tuna skill olympics

General Santos City - Continuing its quest for skills’ excellence and supremacy in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hall of Famer Goldenstate College had successfully staged its 5th Tuna Festival Skills Olympics sponsored by Ajinomoto Philippines, Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation, and KCC Mall of Gensan with pride and stride. Compared to the previous events, this year’s activity was held at KCC Mall of Gensan’s Convention and Events Center on September 21-22, 2010 and was flocked with guests who for the first few times graced the said event.

On top of the list was no less than the young and newly appointed TESDA Director General Sec. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva (son of JIL’s Bro. Eddie Villanueva) who did the honor of ribbon-cutting to signal the commencement of the program along with Sarangani Province Gov. Migs Domingues, Rep. Carol Lopez, Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio (Gensan City), CEO Warren Manilay, Ph.D., Finance Oficer Sara Jane Manilay and other guests.

During the opening ceremony, Sec. Villanueva keynoted the importance of developing the skills among the students in their chosen endeavor in order to become an integral part of the nation-building. Further, during his well-listened speech, the young secretary stressed the need to dream and work for it in order to realize and live in it. This year’s tuna fest was well participated by at least 10 high schools and 18 colleges from all over Mindanao to name a few – Irineo Santiago National High School of Metro Dadiangas, Koronadal National Comprehensive High School, Poblacion Polomolok National High School, Lagao National High School, Polytechnic College of Davao Del Sur, Notre dame of Marbel University, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Davao Merchant Marine Academy, Stratford International School, St. Joseph Technical Academy of Davao City, Green Valley College, and others. The said participating schools battled it their way in a two-day grueling sessions as High Schools (Sept.21) and College participants (Sept. 22) raced it in the following events:

        Table Napkin Folding
        Tuna Sashimi Platter
        Angel Hair Pasta
        Cake Decoration
        Waiter’s Relay
        Skills Demonstration
        Flower Arrangement
        Table Skirting
        Bartending

Culinary and Hospitality Industry professors from Manila adjudged all the entries both in high school and college categories. Dean Mitchel Borja (University of Batangas), Mr. Rudie Cabardo (Arellano University), Mr. Willie Bejar (Phil. Women’s University, Asian Baking Institute), Mr. Milton Nunga (Lyceum of the Philippines University), and Chef Ed Tawagon (La Consolacion College-Manila) were all amazed with the way participants this year braced themselves just to come up with the all superb presentations.

At the end of the day, winners were declared emceed by Ferdie Alcantara, MAEd. Green Valley College emerged as the champions in the College Category and Koronadal National Comprehensive High School triumphed as the High School category champs!