Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU tourism student wins best poster in int’l tilt

By Karen de la Cruz, StratCom Correspondent

Renz Jedrick Queja, a first-year tourism student, earned a top spot in the Virtual Community and Technological (CommTECH) Camp Nusantara 2024. His poster was selected as one of the four best entries in the event organized by Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Indonesia, which took place from October 28 to November 8.

The virtual camp attracted participants from 46 universities across countries like Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Among the delegates were students from MMSU's College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy, as well as from the College of Teacher Education.

Out of 277 participants who submitted posters on themes related to Indonesian cuisine, Queja’s design focused on Rendang, a popular Indonesian dish. "As someone who loves photography and filmmaking, I approached the poster by viewing Indonesian culture, history, and cuisine through a creative lens. I chose Rendang because it represents more than just food—it holds the culture, history, and soul of the Indonesian people. My goal was to make viewers feel like they were experiencing Indonesia directly, using design elements to capture the depth and richness of the dish,” Queja shared.

Prof. Alfred Lord Floresca, planning and development coordinator of the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy, expressed pride in Queja's achievement, stating, “I am confident that our tourism and hospitality students are well-prepared to excel in competitive settings. This belief is backed by the dedication of our excellent faculty members who provide a top-tier education to our students.”

Mr. Quincy Savellano, chief for linkages and partnerships, added, “MMSU is committed to offering its students valuable experiences, especially international exposure, to equip them with the skills needed for personal and professional growth. The Internationalization, Linkages, and Partnerships Directorate encourages university units to build and strengthen partnerships with local and global agencies in all areas of collaboration.”

This year’s Virtual CommTECH Nusantara 2024, with the theme "Wonderful Indonesia Cuisine with the Full Exploration of Indonesia through Cuisine/Culinary." Since its inception in 2012, the camp has aimed to increase cross-cultural exchange and promote understanding of Indonesia’s rich heritage. This year's event focused on the diverse culinary traditions of Indonesia, exploring how food connects communities, preserves traditions, and influences global cultures.