The University of Baguio School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (UB-SIHTM) brought local culture and enterprises to center stage during the One Town, One Taste, One Future Trade Fair held on September 25-26, 2025, at the UB Student Center.
Guided by its theme, “Empowering Communities through OTOP: The University of Baguio’s Role in Building Sustainable and Inclusive Towns”, the two-day event aimed to promote sustainable community development by leveraging the unique cultural and culinary heritage of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay, collectively known as BLISTT.
UB’s Empowering Role in Local Community Development
The opening ceremonies were graced by Benguet Vice Governor, Hon. Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes; Benguet Board Member and Committee Chair on Tourism, Hon. Armando Lauro; DTI-Baguio-Benguet SME Development Division Chief, Mr. Richard Avelino Limpin III; University of Baguio Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan; and SIHTM Dean, Ms. Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc.
Alt Text: MSME owners proudly display the local products for sale at the One Town, One Taste, One Future Trade Fair. Photos Courtesy of Allison Sausa
Vibrant booths representing each municipality transformed the University of Baguio campus into a dynamic marketplace showcasing local ingenuity. Through these spaces, a diverse array of homegrown products was introduced to the UB community, strengthening support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of the BLISTT community.
Organized by the Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events Management (THMICE1) class, Section HCJ, under the supervision of Dr. Alvin T. Morales, the trade fair exemplifies UB-SIHTM’s commitment to experiential learning, advancing SDG 4: Quality Education by integrating practical, real-world experiences that connect academic learning with community engagement.
Supporting Local Efforts and Cultural Heritage
This initiative supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.3, which promotes development-oriented policies that foster productive activities, decent work, creativity, and innovation, while encouraging the formalization and growth of MSMEs. It also aligns with SDG 8.9, promoting sustainable tourism that generates employment and uplifts local culture and products.
Alt Text: Wide array of local products such as woven crafts, local chocolates, kiniing, chili garlic, and others are on display at the trade fair. Photos courtesy of Allison Sausa
Beyond economic empowerment, the fair also supported global efforts to protect and safeguard cultural heritage (SDG 11.4), as evidenced by the culturally rooted local crafts showcased throughout the event. In addition, it supported inclusive, community-based initiatives aligned with SDG 11.a on strengthening link between urban and rural areas through local economic and cultural exchange.
