The Untold Story of Mila Yap Sumndad: Queen of Paradise

BY ULYSSES V. ESPARTERO

If there is one person who can tell the story of Boracay’s rapid development, it would be Mila Yap-Sumndad. Born in 1946 in Boracay Island, Mila is now 63 years old.

PIONEERING SPIRIT

Sumndad gave up her banking career in Manila in 1977 and went home without even knowing that she will plant the seeds of faith which ultimately gave birth to a tourist facility that held the distinction as the first to have toilet and bath that has both hot and cold running water.

“Boracay started as a backyard tourist industry in 1978,” she recalled.

In one of the feature stories about her, Sumndad was described as “one of Boracay pioneering spirit who raised the standards of resort hotels on the island, introducing innovation that would set the standards for years to come.”

With her father, she established the Yap’s Rest House in 19077, which provided room for tourists for only five pesos a night. Following the popularity of her name for culinary expertise, the resort was renamed Mila’s Boracay Beach Resort offering luxurious and fully air-conditioned rooms.

Mila introduced buffet dinner to Boracay and was the first also to bring ice cream to the cloistered island. Known then as the White House of Boracay with Spanish-style façade, her resort earned a reputation as one of the island’s best. She later established the El Toro Restaurant known for continental cuisine and fully stocked bar.

The resort was one time official site of the 4^th Asean Beach Volleyball (San Miguel Gold Tour).

Sumndad even laughed at remembering that many loyal guests keep on coming back, year after years, to the beach resort known for its tradition of reliable service. Some guest she never had the chance to see anymore after they left the island but were too grateful to remind her of their memorable stay in the paradise.

She even recalled that one time, she had this Swiss guest who unknown to her was a travel writer. She was surprised to be featured in the 1986 edition of a magazine.

In her retirement age, she sold Mila’s for her children were too busy with their own lives. The place where Mila’s stood as an ultimate destination for a complete Boracay experience is now called Gold Crown.

This woman who was once called the “Queen of Paradise” never thought of retiring. “I still fight. But I have passed on the torch of bravery to my children and grandchildren,” she quips. You may be surprised to see in rally her grown up children – international Frisbee players Datu and Benju and international flight stewardess Fatima Pilar Damailah who is married to rapper Andrew E.

RED RIBBON

Mila, known to have instilled in her people that “special brand of reliable service honed to perfection after years of service” believes in the genuine hospitality and concerns of Boracaynons. The same traits made her to establish, in the hearts of people, a territory of collective voice in the paradise.

Sumndad recalled that in the late 1970s, the backpackers discovered the island before the government even took cognizance of its inhabitants. Boracay made a name following the recognition of the island as one of the world’s best beach in the book Philippinen, by German author Jens Peters.

In 1977, she wrote: “Then the Philippine Tourism Authority came with a set of rules and regulations and sent a brigade of blue guards to demolish the beach front cottages and structure without explaining what was going on. They failed to reach out to us. They didn’t teach us.”

“We fought with red ribbons on our heads and arms because our freedom has been suppressed,” she said.

The fight started in early 1980s specifically in 1982 five years after she founded the Yap’s Rest House that DOT wanted to execute the PTA circular of 1973. We were never informed,” she added.

The Boracay Resorts and Eateries Association (BREA) was founded in the early 10980s. The first president was Mila’s elder brother, Jose Yap, who was later elected Mayor of Malay for three consecutive terms and SP Member (Western Aklan). He was followed by Anita Aguirre, owner of Boracay Plaza Resort and served until 1985.

Following its organization, BREA members founded the United Boracay Island Business Association (UBIBA) and chose as its first (and last) president Sumndad who was then 40 years old. UBIBA existed until year 2000 when construction business started to lure businessmen to the shores of Boracay.

Architect Lara Arac-Salaver and her group of pro-construction founded the Boracay Foundation, Incorporated (BFI). Sumndad’s group opposed the construction in front beaches believing this will destroy the island. Later, business executive Charlie Uy and Karen Reina founded the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an affiliate of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“But it was only in 1986 when demolition team was sent to destroy what we have established in the front beach. We have succeeded in lowering the 50-meter buffer zone to 25 meters. We have fought against DOT for the planned take over of the island. We have succeeded,” she told Panay News.

Together with siblings Jose Yap, Aniceto yap and Libertad Yap-Talapian, Sumndad filed a case, celebrated land titling case, against the government believing that Boracay is susceptible of private ownership by acquisitive prescription under applicable laws classifying it as a government land and a tourism zone under Proclamation No, 1801 and related issuances.

The Supreme Court, in an en banc resolution dated December 2, 2008, denied the appeal. “But we do not lose hope. We should never lose hope,” Sumndad said after 29 years of fighting.

Looking back, she feels she had done her part of protecting the pristine beaches of the island. The fight must go on. “We must support, until the end of time, the cause of and owners.

Today, Sumndad sully supports the causes of Boracay Landowners and Stakeholders Association, Inc. (BLASSAI) as a founding director.  Mila’s close friend, Ruchannie Socorro “Bebot” Gelito-Gadon, General Manager  of Willy’s Beach Club Hotel, calls her as a woman of incomparable strength and an inspiration for all Boracaynons who want to be free.

Albert Einstein was correct when he said that only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. (published in Panay News, the number one daily in Visayas, Philippines)