St. Dominic College of Asia Research Innovation Development Enterprise (RIDE) - Community Extension Services Office (CESO) bags the award for winning the International Responsible Tourism Awards for Southeast Asia 2025, spearheaded by the International Center for Responsible Tourism-South East Asia (ICRT-SEA). They received an award for their Oplan M.A.L.A.S.A.K.I.T under the category of Nature Positive: Special Award Selection, which was held at the Lyceum University of the Philippines – Cavite last June 18, 2025.
ICRT-SEA is a pioneering centre that connects members who share a common goal in developing and advocating tourism development through responsible actions using research, education, training, community engagement, and partnership. Inspired by Professor Harold Goodwin and the Responsible Tourism Partnership, ICRT-SEA is set up to initiate and perpetuate the global responsible tourism movement in the region of Southeast Asia.
The CESO’s framework titled Mobilizing Advocates for Local Assistance and Sustainable Action, Kindness, Impact, and Transformation, shortened as M.A.L.A.S.A.K.I.T, aims to collaborate with the faculty mentors and community officials, the students conducting extensive activities during the first semester. The students follow a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, scaling up the community programs the following year, aligning findings with the assigned Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The project’s continuous cycle integrates grassroots problem solving, participatory research, and sustainability principles into the curriculum, which enables leadership, transferrable skills, and measurable impact to partner communities.
The award was received by Dr. Wendell Galapate, Director for Research Innovation and Development Enterprise, Prof. Apolonio Silva, CES Officer, and Prof. Emil James Los Baños, CES Coordinator, together with Prof. Alvin G. Yumul, BSTM Program Chair.
This recognition not only highlights SDCA's significant contributions to community development through tourism but also solidifies its position as a leading institution in championing responsible practices in Southeast Asia. The award serves as an inspiration for other academic institutions and organizations to integrate nature-positive approaches into their programs, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for tourism.
The award is consistent with CESO's environmental initiatives such as mangrove planting, coastal clean ups, tree planting and environmental extra co-curricular activities.