MSEUF joins DOT Calabarzon gastronomy tourism familiarization tour

Strengthening experiential learning and academe-industry engagement in tourism, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation participated in “Beyond the Coast: A Tour of Batangas’ 1st Congressional District Gastronomy Tourism Products,” a three-day familiarization and experiential tour hosted by the Department of Tourism Calabarzon from Oct. 21-23.

Dr. Jennifer Reyes, head of Global Engagement and Linkages, FBSE academe trainer and faculty member of the College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, represented MSEUF alongside travel operators, travel and tour agency representatives, content creators, bloggers and members of the academe. Representatives from Lyceum of the Philippines University–Laguna and Lipa City College also joined the activity.

The tour began in Taal, where participants visited cultural landmarks including Taal Basilica and the Marcela Agoncillo Museum before exploring local food traditions through panutsa preparation, a public market visit, and Tapang Taal and empanada-making activities. The experiences highlighted the relationship among culinary heritage, local craftsmanship and destination identity.

On the second day, participants visited Calaca City, Balayan and Calatagan for activities centered on local food products and coastal livelihoods. These included atchara making, visits to local food enterprises, learning about tamales and bagoong production, and a coastal gastronomy experience featuring mussel and crab fishing activities, subject to tidal conditions, and a demonstration of Biklad na Kuyog.

The final day featured culinary and cultural experiences in Lian, Nasugbu and Tuy. Participants visited a traditional blacksmithing workshop, local bakeries, public markets and food enterprises; learned about pagagata, kakanin and other local food practices; and visited Tuy Art Hub Gallery for a handmade paper-making demonstration. The tour concluded with an early dinner at Forest Crest Nature Hotel and Resort.

Through the familiarization tour, participants gained firsthand exposure to how culinary traditions, local enterprises, cultural practices, coastal livelihoods, arts and crafts can contribute to tourism product development and community-based visitor experiences.

MSEUF’s participation provided an opportunity to connect classroom learning with actual tourism practices while strengthening engagement with government agencies, higher education institutions, local producers and other tourism stakeholders. Insights from the activity may also support future classroom discussions, destination marketing initiatives, tourism product development and collaborative projects involving communities and local enterprises.

The activity supported MSEUF’s learning-by-doing and student-centered educational approaches by exposing academic representatives to actual tourism products, local enterprises and community-based experiences that can enrich teaching and professional practice. It also advanced the University’s global competitiveness agenda and reflected the core values of Mindfulness, Service, Excellence and Unity through collaboration, cultural appreciation and engagement with tourism stakeholders.

• SDG 4: Quality Education — The familiarization tour provided experiential learning and professional exposure that can strengthen tourism and hospitality education.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — The activity highlighted local food enterprises, tourism products and community livelihoods that contribute to destination development and economic activity.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — The tour promoted appreciation of local heritage, cultural traditions and community-based tourism experiences.