of our industry. Through strengthened experience-based education and
experiential learning, we hope to inspire the next generation of hoteliers to carry the heart of the
Sampaguita in everything they do. Together, MHR and LPU are nurturing the future industry leaders
and torch bearers of authentic Filipino service, sustainability, and cultural pride,” Cleofe Albiso,
Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

The collaboration aims to promote and market the Philippines as a top tourism destination in Asia
through strategic program collaborations, co-marketing initiatives, and co-branding efforts between
the academe and the hospitality industry. By combining academic excellence and industry expertise,
the partnership seeks to create transformative opportunities for students, educators, tourism
stakeholders, and future hospitality professionals.

Under the agreement, LPU Batangas will facilitate the endorsement and deployment of qualified
students for On-the-Job Training (OJT) and internship opportunities across Megaworld Hotels
Resorts properties. The university will also implement the Study and Learn Program in partnership
with MHR, integrating classroom instruction with experiential learning, industry immersion, and
professional development initiatives to better prepare students for real-world hospitality careers.

In addition, LPU Batangas will collaborate with MHR in the development of micro-credential and
certification programs focused on specialized and emerging hospitality trends such as Halal
Certification, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), and other tourism-related
disciplines. Through its academic expertise, the university will support curriculum design, research initiatives, training delivery, and certification processes that address the evolving needs of the
tourism and hospitality sector.

“The hospitality industry continues to evolve rapidly, and over the next five years alone, Megaworld
Hotels & Resorts is expected to generate several opportunities across our properties from entry-
level associates to leadership and executive positions. This partnership ensures that students are not
only equipped with academic knowledge, but are also developing skills that will be highly relevant
and in demand by the time they graduate. Through industry immersion and real-world exposure, we
are helping prepare future professionals for meaningful and sustainable careers in hospitality,”
Divine delos Reyes, Head of People Management and Development of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts,
said.

As part of the partnership, LPU Batangas will also lead the implementation of the Sampaguita
Project across its campuses, promoting Filipino culture, heritage, sustainability, and hospitality
excellence among students and communities. The university will likewise recognize MHR as an
official industry partner in relevant academic and promotional initiatives.

To strengthen industry-academe collaboration, MHR will facilitate workshops, seminars, and training
sessions aligned with current hospitality standards and best practices while recognizing LPU
Batangas as a strategic academic partner in future collaborative programs and projects.

This partnership between LPU Batangas and Megaworld Hotels & Resorts reflects a collective effort to elevate Philippine tourism and hospitality education while creating impactful opportunities for
future generations of Filipino hospitality professionals.