Shaping the Next Generation of Filipino Hospitality Leaders
- Sugbo Highlights
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
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 ashared 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 MegaworldHotels & 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.
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About Megaworld Hotels & Resorts
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) is a subsidiary of MegaworldCorporation under the Alliance Global Group Inc. The hotel chain is the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group recognized by the World Travel Awards in 2024 and the country’s largest hotel operator with 14 hotels, 8 brands, and 9,000 room keys including the ones in the pipeline. Experience Filipino hospitality through its signature brand of service, The Sampaguita, across its brands including Savoy and Belmont in Boracay, Mactan Cebu, and Pasay. Richmonde hotels in Eastwood, Ortigas, and Iloilo. And Kingsford Hotel and Grand Westside Hotel in Paranaque; Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo; Twin Lakes Hotel in Batangas; Chancellor Hotel Boracay in Boracay; and Mercure Mactan Cebu in Mactan Island.
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