HAVE you ever wondered about what the famous Boracay Island was like before today’s hubbub of grand festivities, paved developments and crowds from all over the world?
Socorro Ruchanie Gelito Gadon, or Bebot, president and general manager of Willy’s Beach Hotel, and whose family is one of the first few inhabitants of Boracay Island, described the island’s pristine glory—an island so rich in vegetation and aquatic life, covered with white sand as fine as powder and surrounded by tranquil blue waters.
When the sun sets in Boracay these days, the real party begins. It was much different back then. Bebot shared that it was only in 1992 when proper electricity was set up on the island. Prior to that, the whole island was lit only by lamps, creating a romantic hushed setting.
Her daughter Febehanne G. Fabilane, or V-anne, who is currently an executive at the hotel, also has fond childhood memories of the old Boracay. “I remember that during sunset, Boracaynons would stay on the beach to look at the setting of the sun, the island’s only source of light. That would signal that it was the end of the day already. After that, we would settle back inside our humble homes to rest. Life was very simple back then.
“As children, the White Beach was our playground. Every day, we would play patintero before sunset. It was like social media to us back then. The modest lifestyle, the tight-knit relationship among the locals, the good values, the free-spirited backpackers, and the unspoiled natural beauty of the island made it a paradise, indeed. Now, I recall that ‘old Boracay’ feeling whenever electricity is interrupted at night, and I rush toward the beach to have that glimpse of our paradise— until power from the generator kicks in,” V-anne said.
It was in the early 1970s when the island started to attract international adventure-savvy visitors. As accounts of the pristine island spread, there rose a demand for amenable cottages where foreign visitors could have a comfortable stay. Wilfredo “Willy” Miralles Gelito, Bebot’s father, was one of the first to build cottages on the island way back in 1975.
“Our family’s origins could only be traced on this island. My forefathers were some of the very first to see the island’s earliest developments,” Bebot said. “We are deeply rooted in this island, and we’ve always had innate concern for it. As for my father, he saw that the island had a potential for tourism. He said that tourism will be beneficial for the island, so he started to build Willy’s first cottages.”
Being the eldest of five children, Bebot naturally got the responsibility to manage the now 2,102-square-meter hotel from her father. When she took over, she started updating the cottages’ architecture and turning them into air-conditioned and tiled rooms, with modern interior design along with the enhanced services.
“The preferences of tourists changed. They wanted to feel more comfortable in their stay. And, of course, as a hotelier, you want to always provide what’s best for your guests,” Bebot said.
Built upon a solid rock
Situated about 100 meters off-shore, in the shallow water in Station 1, Willy’s Rock is a castle-like volcanic formation that dominates the seascape along White Beach. Willy’s Rock is the most photographed landmark in Boracay and offers a superior view of the island.
V-anne shared why the famous landmark was named Willy’s Rock. “When you view the rock standing in front of Willy’s Rock Bar & Restaurant, you quickly realize that it is the closest and best angle of the outstanding rock formation. We are grateful to have remained here, owning this humble beachfront lot while most of the properties in Boracay owned by locals like us have been either leased or sold.”
“My father meticulously planted water coconut trees on that rock and early backpackers identified our establishment by that rock and vise-versa,” Bebot enthused.
A family passion
Just as solid as Willy’s Rock is the family’s passion for serving the community on the island, and this is reflected in its service of its hotel guests. “My father Willy, who was once the vice mayor of Malay, would always extend assistance to the people of Boracay; and my mother Rebecca M. Gelito was a devoted public nurse who taught us the value of community service,” Bebot shared.
“We take this inspiration from our family, which has operated Willy’s from the very start. I believe that if we have the passion for what we do, we will never be exhausted,” Bebot added.
“My father started the business, and I’m from the second generation who has assumed the running of it. There was also a time when all my siblings participated in the management of the hotel. My daughter and her husband, Rodelio ‘Douglas’ D. Fabilane, are currently managing the day-to-day of the business with the same vision and mission I have established. My grandchildren are now encouraged to observe and take part in the family business with the right attitude, and to continue the community service my parents started. The passion lives on.”
Meanwhile, V-anne shared how much she looks up to her mother. “I’ve seen my mother so hands-on in the operations of the hotel. What I really admire is her guts. During difficult times in the management, she is like a softhearted iron lady.”
She continued that her mom also serves as a voice to the Boracaynons. “When people here need a spokesman to air their concerns to the local government, the national government and the private sector, my mother and her friends are among those who immediately stand up.”
Bringing back the white beach of the past
The family tries to preserve what is left of Boracay’s old glory, and this shows in their humble beach hotel.
“It saddens me sometimes that we are losing our family’s vision, which is to have Boracay keep its pristine beauty and avenues of modernization will only be limited to a few. We are losing Boracay of the past,” Bebot expressed.
Still, she remains hopeful. “What we can do now is to maintain what is here already, and just hope that we wouldn’t lose all that, too. It’s good that it is a renowned destination and we welcome people from everywhere, but we need to take care of the island, too.”
Willy’s Beach Hotel has 38 modestly built deluxe rooms, spacious enough to accommodate big groups, with four categories to choose from: Grand Premier, Super Deluxe, Deluxe and Standard.
Willy’s Beach Hotel is also a pioneer in accommodating weddings, proposals, renewals and other events. It is among the most famous wedding venues on the whole island of Boracay, simply because of its convenient location and flexible wedding packages. In fact, it has catered more than 40 weddings. Most of its clients are foreigners, who have traveled thousands of miles to get an exceptional beach-wedding experience.
Aside from that, the hotel also has spacious conference rooms. Significant names have chosen the hotel for the use of the multifunction room, frequented by companies since 1997 for annual seminars and a venue for important events. Likewise, government activities have also been held in the hotel.
“There will be some improvements in our amenities, facilities and services. We also have scheduled renovations for the restaurant and the room interiors. One significant change we are currently initiating is being part of eco-friendly endeavors in any way we can and strengthening our corporate social responsibility. There are so many things that we can still look forward to in the future,” V-anne said.
“We are thankful to have been trusted by our frequent returning guests, some of whom have been visiting us annually for years. We are determined to maintain our established company mission statement—to provide customer service that is beyond expectation,” Bebot concluded.