17 June 2026
The School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) signed a memorandum of agreement with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group on June 15, 2026, at Ayala Tower One in Makati. The partnership opens internship opportunities for Benilde students in Hong Kong and Makati, adding Mandarin Oriental to the College’s roster of global partners in luxury hospitality.
The agreement covers a minimum of 600 hours of structured training, with flexible formats that can be completed face‑to‑face or in hybrid mode. Students will receive stipends, insurance, duty meals, visa support, and arrival assistance. They will also be evaluated by Mandarin Oriental professionals and awarded certificates upon completion.
Beyond the logistics of hours and benefits, the real value of the partnership lies in how it strengthens Benilde’s academic outcomes. The BS‑Hospitality Management program is designed to shape students into professionals who can carry themselves with presence, adapt to diverse cultures, and bring fresh ideas into service environments. Internships with Mandarin Oriental put these outcomes into practice, as Benildeans step into front office, housekeeping, and food and beverage operations where luxury standards are applied every day.
A network of trusted partners already provides Benildeans with world‑class training in luxury hospitality. Mandarin Oriental now joins Placement International and AsiaWorld Hospitality, institutions that shape the luxury bracket of the industry and open global pathways for students.
This trusted role in luxury hospitality also extends to professionals already in the industry. Through its Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), Benilde produced its first BS‑HLM graduate, Genesis Vargas. He coincidentally began his career at Mandarin Oriental as a banquet bartender and later became Director of Food and Beverage at Crimson Hotel Manila, a luxury property. While managing his career, he completed his degree through Benilde’s flexible program. His journey illustrates how the College provides pathways for students starting out and for seasoned professionals who want to advance in luxury hospitality.
Luxury service education at Benilde also reaches across SHRIM programs. Tourism Management students, for example, train in the Cabin Service Trainer, which simulates the premium travel experience and prepares them for airline service environments. These initiatives show that luxury pathways at Benilde are broad and accessible across disciplines.
Delegates at the signing included Chancellor Benhur Ong, SHRIM Dean Dr. Marie Paz Castro, and Center for External Linkages Director Sherlo Reyes from Benilde, alongside Mandarin Oriental executives Laura Wilson, Zufar Khabibullin, and Franck Droin.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
