Aklan’s widest inland resort now officially opens

NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan—The MM (Maria Mercedes) Convention and Resort is now officially open to the public with the hope of luring foreign and local tourists in the eastern town of this province.

The province of Aklan is famous for Boracay Island, an island resort at the tip of the western part of the province.

The MM Resort at Sitio Malogo, New Washington, Aklan, spawns at a 4.4-hectare inland resort and is good for family gatherings, debuts, reunions, weddings, and birthdays, among others. This was fully opened to the public on February 28, 2024.

Dr. Ruffy Yu, 70, the chief executive officer (CEO)  of the resort, said that he hopes to make it not only a family getaway for the community but will also attract foreign and local tourists through short- and long-term homestays and experiences similar to the concept of AirBNB in the United States of America (USA).

“I built the resort not actually expecting it to become lucrative, but rather I would like to offer an alternative destination for families, especially during weekends and for their special events,” he said.

Among those who attended the formal opening were Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores, Provincial Board member Nemesio Neron, New Washington Mayor Jessica Panambo, New Washington Vice Mayor Jesus Quimpo, and the members of the New Washington Council.

“We welcome the multimillion-peso investment initiative of Dr. Yu, and we in the local government will be supporting him whenever we can,” Mayor Panambo said.

Yu, who hails from Barangay Tambak, New Washington, said that he grew up poor in their fishing village. His family was fishermen, and Uy himself helps to fish during the weekends to help his parents supplement their family needs.

“I also have to walk a few kilometers in the scorching heat of the sun during school days. I took up nursing in college and eventually gained a fortune of going to California, USA,” he added.

While in California, he was able to invest in a home care industry prior to his retirement. “This is why I wanted to help families. I am touched by the stories of my staff, wherein they bought a new pair of shoes the first time they received their salary working at the resort,” he added.