More Than Tuna: How Founder Jessica Manilay-Santos Is Rebranding GenSan Through Indigenous Art and Hospitality
For Jessica Manilay-Santos, hospitality is less about room count and more about cultural preservation. When the 28-room Bila Boutique Hotel and its in-house Tribu Kefi café opened in December 2025, the venture was born out of an insider-outsider perspective. Manilay-Santos, a Psychology graduate from Ateneo de Davao who previously worked in Manila before returning to General Santos City permanently, noticed a void in the local tourism market: a shortage of curated, boutique accommodations and authentic dining options that reflected the region’s rich heritage. "We want to showcase to others that GenSan is not only tuna," Manilay-Santos said. "We have something else to offer." Her primary advocacy centers on integrating indigenous Mindanao arts and culture into the city's commercial landscape. Taking its name from the Blaan word for "home" or "dwelling," Bila Boutique Hotel acts as a showcase for local craftsmanship, targeting travelers seek...
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