Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco delivered a powerful and inspiring message to the graduating class of Bulacan State University (BulSU) on Thursday, July 17, 2025, urging the new graduates to embrace their roles as future leaders and contribute to nation-building.
Addressing 1,108 graduates from the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM) and the College of Business Education and Accountancy (CBEA), Secretary Frasco shared her journey, emphasizing the transformative power of service and humility. She encouraged the Class of 2025 to approach their professional lives with integrity, excellence, and a deep love for the Philippines.
“You’re not here to watch the future unfold. You are here to shape it,” Secretary Frasco stated. “The nation is calling. Answer it with brilliance, with courage, and with heart.”
The graduation ceremony, held at the KB Gymnasium, resonated with the theme “Salimbay,” a Filipino term signifying soaring together. Secretary Frasco likened this to the collective hope and potential embodied by the graduates.
Secretary Frasco also highlighted the significant strides made in the Philippine tourism sector under the Marcos Administration. In 2024, tourism contributed 8.9 percent to the national GDP and supported nearly 10 million jobs, underscoring its vital role in the nation’s recovery and growth.
She detailed the Department’s flagship programs aimed at human capital development, including the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE), which has trained over 322,000 individuals nationwide, and the Tourism Industry Skills Program. Secretary Frasco also mentioned the establishment of Tourist Rest Areas and accessible loan facilities through a collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Small Business Corporation.
Looking to the future, Secretary Frasco announced the Tourism Startup Challenge, a nationwide competition designed to encourage students and young innovators to develop sustainable and tech-driven ideas for the tourism industry.
“Class of 2025, you are not simply the next wave of professionals; you are the next stewards of our country’s progress,” Secretary Frasco concluded, challenging the graduates to meet future challenges with clarity and conviction.
The event saw full attendance from BulSU’s leadership, including University President Dr. Teody Cruz-San Andres, along with representatives from the DOT, including Undersecretary Maria Rica Bueno and Assistant Secretaries Christine Joy Cari and Ronald Conopio.
