ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL (PIA) -- Visitors of this island city at the Davao Gulf are expected to gain delightful experience with the enhanced hospitable services of the local service providers and the tourism frontliners.

This has been made possible with the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE)  training recently conducted by the Samal Island City Tourism Office and the Department of Tourism (DOT) XI for stakeholders and frontliners at the SP Session Hall, City Hall, Peñaplata, Samal District.

The Tourism Office and DOT XI tapped on October 18 the Sanipaan Marine Park Pangkabuhayan Association (SAMPPA), Adecor United Fisherfolk Organization (AdUFOr),  Adecor Boat Operators Association, and Tambo Boat Operators as training participants.

FBSE aims to standardize Filipino hospitality and service, promoting exceptional travel experiences for domestic and international tourists. It equips local service providers with essential skills to uphold high standards and leave a lasting impression.

The FBSE training also emphasized the pivotal role of tourism in generating employment by offering a diverse range of opportunities, from hotel and restaurant staff to tour guides and transportation providers.

With the skills and knowledge on FBSE, stakeholders and frontliners from any tourism-related field, regardless of job, age, gender, and belief, including city government employees as public servants,  are expected to practice the oral expression and gesture signature of the FBSE.

The Samaleños now have an oral expression, saying "Mabuhay ug Madiaw!" while placing the right hand on their chest as a gesture of welcoming guests.

"Mabuhay" means "long live" in Filipino, and also means to wish a person to have a "long life," while "Madiaw," which is a language of the Sama tribe, embodies goodness and  optimism in life.