The Mabuhay Guides Training Program was created by the Philippine Department of Tourism in 2009 to produce top quality guides and tour leaders that would cater to travelers, business investors, and tourism partners.
The Mabuhay Guides badge. This is always worn while on duty.
Screening
Applicants ranging from college graduates to working professionals went through a half-day exam administered by the Development Academy of the Philippines.
The top fifty (50) applicants who passed the exam were interviewed by a panel headed by the project director, Ms. Susan Calo-Medina. Only 25 were chosen to take the Foundation Course.
Grill time. Susan Calo-Medina leads the panel to screen applicants.
The Foundation Course
The six-week course consisted of lectures from leading experts in the field of Philippine architecture, literature, music, dance, heritage, and history.
Daily sessions with experts. Professor Jun de Leon on Filipino Cultural Identity.
Blue Badge instruction. Proper guiding techniques by Nicola Godfrey-Evans.
Practical training. Dennis Maristany guides his peers through Intramuros.
On-site trainings were conducted by lecturers from the London Blue Badge. A Blue Badge is the British national standard guiding qualification. It is recognized internationally as a benchmark of excellence.
The instructors:
Continuing Education, Training and Evaluation Out of the 25 trainees, 21 passed to officially become the Mabuhay Guides.
Training does not end with the Foundation Course. The guides continue to expand their knowledge and improve their skills through workshops and seminars from experts in various fields. They also conduct extensive research and inspections of destinations for upcoming assignments.
The guides have an annual evaluation to ensure that organization standards are observed.
Engaging the guests in San Agustin Church. Yael Fernandez responds to questions from her group.
Learning by Experience
The Mabuhay Guides have been providing top quality guiding to customers, from local tourists to foreign dignitaries and heads of state for the past two years.
The Department of Tourism and its sub-agencies have also acquired the group's expertise for familiarization tours. The guides have gained widespread appeal from academic institutions, individuals, couples, families and private groups that have become their regular clientele. |
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“The continuation of the program depends on their work, the experiences of those who will hire them, and the feedback they will get from industry players...the privilege is that the first batch of Mabuhay Guides will be setting the benchmark.”
Joseph Ace Durano
Former Secretary, Department of Tourism
“I tried to give the guides as much knowledge of their country, their people and our culture as was possible in such a short time.”
Susan Calo-Medina
Project Director
“They must have an intellectual capital and people oriented as well. For these are very important in tour guiding. You have to like dealing with people and have the ability to adjust to different situations.”
Benito Bengzon Jr.
Assistant Secretary, Office of Tourism Coordination
“I am very impressed by the trainees. So far this has been the most receptive, extremely bright students I've ever handled.”
Nicola Godfrey-Evans
London Blue Badge
“We have to be concise in what we say but we also have to make use of our "seeing eye" to be able to tell anecdotes and explain stories behind an artifact or a site.”
Luisito Tayag
Mabuhay Guide
“We never realized that it was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Throughout the program, we learned all about the Philippines, our Philippines—our history, our culture, our heritage, our music, our literature, and our arts. From the Hudhud of the Ifugao to the Darangan of the Maranao. From the depths of Tubbataha to the mountains of Banawe.
And the best part was learning about the Filipino and knowing who we really are.”
Yael Fernandez
Mabuhay Guide
“We want visitors to have a better and beautiful experience in the places they visit in our country so they will come back next time.”
Eduardo Jarque Jr.
Former Undersecretary, Tourism planning & promotions
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