More nominees than expected have been declared winners of the 19th Mabuhay Awards on October 27 after two nominated individuals tied in the rank and file (front of the house) category. From the typical five awards given during the annual event, six industry professionals took home the 2014 citations.

The two winners in front of the house category, who moved the judges to tears, are Paul Aaron Tiu, a room attendant of Marriott Hotel Manila, and Davis Mikael Asistin, a guest service officer of Ascott Makati.

It is the first time that more than one winner have been declared in a category, said Andre Alip, president of the Association of Human Resource Managers (AHRM) in the Hospitality Industry. AHRM annually organizes the event.

The Cravings Group CEO Marinela “Badjie” Guerrero-Trinidad was announced as Mabuhay Gold awardee. Her mother, Annie Pascual-Guerrero, received the same award in 2006.

Cherry Ehida, commis chef of Feria restaurant in Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, topped the rank and file (heart of the house) category.

Timothy Decker Gokioco, chef de partie of The Cake Club Kitchen of Diamond Hotel was proclaimed as the supervisor of the year.

Lucius “Jun” Orario, Jr., manager of Marriott Cafe in Marriott Hotel Manila garnered the manager of the year award.

See the full list of nominees here.

“We annually honor the best and the brightest of the hotel and hospitality professionals at various categories referring to the managerial, supervisory, rank and file front of the house, and rank and file heart of the house. It is in its 19th year, so from the start, it has blossomed to something as grand as this,” said Alip.

The award was held inside the Manila Hotel’s recently renovated Maynila Ballroom.

Mikee Pascual, junior reporter, contributed in this article.