CHIT CHAT

BSN chit chats with some of the community’s pillars and the folks you all want to get to know a little better.

By Freida Dario-Santiago

Arnold Fernandez Yap Schmidt

Boracay businessman Arnold Schmidt is the visionary behind Smooth Café & Restaurant (2023), Smooth Attic (2023), Pawikan Apartments (2022), and the soon-to-open IslandVault Collectables & Café. A Boracay resident since 2021, the entrepreneur shares his connection to the island and what inspired him to build a life and business here.

Tell us about your Boracay connection.

Boracay has always been deeply personal to my family and me. My parents had roots on the island as early as the 1980s, before later moving to Germany. Because of that history, building a life and business in Boracay felt meaningful from the beginning. It was not just an opportunity, but also a return to something familiar and important.

What brought you to Boracay and what do you love most about the island life? 

We originally came to Boracay after Typhoon Odette severely damaged our resorts in Moalboal. The plan was to manage my mother’s heritage properties before eventually returning to Cebu. What changed everything was the way we were welcomed by the Boracay community, especially fellow entrepreneurs. There was a warmth, openness and sense of possibility that made us fall in love with the island. Four years later, we are still here. What we love most is the community, the lifestyle and the feeling that Boracay still allows people to create something special.

Why did you pursue ventures in hospitality and restaurants?

Our core business began in early 2020 with building villas and offering them as Airbnb accommodations. By 2023, we felt inspired to expand into cafés and restaurants. For us, hospitality is about more than providing a place to stay or dine. It is about creating spaces and experiences people genuinely remember.

Your proudest moments?

Our proudest achievements are the positive reviews we have received for Smooth Boracay Café & Restaurant. Seeing guests connect with what we have built is incredibly fulfilling.

What major challenges have you encountered so far?

Like any business journey, there have been challenges. Growth naturally comes with pressure, competition and at times negativity. We have learned that the best response is to stay focused, keep improving and continue building with integrity and consistency.

What keeps you busy outside of work?  Outside our ventures, we remain involved in other projects and personal passions. I am an avid collector, especially of Pokémon and One Piece cards, and am preparing to open Boracay’s first collectibles shop and café in front of Astoria.

We also believe in giving back to the Boracay community in meaningful ways. I am a member of the Malay Police Development Advisory Group and recently joined Boracay Foundation Inc. My fiancée Valeria plays a major role across all the businesses while also supporting animal welfare efforts on the island. For us, being part of Boracay also means contributing to the community that makes the island so special.

What is Boracay’s most bankable feature for businesses?

For us, Boracay’s greatest opportunity lies in originality. We have always believed in creating something distinctive rather than simply following what already exists. The island already has many excellent hotels and restaurants, so the real opportunity is in finding a niche: something fresh, thoughtful and of real quality that adds value to Boracay rather than just adding more of the same.

How should businesses contribute to sustainable tourism?We strongly believe in sustainable tourism. We love business and development, but we value nature even more. Every business on the island represents Boracay in some way, which means we all share responsibility for protecting its reputation and future. That begins with genuine hospitality, consistent service and working together to create the best possible experience for visitors.

Environmentally, there is no reason for many businesses to keep relying on plastic bags, cups and other unnecessary waste when good alternatives exist. Sustainability also begins internally through staff education, awareness and making care for the island part of the company culture.

What is your message to the Boracay community, leaders and youth?Create something beautiful. We are one island, and we all represent Boracay. The future of this place depends on people who build with pride, vision, and responsibility.

What is your message to Boracay’s visitors?

Enjoy what we believe is the best island in the Philippines. Explore beyond the obvious, try different kinds of food, discover local attractions, and take the time to appreciate the many sides of Boracay, from its energy to its quieter corners.

What are your goals for the next five years?Our goal is to keep learning, refining and expanding, always with the intention of creating businesses that are memorable, meaningful and a positive contribution to Boracay.

Arnold Schmidt and Valeria Emelyanova

A young Arnold with his mother, Marylou Fernandez Yap Schmidt, in front of her beauty salon in the late 90s. Her Germany-based charity, “Heart for Poor Children,” supported Boracay communities.

Arnold is a member of the Malay Police Development Advisory Group