By Edalyn Acta & Xenia Pugna-Calara
San Antonio Resort along the scenic Baybay Beach in Roxas City celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Hawaiian-themed party.
The June 14, 2025 celebration was a homage to its founders the late Atty. Antonio “Tony” Ortiz and Corazon “Cora” Gamboa-Ortiz as well as the team that made San Antonio Resort the leading resort in Capiz.
Mark Anthony Ortiz, the Managing Director for Administrative and Finance, said the resort founded by his parents has come a long way since it opened in June 2005 as Casa Felisa Hotel—later renamed as San Antonio Resort in dedication to their grandmother Felicia Barrios-Ortiz and her devotion to San Antonio de Padua (Saint Anthony of Padua).
For Mark though, the resort’s success is also attributed to their extended family—the employees whose devotion to excellent service have made it possible for San Antonio Resort to have grown over the past two decades as one of the best resorts in Western Visayas.
In 2024, San Antonio Resort was the regional nominee in the resorts category of the Philippine Tourism Awards by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Carmel Marie Ortiz-Villarruz, the Managing Director for Hotel Operations, echoed the sentiments of her brother. The services given by the employees have made an impact on the guests of San Antonio Resort, which built a reputation on creating memories that would last a lifetime.
Guia Felicia Ortiz-Ignacio, the Managing Director for Food, Beverage and Events, recalled how she made the right decision by giving up the opportunity to migrate to Canada with her husband Francis “Tansoy” Ignacio and help manage the resort as a way of keeping the legacy of her parents alive.
Their siblings Jessica Veronique Ortiz-Yu, Rose Mary Thursday Ortiz-Honrado and John Ortiz are also active in managing the resort.
