Written by Judivina Marie Calde & Joana Marie Pascubillo
After a two-year hiatus, the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM) successfully revived Fast Forward 13, a leadership seminar held on February 15, 2025, at the University of Baguio’s FGB Hall. Organized by the SIHTM Student Administrative Council (SAC), the event equipped student leaders with essential skills in branding, leadership communication, event management, report writing, financial accountability, and organizational protocols.
The event commenced with remarks from OIC Governor Mark Timothy Andal, followed by the first keynote speaker, Mr. Raymond Sakiwat, Philippine Marketing Manager of Crimson Education, who shared his expertise in branding and visual identity. As a former journalist, he emphasized the effort needed to reshape an organization’s image, the importance of key visuals (KV) in defining a brand, and hyper-localization to ensure relevance and community connection.
Mr. Vryx Kervin Bides, a former student leader turned Licensed Professional Teacher and presently a College Instructor, emphasized leadership communication, highlighting the importance of clarity, strategy, and trust. He stressed that effective leaders communicate intentionally and engagingly, build trust through integrity and consistency, and foster collaboration through active listening and constructive feedback. His talk reinforced that strong communication is the foundation of successful leadership.
To enhance event organization efficiency, Ms. Joanna Marie V. Villavicencio, Program Chair for BSTM-IT, introduced Autocrat, a tool that streamlines certificate distribution and authentication. She emphasized the importance of incorporating watermarks on certificates to prevent unauthorized alterations and stressed the need for clear, precise instructions to ensure seamless certificate issuance.
Ms. Mary Joy Limpin, Program Chair for AACACO, energized participants with an icebreaker before discussing event planning and logistics. She emphasized following university procedures for approvals and documentation and covered key event services like venue setup, catering, registration, and VIP assistance. She also introduced event layouts, highlighting the importance of detailed planning for seamless execution.
Ms. Rachel Grace Liclican, adviser of the SIHTM Student Writers Club, highlighted the importance of event reporting, emphasizing that narrative and activity reports help assess past events and improve future ones. She stressed the need for clear objectives and structured documentation to support organizational growth and effectiveness.
The seminar also highlighted the importance of community engagement. Ms. Dixie Lidawan, SIHTM ECOS Coordinator, emphasized community engagement through UB CARES, encouraging student organizations to participate in outreach programs supporting women, PWDs, VIPPD, and children’s welfare. She highlighted the university’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability through initiatives like tree planting and GreenSWITCH, fostering a culture of volunteerism and community development.
Finally, Ms. Joan Florague, the SAC adviser, discussed subsidy and liquidation, emphasizing the proper use of student funds for organizational benefit. She outlined correct procedures for acknowledgment receipts and financial documentation to ensure transparency and accountability.
The event concluded with Governor Sharon Princess Dwaynne Tamayo expressing gratitude to the organizers, speakers, and participants for making FastForward 13 a success. The seminar equipped student leaders with essential skills and inspired them to lead with purpose, integrity, and impact. As SIHTM looks ahead, the event serves as a stepping stone for future leaders, preparing them for the evolving challenges of student leadership and organizational management.
