Boracay Tropics Resort Hotel

By mid-80s, the relatively unheard of Boracay was receiving worldwide accolade as a travel destination to watch. Bert Sarabia, a native of Aklan, would regularly bring his family all the way from Manila to Boracay to spend the Holy Week and to give the family a break from the demands of their jewelry business.Although Boracay was gaining popularity, the accommodation was still rudimentary – native huts, bamboo floors that also served as bed, and candles or kerosene lamp. One time, the family stayed in a resort without a generator. Bert and Cely would take turns using native fans all night so the kids would be able to sleep. The ordeal egged them to check-out the following day and to return to Aklan. But the lure of the beach and the sea, however, was irresistible to the little ones so they would get back to the island.