The entire Mindoro State University community rejoiced as Ms. Rhea de Guzman, MinSU Director for Heritage, Culture, and Arts took home the Natatanging Tourism Program Implementer Grand Prize at the prestigious Gawad MAHAL TANA: Local Tourism Stakeholders Excellence Award (LTSEA) 2026 during the Gabi ng Pagkilala 2026 para sa Turismo, Kultura at Sining ng Oriental Mindoro, September 21, 2026 at Balai Mindoro Convention Center.
Armed with her research focused on community extension service towards promoting local tourism among the Mangyan community, Director de Guzman showcased the impact of research-driven capacity building initiatives to champion tourism in communities.
Hosted by the Provincial Tourism Office, the event marks the celebration and recognition of the impact of tourism in the province of Oriental Mindoro and the influence of tourism stakeholders in this achievement.
The Natatanging Tourism Program Implementer award recognizes individuals working in the government who demonstrated outstanding commitment and excellence in the implementation of their tourism programs, projects of activities that paved the way for more opportunities among communities and the development of tourism in their area.
Director de Guzman’s achievement did not come as an easy win. It underwent a series of thorough evaluation from the panel of judges. It first began through a nomination, which was done by Director de Guzman together with her nominator, Mr. Kirk Patrick I. Calinao, MinSU Information Officer II, who wrote the narratives and compiled the documentations for the latter’s achievements and impact in tourism. The nomination then underwent deliberation from the judges where it was handpicked as one of the finalists after careful analysis.
The judges then conducted field validation activities where they interviewed key persons and beneficiaries to Director de Guzman’s narratives and accomplishments in tourism. Mr. Leonel C. Mendoza, MinSU OIC-Vice President for Research, Innovation, Technology and Extension (RITE) and Mr. Rustico Generoso, Municipal Tourism Officer-Designate of Mansalay, attested to papers and documentation presented.
In the end, among the finalists for the award, Director de Guzman emerged as the victor. She received the Gawad MAHAL TANA trophy, Certificate of Recognition and a cash prize of PhP 75,000.00 at the Gabi ng Pagkilala, together with her nominator.
Her recognition reflects the University's continuing efforts to further develop research, innovation, technology and extension. (kpic)
Photo via | Provincial Information Office
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