Beyond academic competence: Confidence, professionalism, and work ethics

How Centro Escolar University prepares hospitality and service professionals in facing the real world

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As people known for hospitality and friendliness, it's not surprising to see a great number of Filipinos working in service and hospitality industries—locally and abroad.

Whether in restaurants, hotels, or travel agencies, often succeeding in the industry are Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) graduates.

HRM professionals who have completed their degree from Centro Escolar University (CEU) have been among the notable practitioners here and abroad. Not only are they armed with academic competence, they also embody notable virtues that their Alma Mater instilled in them.

Showcasing Filipino hospitality and expertise down under

Jim Harley M. Dizon started his career in food and hospitality as a barista. Equipped not only with academic knowledge from his BS HRM degree but also with confidence, professionalism, and a strong work ethic gained at CEU, he navigated his way through the fast-paced world of food and beverage service.

"CEU didn't just teach me the technical side of hospitality—I also gained confidence, professionalism, and a strong work ethics. The values I learned from CEU, especially 'Ciencia y Virtud,' continue to guide me in every task," he explains.

From this humble beginning, he now serves as a part-time line cook in the pan section at The Meat & Wine Co. in Sydney, Australia. He works both behind the line—dish preparations and maintaining kitchen standards—and customer-facing. “I’m dealing with customers or working behind the line in a high-end restaurant. It’s a challenging yet rewarding environment that pushes me to constantly improve my skills and precision,” he shares.