Gilbert Ian Dalida, a Certified Hospitality Professional, had built a solid career in Manila’s high-pressure environments. He served as Chief of Staff for Terminal Operations at NAIA Terminal 2 and worked on branding and creative projects at Okada Manila. But in 2019, he made a decision that surprised many—he packed up, returned to his hometown of Tagkawayan, Quezon, and started over.
“There was always a dream to create something that felt personal, rooted in our values, and made a difference to the community,” Gilbert shares in his interview with Financial Adviser PH.
That dream became Pompeo and Luming’s Inn, the first boutique bed and breakfast in Tagkawayan—and the first and only Department of Tourism–accredited establishment in town. For Gilbert, the move wasn’t just a career shift. It was a mission.
“Tourism in Tagkawayan was still in its early stages. There was no blueprint, no ecosystem. We had to create the standard,” he recalls.
As a Certified Hospitality Professional, Gilbert applied everything he learned from years in operations, service, branding, and leadership. But this time, he did it on his own terms—and with a heart for local impact.
“We didn’t want to replicate big chain hotels. We wanted to build a place that felt like home, carried our family story, and embodied the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence,” he explains. At the core of that service is empathy, warmth, and community pride—values that shaped every detail of the inn, from the guest experience to the staff training.
Seeing a gap in Tagkawayan’s tourism identity, Gilbert also launched Tagkawayan Kulinarya, a local initiative to promote homegrown food products like tinapa and dried fish. “We wanted visitors to take home more than memories—we wanted them to take pride in our town’s flavors and traditions.”
But Gilbert didn’t stop at building a business. In 2022, he founded the Tourism Hospitality Association of Tagkawayan to support local entrepreneurs and push for shared growth. “If we want the town to grow, we can’t do it alone. We need to bring everyone into the conversation—from pasalubong vendors to innkeepers.”
The journey hasn’t been without challenges: limited infrastructure, lack of tourism awareness, and the need to wear multiple hats in a small operation. But Gilbert believes in starting where you are and improving as you go. “Progress doesn’t wait for perfection. You build with what you have—and you lead with purpose.”
For Gilbert Ian Dalida, leaving the city wasn’t about stepping back. It was about stepping into something more meaningful. “Being a Certified Hospitality Professional isn’t just about credentials. It’s about how you serve, uplift others, and build something that reflects who you are and what your community can become.”
And in the quiet town of Tagkawayan, a new chapter in tourism is being written—one warm welcome, one local product, and one heartfelt story at a time.
