TAGAY!
- May 1
- 3 min read
“Cheers” to island heroes and moments that matter
By Freida Dario-Santiago
Congratulations to Medical Director Dr. Karl Lachica and his team on the successful inauguration of the new emergency wing at the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (CSTH) on March 13, 2026.
A Vision RealizedThe ceremony was graced by Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores and his father, Congressman Florencio Miraflores. Both have been instrumental in modernizing the Level 1 hospital, providing full provincial support from the project's inception.
Governor Miraflores commended Dr. Lachica’s dedication, saying, “Dr. Karl accepted the challenge and transformed this hospital into what it is today. His dedication and effort have made our dream of an efficient healthcare system on Boracay Island a priority.”
Modernizing Boracay’s HealthcareThe Governor expressed gratitude to the local government, private sector, and various agencies for their support. He emphasized that upgrading equipment and services are just as vital as the infrastructure itself. With a budget from the Department of Health (DOH), the hospital will soon house advanced medical equipment, including new ultrasound services.
“Boracay now has the medical facilities befitting a world-class tourism destination,” the Governor added.
Expanding the Network Looking ahead, the Governor announced the construction of the Malay District Hospital in Kubai. This Level 2 facility is designed to complement CSTH and reduce the need for patient transfers to Kalibo.
The foundational work has started to build a two-story building with a provision for a third floor, with an initial 100-bed capacity on the 5,000 square meter footprint by 2028. Supported by a ₱120M DOH budget and additional the Province of Aklan is prepared to loan additional funding to ensure the project meets its deadline.
Congressman Miraflores praised the Governor for prioritizing medical governance, echoing his long-standing belief: “What good is a beautiful building if you don’t have good medical services?”
He concluded with a challenge to the CSTH medical staff to ensure that service delivery matches the high quality of the new facilities. “And rest assured that we in Congress will do our part to ensure that the other equipment needed will be forthcoming,” he assured.
The next phase of development will focus on digitalization, streamlining the referral system to ensure the hospital can meet the evolving needs of the community.
Cong. Florencio Miraflores, Special guests at the CSTH inauguration and blessing, Dr. Karl Lachica and his CSTH team, and Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores
LANTERNA RECOGNIZED BY TATLER ASIA
Lanterna Hotel Boracay was awarded by Tatler Asia with the Tatler Best Spotlight 2026 Award for its distinguished quality and service. The award was presented at the Grand Ballroom of the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila on March 16, 2026.
The annual Tatler Best Guide is the publication’s definitive guide to outstanding hospitality.
“This recognition reflects our team’s dedication to quality, heartfelt service and creating memorable dining experiences for every guest who visits us in Boracay. Thank you to our amazing team, loyal guests and the Boracay community for being part of our journey. This achievement belongs to all of you,” owners Gladys Calonia and Chef Luigi Barbolla told Boracay Sun News.
(Left) Lanterna Hotel Boracay power couple Gladys Calonia and Luigi Barbolla receive their Tatler Best Award; (Right) The outstanding Lanterna team
REBRANDING PARADISE
The Boracay Marketing and Rebranding Seminar-Workshop, held from January 27 to 29, 2026, at La Carmela de Boracay, successfully united tourism stakeholders and local officials to redefine the island’s global identity.
Organized by the Municipal Tourism Office under Dr. Felix G. Delos Santos, Jr., the program was led by the Asian Institute of Management, featuring expert insights from Dr. Eylla Laire Maranan Gutierrez, Mr. Richard Anthony Lota Cruz, and Dr. John Paolo Rosales Rivera.
These resource persons presented data-driven branding strategies and responsible tourism frameworks designed to align Boracay with evolving global travel trends. By transitioning the island from a party destination to a sustainable and diverse tourism hub, the three-day initiative established a unified, future-ready direction for Boracay’s long-term growth and resilience.
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