History

Boracay

Boracay island is undeniably one of the best beaches in the world, with its virgin forest and ecosystem truest of all nature, only in the Philippines.  

Yes. As they all call it, it is truly an Island Paradise.

Boracay was just an unknown and private island decades ago. For the truth be told, it was indeed one private island inhabited by few islanders, mostly fishermen, the natives called “Aeta” and one family to whom the island owes its name, flora and fauna - Lamberto Hontiveros Tirol and Sofia Ner Gonzales.

Often it is written that the History of Boracay is uncertain, shaded, or altogether unknown.

In fact, some would claim there is no history at all.

Some would surmise due to the fact that this Boracay,, is so small and lack the structure of civilization, hence, the report is not so complete as it should be based only from the information available.

Others would tell self-serving stories about themselves being the only owners of the island to the exclusion of those others, especially other clans.  

However, everything has its own history, including the island of Boracay.

Unfolding that part of Philippine history, blending historical facts with accounts of the hidden legacy of historical families instrumental to the development and progress of the island.

History: FACTS with REFERENCE & SOURCES:

One family, a Judge in Buruanga along with his wife Sofia Ner Gonzales settled in the island and engaged in cultivation of coconut trees and tobacco planting. Lamberto H. Tirol married a very young chinese meztisa Spanish-speaking lady named Sofia Ner Gonzales, daughter of the very first physician and surgeon of Panay Island Dr. Cipriano G. Gonzales from Antique and Florentina Q. Ner from Cavite. Lamberto was one of the earliest Political Figure in Makato, Aklan and served as Mayor for several terms. He later on became a Municipal Judge of Buruanga and settled in the island of Boracay.

The names Judge Lamberto Tirol and Sofia Ner Gonzales can never be forgotten. It was through their private conversation overheard by an islander that the island got its name “Boracay”.  No less than the natives themselves said that as far in time as their memory as one of the original settlers and natives of Malay and Buruanga, the island which is now known as “Boracay” was referred merely as “Ro isla it Buruanga”. In other words, the island had no name before until a couple blurted out in one of their personal conversations about the froath and foam of the oceans of boracay. So the name “Boracay” was first given to a very tiny island off the northern tip of the “Isla” by a native upon hearing conversation between a couple, now known to be the Father and Greener of the island of Boracay - Lamberto and Sofia.

This is how the story goes: Folks have it told that many years ago, the couple came to settle at the northern coast of the “Isla” now known as Yapak, as Yapak was a barrio discovered by Lamberto himself, to engage in planting and selling tobacco leaves as their means of livelihood.

One day an islander was approaching the couple when he overheard a conversation between the couple at their dwelling. Lamberto was at the beach or in the beach water as he observed thick froath being washed ashore by the waves that clased between the tiny island and the “Isla” agitated by the Amihan wind.

Observing this thick froath, he called out to Sofia and said “Acay, hanggod ka bora, Acay,” which when translated can mean: “Darling, there’s plenty of froath, Darling.”

Perhaps this is the origin of Boracay, derived from “Bora.Acay”. And that name stuck for the tiny island. Much later, the name was given to the bigger island instead of calling it “Ro Isla it Buruanga.”

They were considered as among the original settlers of Boracay Island, who peacefully and simply lived among the natives and islanders. Fishing was the main livelihood of Boracay. The couple however created one paradise island out of it. While it was Lamberto who invested on seedlings, it was Sofia along with a native by the name of “Orang” who engaged in  cultivation and agriculture. Copra and Tobacco trading then became the island’s second source of income of the islanders.

The humble abode of the couple and their family. They had nine (9) but two girls died during infancy (Elsie Edna, Rizalina, Racel, Sol, Josel, Demosthenes, Haide, Belen+ and Florentina+) in Buruanga (now Malay) was just a piece of lot in the island, until some islanders sold their lots to the family. The rest of the islanders followed suit. The family soon realized that they owned a relatively large portion of the island, and provided more than enough not only for the family but also for the few settlers of the island - because of their generosity and kind hearts they were fondly called “Don Lamberto and Dona Sofing“. Some islanders likewise sold their lots to other Tirol Clan: Ciriaco Seneres Tirol and Roberto Hontiveros Tirol.

Upon the counsel of Lamberto’s nephew, Josefino Santa Maria Tirol (son of Gregorio Tirol and Maria Santa Maria, brother of Lamberto), their land in the island was brought under the Torrens System through the Ordinary Land Registration Proceedings in 1929 and was issued its judicial title in 1931. It was told that, to finance the titling process, Sofia had to sell the engagement ring Lamberto gave her, a large diamond ring. The couple also had mining and fishery in Makato and a portion in Buruanga as records of government offices in Aklan would reveal.

Sofia became a young widow when Lamberto met his Maker in 1924. She was left to tend to their seven (7) Children, the other two (2) died during infancy. It was told that she wept for her beloved half’s untimely demise until her death. Despite the sadness and sorrow, she spent all her days in Boracay, nurturing the island as it is one of Lamberto’s remembrance - a labor of love.

The young widow continued working and manning the island, with the help of her friend Orang Sacapano, a local settler and a few islanders worthy of her trust including her trusted men, the Aguirre family, also all islanders. 

Sofia was known to be stern, business-minded, strict and brave but with a kind and generous heart. Although thrifty, she always was after the welfare of her neighbors. 

Life was simple and abundant for Sofia and the children. At times, it became difficult most especially so when it falls on the times to pay realty taxes over Boracay and other properties she owned. But she was able to survive it all. She earned through Copra and Tobacco sales, goods which she herself produced in the island with the help of her friend “Lola Orang”, some Aeta, some of her workers and tenants. Hiking was nothing for the Dona. She would walk to and from the island in order to earn her keep. She spend most of her days in the island, and when the time came for her to rest and retire, she had to stay in Kalibo with one of her daughters. She died at the age of 110.

Boracay’s fame came belatedly, when Sofia was too old to realize and appreciate the fruits of her labor. One time, a group of foreigners came to the island with the intention to shoot a film. It was only then that Boracay became open to the world. It was also that time that the commercialization of the island began.

But the island is still as it is - an Island Paradise. It was through the very hands of Lamberto and Sofia that Boracay flourished into one of nature’s magnificent creations.

Boracay received numerous acclamations and recognitions worldwide. It is very well worth our while to get to know the island’s caretaker, Dona Sofia, who was known as the Greener of Boracay. As world progress, let us pause and take a breather by looking back to the days when the island was young in order to appreciate the very hands that tended it, whose life was spent tending the island, her children, her neighbors, the settlers, and friends the Aeta of the island, all in dedication to her beloved Don Lamberto.

This is Boracay. This is her history. Now you know.

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 Boracay has the following landmarks:
*Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital formerly Boracay Hospital
*Lamberto H. Tirol National High School formerly Boracay National High School
*Museo de Roberto y Gloria Tirol Boracay Museum

“In this Work when it shall be found that
much is omitted, let it not be forgotten
that much likewise is performed.” —Samuel Johnson