𝐒𝐇𝐓𝐌 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝑏𝑦 𝐼𝑣𝑎𝑛 𝐴. 𝑄𝑢𝑖𝑛̃𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠

Students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the Divine Word College of Laoag, Inc., secured three awards at the Provincial Skills Olympics 2026 held from March 17-19.

The event aimed to enhance students’ practical skills through competitions in 11 technical and vocational areas, including floristry, cooking, landscape gardening, restaurant service, fashion technology, bakery, electrical installation, wall and floor tiling, graphic design technology, carpentry, and welding.

Rachelle Marie Turwel and Throie John D. Velasco, accompanied by expert Marl Eldrick L. Duabe, secured Silver Medal in the Cooking category; meanwhile, Nicole Chloe D. Agpaoa and Joe Mico C. Salome, alongside expert Oliver Gian F. Tagudin, claimed a Bronze Medal in the Bakery category.

In an interview, Duabe shared how they prepared for the competition.

“They underwent an intensive one-week training, from morning until evening, to prepare for the competition,” he said.

Duabe further stated that the students “stimulated actual competition conditions” and repeatedly practiced and refined their skills in the days leading up to the event.

“[It was challenging due to] constraints such as limited time, limited tools and equipment, and the restricted availability of ingredients; [however, it made] them think quickly, stay organized, and maximize what was available,” he said.

The school also received a Social Media Award of Most Liked Team under the Cooking category.

The three-day activity was organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and was held across multiple venues across Laoag City.

Winners of the Provincial Olympics will advance to the Regional Skills Olympics in La Union from May 26 to 28, with top performers possibly qualifying for the National Skills Competition.