A Hilltop Legacy: How One Woman Helped Shape Lake Sebu’s Story

 

Maria Edna B. Solivio never imagined that a modest hilltop home in Lake Sebu would one day shape the tourism landscape of South Cotabato.

In the early 1990s, when the town was still quiet and largely unknown to travelers, Edna and her late husband, Mulong, simply wanted a place to raise tilapia and unwind with friends. What began as a humble retreat overlooking the lake slowly blossomed into Punta Isla Lake Resort—now a cornerstone of the Soccsksargen region’s tourism story.

Beginnings by the Water

Back then, Lake Sebu had no formal resorts. Edna’s home, built on a slope in Sitio Tuko-fol, was more a resting place than a business venture. With no electricity, no paved roads, and only pump boats to reach the area, it was far from accessible. Yet the view was magnetic, and the hospitality was genuine.

“We’d just come, buy tilapia, grill them ourselves, bring our own charcoal and utensils, like a weekend picnic,” Edna recalls. Her friends, enchanted by the simplicity, urged her to open the place to more visitors.

Encouraged by their enthusiasm, Edna began adding rooms and facilities. The original house gave way to what she now calls the Tboli Hall—a communal space with five rooms, a kitchen, and a dining area. Slowly, the place evolved from a private retreat into a welcoming destination.

Building Through Adversity

The journey was not without setbacks. In the resort’s early years, a flood from Lake Holon damaged infrastructure and isolated Lake Sebu for months. Tourism halted, but Edna continued paying her staff, unsure if the resort would survive.

“I thought of closing down. But by God’s grace, the bridge was repaired, and guests returned,” she says.

Then came the early 2000s, when security concerns in Mindanao, especially news of kidnappings, dampened travel. For six months, Punta Isla stood still. Yet Edna held on, driven by faith and a quiet resolve.

“I asked for one more chance. I followed every regulation, stayed consistent, and trusted the process,” she says.

A Platform for Tboli Pride

Beyond business, Edna saw Punta Isla as a space for cultural empowerment. She prioritized hiring Tboli staff—not just to provide jobs, but to celebrate their heritage. At a time when many Tbolis felt hesitant to embrace their identity, Edna encouraged them to greet guests in their native language, wear traditional attire, and share their stories through performances and crafts.

“When you said ‘Tboli,’ some wouldn’t even admit it. But when Punta Isla was built, it lifted their spirits,” she says.

Critics accused her of exploiting culture for profit. Edna did not respond with defensiveness—she let her staff speak for themselves. “I told them, ‘You answer. If you weren’t here, would you have this opportunity?”

Her commitment extended beyond employment. She supported Tboli scholars, trained staff personally, and cultivated a work culture rooted in discipline and care.

Stewardship and Civic Leadership

Edna’s influence reached beyond the resort. As the first president of the Lake Sebu Tourism Association, she helped lobby for infrastructure and support for local tourism. She was active in civic groups and contributed to cultural events like the Tnalak Festival, helping shape its street dancing program.

Her partnership with Mulong, who was active in politics, allowed them to balance family, business, and public service. She raised her children with values of hard work and community responsibility, often involving them in the resort’s operations.

A passionate gardener, Edna also made sure Punta Isla grew in harmony with nature.

“There weren’t any trees here before. I planted them all,” she says. Her vision was never about towering buildings. It was about preserving the lake’s serenity and showcasing its natural gifts.

A Legacy Rooted in Faith and Purpose

Three decades later, Edna remains grounded. She does not dream of expansion for the sake of grandeur. Instead, she wants Punta Isla to remain a place of peace, culture, and connection.

“I’m grateful to God, to the Tboli tribe, and to everyone who supported us,” she says. “These are all God’s gifts—it’s just a matter of how we take care of them.”

Edna hopes to be remembered not just as a resort owner, but as a steward of culture, a champion of community, and a believer in the quiet power of persistence. Through Punta Isla, she has shown that tourism can be more than business—it can be a bridge between heritage and hope.

(First published in PhilStar.com)

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