The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) lined up various activities to celebrate the 2024 edition of the private sector-led Hotel and Restaurant Tourism (HRT) Weekend which continues to be one of the most prestigious gatherings of the country’s hospitality industry.
The annual staging of the HRT Weekend fired off last September 9 with the screening of the candidates for this year’s Search for Mr. and Ms. HRAB that was followed by a press conference.
The photo shoot of the candidates will be held at the Cordillera Convention Hall of the Baguio Country Club on September 21 which will be followed by the talent portion and fashion show of the Mr. and Ms. HRAB in partnership with Fashion Designers Alliance Cordillera that will be held at the SM City Baguio Atrium on September 22.
The candidates will be undergoing a personality development, poise, posture and walk and question-and-answer training by Empire.ph and Nix Institute of Beauty at the Ambassador FVR Hall of the Baguio Country Club (BCC) on September 30 to October 2.
The Rice and Shine 3.0 featuring more than 10 flavors of fried rice that will be provided by some eight participating establishments will serve as the major highlight of this year’s celebration where the public will have a chance to partake of these delicacies after the HRT opening ceremony that will be held on October 3 at the SM City Baguio.
On October 8, the pre-pageant of the Mr. and Ms. HRAB will be held at the Baguio Country Club Cordillera Convention Hall while the Coronation Night will be held on October 18.
The 15th National Food Showdown, dubbed ‘Kusina Filipina: Keep the Momentum…Full Speed Ahead,’ will be held on October 24-26 at the BCC Cordillera Convention Hall with 60 aspects of the hospitality industry that will be the subject of competition by the participating students and professionals.
The awarding and closing ceremonies of the 17th HRT Weekend will be held on October 26 at the CAP John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.
HRAB president Anthony de Leon, who is also the BCC general manager, said that the organizers decided to spread out the conduct of the events to over a month compared to the previous week-long activities to be able to entice participants to enjoy their say in the city and help sustain the robust growth of the local tourism industry. By Dexter A. See
