Tourism stakeholders from across industries paid tribute to former Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, highlighting her transformative leadership ahead of her assumption as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities.

Former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, now chairman and president of the International School of Sustainable Tourism in the Philippines, underscored Frasco’s ability to turn ideas into action.

“When you say something to her, she implements it. She looks [at it], reads it, and implements. I think that’s the most important. Passion is something else. Passion without implementation is nothing. And I remember meeting her in the listening tours she has been doing. And I always say, we want you to succeed, because you have the heart, and the intelligence and knowledge to put this tourism department where it should be,” she said.

Chef Miguel Moreno, the first Tausug and Mindanaoan chef to receive Michelin recognition, said Frasco helped elevate Philippine culture as both a national asset and economic driver.

“Ive been in the industry so long that you won’t believe it, the only time I was able to go to Batanes and of course, Zamboanga and the others I missed because I was sick, is because of you. I would have not ridden a small plane to Batanes, I’m so scared of small planes. And of course, you know, the mindset before, ages ago, that no, you don’t go to Mindanao. But I had to go because you were there and I was so glad I did it because the beauty of the country should be visited. It’s not just like, well, it’s not just promoting it. It’s visiting and appreciating the culture, the Filipino culture, and the sites of the Philippines,” he said.