Soaring High

Princess Mhey Baab describes herself as a simple and passionate person who loves singing, traveling, and playing football. Back in Grade 7, during a “future gazing” activity in her class, she first dreamed of becoming a flight attendant. What started as a desire to visit her late father’s homeland in Germany soon grew into something deeper and became a lifelong dream that she now proudly lives.

She chose to study at Foundation University not only for its serene, state-of-the-art campus, but also for its dedicated teachers who provide quality education. Throughout her college years, she excelled both academically and in leadership. She was a consistent Presidential Awardee, a YMCA Negros Oriental Outstanding Student Awardee, and a recipient of both the Leadership and Co-Curricular Awards. She served as Vice-President of the College of Hospitality Management, joined competitions such as Tourism Quiz Bee and Tour Guiding, and was part of the Corps of Ushers and Usherettes. 

Her hard work paid off when she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management in 2022. She was Valedictorian of her batch and made history as the first Summa Cum Laude of Foundation University. She admits that the recognition was overwhelming and came with pressure, but she was deeply grateful to her family, mentors, and God for guiding her throughout her college years, especially during the pandemic.

After graduation, it has not been easy for her. She faced rejections, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. She recalls her long travels for job applications and intense training, but says every challenge was worth it. Today, she enjoys exploring new destinations, learning different cultures, and meeting people from different walks of life. For her, one of the most heartwarming moments is witnessing overseas Filipinos cheer joyfully upon arriving home in the Philippines.

“I credit Foundation University for shaping my skills and character, which are essential to my work,” shares Baab. The hands-on learning environment, supportive mentors, and emphasis on discipline and excellence prepared her to handle real-world challenges with confidence. Most importantly, the values of integrity, teamwork, and continuous learning that she developed guided her work and enabled her to deliver care coming from the heart for her passengers.

When asked for advice, she encourages students to study hard, develop effective study habits, and actively participate in class. For fellow alumni, her challenge is: “Let us always carry with us the values we learned at Foundation University. May we all strive to be productive, creative, useful, and responsible citizens of society, and live the values of a Foundationite with excellence, commitment, integrity and service.”