Written by John A. Marquez, Jr.
BAGUIO CITY — Celebrating local ingenuity while advancing sustainable community development, the University of Baguio School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (UB-SIHTM) launched its 2nd Sustainable Initiative for Honoring Town’s Marketplace through the BLISTT-A: One Town, One Product Exhibit on October 13-16, 2026, at the University of Baguio Student Center. The exhibit is organized by section HCI of the Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events Management (THMICE1) class, spearheaded by Dr. Alvin T. Morales.
Carrying the theme “Beyond Local, Towards Sustainable,” the initiative brought together local enterprises, government representatives, partner organizations, and the university community to showcase the products, cultural identities, and entrepreneurial potential of the participating localities.
Building on the previous year’s BLISTT initiative, this year’s exhibit welcomed Atok as an additional participating locality, expanding the showcase from six to seven areas: Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay, and Atok.
The addition marked another step toward recognizing the diversity of local enterprises and providing a platform for communities to share their products and stories with a wider audience.
Beyond Products, Toward Purpose
More than a marketplace for locally made goods, BLISTTA aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through experiential, industry-based learning; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting local enterprise development and strengthening students’ industry readiness; and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by exposing students to regional business practices and innovations. By showcasing Cordilleran cultural heritage and fostering collaboration among the university, local government units, and regional trade exhibitors, the initiative also supported SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The initiative was officially opened by UB-SIHTM Dean Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc, who reaffirmed the school’s commitment to supporting local enterprises and community-centered initiatives. In her welcome remarks, she emphasized that one of BLISTTA’s primary purposes was to celebrate the One Town, One Product (OTOP) of each participating municipality, highlighting SIHTM’s continued support for local products and the communities behind them.
The opening program featured an inspirational message from Baguio City Councilor Hon. Van Oliver M. Dicang, chair of the Committee on Market, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture, and a guest address from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Benguet Provincial Director Dir. Felicitas O. Bandonill, represented by DTI-Baguio-Benguet SME Development Division Chief, Mr. Richard Avelino Limpin III.
Their participation underscored the initiative’s focus on local enterprise development and the value of collaboration among educational institutions, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
The program also recognized local government unit representatives, Negosyo Center officers, and participating exhibitors through the awarding of certificates of participation, acknowledging their involvement in bringing the initiative to life.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the exhibit officially opened to visitors, inviting the university community to explore the booths, discover locally produced goods, and engage with the entrepreneurs representing their respective communities.
UB Empowers Role in Supporting Local, Lasting Community Impact
Beyond promoting local products, BLISTTA also carried a community-centered mission through its support for the SIHTM LIFE (Leading Initiative with Focused Education) Bag Project.
During the program, the school highlighted its recent assistance to 16 learners displaced by the Guisad Surong landslide in Baguio City. Through the project, the UB-School of IHTM provided LIFE Bags and financial assistance for the learners’ school allowances and transportation.
In support of this continuing initiative, the proceeds from this year’s BLISTTA participating city and municipalities’ booth registration fees were also designated to help sustain the LIFE Bag Project.
This connection between local enterprise and educational assistance gave the exhibit a broader purpose: encouraging community members to support local businesses while contributing to initiatives that help learners continue their education.
By linking entrepreneurship with social responsibility, BLISTTA demonstrated how an academic initiative can extend its impact beyond the university and into the wider community.
Seven Localities, One Shared Vision
With Atok joining the original six participating localities, BLISTTA continued to build on the idea that every community has something distinctive to contribute to the region’s cultural and economic landscape.
Through the One Town, One Product concept, the exhibit provided an avenue for local enterprises to present their offerings while allowing visitors to appreciate the traditions, creativity, and work behind each product.
The initiative also reflected the role of hospitality and tourism education in connecting local identity with opportunities for enterprise development. By bringing community products into a university setting, students were given a closer look at how local businesses can contribute to tourism experiences and sustainable livelihoods.
As the exhibition welcomed visitors, it encouraged the university community to move beyond simply appreciating local products and toward actively supporting the people and communities behind them.
The 2nd SIHTM BLISTTA reaffirmed a shared vision: that sustainable development begins with recognizing local potential, empowering community enterprises, and creating opportunities that benefit more people, such as the incorporation of the SIHTM Life Bag Project in this initiative.
Through every product showcased and every community represented, BLISTTA carried forward its message of going beyond local—not by leaving local identity behind, but by bringing it to greater opportunities and a more sustainable future.
