boracay sun : august 2014 issue
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 2014 | VOL. IV NO. 7 | BORACAY’S MONTHLY NEWS ON RECYCLED PAPER
WWW.BORACAYSUN.COM
Page 4Page 7Page 9
Page 12Page 15Page 18Page 20Page 22Page 25Page 30Page 36
7107 ISLANDS OPINION PEEK-A-BOOLIFE & LEISURE PEOPLE IN ROOMCENTERFOLDEVENTSHEALTH & WELLBEING INDULGE ENVIRONMENT
What’s Inside
Photo by Cha Santos
continued on page 10
By Freida Dario-Santiago
The indigenous Ati of Boracay are all smiles as they plant roots in a land of their own.
way to the tourism boom) was the Promised Land where they could finally live in peace and security.
But that parcel of land came with a price tag, one that cost them the life of
For the original island settlers who were lords of the land they roamed freely, who lived off the bounty of what they consider to be sacred land and seas, a mere 2.1 hectares (of the island’s total land area of 1,038.82 hectares to give
The BATO’s rocky road to land owner-ship and independence is now paved with promise and security.
THE BATO or Boracay Ati Tribal Organi-zation members are finally settled and feel right at home at their ‘Lupaing
Ninuno’ (Ancestral Land), 2.1 hectares of land awarded to them as covered by a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) issued by the National Commis-sion on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on January 21, 2011.
>>> Page 18 >>> Pages 12, 25 & 35 > >>Page 26 > >>Page 15>>> Pages 20 & 21
FREE
CHIC:Boutique
Stylish accommodationswith attitude
Indoors is thenew outdoors:
Sports, leisureand family playtime
KILLER Floods:The threat ofLeptospirosisMISSIONS –
Special Feature:
Making a difference
BORACAY
where it counts
Snap out of it!
Lonely in
<< HOME AT LAST!
paradise?
from Eyesore to TreasureThe Boracay Ati’s Journey
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 1 and 40.pdf 1 7/24/14 7:28 PM
Editor in [email protected]
EDITOR IN CHIEF
LAYOUT ARTISTSENIOR GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGNER
ILLUSTRATOR & PHOTOGRAPHER
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
COLUMNISTS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
CONTRIBUTING GRAPHICILLUSTRATOR
Freida Dario-Santiago
Rhanica NuñezLyra TabalongDenise Tolentino
Monique Tolentino
Daniel Leemon Dr. Maria Cristina TeoticoMarlo SchönenbergerSierra BullockRea AnchoresReo MendozaJohnny B. Schmidt
Amanda VirreyPauline AstronautGary FontainePia MirafloresSamantha BouffardMark CabreraPeter TayKatrina TuasonJun AguirreAzenith ResurreccionKate Hammaren
Cha Santos
Asia Noble
Editorial2| Boracay Sun |
Dear Editor,
I just have a question, has anybody been doing anything about the flooding in Boracay?
I left Boracay about a month ago but I have lived there for 6 years and I consider it my home. I’ve seen some pictures on my friends Facebook this morning. When it rained hard last night and when my friend woke up the next day he was counting his blessings that he was on the second floor of the house because apparently the water went inside all the houses on the bottom…
These floods have been going on for so long, I complained before and I sent some pictures and I do
letters
connectivity
| GUEST CONTRIBUTORS |
She started playing with SLR cameras when she was in college at the University of Santo Tomas where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising, Cha grew up in Quezon City and moved to Boracay in March 2011. Back in Manila, she worked for various ad agencies and design studios as a graphic artist and handled accounts like Jollibee, Nestle and Coca-Cola. Photography is one of her hobbies. She believes that creativity and color will be her share to the community newspaper. She is a backpacker and loves capturing moments on her travels, be it food, people or landscapes. She is a dragon boat paddler and a surfer too.
Asia Noble is a nomad. Her swashbuckling adventures (she takes no prisoners) have brought her to South, Central, and North America, Europe, and back home to South East Asia. She is currently rolling in the Maldives, Indonesia, and Cambodia before her triumphant return to Colombia, where she left her heart. She plans to explore Africa and the Middle East before settling in an as yet unspecified beach town to whittle away the time making baskets.
Follow @natasian or see her work on http://pph.me/natasian.
Johnny B. Schmidt,The Returnee Chronicles
Johnny B. Schmidt joins the Boracay Sun team as a correspondent for The Returnee Chroni-cles section. He hails from central and Eastern Europe. He studied Journalism and worked for several newspapers and magazines and as a freelancer. He traveled the Americas and the Middle East before setting foot on the Philippines (and Boracay) for the first time in 1983 on assignment. He soon became an expert on the Philippines and the rest is history. After going back and forth between Europe and Boracay he finally settled on the island and got involved in the associations which promoted Boracay and worked together with local community leaders to create a management for the island to cope with tourism. In 2005 he left the island and came recently back to stay another while.
The “I” of the storm…
THE MONSOON season always poses a challenge for Filipinos, across the country.
None of us are spared from the pounding tropical storms that wreak havoc on our homes, our schools, our rice fields, our roads and the very fiber of our existence when all is lost in the eye of one storm. When all goes awry, the blame game begins.
We blame the power company that continues to rob us without providing good service, the water and sewage company for the perennial drainage and flooding problems, the local government for the mess we call roads and infrastructure, the government for lack of planning and foresight, and government agencies toss the blame among themselves.
thank you guys for posting my concern on your newspa-per but the floods are getting worse.
I don't blame any of you. I know you guys try to do your best to help. It’s just so sad to see our island become like this.
– Donna (July 4, 2014)
Dear Boracay Sun,
Wow - your team is doing great things with the newspa-per – more power to you and your team!!!!
Congratulations,
– Will Irwin
If you were glued to the FIFA World Cup games, you at least had the satisfaction of seeing some penalty goals at the end of it all. So meanwhile back on the renowned Boracay Island, sleep-deprived, many of us braved the floods to watch the semis and the finals together, and guzzled our drinks with good doses of debating on the many pressing issues battling for importance. And at the end of the day, we come to the same old conclusions – these are not new. Like broken records we rehash the same old songs and have memorized the scratches.
But that was then and this is now, right? The truth is, ‘one of the best islands in the world’ is not impervious to the same lame excuses. The difference now though is that it has reached a tipping point and yet everyone seems to be taking their time, being too busy “doing their best”, and once again, we all just have to “wait and see”. Meanwhile, we brave the floods and try to grin and ignore it. In as much as the Boracay Sun tries to get to the bottom of many of these issues that have been ‘pressing’ for years, sadly we reach the same detours that point in all directions.
Instead, we forge ahead in the direction of seeking out the good and the true. We choose to count our blessings, that we can sleep well at night and we can satisfy our hunger. Majority of our countrymen, women and children are not too lucky, but are not forgotten.
This issue is devoted to unsung heroes who find the “I” to battle the storms of life, with and for the trodden, to try to make the world a better place for the helpless. People with a mission to walk the talk in being the change they want to see in this world, rather than laying the blame at the countless “you’s”.
We hope that this issue sparks a flame of hope in your hearts, for your own rural or urban community, across this beautiful country.
_______________________________________
PRESIDENT & CEOMa. Teresa Fajilan
OPERATIONS MANAGERAj Barrios
KEY ACCOUNT SPECIALISTJoyce Ann Moros (Boracay)
_______________________________________
FOR ADVERTISING / INQUIRIESBoracay: (+63 36) 288 2582Mobile: (+63 917) 327 3940
Email: [email protected]
PUBLISHERBoracay Sun
Monaco Crossing, Tulubhan St,Brgy. Manoc Manoc, Boracay Island
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]@boracaysun.comwww.boracaysun.com
Boracay Sun theboracaysun theboracaysun_______________________________________
LETTERS
We would like to hear from you, our valued readers. Talk to the editor by emailing at
[email protected] us your comments and feedback to
[email protected]. _______________________________________
Copyright © April 2014 Boracay Sun. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines.Except as permitted by law, no part of the Boracay Sun may be used, reproduced or
distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Boracay Sun.The publisher accepts no liability for the content correctness of any advertisement and reserves the right for editorial freedom of the press under the 1987 Constitution of the
Republic of the Philippines Article III (Bill of Rights) Section 4.
CNS
I leave Boracay Sun in capable hands to continue to provide our readers with compelling stories that reflect the beautifully complex Boracay way of life we all work so hard to protect, and to keep our tourists informed about the fascinating experiences that distinguishes our island from the rest of the world.
Peace and good vibes,
“In solidarity we find peace.” – FVDS (Photo by Cha Santos)
Connect with the Boracay Sun social media community today by joining us on Facebook (Boracay Sun), Twitter (theboracaysun), Instagram (theboracaysun), and by visiting us online at www.boracaysun.com. Post your Boracay holiday photos with us by using #boracaysun on Facebook.
HEAVY traffic along the famed island of Boracay is not a laughing matter, but with no concrete solutions in sight, we decided to find out what Netizens thought about it. So last July, Boracay Sun conducted an online poll on Facebook.
We asked: “Which mode of public transportation do you think is most suitable for Boracay Island’s congested Main Road?” The answer choices were: Tricycle; eTricycle, eJeepney (The Comet); Motorbike; or Multicab Vans.
Poll results revealed that the eTricycle was the most preferred (76%), followed by the eJeepney (14%), Multicab vans (4%), Motorbikes (3%) and Tricycles (3%). Goes to show that at least for these poll participants, the ‘king of
Asia Noble, Contributing Graphic Illustrator
Cha Santos, Contributing Photographer
In these pages, are heartwarming stories of hope that might explain the warmth behind the genuine Filipino smile no matter the storm. And for our valuable Boracay Island guests, we point you in the direction of places to find your place in the sun, rain or shine!
Last but not the least, as Boracay Sun welcomes its new management and takes on a new direction, I am stepping aside to give it room to grow. I am confident that what I started will bear good fruit. To everyone that supported my team and myself – our avid readers, valuable advertisers, amazing contributors, and to all of you who have shared your lives and your stories with us by gracing our pages, I shall be eternally grateful for your trust and confidence. Above all, to my awesome team, carry on and make me proud!
Boracay’s roads’ is not popular at all.
So join our next poll and be counted – it could be fun!
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 2 and 39.pdf 2 7/24/14 7:36 PM
3
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 3 and 38.pdf 1 7/24/14 10:23 PM
provincial news
By Daniel Leemon
The Philippines is a nation of islands, and sailing should be the sport of choice…at least that’s what Dennis Shepherd thought.
JUNE 20 to 22, 2014 – Romblon Prov-ince. An Aussie who lived on his sailing boat for over 10 years, he stum-bled onto the idyllic island of Romblon around nine years ago and decided to settle on terra firma. He sold his boat but never lost his love for sailing, and could never understand how nobody seems to be able to sail when growing up surrounded by water. So he decided to do something about it and introduce his old love to his newly adopted home.
He started the Romblon Yacht Club and made it a non-profit making organiza-tion, only the second of its kind in the Philippines, making the joining fees low enough so that anybody could join, shunning the exclusivity of similar clubs
The Romblon Regatta – 3 Island Challenge
7107 islands4| Boracay Sun |
and reaching out to the locals, especial-ly the kids. He started to teach them how to sail and they took to it like fish to water. The club gained a bit of momentum and the next step was always an obvious one. A race.
He chose a fantastic course – a natural circuit which he looks out onto every-day whilst having his morning coffee, around the three small islands which sit just off the Romblon west coast, whilst the weapons of choice were two-man catamarans, donated for the event by Dr. Reinhard Dietze of Tropicat, who flew in all the way from Austria to take part. Even the cameras showed up, with the event being covered by Pinoy Extreme to feature in “Liquid”.
And it turned out to be everything it was supposed to be. Fun, friendly, relaxed but spirited, an event which was congenial, and, most importantly, non-exclusive or restricted to the elite. The idea was to navigate a double figure of eight through the three islands, but you got to choose your own course, taking into account the wind, the tides, and the water behavior, and notifying the judges of your route only on the morning of the race to save people from playing ‘follow the leader’.
One day of orientation, one day and a
half-course sprint-race, and then the real thing. The weather picked up on the third day, making the conditions ideal, and the competitors, by now familiar with the different ‘dead spots’ and other such trivia, completed the course just over three hours. There were, of course, a few capsizes and broken masts along the way. Whilst there were mantle piece prizes for the winners, there were also plenty of comical prizes for things like the wooden spoon, being late for the starting line, or wearing the craziest outfit for the race. Something different in the world of yacht club regattas.
However, the real winners will hopeful-
ly prove to be the local people, espe-cially the kids who got to ride on the boats during the first two days of orien-teering, and who should go on to get more and more involved with the club as time goes on. Maybe one of them will be good enough to join the race next year.
That’s the idea, and that’s the hope, and maybe soon there will be families being supported by kids who are grown up and who work in the sailing world, or, if we dare to dream, end up winning the world sailing championship. Who knows, it could happen…
By Boracay Informer
THERE IS an increase in the number of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the province, according to the Aklan Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The mosquito-borne disease has infected 266 people in the province from January to June 4 this year or 63.1 percent higher compared to the same period of last year. Last year’s dengue cases for the same period reached only to 163.
To avoid further increase in dengue cases this year, Dr. Cornelio Cuachon of the PHO warned the public to remain vigilant and to practice the 4S in preventing dengue. It stands for Search and Destroy, Self-Protective Measures, Seeking Early Consultation and Saying
Aklan Dengue Cases Up 63%no to Indiscriminate Fogging.
Cuachon said Search and Destroy means cleaning surroundings and turning empty cans, bottles, coconut shells and old tires upside down to keep away rainwa-ter so dengue-carrying mosquitoes cannot breed; while employing self-pro-tective measures means one must wear clothing that can protect the body from mosquito bites like long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks.
He also advised those who have symp-toms of dengue to seek early treatment.On the other hand, fogging is not advised by health officials as this is very expensive, and besides, only the adult mosquitoes are killed but not the wrigglers that are present in the water.
Dengue is caused by daylight- biting Aedes egypti and aedes albopictus that live and breed in clear, stagnant waters.
This infectious disease is manifested by a sudden onset of fever, with severe headache, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
The PHO also warned the public that dengue is a reoccurring health problem. “One can get sick with dengue not just once, twice, or thrice but even four times,” he said.
The PHO further advised the public to always maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings.
“If our premises are clean, we can avoid sickness. Cleanliness is next to
By Boracay Informer
Aklan deserves to be divided into two congressional districts, said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
IN a resolution passed during the June 24 session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), the legislative body of the province urged both the Senate and the House of Representatives to give priority to the House Bill 112 filed by Aklan Congressman Teodorico Haresco Jr.
The bill seeks to split Aklan into two congressional districts: the West com-prising of the towns of Numancia, Makato, Lezo, Malinao, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas, Malay and Buruanga; and the East, composed of the towns of Kalibo, New Washington, Batan, Banga, Balete, Altavas, Libacao and Madalag.
According to SP member Emmanuel Soviet Russia A. Dela Cruz, sponsor of
Aklan Redistricting – SP urges passing of redistricting billResolution 139, the province has long been qualified to be reapportioned into two districts, having a population of more than half a million. The law requires that each congressional district must have a population of at least 250,000. Based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Aklan has a population of 535,725. If divided, East district towns have a total population of 282,395 while the West has 253,330. He also said the province’s redistricting will lead to more effective and responsive representation of Aklanons in the Congress.
Haresco’s HB 112 was derived from House Bill 3860, which was initially authored by then congressman Florencio Miraflores who now serves as the governor of the province. While Mira-flores’s HB 3860 was approved in the Lower House, it was stalled at the Senate committees on local government, and constitutional amendments, revision
in the Senate was yet to be filed.
In his bill, Haresco cited that continued developments in Aklan results in the increasing number of workers from other provinces that settle down and establish their own families here. This then results in the increase in demands for programs and services in the prov-ince. “With 17 towns competing for limited resources, it is now imperative that a new congressional district be established to address the growing needs of Aklan,” Haresco said.
Godliness”, Cuachon said.
PHO personnel in Aklan are also sustaining their activities in the conduct of information campaign throughout the province for the prevention of dengue. (With reports from PIA-Aklan)
For his part, Governor Miraflores hoped that the measure would be passed soon.Miraflores said that Aklan deserves to be divided into two districts for its huge contribution to the national government through its booming tourism industry. He noted that once divided, Aklan districts would get a budget boost from the national government for further developments here.
He said each district could get a mini-mum of Php200 million for develop-ment project and programs. (With reports from Janica Anne de la Pena)
of codes and laws, until the 15th Congress ended. Haresco refiled the measure in the 16th Congress on July 1 last year and is now pending at the Com-mittee on Local Gov-ernment at the House of Representatives while a counterpart bill
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 4 and 37.pdf 2 7/24/14 8:17 PM
island news| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |
57107 islands
By Boracay Informer
MEMBERS of the National Organizing Committee for the Asia-Pacific Econom-ic Conference (APEC) visited anew Boracay Island for another round of inspections of the potential venues and facilities here for the possible hosting for a ministerial meeting during the 2015 summit of international leaders.
During the two-day inspection last June 23 to 24, the team led by Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina, the Deputy General Conference Management and Services Ambassador checked the island’s readi-ness including its conference facilities, accommodations, security and emergen-cy preparations, accessibility, utilities and infrastructure.
The APEC Malay Task Group, headed by Sangguniang Bayan member Rowen Aguirre meanwhile maintained that the island’s preparation is well organized and ready.
Meanwhile, in an interview over Radyo Todo, Supt. Alden Agrande of the com-
Boracay Maintains Strong Chance to Host APEC
Dedicated to the late EPG USEC Reynaldo Dela Rosa, a Boracay advocate and former Boracay Sun columnist who believed in “One Island, One Goal”, Tagay! is devoted to positive news bites, and to saluting our island’s unsung heroes and achievements. As he liked to say, “Cheers and tagay to all you good people!”
TAGAY NEWSA Humble SchoolBridges the Gap
Boracay Sun asks Claus Bauer to tell us the story behind the language school Paradise EnglishON November 25, 2005 Paradise English started simply enough with my wife and I arriving on the island from South Korea. We thought we should enjoy a year or two teaching on a beautiful island before return-ing to Canada. It was fun teaching in a bamboo and wooden school building. Things were going well until that fateful day in December of 2006. The day we finished building our first house, ‘Seniang’ – the millennium’s strongest typhoon at the time lashed the Philippines and had ripped apart everything. We decided to rebuild and start anew. After repairing and replacing every-thing in February 2007, we started growing rapidly, gathering teachers, students and support staff.
What started as a small family-run language school has become a school with students from over 50 countries and with almost 30 staff members. We have learned a lot from our staff and students, always trying to become a better and more organized institute, holding on to our ideals and beliefs. Our goal has always been and always will be for students to learn the English language and to learn about them-selves. The one thing I have always learned is that everyone brings something different to our school.
Studying in a foreign country is one way people of the world learn from each other. The chance to learn not only a new language but also to learn about our differ-ences and about oneself has always been one of the main reasons to study abroad.
In the words of someone much wiser than I, “Education is the proper way to promote compassion and tolerance in society. Compassion and peace of mind bring a sense of confidence that reduce stress and anxiety, whereas anger and hatred come from frustration and undermine our sense of trust. Because of ignorance, many of our problems are our own creation. Education, however, is the instrument that increases our ability to employ our own intelligence.” – The Dalai Lama
tagay!
Write us about your rants and raves, wake-up calls and good news at
mittee on security said that though it is not confirmed yet if the island will host an APEC meeting, Boracay’s popularity is already an advantage.
“Boracay has a high chance that the APEC ministerial meeting will be held here. Evaluation is still on-going, but Boracay’s popularity is an advantage since most are curious about the much-hyped island,” he said.
Commodore Leonard Tirol of the Bora-cay Fire rescue Ambulance Volunteers (BFrAV) also said that APEC Usec. Natalio Ecarma III, the Deputy Director for Security was impressed with the condition of the island’s ambulance and fire trucks.
However, it might not be enough to meet the needs of the island for APEC.Tirol said that Ecarma suggested the group to request for additional small medium size fire trucks from their national headquarters of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Tirol also said that Ecarma also recom-
| Boracay Sun |
tourism newsPH Widens Tourism Cam-paign with P554.4-M Fund
services, with the end goal of increasing tourism arrivals and investments to 10 million tourists by 2016.
“We’re already seeing more foreign tourists flocking to the country, and the local tourism industry is now at its most vibrant. This latest release supports our efforts to bring more visitors into the country. While broadening the govern-ment’s tourism campaign will certainly be a major component in our marketing efforts, the fact that the country has so many to offer to both our domestic and foreign tourists is a definite advantage,” DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
“Further improving our growing tourism industry will help create more business opportunities and generate more jobs in tourism-oriented communities. This will in turn complement our other efforts in pursuing our bigger goals of economic expansion and inclusive growth,” he
By Boracay Informer
IN LINE with the Aquino administra-tion’s efforts at elevating the Philippines as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released Php554.4 million to the Tourism Promo-tions Board (TPB) for the implementa-tion of its marketing and promotional activities.
The funding will support the efforts of the TPB to highlight the country’s prod-ucts, landmark destinations, and
mended that the APEC committee here should enjoin the community in its preparation.
Citing Ecarma, Tirol said that the island should “adopt the APEC” as their own and that private sector should also be involved. Boracay was one of the sites shortlisted to host the APEC meetings. Others are Metro Manila, Clark, Tagay-tay, Albay, Iloilo, Cebu and Davao.
An estimated 5,000 delegates from APEC-member economies are expected to attend the meetings. The Philippines first hosted an APEC leaders’ summit in 1996 at the Subic Freeport.
APEC is composed of 21-member states, including United States, Austra-lia, Brunei Darussalam,Canada, Chile, China, hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam and the host country, the Philippines.
| august 2014 |
By Boracay Informer
Torrential rains brought by typhoon Florita caused floodwa-ters to rise in some parts of this top tourist destination island
TOURISTS and residents had no choice but to take a dip in the floodwaters that submerged roads in some areas of the main road.
Among the areas flooded were the portions along the main road from Station 3 in Barangay Manoc-Manoc to Station 2 in Barangay Balabag. Some transport vehicles also opted to tempo-rarily stop their operations to protect their engines. Unremitting rains also affected some business establishments especially along the White Beach area.However, aside from the continued downpour in the past days, the lack of adequate drainage is also eyed as one of
Florita Submerges Some Boracay Roadsthe major reasons for the flooding.
To amend the flooding at the main road, some floodwaters were pumped and discharged to the beach. The activi-ty however earned criticisms due to its harmful effect on the ‘prized’ White Beach of the island, since the floodwa-ter might be contaminated.
Meanwhile, in an interview over Radyo Todo, Governor Florencio Miraflores urged local officials here to look into the drainage system of the island. “The issue on the island’s drainage system is one problem that should be looked upon soon,” he said.
Miraflores noted that he would seek an immediate meeting with the Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez as the head of the Redevelopment Task Force and the management of the Boracay Island Water Company, which is in-charge of the pumping station project of the
island.
Typhoon Florita which affected the country on the first week of July did not make a landfall in the Philippines but enhanced the southwest monsoon or "Habagat" that brought heavy rains and thunderstorms to the northern Philip-pines and other parts of the country.
added.
Of the Php554.4-million fund release, Php429.4 million will be charged against the Tourism Promotions Board Fund under the Special Account in the General Fund to cover the first- quarter operating requirements of the TPB.
The remaining Php125 million is part of the promotions board’s regular subsidy and will be utilized for its second-quar-ter funding needs.
Part of the TPB’s promotional activities includes organizing the country’s partici-pation in trade and consumer fairs and other related exhibitions and events.They also conduct invitational and familiarization programs for wholesalers, retailers, members of the media, and other influential groups and individuals to promote awareness and create a demand for the Philippine tourist desti-nations.
Some portions of Boracay’s main road submerged in floodwaters due to torrential rains brought by typhoon Florita that hit the country in the first week of July.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 5 and 36.pdf 1 7/24/14 10:54 PM
Our Expat Files columnist ventures into uncharted territory as Boracay Sun’s Expat Explorer to share his intrepid travel exploits in a candid, no holds barred storytelling, that we may discover the Philippine islands vicariously through his meanderings as a foreigner in transit and a stranger in Paradise!
ROMBLON - MARBLE MARVELBy Daniel Leemon
Fresh from the enriching experience that was my trip to Tablas, I hopped onto the ferry and took the next step, the next island, the next link in the chain… another trip, another day in para-dise, another heavenly spot, ‘same same but different’… defi-nitely another paradise and definitely a little different.
expat6
| Boracay Sun |
explorer
ROMBLON is a place that punches well above its weight. Marble put it on the map but nobody seems to have realized that beyond that, it has a charm and character all of its own, represent-ing the other face of the ever-so-friendly Filipino, as friendly as those on Tablas but not as effusive, more serene and nonchalant, more cool. Of course the nature and geography is just as stunning.
The beaches are varied, ranging from rough and coconut-strewn feral stretches of coast, sometimes sandy, others rocky and jagged, and others picture-perfect and postcard-like idyllic affairs. Light-brown sand stretches out into the distance sandwiched between mesmeriz-ing turquoise warm waters and leaning palms practically touching the sea, the type which the Philippines is famous for, the type where a soothing melan-cholia permanently lingers in the air. The big difference here is that these beaches are quiet and empty, seemingly devoid of any life or activity, like forgotten jewels waiting patiently to be discovered.
The roads are smooth and even, until you get to the undulating coastal gravel dirt tracks in the south of the island, and shaded by thick vegetation which weaves together overhead to form fantastic green corridors with slanting rays of light bursting through intermit-tently. There aren’t that many cars, but there are trikes, of course, and here’s the wonderful thing, they’re actually objects of beauty. Not the yellow or blue beaten-up monstrosities that we’ve come to loathe on Boracay, but multi-colored and individualistic, no two the same, painted in vibrant and flam-boyant shades, almost living art.The interior of the island is striking, pure lush jungle, a strange juxtaposition of paved paths and dirt tracks winding through an untamed, but seemingly landscaped, tangle of trees and rice fields, solid houses dotted about within the usual Philippine vegetation confu-sion, no two trees the same but co-ex-isting side by side in a kind of bewil-dering and overpowering harmony of green. The one thing which completes the effect and which sets it apart is the beautifully unremitting sound of birds, chirping and whistling, cicadas engaged in their delightful chorus, ever-present but hidden from sight.
There’s only one town and it’s a real pretty one, absolutely alive with color and activity, a charming port at its heart, two or three expat-owned eateries, a very old church which even has the
7107 islands
Illuminatus Eye engraved proudly on the front, remnants from a couple of old forts, a buzzing food and wares market, a couple of main roads covering east to west and north to south, and a whole bunch of little alleyways interconnecting them to each other.
And it’s in these alleyways where it all takes place. It’s here where people gather, where women ply their daily chores and neighbors chit chat with each other, where kids run around in groups pushing and jostling and laugh-ing, where men stoop around in huddles and gamble with dice, others just lounge watching the proceedings. It’s here where you see the heart of the town, so charming, amiable, and laid back… really pleasant.
And I like the people on this island. At first glance they seem a bit cold, no beaming smiles or vociferous welcomes, no nods of acknowledgement when crossing paths, they almost ignore you. But, then, when you engage them, you find that it was all a façade as I once again stumble onto that genuine Filipino warmth that defines the country and its people, totally friendly, hospitable and convivial, immediately inviting me to join them for a drink and a chat, smiles all around.
They’re not unfriendly, they’re just cool, unflappable, not particularly bothered, impressed, weary, or at all affected by Westerners moving amongst them. They’re just normal, if they don’t know you why would they say hello? The little communities you go past are littered with groups of teenage kids lounging around, and they just look at you with intensity, like they’re inspect-ing you, as you ride past. But stop and chat with them and see them open up as they welcome you into their world, normal Filipino business resumed. They just genuinely don’t seem that interested, or at all envious, of anything going on in the outside world. And they don’t move quickly neither.
The resorts are cute also, much care and effort going into the design, pretty gardens, nice rooms and furnishings, and the houses you see are all solid and sturdy, Spanish-style, brightly colored and freshly painted, positively gleaming in the sunlight. And there’s marble everywhere, columns on the roads, tables, chairs, stools, ashtrays, napkin holders, slabs of it just lying around, discarded, it’s like a marble wet dream.Marble. Yes, lots of it. There’s money here, and it all stems from that beautiful sleek rock that is much sought-after around the world. They say the quarries
are now running dry but only in so far as huge commercial quantities are concerned. If you take a ride up the mountain, you’ll find many little work-shops working away, an overflow of marble in all sizes and stages of processing, lots of old equipment plotted around, people cutting, grinding, shap-ing, sanding, the whole place covered in white dust. And then take a look at some of the finished products, incredible variety, garden life-sized sculptures, figures, ornaments, paperweights, bowls, vases, cups, letters, boxes, anything you can possibly think of and then some. I want all of it.
There’s other stuff here too, like some fantastic snorkeling, especially in the Turtle Sanctuary, watersports and sailing, paintballing, little islands you can visit for the day, a vast and very serene church retreat garden complex where you can stay and get away from it all, and, of course, the giant clam fossils that can be found, bizarrely, embedded into the ground forty meters above sea level.
A great island painted with vivid brush-strokes, a colorful place where you can spend time idling, a place where time stands still, and, more importantly, a place which is still unaffected by the tourist bug. Gorgeous.
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 6 and 35.pdf 2 7/24/14 10:40 PM
Our Expat Correspondent Daniel Leemon has worn many different hats. He ran the cutting-edge music mag/fanzine called Milesahead back in the 90s, he’s worked in the TV and film industry, he’s written for various websites and magazines, he’s a professional youth soccer coach, he’s lived in various different countries in his peripatic life, he’s a loner who loves company, a social animal who seeks seclusion, a Greek patriot who loves England with passion, a deep and murky open-book, and a complicated simple man. And he loves snowboarding. And cheese.
JOKE LANGBy Daniel Leemon
expat| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |
7opinion
files
In order to understand the Filipino culture, it is vital to understand the importance of humor and the impo-tence of anger
TWO things which often define Filipino people is that they seem averse to or incapa-ble of getting too stressed, steadfastly refus-ing to get too riled up or worried over things which can infuriate the average West-erner. Also, their reliance on humor. Once you fully comprehend and learn to appreci-ate this, dealing with the locals becomes a breeze.
In Europe we take work and prosperity very seriously, we’re almost exclusively governed by ambition and driven by ‘success’, and so we take the obstacles, which are strewn on the road to victory heavily to heart, we worry and stress until we’ve overcome them. In fact, we use stress as the fuel on the road to success. Also, we have very recognized parameters in the social aspect of business interaction. An argument is not really such a big deal, and bartering aggressively by becoming indignant with anger at what we perceive to be a bad deal is something we’re taught to do, since we then expect a type of ‘shame’ brought on by our logic to force a better deal out of our counterpart. Neither of these things can be attributed to the Filipino.
First off, they don’t get too upset when things are going wrong at work, they don’t start frothing at the mouth when they hit a slight bump on the road, maybe because
DAVID GOLDBERG has always been a man on a mission. And, as well as being an interesting and engaging character, he’s also been at the heart of just about all the good measures which have been implemented on this island since the influx of tourism started, and has actually attempted to put into practice a lot of other stuff which never quite made it off the cutting board. But he’s always tried...
A journalist and editor by trade in his home-land Switzerland, he first came to this place in 1983, then continued to come back nearly every year for a few months or so until 1989 when the inevitable happened; he met his future wife and decided to put down roots.
“Back then it was very different here, like a Robinson Crusoe Island, you didn’t know what time it was, what day or month even, no internet, no phone, no electricity…it was pristine, you just relaxed all day, maybe visit the only two discos that existed at night…”He opened a small deli importing cheese and chocolate (what else?) and continued to enjoy himself, “living a beach life with a business hobby on the side”, immersing himself into local culture by hanging out and playing cards with the locals. He opened the Heidiland Deli, as well as another outlet
they expect it, maybe because the locals I’m talking about are not running the businesses so they’re not that heavily ‘invested’, or maybe because they have an inner wisdom that we don’t possess. Whatever, the result is that when you get angry and incensed they genuinely look at you with bewilder-ment because they don’t understand what the big fuss is, why you’re so enraged at what they perceive to be such a small problem. Straightaway there will be a breakdown in communications.
Secondly, bartering and arguing your case assertively, and conspicuously, causing a scene and being loudly aggressive, is the other thing, which will never work. Like aforementioned, this can achieve your objec-tive in Europe or the States, but over here… how many times have you seen a Westerner shouting the odds whilst the local this is being aimed at looks away and becomes even more unhelpful?
This is because they’re embarrassed and they would rather the whole situation just went away. At that point, they’re not bothered about making the sale, and they’re certainly not up for giving you a discount – if anything they’d like to charge you more. Giving it the old threat of “I’ll go elsewhere” doesn’t spur anyone into action here, it just makes them shrug and hope that you will.
But try some humor and see their demeanor change in an instant. Laugh as you turn your pockets inside out and tell the trike driver that you’re a poor expat and for the price he’s asking you expect a gold-encrusted tricycle with a blonde bombshell in the back. Then watch as they laugh and become
a lot more accommodating. See how much quicker you reach a solution when you create a nice atmosphere whilst bartering, or when you’re dealing with their failure to understand with humor and empathy.
It may not make sense to us having grown up in a different culture and being used to doing things in a different way, but we’re not at home anymore, and, over here, this is the way it works. And let’s face it, doing things with humor is more fun, less stress-
expatconfidential
DAVID GOLDBERG – Fighting the Good Fight By Daniel Leemon
dealing with wholesale, but it’s his extra-curricular activities which makes him so prominent.
In the mid 90’s he got together with a bunch of other expats and they took it upon themselves to try to do something positive with the island. They formed BREA (Bora-cay Resort & Establishment Association) which in turn became BFI (Boracay Founda-tion Incorporated), and he has been fighting the good fight ever since.
They got the local people involved and over the next few years, as well as opening up the Korean market and launching a “Re-dis-cover Boracay” media campaign, they have tackled and met head on every aspect of this island’s inner workings, and, even though each one has been a struggle, most of their objectives were ultimately reached.
They were proactive in the cleaning of the waters after they were infested by the E.coli contamination, they helped establish and develop the sewage system, the disposal of garbage, brought in more electricity, they attempted to do something about the roads, they even brought in the Secretary for Environment incognito so she could see some of the problems for herself (which ultimately incurred the local government’s
ful, and helps to keep the harmony, and, if it gets results, then surely it’s a no-brainer.You can’t live in someone else’s country and not interact with the locals, and once you understand their way then your stay here will be smoother and more enjoyable, and you may even make friends with some of them and develop a deeper understanding of their culture. Also, we’re in their country.
So, show some respect, and make a joke.
wrath). They all even chipped in to conduct an MRF (Material Recovery Facility), and to clean up and re-purpose the rubbish on Bulabog Beach, but, really, there has never been an end to this crisis management. The early 2000’s saw him dealing with the issue of Land Titles, and the end of the decade saw him bringing in a team of scientists to prove the negative environmental impact the proposed building of big hotels on Caticlan’s beachfront would have.
He speaks passionately about the future of Boracay and fears for the changes which could lead it down the ‘24-hour party island’ path, lamenting that “what we have today has nothing to do with the old Boracay…it’s highly commercial but still lacks infrastruc-ture, we’re already at capacity level and looking to bring in even more tourists…” And there’s more, there’s always more. “We should implement a type of Jeepney to cater for all the workers who wait in line for an hour or more for a trike, maybe not allow the delivery of building materials on the weekends, force resorts to create parking space for their minibuses…”
It seems there’s always another fire that needs putting out. Thankfully, it seems the fire within is still burning strong.
| august 2014 |
Send us your thoughts at [email protected].
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 7 and 34.pdf 1 7/24/14 8:22 PM
8| Boracay Sun |
opinion
Gary Fontaine is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Communi-cations at the University of Hawaii. His interests center on persons, teams and organizations as they encounter the adjustment, perfor-mance and motivation challenges of "strange lands". He is particu-larly interested in the experiences these challenges produce, the strategies developed to deal with them, and the communication and other skills required to implement the strategies effectively. He lives both in Boracay and Mercer Island, a suburb of Seattle, USA. For more about both his interests, visit his website at www.sites.goo-gle.com/site/gfstrangelands/Home.
Part Nine: A Bolt from the Blue!By Gary Fontaine
SO THERE I WAS early one morning in Bolabog on Boracay with my coffee in hand strolling on along the beach path, relishing in the paradise this is, checking how much rainwater had filled my baroto ‘bangka’ (native outrigger boat) overnight, admonishing my neighbor to put on more clothes before she bought orgasmically fresh pan-de-sal from our bread and taho vendor, watching the fishermen pull their night’s catch up onto the beach for their wives and daughters to later sell, and giving “magandang umagas” (“good mornings”) to neighbors.
The sky was blue and absolutely cloudless, with kind of an ‘electric’ haziness to it (pun intend-ed). In honesty, I did hear from some distant place – like maybe Carabao Island – a boom of
my boracay stories and beyond
BORACAY FOUNDATION INC. CORNER
By Adel Al Karis L. Lumagod, Project Officer and Marine
Coral Reef Assessment training for the community of Malay!
THE Boracay Foundation, Inc. will be conducting a series of trainings for the Local Government Unit of Malay staff including the staff of the office of the Municipal Agriculture Office, spearheaded by Denrick Augustus Sadiasa and Engineer Tresha Lyn Lozanes of the Environmental Management Service to create a technical team to assess the marine resources of the municipality of Malay.
The Coral Reef Assessment is a study to monitor the percentages covered by the substrate (hard and soft coral reef, rubbles, sand, and silt) using 100-meter transect lines. Furthermore, the assessment covers the Fish Visual Census in which nine species will be identified and counted. In addition, inverte-
thunder. But it hardly registered on my mind. Then ‘out of the clear blue sky’, a bolt of lightening struck the store about three meters in front of me with a simultaneous deafening thunder. The whole right side of my body was jolted like I’d just stuck my hand in a 220-volt socket and went limp. A big buzzing fireball sped along the power
the children of Boracay, a lesson was learned.
One lesson is: “One of the most dangerous types of cloud-to-ground lightnings is a bolt from the blue. A ‘Bolt from the Blue’ is a cloud-to-ground lighting flash that typically comes out of the back side of the thunderstorm cloud and travels a relatively large distance in clear air away from the storm cloud” (Source: US National Weather Service “Lightning Safety” www.lightningsafe-ty.noaa.gov/bolt_blue.htm). Tell me about it!
But, of course, what’s that to us? Have you ever watched parasails – like Ben Franklin with his kite –trolling for lightening off Caticlan as thunderstorms do what they do best, thunder across nearby Panay? Maybe that’s why the international ASTM guidelines for parasailing prohibit doing so “when a known lightning storm comes within 7 miles of the parasailing area” (Source: www.astm.org/-Standards/F2993.htm).
brates such as sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and crustaceans will also be assessed as most of them are algae grazers and reef vacuum cleaners.
The training will be done for three days in Boracay Island, to ensure that they fully understand the coral reef assessment training. The participants need to pass the examina-tion tests for substrate, fishes and inverte-brates before they complete the training. The result of the assessment will be used for future reference, and this is the reason why the training is of the highest standards.
The assessment will be conducted semi-an-nually, as one of the requirements of the organization to monitor the health of the marine resources of the municipality, most
lines above, and I dropped my coffee mug. The kids, swimming a couple meters away were lit-up by the fireball and screamed. The ocean screamed. Parents came running from wherever to grab them.
But that was it – one humongous bolt from the blue, and no more. But, for
whenever I walk the beach in that kind of ‘electric air,’ I duct-tape my coffee mug to my hand.
But, of course, what are the odds? Me, I’ve already been hit, never strikes in the same place twice. Right. But, now,
Photo by Maria Dubrovskaya
| august 2014 |
specifically in Boracay. Moreover, this is also to monitor the efficiency of the municipal ordinances when it comes to the implemen-tation of marine protec-tion laws.
The Coastal Resource Management team has made a draft on the recommended amend-ments on the specific ordinance of coastal
ment of the Municipal Ordinance.zonation in the municipality. The coral reef assessment will be conducted on the third week of August 2014 prior to the amend-
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 8 and 33.pdf 2 7/24/14 8:24 PM
APEC and the agonizing long road to progressBy Johnny B. Schmidt
“WHAT A MESS” was my first thought when I was sitting in a tricycle from Cagban jetty port to my house last April.
While stuck in traffic and watching a couple of auxiliary policemen texting and chatting in the middle of the chaos, I thought about the last time I traveled this route about 10 years ago. At that time many people complained about tricycle drivers charging excessively, potholed roads, no streetlights and no real public transport system. Many meetings were held and plans made on how to improve the situation. One of the improvements was supposed to be the jetty port in Cagban, at that time about a year old.
Everybody was excited about the positive changes the two jetty ports would bring for tourists and residents on the island: an organized public sea and land transport system with transparent prices would enable the government to control who’s coming in and out of the island plus, of course, would provide funds for the province and munici-pality for improvements to, among other things, the environment.
Holy banana: What actually happened since was that those dreams turned into the chaos
peek-a-booPeek-A-Boo is a “sneak peek” at random eye-opening snapshots of scenes that caught our attention, that either depict the good, the bad, the ugly, or worse, neglected areas that deserve attention from the “powers that be”.
1. LAST issue’s Peek-A-Boo featured the seawall debris along the stretch of White Beach taken in June. We quoted RADM Leonard Tirol of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Boracay Fire Rescue Ambulance Volunteers and Boracay Action Group as saying, “The results have yet to be seen in a month or so but meanwhile let us hope for the best.” Boracay Sun revisited the same sites and this is what we saw, exactly one month later.
2. Again, the bane of the ‘habagat’ season – flooding everywhere! A few nights before super typhoon Florita hit on July 7th, the rains began to pour in Bora-cay. Boracay Sun editor in chief Freida Dario-Santiago posted this photo on Face-book that received much concerned comments.
3. On July 5th, Monique Tolentino captured these scenes in D’Mall.
4. Photos by Charlie Gomez taken on July 6th and posted on Facebook with this message to Boracay Sun: “Thought to share these photos of the disgusting flood situation (and still rising, torrential rain right now as I’m writing this) en route to D'Talipapa from the main beach and main road. It’s been flooded for a couple of days now according to some of the local establishment employees. Many tourists/travelers are not impressed at all. Hope the island’s LGU will do something about it.”
5. These photos by Azenith Resurreccion on July 5th caused a stir on social media. Her post said, “Sorry for posting this pero ito lang ba ang solution sa baha sa D’Mall? Tama ba toh?” (“…is this the only solution for the flooding in D’Mall? Is this right?”) A reputable source that wishes not to be named suggested, “Sorry to say there is no alternative. This is not to excuse anything or anybody. But with this rain the last days many have no
1
2
3
4
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |9opinion
This section is an awareness campaign and is open to your contributions. Send us your photos with the date, place and a short description at [email protected] photos could make a big impact on Boracay Island.
2c 2e
5c 5d
| august 2014 |
2b
5
6
7
5
6
7
2d
choice. There is no functional drainage system and less space for the water to run off. Right now at least a dozen places pump water in the sea. And basically it is rainwater which is pumped out. Of course in some places it is mixed with overflow-ing sewage or septic tanks. It’s a sad reality, which obviously cannot changed. It’s not that this situation is new, it’s only worse!”
6. We ask Monique Tolentino to investi-gate. Here’s what she saw the day after. Our source was right, pumping was being done every hundred meters or so across White Beach.
7. As the days turned to weeks and the flooding got worse, the sad fact was that this old problem has reached a tipping point, and we can only conclude that someone somewhere messed up big time, out of negligence, indifference or worse. As earlier mentioned, this is not new, only sadder.
the returnee chronicles
Who uses our roads?
660 tricycles including e-trikes, 419 vans and multi-cabs, 84 trucks and 2,195 single motorbikes ply and squeeze into Boracay’s main road. That’s a total of 3,358 motorized vehicles.
These motorized vehicles serve 289 resorts with 7,907 rooms, 260 restaurants, 70 spas and 70 travel agencies/tour operators. Each day they transport 20,000 employees (last counting May 2014), thousands of visitors, hundreds of transients, tons of cargo and construction materials, hundreds of school children and serve the population of 30,535 souls (as of the last counting) in Boracay. In the last 30 years the population of the island has increased by 1,000 percent: from around 3,000 to 30,535. (Source: LGU Malay/DoT - May 2014)
we have today. Imagine: Running parallel for much of its length and less than hundred meters away from one of the World’s nicest beaches, the main road has become an incredibly clogged, dirty and neglected street.
Bottleneck
The bottle neck, where all these motorized vehicles plus thousands of pedestrians, pushcarts and a dozen or so of courageous bicycle riders squeeze through are the areas of the D’Mall, Crafts and around station 3, which happen to have the only access roads to the East (Bulabog) and West (White Beach). Thus we have (one of) our logistical nightmare in Boracay!
“In APEC there is hope”
Later that day I ran into an old friend of mine, who I haven’t seen since I left more than 10 years ago. You could call him a ‘local’ or politically less correct – a native. Today he’s a well-established member of the community. I asked him how come the infrastructure is such a mess and what happened to all of these plans to improve life for both tourists and residents on the island? He didn’t give me a clear answer, but said, that the APEC break out sessions on the island in 2015 will be good grounds to bring order to the mess of the main road. This will be done by the creation of a municipal traffic code, he said. I pointed out
that implementation of the existing laws has always been the weak link standing in the way of improvements. He said, “That’s where APEC comes into the play. It will put pressure on the local agencies to implement. The same happened with the implementation of the 25 meters plus 5 meters set back along the White Beach. This was only implemented under pressure from outside agencies”.
Well – we will have to wait and see if in a year’s time we see any improvement in the situation with the main road. We will have to live this rainy season with traffic congestion, speeding, ruthless driving, overcharging, flooding and dirt.
And I still don’t know why things only happen under pressure from outside here in Asia’s top beach destination.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 9 and 32.pdf 1 7/24/14 11:31 PM
| august 2014 |10
| Boracay Sun |
one of their own, and a journey of biblical proportions.
The creation of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) in 1997, which protects the Ati from the threat of eviction, unfortunately, did not spare them years of struggling to claim their ancestral lands, rights and dignity.
For almost two years, full ownership and occupancy of the awarded land remained a struggle, with claimants, namely Greg Sanson, Rudy Banico, and Lucas Gelito filing cases to revoke the CADT because of their alleged tenure of the land. Various forms of intimidation included fencing, erecting security guard houses, the filing of additional lawsuits to stall the legal procedure, and attempting to acquire “writ of possession” prohibiting them from building on the land.
On the early morning of April 17, 2012, Ati tribe members peacefully marched in a proces-sion bearing a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and successfully occupied a portion of the territory, building bamboo perimeter fences and temporary huts. This marked another grueling phase towards realizing their dreams.
In November 2012, at least 20 security guards employed by J. King and Sons Co. Inc. (owners of the Crown Regency resorts) armed with shotguns tore down portions of the perimeter fence put up by the tribe. At the battlefront of these threats was 26-year-old youth leader and spokesperson Dexter Condez who was later murdered as a clear and shameful act of intimi-dation and violence against the Ati on February 22, 2013, a short distance from what is now the Boracay Ati Community Village in Sitio Lugutan, Barangay Manoc-Manoc.
A little more than a week after Condez’s first death anniversary, Daniel Celestino, a former security guard of Crown Regency was arrested, and is still awaiting trial at the Kalibo Regional Trial Court. The guard and his employers have repeatedly denied involvement in the killing of Condez, claiming he was at the hotel premises when it happened. Meanwhile, the Ati continue to seek justice for the senseless killing of Condez, with the help of the NCIP, DILG, NAPC and Katarungan.
A pledge of protection came from Interior Secre-tary Manuel Roxas II who ordered policemen to arrest anyone who would trespass the 2.1-hectare property. “They (claimants) should respect the ancestral domain titles given by the government to our Ati brothers,” Roxas said during a visit to the Ati community.
Policemen were immediately tasked from the Aklan Provincial Public Safety Company and from the Boracay Tourist Action Center. Since then, a police outpost has been installed by the Provincial Mobile Group of Aklan to protect the tribal community 24/7. According to Evangeline Tamboon, BATO council leader, the claimants have since been silent. It is interesting to know that most of their young tribesmen hope to join the police force someday.
continued from page 1
lifestyle & leisure
Such was the plight of Boracay Ati Tribal Organization or BATO, a name that distinguishes them as an organized community of people, deserving of respect rather than pity. The 56-year-old tribe chieftain Delsa Justo tells us that it pains her every time the police call her attention to the indigenous people found begging along the streets and beach pathways because by refusing any assistance from BATO to help get them organized in order to help improve their lives, they had no where to go.
What many are unaware of, the vagrant indige-nous people we see begging have nothing to do with Boracay’s original settlers. According to the BATO elders as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), most of them are nomadic Negritos from Negros and Guiamaras. Some have been ‘deported’ back to where they came from only to return again to resume their tourist hand-to-mouth existence, having been displaced, and with little choice but to live off the tourist island’s streets.
For the BATO, the ‘world’s number one island’ is not just a tourist destination – it has been their home since the beginning of time.
‘Boracay’ Island got its name from the Inati (native language of the Negrito Ati indigenous people) root words ‘bura’ (bubbling) and ‘cay’ (white sand). Despite Philippine history books declaring the Ati or aetas as the forefathers and first settlers on the Philippine islands, claims that the Ati were likewise the earliest settlers on the island had to be supported by the NCIP and
anthropological studies. Still, the debate lingers, and our indigenous brethren continue to be displaced and driven away from their homeland, throughout the archipelago.
According to Boracay Ati oral history through four generations, their plight began during the emergence of tourism on the island of Boracay back in the 1970s. Prior to its ‘discovery’, Boracay was a lush and pure paradise where their ancestors lived peacefully in the mountains mainly hunting, gathering, and fishing for their food, which was in abundance. At some point, the Bisayas arrived from Aklan, namely the Tapos, Tirol and Yap families and together they lived harmoniously.
Eventually, unregulated growth has led to the Boracay Island of today, where wetlands have been filled and developed, hills have been leveled, ocean life has been disturbed, leaving little left for these hunters, gatherers and fisher-men to live on.
Planting new roots
In April of this year, the NCIP began construc-tions on the Ati Village. In an article in The Manila Times, NCIP Executive Director Marlea Muñez said that the Ati families would now own and enjoy the benefits of their ancestral domain as the government fast tracks the development of a new community that will help improve their living conditions.
To ensure the sustainable development of the community, the NCIP chief added that they have continued on page 35
enlisted the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI) and other institutions.
The move came after the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples affirmed the delineation
Lola Binda
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 10 and 31.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:17 AM
11
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 11.pdf 1 7/25/14 9:43 PM
12| Boracay Sun |
lifestyle & leisure
escape - off the tourist trail
escape - hit the spot
BULABOG BEACH – A HABAGAT HAVENBy Azenith Resurreccion
AS the southwest wind blows high and mighty through the island’s popular White Beach, the eastern beach offers a calmer alternative as a destination for water adventures as well as other lazing out activities this season.
The convex-shaped Bulabog Beach is a world-renowned kiteboarding and windsurfing area during the Amihan season from October to May with the surrounding reef filtering the northeastern wind and creating a flat-water surface for a smooth and easy ride. During the Habagat season, it becomes an exclusive coast catering mostly to residents living around the area and to tourists vying for some fun and action on the sea.
A short tricycle ride from the main road or less than a 10-minute walk from D’Mall, tourists can venture into their chosen water activities, with numerous water sports operators and cooperatives positioned along the two-kilo-meter beach.
There are two drop-off stations along the stretch of the ‘back beach’. One is along Bulabog Road 1, leading to Mt. Luho and another is along Bulabog Road 2 that can be accessed by D’Mall and Lake Town. Both stations are manned by booking coordinators for the legitimate operators such as BIA (Bora-cay Island-hopping Association), BIHA (Bora-cay Island Hopping Adventure Multi-Purpose Cooperative), Diamond Watersports, Red Coral, White Sand & Clear Water Sports, Milky's Dive Center & Helmet Diving, and Napoleon
The Island Club House By Mark Cabrera
RAINY days can definitely dampen any plans for a day on the beach. On days when the rain goes sideways forcing you to hide behind windbreakers or to stay indoors, one tends to sulk about losing another day of fun and adventure in paradise. But you don’t have to. So where do we go to have a fun filled rainy Habagat day? To the club house of course! When I was growing up as a kid in Manila, my family used to frequent a sports clubhouse. The clubhouse was a great place for family bonding as we enjoyed a variety of sports and leisure activities together, rain or shine. We would swim at the pool; play basketball in the multipurpose indoor court, play billiards by the café – the works. Those were good memories of my childhood.
What’s good about Boracay Island is that we actually have a venue that resembles a clubhouse. The Boracay EcoVillage Resort & Convention Center is primarily a convention center but with the facilities and amenities of a typical sports clubhouse. Let’s give it a second look from a brand new perspective.
The Boracay EcoVillage Resort & Convention Center opened its doors to the public in October 2008, at the Eco-Village Tourism Zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) at Barangay Yapak. Its initial purpose was for conventions and confer-ences to accommodate groups of 50 to 3,000 persons, with eight function halls for 40 to 60 guests per hall and a carpeted main plenary hall to accommodate 1,500 to 2,000 people. The entire convention center is fully air-condi-tioned and equipped with a state-of-the -art sound system using original JBL speakers and digital mixers and amplifiers. It is equipped
Dive Center & Helmet Diving, and Napoleon Sports. These operators offer standard rates for all activities, with price adjustments depending on the number of people availing of an activi-ty and the time consumed on the services.
Be it the edgy Fly Fish, the family-friendly Banana Boat, the liberating Jet Ski or Speed-boat ride, the thrilling Helmet Dive, the exhila-rating Parasailing, the breezy paraw sunset cruise or the stimulating island-hopping trips with snorkeling and fish-feeding, tourists of all ages can enjoy safe and unperturbed water action, rain or shine.
However during not-so-good-weather days, it is best to seek advise from your resort's guest services officers, from a reputable travel agency, or from the local tourist information office on the safety of doing your desired activities.
You can also book other activities such as ATV and buggy rentals, Mt. Luho Zipline adventure and the Zorb.
What else can you do after an exhilarating Fly Fish ride?
The allure of Bulabog Beach includes a unique ‘back beach’ vibe with specialty restaurants and cafés and local dives, pretty much like a hippie coastal town serving a niche market of residents, artists and backpackers. Several ‘turo-turo’ (Filipino cafeterias) along the side streets for a quick bite while you hunt for a perfect place to laze out.
Lazy Dog Bed and Breakfast, for instance is a great place to have a quiet and delicious meal, a few steps from all the action but within the safe and undisturbed confines away from vendors and commissioners. It also makes for an idyllic private nook where tourists can spend a few hours reading a book or browsing the Internet over a potent cup of Vietnamese Coffee and a wicked slice of chocolate cake.
Hangin Bar is a favorite hangout spot of the younger crowd and offers a variety of favorite comfort food any time of the day. The newest addition to their menu – The Hangover Sandwich is truly a must-try after a night of alcohol overload.
If you are a meat-lover and want to load up on some sumptuous protein during your action-packed holiday, do it Viking-style at the homey Little Valhalla Restaurant. From hefty burgers to juicy steaks, it is definitely a great value for your money.
Levantin Bar is famous for their bi-monthly Moonlight Parties and weekly Romanian Buffet dinner that serves indulgent savory specialties such as the hearty beef goulash and the delicious meatball soup.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to enjoy the sight of the magical moonrise over this quiet side of the island. Otherwise, catch the sunrise which is every bit as mesmerizing as each Boracay sunset!
| august 2014 |
Water sports galore
Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast
Levantin Bar
with three high illumination LCD multimedia projectors that can be utilized in daylight settings with projections that can be simultane-ously operated as a single projection or projected in three separate presentations. It is a perfect venue for concerts.
For sports fanatics like myself, the convention center is a great sports center as the indoor hall is convertible to a basketball court, a volleyball court and several badminton courts. The use of the multipurpose courts is available for a minimal fee of 600Php per hour until 5PM and 800Php per hour from 5PM to 10PM. The basketball court complies with Philippine Basketball Associate (PBA) standards. In fact, an All Star PBA game was held in Boracay a few years ago. Playing volleyball on the hardwood is also a welcome experience compared to playing on cement
floored barangay multi-purpose courts. The facility also has a provision for several badminton courts, where I have enjoyed playing the game with a group of badminton fanatics. Moreover, the convention center has a cool billiard table across the Courtside Grill, the convention center’s café. I still recall enjoying their menu at the grand opening.
Aside from the convertible convention/sports center, EcoVillage for short (as it is known locally) also has facilities for water babies like me. Right outside the convention center are two beautiful swimming pools. One is a circular kiddie pool and the other is a huge pear shaped pool that is great for swimming laps. I was able to give swimming lessons to 60 kids here. What is great about this place is that it has access to two fabulous beaches in Boracay. From the swimming pool, there is a nature path going to Punta Bunga Beach, my secret surfing spot in the Island. And upon request, you can use the convention center’s shuttle to go to Puka Beach. The facilities in Puka beach include a restaurant/bar, beach cabanas with hammocks, beach beds, a beach volleyball area and the best part, the beach itself.
So every time I visit EcoVillage, it brings back fond memories of my childhood. So turn an otherwise gloomy day into a day of fun filled surprises at Boracay EcoVillage Resort & Convention Center, and create a lifetime of memories with your family.
For inquiries and reservations, you may call the following telephone numbers: (+63 36) 288 5826, 288 4110 and 288 4118.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 12 and 29.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:22 AM
| Boracay Sun |13lifestyle & leisure
travel blogDUMAGUETE – The ‘City of Gentle People’ and timeless attractionsBy Diane Summer
This section is about journeys rather than destinations. Share them with us by emailing [email protected].
When the sun goes down, Hayahay Treehouse Bar and View Deck is the place to be. I get to choose my dinner from the multitude of fresh fish and seafood, have some pizza, and top it off with an ice-cold beer. I love Haya-hay not just because of the relaxed atmosphere and great music, but also because I’m likely to see some cousins or familiar faces around. I’ve also recently discovered that ZanZibar, just off the boulevard, is a great place to go to for dancing and affordable drinks.
After almost three decades of visiting numer-ous islands and beaches around the Philippines, Dumaguete remains to be the only place where I’ve been able to swim with not just one, but many, sea turtles. So I arranged for a day trip to Apo Island, just 20 minutes by boat, where I spent an entire day swimming with these beautiful creatures. Swimming alongside them underwater, observing, and watching how they burrow themselves into soft coral is an experi-ence that I could never get tired of. And the best part is, because Apo Island is a marine sanctuary, visitors are almost guaranteed of sea turtle sightings.
I also finally decided to revisit a memorable beach from my childhood: Bais. Located just 45 minutes away, Bais is known for its beauti-ful white sandbar in the middle of the ocean. I’ve never seen anything in the Philippines quite like this, and I was happy to know that nothing has changed.
I booked a day tour with Angelo Villanueva of Dumaguete Outdoors, to take me back to Bais. That day was nothing short of memora-ble and Angelo was such great company; he even went as far as preparing delicious dishes for lunch and snacks on the boat, and the sandbar provided the backdrop to many of our beautiful holiday photos. He also asked us for any requests beforehand, so when we arrived to meet him, we already had a cooler of
Dumaguete Outdoors specializes in eco-adven-ture tours focused on getting you up close and personal with the natural beauty of Negros Oriental and the Philippines. From watching dolphins play in the crystal clear waters of Bais, to mountain climbing the Horns of Negros, tours are customized at a minimal cost to the environment and its local people. You can teach them thru (+63 919) 747 7470, (+63 921) 693 2188, (+63 915) 733 6402, email [email protected], visit their website at www.dumagueteoutdoors.com and find them on Facebook.
| august 2014 |
THE charming city of Dumaguete will always have a special place in my heart. Located in Negros Oriental, the province’s largest city and capital is where my paternal grandparents and father grew up. Our family albums are filled with beautiful sepia photos taken around Dumaguete, a place which has given many happy memories to all my siblings and I.
As an adult, I make it a point to visit Duma-guete as often as I can. Its laid-back vibe and slow pace is always a welcome change from the chaos of the big city. It is still considered as one of the few remaining off-the-beat-en-track destinations in the country. Touted as the “City of Gentle People”, it’s easy to feel at home here. Wherever you go, you’ll be greeted with smiling locals. Personally, I attribute this to the fact that they live a simple yet ideal life: free of traffic and pollution, have access to fresh air, they can see the ocean every day, and they eat well. Rizal Boulevard, a prominent landmark, will also give you a peek into how the locals like to end their day. By sunset, you’ll find the young and old alike, and lovers of all ages, gathering here to eat, people-watch, hold hands, or merely admiring the view.
Travel Tips
• Dumaguete has accommodations to suit every budget from hostels to beachfront resorts. Try www.agoda.com.
• Contact Dumaguete Outdoors for a memora-ble time – they offer a great mix of adventures and tours of all the best attractions.
• Dress down. Dumaguete is laid back, relaxed and casual.
• Bring your appetite and an open mind. Many people travel to Dumaguete for the food alone. Savor the local delicacies and enjoy fresh seafood without breaking the bank.
• Bring a camera, and don’t be afraid to get lost. The picturesque town is as colorful as its history.
• Dumaguete has numerous ATM’s throughout the city and most establishments also accept credit cards.
• For divers, it is highly recommended to stay at Dauin, just 30 minutes from the city, where several dive resorts can arrange a trip for you.
• Make friends! Dumaguete’s locals are friend-ly and will be happy to teach you a few words from the local dialect.
• Dolphins hibernate from November to March but chilling at the Bais sandbar is great all-year-round.
Bais sandbar on a sunny day
(Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Duma-guete again. I decided that my itinerary would be comprised of visiting favorite spots and places I haven’t been to since my childhood. No trip to Dumaguete would be complete without a meal or two at Sans Rival Bistro, a popular restaurant along the boulevard. It takes its name from mouthwatering buttercream and meringue dessert, a favorite of mine.
Apo Island marine sanctuary a haven for snorkeling (Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
Chapel Point, Apo Island (Photo by Andre Snoopy Montenegro of Scuba Ventures Dumaguete)
ice-cold beers ready for us. On our way back to Dumaguete, Angelo took us to have the best halo-halo in the entire city, I couldn’t have thought of a better way to end the day.
As it was our last full day so I made sure to visit the local market before my flight back to Manila. Dumaguete is also known for the local delicacy called budbud kabog suman, which is best described as chewy bites of heaven wrapped in banana leaves. Of course, I also had to make a last stop at Sans Rival Bistro for a few boxes of silvanas to take home as pasalubong.
Although I could go on and on about why I love Dumaguete, I highly recommend experi-encing it for yourself. It’s no wonder many people visit Dumaguete only to come back many times over.
Swim with the whale sharks or butandings in Oslob (Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
Dolphins galore at Tanon Strait (Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
Sumilon Sandbar (Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
Local delicacy called budbod kabog
Twin Falls in Valencia (Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
Twin Lakes in San Jose
(Courtesy of Dumaguete Outdoors)
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 13 and 28.pdf 1 7/24/14 10:37 PM
reader blogs
The Boracay I Know and LoveBy Dana Rodriguez
“CABIN crew, prepare for arrival.” These are my five favorite words to hear on a flight, no matter where I happen to be traveling to, especially if it’s to one of our beautiful Philip-pine islands.
But there’s one island that truly stands out among the rest – Boracay. I was lucky enough to be given the chance to live and work in Boracay for a year, immediately after I gradu-ated from college in Manila. I accepted a job offer, was emailed a ticket, and within a week flew off to begin my new life in this island paradise.
I felt at home in no time. Soon enough, I had forged friendships with some of the most genuine and fun people I’ve ever come across. What came soon after was one of the most memorable years of my life: ending each day with a different sunset, post-work beach walks, spectacular sunrises, and most importantly, seeing the island through a locals’ eyes.
While I had visited Boracay many times before, I had no clue that Angol and Diniwid existed. These two spots quickly became my favorite beaches when I was craving solitude away from the crowds. I was almost always to be found at TiBraz (which had just opened at the time), spending countless memorable evenings with newfound friends and enjoying good food. My first Christmas away from
BORACAY SUN WANTS YOU to share your Boracay travel stories! This section is reserved for your Boracay travel stories. Email us [email protected].
14| Boracay Sun |
lifestyle & leisure
Although I arrived as a tourist, I felt that I could never see the island as one ever again.
home was a quiet celebration with delicious Spanish fare at Dos Mestizos. When I was in Bulabog, I spent most of my time chugging
coffee at the cozy Lazy Dog Bed and Break-fast. I was lucky enough to experi-ence the legend-ary Hey Jude! Bar right before it closed down, which was synonymous to a ‘second home’ for many of us.
Living on my own in Boracay made me question many things, but most importantly, just how much I needed to be happy. Island life is simple: no fancy wardrobe, heels, beauty products, or television needed. The only beauty products I needed were sun block and a regular dose of sunshine. The beautiful beach alone, and the company I kept, constantly supplied me with endless laughs and smiles.
struck, all you needed were friends and some rum coke. In retrospect, I was happy. Everyone was happy.
After a year, I had decided to move on career-wise, and this meant moving back to Manila. Tears were shed, but I knew the goodbyes were only temporary. Moving back to the city took some getting used to. Even the most trivial aspects, such as traffic, wearing jeans and shoes, and having to get into a car, were all a bit strange. But I knew that everything was happening the way it was supposed to.
A few months later, I was able to visit Boracay again,
No one even noticed or cared if you wore the same swimsuit all year round. Work kept me grounded, and when the rains and brownouts
this time as a tourist. I was overwhelmed by feelings of nostalgia as soon as I got in a trike from the jetty port. I immediately set out to visit as many of my favorite places as I could fit into my four-day trip.
Although I arrived as a tourist, I felt that I could never see the island as one ever again. While tourists typically spend their time in the many hip spots around the island, parading around in their summer best, I still didn’t feel the need to dress differently and instead chose to spend time in places close to my heart. And while we all know that too-familiar feeling of time moving too quickly when we’re on holiday, I tried to avoid that this time around by savoring the experience as much as I could. This meant walking leisurely on the soft sand, listening to the island’s beats with every careful stride, smiling just because everyone around you is smiling too, and admiring the views that changed with the color of the sky. I just felt that I had to acknowledge the magic of the place.
Life on the island, it changes you for the better, if you let it.
travel tips
AS we enter into low season (from June 15 to September 30), tourists will be able to enjoy special packages on accommodations and activities in Boracay, with some special airline rates. This is a great opportunity to travel to one of the world’s best beaches, rain or shine.
Airlines
At present, there are more than five airlines that fly to Kalibo International Airport and more than three airlines that fly to the Boracay Airport in Caticlan, from Manila or Cebu. The fares are usually cheaper via Kalibo but consider the hour and a half road trip, compared to a mere five-minute ride to the Caticlan Ferry Terminal if you fly directly to Caticlan.
Travel agencies will assist you with your ticket reservations with a service fee that could range from 500Php to 1,000Php. These airlines fly to Kalibo or Caticlan from Manila or Cebu:
Philippines Airlines (www.philippineair-lines.com)Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com)Tiger Airway (www.tigerair.com/ph/en)Air Asia Zest Air (www.airasia.com)Sea Air (www.flyseair.com)
When booking online, you can choose the flights based on your preferred schedules or the prices presented but do take note that the price stated is not the final price of purchase.
Peter Tay is general manager at Boracay Adventures Inc., an accred-ited tour guide with the Department of Tourism, and PADI Master Instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience.
By Peter Tay
BOOKING ONLINEIS AS EASY AS… Read the Terms & Conditions so that you will
know what you are paying for, as airlines usually want to protect themselves from any liability. The airline may suggest to purchase their insurance program, do take note that the tickets are not insured unless you agree to purchase it at a minimum expense. Remember to review all the information. Once payment is made, there will be charges for any corrections thereafter. Charges may apply for web booking and some airlines may charge extra for credit card payments. Once you’ve reviewed the final page and click ‘agree’ then you will be direct-ed to a payment gateway. You will enter your credit card or BancNet information and once approved, you will be presented with the Locator Number. Take this down or print a copy of the e-ticket to be presented at the Check In Counter.
Accommodations
Many resorts also allow you to make reserva-tions online. The procedure is pretty much the same as booking a ticket, you just have to follow the online instructions. The resort will usually have a promo during low seasons, so click on the promo page to review the packag-es.
Resorts work with different online booking engines; a popular and reliable one is agoda.com. They are considered one of the largest online booking engines in the web and do provide good services. The procedures are easy to follow and if you need to make any changes, you can advise them in advance and they will assist without charge. They offer
| august 2014 |
An aerial view of Boracay A front row seat to a spectacular celestial show every day
The postcard-perfect beach
Crepes at TiBraz
Mornings at the Lazy Dog
Sunrise in Bulabog Beach
The view from Spider House
in Diniwid
discounts up to 60%, so review their website and find the accommodations that best suit your needs.
There are few local travel agencies that provide accommodation packages, such as www.myboracayguide.com or www.boracayad-ventures.com. Both companies provide packag-es for accommodations in Boracay including budget accommodations that normally do not appear in online booking engines. You can review their website and send them an email to receive a quotation from them. You can pay for your reservations online with the conve-nience of PayPal with a minimum service fee.
Services
To search for the plethora of activities to choose from on your Boracay holiday, go to Google and search for activities in Boracay. If you like diving then click on Boracay Scuba Dive, and you will get a list of operators providing the services but the best is still to deal with an accredited establishment with the Department of Tourism (DOT). Trip Advisor is a good site to visit to find out about establishment ratings.
During low season, various establishments offer packages for activities. Let them plan your holiday in Boracay. It is not advisable to deal with commissioners especially those without a license to operate. There have been reported cases of theft and in the event of emergency, these commissioners are suddenly nowhere to be found. My Boracay Guide and Boracay Adventures can also assist in booking your activities when you get to the island. My Boracay Guide has booths along the beach while Boracay Adventures is located across the road from Crafts De Boracay. Enjoy Boracay!
Once officially launched very soon, Boracay Sun Travel (www.boracaysuntravel.com), a subsidiary of Boracay Wallstreet Inc. and sister company of the Boracay Sun, will be the go-to site for travel booking, flights, and where to eat, stay and play in Boracay and beyond.
As Lonely Planet puts it: “Today, more than ever, we're utterly convinced of the incredible importance of travel. It's only through travel-ling, through meeting people that we begin to understand that we're all sharing this world.” They pose the question: “So how do we make that ride not just a quick fairground twirl, but something that we can enjoy for our travelling lives and pass on to our children and future generations? By changing our travel habits and thinking differently about how, where and why we travel.”
With our new “baby” Boracay Sun Travel, we hope to inspire you to try a new, far more rewarding, way of traveling. Our travel experts will be your man-on-the-ground before arriving in Boracay. After taking care of your travel and hotel arrangements, we invite you to see more of the island through our list of adven-tures, sights to see, people to meet, interesting cuisine to try… the list is infinite.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 14 and 27.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:00 AM
Photo by Denise Tolentino
boracay people| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |
15people
Renowned for its beaches, Boracay’s allure lies in the beauty of its people. Like a kaleidoscope of colorful characters, the community’s unique and eclectic people are a potent blend that embod-ies the essence of a truly unique place.
CLAUS BAUERBy Amanda Virrey
CLAUS Bauer is known in Boracay’s dynamic society as a grassroots philanthro-pist and as the ‘big man on campus’ as the founder and president of Paradise English School. This gentle giant gives the word ‘cool’ a whole new meaning: someone who reaps the fruits of life through genuine acts of generosity towards the needy. He has elevated the quality of life of countless people living in impoverished communities in different countries through his develop-mental programs, including providing shelter, nourishment, reading classes, English classes, and many more means of acquiring life’s basic necessities to make their world a better place to live in.
Follow this young woman’s adventures and misadventures on her quest for true love in Boracay, who wishes to remain simply, the Lonely Island Girl.
Note: We just received this postcard from Lonely Island Girl. So in her absence, here are excerpts from a letter sent to Boracay Sun by Backpacker Dan from the March issue, recounting his own version of that fateful New Year’s Eve…
(You can download past issues at www.bora-caysun.com/sun_issues_download/.)
IT was the end of 2012 and I had been travel-ing solo around the Philippines for six weeks. Where would my final destination be? Boracay of course (save the best for last)! Before even coming to Boracay I felt like I had a connection to this place. My parents met here in the 80s at Jony’s Mexican Restau-rant. My mum, a Filipina from Manila on vacation and my dad, a backpacker from Australia trying to find his slice of paradise. As a result of this romantic moment, I was born and raised in Australia but will forever be the ‘Boracay Baby’.
Then it was New Year’s Eve 2012/2013. Dressed in a floral shirt I hadn’t worn yet, I collected all my new Boracay friends and headed to Exit bar. I was having conversations with eccentric people that were both interest-ing and hilarious. I noticed that in a short time 2012 would be the past. I walked along the path just to get some fresh air and there,
I saw a beautiful girl. Loaded with enough ‘liquid courage’ I say to this girl. “Hi guapa,” (thanks for the Tagalog lessons mum). She smiled at me but didn’t respond. Straight after I found my friends and I began to tell them about the girl and mid-conversation a guy taps me on the shoulder… Next thing I know, guapa from the path kisses me, smiles (again) and runs off. “I can’t believe that just happened, that was the girl!”
My search ends as I see her with that smile. I asked her to join me on the driftwood near the ocean. We had something special instantly and I think both of us knew it. The fireworks went off and as we shared our New Year’s kiss, I knew it was the best New Year’s ever. We spent the whole night together singing, dancing, laughing, finding deserted beaches and sharing our stories. The best New Year’s ever. I saw her when I could the days after but sadly I had to leave Boracay.
Time went by in the real world. I kept contact with her when I could and returned to Boracay for the next New Year’s, to be in her company yet again. Boracay is truly a magical place. I still think about her a lot, probably more than she thinks. Will I be back one day? Try and stop me! – Backpacker Dan
| august 2014 |
Biking with the family in Olongapo during spring break
Exploring the mountains was of Sagada with the family
“The most life-changing
thing for someone is to learn how to
read.”
A naughty section devoted to blind items, seen, heard, and whispered to us by “The Little Birdie”!
Note: In the June 2014 issue, Little Birdie chirped about the infamous Boracay Hater blogger (www.boracayhater.tumblr.com) who we loved to hate (along with). Unable to help herself, she um, helped herself by posting a very public shoutout to rendezvous with said Boracay Hater…
I APOLOGIZE to all my loyal and adoring fans for not being able to provide you with juicy ‘seen and heard’ buzz on the island last month. I am happy to report that I have been blissful-ly caught in the throes of young love. I’m sorry Lonely Island Girl but I do believe that I have beat you to meeting ‘The One’. Last June, I sent a shout out to Boracay Hater through this column. I told him I would be waiting for him at a certain time and place. So one June afternoon, as I was sipping my sunset cocktail, I felt a faint tap on my shoulder and a soft “hello” - the rest shall I say, is (recent) history.
Yes we finally met, and okay, maybe “blissfully caught in the throes of young love” may be too much of a statement but our bond is definitely strong and our mutual admiration is border-ing, shall I say, on narcissistic? True to my expectations, he is as wonderfully witty and spontaneous as I thought. Though he was definitely far from who I thought he would be based on my own theories and suspicions, he was someone I’ve met before and someone whose charm and personality is the total opposite of being a ‘hater’. He shares the same qualms, complaints, as well as love for Boracay – which he said, is what brought him to create the viral blog site in the first place. He mentioned that no new updates have been made on the site since “there isn’t really a lot of things to hate on the island. Quite the opposite in fact!”
Got something to whisper to me? You can trust this bird not to reveal it’s sources, but I can’t promise I won’t say a word! Email [email protected].
So, in conclusion, though this Little Birdie has been known to reveal juicy details, Boracay Hater’s identity is one secret I dare not spill. With that, I leave you all hanging. (HA!) And who knows, maybe a collaboration would be in the works sometime soon? Just wait ‘til high season arrives!
Claus inherited his nobility from his mother, who as a young widow in her 40s, dedicated her time in helping the poor. He remembers his mother, a petite lady and devout Christian going downtown to the East Side of Vancouver to feed drug addicts and homeless people. He fondly describes his mother, as “someone who preached what she thought was right and doing it. That’s how I’ve always tried to live my life”.
Following in his mother’s footsteps, he set his sights on sustainable humanitarian projects, starting with courses on Entrepre-neurial Business, Progressive Developmental Education and International Development in Vancouver.
At the ripe age of 22, he was in Mexico helping to build shelters for the homeless. He later went to the Baja region to help in orphanages and community centers there. He also worked with Canadian Crossroads under the Canadian International Developmental Agency in Southern Africa to develop programs on Developmental Education for children and the youth.
There he met the love of his life, Staphanie, who in 1994 represented her home country, Swaziland in the Miss World Pageant. Aside
from her sheer beauty, Claus was drawn by her intellect and willingness to serve others. Together, they returned to Mexico several times to continue their developmental projects.
In 2002, while they were living in Korea, teaching English and raising their first child, Jordan, they met some Canadian friends who mentioned a white sandy tropical island in the Philippines, called Boracay. “When we came here for the first time in 2002, we thought ‘what an awesome place this would be to live in,’” he recalls.
They eventually moved to Boracay in 2005 and set up Paradise English School in Bantud. “We always thought that we were going to stay here for two to three years until the children got older”, he says. Yet despite the massive damage to their school caused by the destructive typhoon Seniang in 2006, they were able keep their spirits up and rebuild the school. When Brent Interna-tional School closed, they joined other parents and opened the Boracay European International School in 2008, which now shares a campus with Paradise English.
They then helped start the Boracay Educa-tion and Development Fund, a non-profit research organization dedicated to improving the quality of education and standard of living in the community. Under the Boracay Fund, as this NGO is also known, they have helped award a scholarship program to a young 3rd Grade BEIS student, have taught many students how to read, adopted two barangays in Antique, and restored the lives of many families that were devastatingly hit by typhoon Yolanda late last year. Now they are adding two new classrooms at the Yapak Elementary School as a venue for them to teach children how to read.
This upcoming school year, the Boracay Fund's goal is to teach 100 children to read, in these two new classrooms. Claus believes that, “the most life-changing thing for some-one is to learn how to read. It’s a basic necessity that can lead to many opportuni-ties. And when you help out others, you get more in return. That’s what I instill in my
continued on page 16
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 15 and 26.pdf 1 7/24/14 10:33 PM
16| Boracay Sun | people | august 2014 |
Boracay Sun’s wise long-lost sister never fails to give the best advise on anything and everything under the sun & moon and over the stars. She's every girl’s ideal go-to gal with practical advise, both solicited and unsolicited, from a BTDT (been there done that) kickass life, old soul wisdom from a lifelong (and past life) career of mistakes and breakthroughs. So take it or leave it, but if we told you who she was, they might haul her back to prison!
a state of mind that one can control and change.
Sounds to me that you can easily turn your lonesomeness and lack of things to do around by having a different perspective. Since you can’t change the fact that it’s rainy season and many of your usual company are out of town, why not use this time to explore new things? Are there classes offered on the island that you have been curious about but never had the time to check out? Think: Zumba, pole dancing, yoga. How about a water sport? Getting into a new type of activity is a great opportunity to ‘broaden your horizons’ and make new friends. Ask about discounts for locals (I know most of them offer this conces-sion). Also, think of the money you are saving from not going out for drinks!
There are also activities that don’t cost money like boogie boarding and going for long walks around the island to name a few. The latter is an activity that may sound boring at first but you’d be surprised at how fulfilling it can be to discover ‘off the beaten path’ parts of the island while you get fit and clear your mind. It’s something you can do alone or ask an acquaintance you’ve been meaning to get to know better but haven’t been able to get past the superficial / drunken small talk that a bar environment provides.
Lastly, it’s good to learn that amusement doesn’t necessarily have to come from social-izing with others. Yes, connecting with others is a vital part of being human but at the end of the day, we have to start by knowing ourselves and being OK with solitude. Habag-at season can be a time for self-reflection and self-nurturing. Use this time to take a break from the fast-paced, frenzied vibration that takes over the island the rest if the year. This time can be used to relax, restore and recharge. Your mind and body (especially your liver) will thank you for it and will be ready to take on the peak season in top form.
Once you learn how to cope well with solitude, you’ll always be OK because “wher-ever you go, there you are!” Happy Habagat and enjoy YOUR SELF!
DEAR SISTER MOON: I am 33 years old and single. I moved to Boracay over a year ago. It was the height of summer when I made the big move from Manila after being hired by a resort. It was definitely a promo-tion and a good career move for me, but to be honest, I have been focused on work the entire year and have had little time to really be with myself.
This is officially my first Habagat season, since last year I was too busy with moving, adjusting, and spent the entire season in training. I am lucky to have made good friendships with the people I work with, and with a handful of acquaintances I’ve made on the island. But most of them are spending the next few months traveling, while I have yet to schedule my vacation leave towards the end of September. After work, I find myself glued to social media, without much to update about myself (I mean, why post about my drunken epiphanies and days alone at the beach right? How boring!). I do have a social life, don’t get me wrong, but its very superficial. I’m not one to spill my guts to the next bored person. I’ve joined the Pub Crawlers just for fun and got a kick from the frenzy it offered, but still, I end up alone with my four walls, my laptop and my music. Not that bad really, except for the reverberating silence and the pinch of loneliness and homesickness.
How do I deal with this Habagat season, when most of the time I have no choice but to stay indoors with my lonesome self? I have run out of things to do at the office too, and my boss has had to send me home, with a pitiful look on her face. – LONESOME IN BORACAY
DEAR LONESOME IN BORACAY: 20 years ago, back when I first moved here as a 20 something, I once blurted out loud “I’m bored!” A much older bohemian/world traveler type acquaintance shouted from across the bar “If you're bored, it’s your fault!” I was looking for sympathy or understanding and sort of felt offended at his response but after giving it some thought, I understood what he meant. Boredom and loneliness are oftentimes
Write to Sister Moon at [email protected] – the more gory details, the better!
(Second from right) Claus with Susanne Trisch-berger and Red Cross volunteers in a post-super typhoon Yolanda outreach in San Isidro
Dirt biking with Boracay buddies
Dirt bike trip with wife Stephanie to Moalboal, Cebu and Negros last month
continued on page 15
children and that’s what I want them to instill in others.”
In between his humanitarian projects and responsibilities at home and at Paradise English, he takes the time to travel around the country with Stephanie and their three children Jordan, Eve and Shoalan in order to explore the country that has been ‘home’ for nine years. Twice a year he goes on dirt bike trips with a bunch of guys also living in Boracay. “You have to enjoy whatever you do and make time for the things you are passionate about”, he also adds, “Life in Boracay has been fantastic, we have met the most amazing people and are lucky to call many of them friends.”
Claus Bauer obviously sees the good things in any given situation. He is the guy who goes out there and just does it. He also owes his success to his sense of dedication, belief in his capacities and in the enjoyment he finds in everything that he does. “Some-times it boils down to luck, and I truly believe that I am lucky.”
boracay diariesThe road to unity is paved with empathy. Boracay Diaries connects us all by depicting moments in the daily island lives of ordinary people, leading extraordinary island lives.
CHARMAINE MENDOZA By Monique Tolentino
A day in the life of your local canteen lady
Charmaine M. Mendoza is a 22-year-old lady who runs a local canteen by the roadside of Tulubhan, in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island. Born and raised in Tulubhan, she chose to put up a canteen to gain independence and profit. She earns an average of Php3,000 a day and moonlights as a massage therapist on some days.
Her story begins with how she dropped out of high school because of her friends’ influence. When she later realized the value of education it was too late for her to return. She started working for her aunt and when she was able to save up, enrolled herself and put herself through school until she was able to finish and put up a little business on her own.
Charmaine gets up at 5AM every day to do household chores and make sure everything is ready for her day to start. She then heads to the market at 7AM to buy all the ingredi-ents she needs for her menu for the day up until closing time, which is at 8:00pm.
What is your routine like when you get home?
Kapag tapos na ako sa trabaho, madalas tagay, TV at tulog ang ginagawa ko (chuck-les). (When I get home from work, I usually just drink, watch TV and then go to sleep.)
What is the thing that you love most about your work?
Nakakasama ko yung pamilya ko araw-araw. Nagtatawanan habang sabay-sabay nagluluto at nagtatrabaho. (I get to be with my family every day. We get along and laugh at the same time while cooking and working.)
What don’t you like most about your work?
Ayoko sa mga customer na masama ang ugali. Kung ano anong hinihingi at inuutos. Araw-araw din ako nagtatrabaho at walang pahinga. (I don’t like the customers who give me attitude. The ones who demand a lot and order you around. I also work every day and never get to rest.)
What is it that you do on the rare chances that you get to rest?
Binibigay ko yung oras na yan para maka-bonding yung mga kaibigan ko. (I allot that time to bond with my friends.)
What do you love and dislike the most about Boracay?
Madali ang pera dito at maraming pwedeng gawin at puntahan. Maganda yung lugar at palaging maraming tao. Ang ayoko lang dito ay maraming gago lalo na sa mga babae. (Making money is fairly easy here and there are a lot of things you can do and places to
go to. The place is beautiful and there are always a lot of people. What I don’t like is that there can be a lot of jerks, especially to women.)
But do you love the island?
Oo naman. Dito ako pinanganak at pinalaki. Naging madali ang buhay ko dito. Paraiso sya para sa maraming tao at hindi naman nag-iba na mula pa noon, pairaiso pa rin sya para sa akin. (Yes of course. This is where I was born and raised. My life growing up was easy here. The island is a paradise for a lot of people and it hasn’t changed that much ever since, it has also been my paradise.)
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 16 and 25.pdf 2 7/24/14 11:57 PM
Boracay Sun had the opportunity to go with Leonard himself.
There is no doubting this man’s passion and love for the island and its people. We should all take a lesson from Leonard and do our part in giving back some of our blessings to this beautiful place we all call home. Of the tourist, all he asks is to at least keep our beach clean, in short, he emphasizes, “NO LITTERING. After all, it’s our beach that made Boracay what it is today.”
By Katrina Tuason
THE Tirol family has had roots on Boracay Island since the late 1800’s. They are one of the founding families of Boracay, and one of the few families who have titled land while most people on the island hold a tax declaration for their properties. Leonard Tirol was spending time on the island as a child together with his family, coming six times a year for family reunions. In 1969 he introduced his childhood friend the late Steve Tajanlangit to Boracay, togeth-er they would think about what could be done with the island. In the 1980’s when Boracay Island was still an untouched paradise, Leonard decided to put up a resort called Vista Del Mar where Mandarin Hotel stands today. At that time his cousins had already owned several resorts on the island. His vision was to keep his resort low key, natural, using nipa and other local materials. The island was far from what it is today, it was a long stretch of beautiful white beach, no electricity or concrete structures. Boracay was already well known in parts of Europe and popular in Italy and Germany. Famous Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida vacationed on the island and word quickly got around. The likes of Claude Van Damn was a frequent visitor. There are still certain parts of the island you can go to, to recap-ture the lost paradise such as Punta Bunga or Ilig-iligan. Leonard says this is not the Boracay he envisioned with all the concrete structures all over. “People began investing in the island with the local government being blinded by money coming in and not providing any guidelines.” Leonard says, “I put the blame on the local government, who else, for how the island has developed through the years. The present government is doing their best but progress has already taken over. Depart-ment of Tourism secretary Butch Jimenez is doing a great job trying to protect Boracay and to meet its needs.” You can see and feel Leonard’s passion when he speaks of serving the people of Boracay. Leonard has personally organized the Boracay Fire Rescue And Ambulance Volunteers (BFRAV), having bought fire trucks, ambulances, jet skis and other rescue equipment. He is the adviser and consultant for the Boracay Action Group (BAG). BAG is usually the first responder during emer-gencies on the island, having the PNP, Coast Guard, Army, Maritime Police, MAP, and other force multipliers as its members. “With the increase of tourism the island has no first class medical facilities or trauma centers. Small clinics are popping up and thriving by overcharging the tourists. Cruise ships that come to the island have better facilities on their boat than the island itself.” Leonard says, “I am trying to help by providing the services that are lacking here.” He mentions the famous John F. Kennedy quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” What can we do and give back to Boracay? He has been focused on the purchase of a sea ambulance for the island to bring patients across the channel, with a solicited ambulance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under his group,
directly to Kalibo in the event of an emer-gency. The local government (LGU) had approved the funding but it remains to be released as of press time, “two years in the waiting and still hoping”.
Leonard quickly adds, “There are good people from the private sector that are willing to help, like Mayor Sandy Javier,” owner of several businesses on the island, and he hopes that more would come out and follow his good deeds. He adds, “They earn millions in their businesses, and I hope they would give back some of the blessings to the island.” Leonard has many ideas on how to improve on the island. He mentions doing away with the many commissioners seen walking the stretch of White Beach hounding tourists to do activities from paraw and boat sailing, banana boat, snorkeling – “these commis-sioners are given permits by the local government, and naturally if beholden they are their captured voters”. He recommends centralizing all activities to the mainland, which is a convenient ten-minute ride from the island. Move the paraws, pump boats and activities off White Beach, restoring the beauty of the island by giving back to the tourists and locals alike the beautiful stretch of beach without having the view blocked by pump boats. “This way people on the mainland are given a livelihood without having to add more people to the island,” he explains. Leonard recommends to the local govern-ment, to have more control on the construc-tion on the island and to encourage investors to build staff houses on the mainland for the workers, or that this should be one of the conditions for a permit. “This avoids squat-ter problems and will also lower the petty crime rate usually committed by construction workers.” Leonard commends the local police for doing a good job considering the population increase on the island. He believes that the local government together with the local investors should come together and decide on the direction the island should take and how it should be promoted. He points out that it is safe to say that the influx of tourists the island on certain dates are party people. “For example in front of White House resort alone over ‘La Boracay’ weekend there were over 2,000 people. These tourists who come to party, fill the hotel rooms and restaurants, they bring revenue to the entire island. With all the regulations on noise curfews, stating that bars must lower their volumes on sound system will eventually backfire on the island. The island will lose the partygoers, will lose the crowd and the sponsorships along with it that comes with these events due to soaring permit charges. Will Boracay take the direction of a party destination like Ibiza or will it be stopped?” Leonard’s other passion is animals and he has opened the first and only interactive animal sanctuary called Boracay Wildlife Expo, located across from Fairways and Bluewater Resort. The star of the show is Wally D’ Croc who even has his own Facebook page. There are other animals such as snakes, monkeys, wild boars, wild cats and parrots. Entrance to the Wildlife Expo is Php300 per person. It is a fun activity to do on the island, made more fun since
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |17
visionariespeople
RADM Leonard Tirol– Man on a Mission
Photo by Denise Tolentino
“There are good people from the pri-vate sector that are willing to help…They earn millions in their businesses, and I hope they would give back some of the blessings to the island.”
Leonard with the Boracay Action Group and their fleet of fire tucks, ambulances and other rescue equipment
| august 2014 |
Commo Tirol organized the BFRAV and also the BAG with Col. Sam Nacion, the current Provincial Director. In photo the BAG responds to a fire call on overloaded electrical and cable wires behind Two Seasons and Sur Resorts
Two of the BFRAV Equipments purchased by Commo Tirol for Community Service. Whatev-er Blessings the island has given him he gives back to the island a helping hand in terms of Fire and Ambulance FREE Services
BAG spearheads a life-saving beach buoy project along the stretch of Boracay's famed White Beach
Commo Tirol formed the Boracay Fire Rescue and Ambulance Volunteers, BFRAV of the Boracay Action Group (BAG)
At Brgy. Balabag Plaza with the Phil. coast Guard Commandant Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena and Coast District Commander Western Visayas, Commo Ybañez, and Commo Mike Labatiao
Regularly gathers members of the Boracay Action Group on polishing their skills with the issued firearms. "It always pays to be ready and in tip top shape for any eventuality that may harm Boracay
(Center) Leonard Tirol flanked by the writer Katrina Tuason (left) and Boracay Sun EIC Freida Santiago, with members of BAG at the action center
Family Bonding in Australia
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 17.pdf 1 7/25/14 3:35 PM
18| Boracay Sun |
room reviews
BOUTIQUE CHICBy Daniel Leemon
in-room
Boracay Sun’s guide to finding the right accommodations, with helpful reviews.
HAMPSTEAD BOUTIQUE HOTELA FANTASTIC boutique hotel, tucked away right behind Balabag Plaza and up a little track, an intimate and cozy place, uniquely different, part hotel - part art gallery, and with a beautifully arresting reception/lounge that catches your attention, the curious sculpture to the side and some old style suitcases covered in old-style stickers adding to the unusual look. A chromed-up kitschy and futuristic multi-angled reception desk, fronting an orange-themed restaurant/bar with booth-like seating and stained-glass partitions, copper-topped tables and interest-ing copper-piping framed pictures on the wall, a separate cigar and single malt whiskey room with all the paraphernalia the connoisseurs would demand, the whole ensemble with a relaxed lounge bar-cum-speakeasy feel to it.
The stairs and hallways are like a minimalis-tic living art gallery, eclectic ceramic wall hangings and wooden sculptures, abstract-type paintings with understated colors but vivacious brushstrokes, and simple but chic random seating, whilst the library is nice and open with a few books and board games. The rooftop bar has a couple of
THE TIDESHIDDEN from sight and right in front of your eyes amidst the D’Mall madness, a small corner opening between the Heidiland Deli and a restaurant in the marketplace, nothing more than a wide alcove but reveal-ing a mammoth tardis-like boutique-ish number with around 60 rooms, a spacious and palatial-aspiring-but-casual reception area where you’re welcomed in with a refreshing cold towel and a drink, and where you’ll find some unique little stool-chairs made up of dozens of wooden cylindrical sticks clumped together and squeezed into a frame, peculiar but surprisingly comfortable. You then walk on to the enclosed courtyard concrete oasis, around which are all the rooms, so much space yet right in the heart of the congested action. There’s a nice spa, a small but well-equipped gym with brand-spanking new equipment, and a lovely breezy rooftop terrace bar with partitioned seating and a raised swimming pool.
The rooms, with prices at 4,675Php for Essential Rooms and 6,175Php for Excep-tional Rooms, are all spacious, luxurious, with a neat and clean design with black wooden furniture and understated decora-tions, and, though they’re all laid out the same way, each one has a different feature wall, wallpapered with different colors and patterns for each room, minimalistic and unassuming, nicely individual in a kind of quiet way. The Exceptional Rooms have a bathtub, which is a great touch, and some of the Essential Rooms have a small little veranda, whilst the corridors running along-side have interesting and quirky pattern designs stickered on the walls.
The look and lavishness of a grand hotel, but with a subtle feel of boutique.
Here we go with this month’s roundup of unsuspecting hotels and guesthouses, this time focusing on the ‘Boutique’, places which sit slightly outside the homogeneity of big resorts and chain hotels, places which are normally themed and have a unique personality… once again, this is not a complete list, nor is it necessarily the best of the best, just our humble choice for this month, as the mood takes us…
wooden cabanas, decking at the bar area, and overlooks the beach, albeit with a road and a building in front down below. You can also bring-your-own food and have a DIY cookout.
The rooms, 4,400Php for the seven Superior Rooms and 6,700Php for the one Suite Room, are slick and stylish, compact and snug, beautifully decorated with more minimalist paintings, which are actually for sale, wallpapered-feature walls with cool paisley patterns, they all come provided with a fresh coffee machine, which is a nice touch, and they have lovely views at the back where they face the hilly and lush green interior of the island. There is also a villa which is part of the hotel but located a further 30 yards up the hill, starting from 18,700Php for 6 people, swish and spacious, multi-colored, from the glass windows to the different cushions scattered around the distinctive sofas, and which comes equipped with a nice swimming pool in an enclosed little courtyard. Fantastic for a family or a group.
A great little hotel, punching well above its weight, friendly and cool and located within a stone’s throw from the beach or the night-clubs.
Amenities: AC / Hot Water / Wi-Fi / Cable TV / Fridge / Safety Deposit Box / Library / Rooftop Bar / Breakfast / Bike Rentals / Activities / Daily Cleaning Service / Laun-dry / Airport Transfer / Back-up Generator
Contact Details:Tel: (+63 36) 288 2469 Mobile: (+63 917) 566 2698Email: [email protected]: www.hampsteadboracay.com
Amenities: AC / Hot Water / Wi-Fi / Cable TV / Fridge / Safety Deposit Box / Breakfast / Bike Rentals / Activities / Spa / Gym / Swimming Pool / Rooftop Bar / Daily Clean-ing Service / Laundry / Babysitting Service / Airport Transfer / Back-up Generator
Contact Details:Tel: (+63 36) 288 4517 Mobile: (+63 917) 542 8344Email: [email protected]: www.tidesboracay.com
LUGAR BONITO
LOCATED right on the main road at night-club strip central, just next to the thick of the action and a mere fifty yards from the beach, with only six rooms spread over two floors, and with a slight intangible Mediter-ranean feel to the whole place.
The rooms - ranging from 4,000Php for two people, 5,000Php for three, and 6,000Php for four - are cozy and intimate, well thought-out in layout and intelligently compact. Each room has a different theme, with a subtle rustic touch, and they all have a wonderfully kitschy and intriguing flavor to them. The walls are what you notice first and you think you’re hallucinating; painted white but the surface is undulating and uneven, like the walls are rippling and moving and swaying to their own rhythm, alongside the mismatched tiles you get in some of the bathrooms, all done on purpose for effect.
But the stars of the show are the decorations and furnishings, all re-purposed items, a new one catching your eye every time you look around, an old metallic wine cooler now acting as a towel holder, an old walking frame stretched out and remodeled as a little bench, a rusty bird cage now acting as a lamp, different parts of a wooden boat taken apart and put back together again to make a multi-colored chair, or the bed headboard, or
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 18 and 23.pdf 2 7/24/14 11:51 PM
room reviews| june 2014 || august 2014 | | Boracay Sun |
19in-room
Power Rewards for Discovery Hotels’ Loyal Travelers
DISCOVERY Leisure Company Inc. (TDLCI), the management company of Discovery Suites, Discovery Shores Boracay, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, Club Paradise and Discovery Primea (opening in September 2014), is rolling out the red carpet to honor its regular patrons and international travelers with the launch of My Discovery Elite (MDE) last June 15.
My Discovery Elite (MDE) is not the usual loyalty program where benefits are limited to hotel services. Aside from room upgrades, weekend stays, and free meals, members can use their accumulated points for gifts certifi-cates, merchandise from exclusive boutiques, spa treatments, invitation to exclusive events, and many more.
My Discovery Elite program is tailor-made for today's discriminating travelers who actively utilize mobile technology for work and leisure and likewise bringing social media at the forefront of exciting rewards and happenings. The eco-friendly tool allows MDE members to access their exclusive privileges, check point balance and redeem their awards via mydiscovery.ph. All these can be done from their desktop computer, or through their mobile wallet.
My Discovery Elite (MDE) members can look forward to a whole new world of rewards and privileges. The longer they stay the more benefits they enjoy. Jose C. Parreño, Jr., TDLCI's chief operating officer tells Boracay Sun, “We see a great opportu-nity to serve our frequent guests better through the My Discovery Elite loyalty program. This is why we have invested in the program and on its distinct benefits so that we can continue to extend high quality service to those who frequent Discovery hotels.”
Parreño adds, “We have chosen tie up partners that will spruce up the loyalty program to entice travelers to always choose Discovery hotel whenever they travel on business or leisure.”
Every time members book a room or dine in any restaurant at Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, Discovery Shores Boracay, Club Paradise and very soon at Discovery Primea, accumu-lated points can be used to avail of the exclusive offers featured in mydiscovery.ph.
Members also enjoy special discounts when they shop at Aranaz, Zalora, VMV Hypoal-lergenics, or when they dine at partner restaurants like M Cafe, Chelsea Cafe, or use their cards to get discounts from stores
shelving units, all of it rough and untreated and captivating because of it. Like useful folk-art.
An individualistic warm and snug little place.
Amenities: AC / Hot Water / Wi-Fi / Cable TV / Fridge / Safety Deposit Box / Break-fast / Bike Rentals / Activities / Daily Cleaning Service / Laundry / Airport Trans-fer / Back-up Generator
Contact Details:Tel: (+63 2) 475 6827 Mobile: (+63 917) 327 3970Email: [email protected]: www.lugarbonitohotel.com
such as Bric¹s, Cole Haan, Versace Jeans, Massimo Bonini, Oilily, and INCASE, among others.
Rewards at your fingertips
Users can avail of their rewards and privileges any time they wish via their mobile wallet. By simply clicking the "redeem" key, they can instantly book their weekend adventure, or purchase their dream gadget. They can easily monitor accrued points and get priority access to exciting offers that are exclusive to members.
MDE's mobile-friendly feature is truly a traveler¹s best buddy. Aside from the seam-less redemption of accumulated points, mem-bers get special rates when they book their hotel via mydiscovery.ph. They have instant access to other travel information related to their itinerary, round-the-clock assistance, and many more.
“The rewards go beyond the luxurious service that The Discovery Leisure Company has been known for. We want to be part of every traveler's memorable experience. And part of extending good service, is directly addressing their needs, even on the digital level. This guarantees a richer, a more fruitful travel experience for our patrons,” Parreño adds.
My Discovery Elite loyalty program is a privilege extended to regular guests of Discovery Suites, Discovery Shores Boracay, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, Club Paradise in Palawan, and Discovery Primea. For inquiries, call the Membership Services at (+63 2) 719 8888 or email
Discovery Shores Boracay
One Bedroom Serendipity Suite at Discovery Suites
Club Paradise
The beachfront room at Club Paradise
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 19 and 22.pdf 1 7/25/14 12:24 AM
20| Boracay Sun |
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; For it is in giving that we receive;And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” – St. Francis of Assisi
BORACAY SUN pays tribute to unsung heroes who are committed to do what they can to make the world a better place for the helpless. People with a mission to go where others would not dare, to reach out into the darkness, to seek out the poorest of the poor, to be an instrument of hope for the hopeless, we salute you.
BORACAY MISSIONS
THE FOUNDATIONOF EDUCATIONBy Daniel Leemon
Charity has become a business and there are many who have become cynical at what they perceive to be mere lip service on the part of big corpora-tions. But there are still many in the business world that still find time and money to help out.
BABIES OFBORACAY - A labor of loveBy Daniel Leemon
Any charity enterprise that wants to succeed has to be, to a certain degree, fueled and driven by passion. This makes Babies of Boracay (B.O.B.) an absolute certainty to be around for a very, very long time.
ITS founder and organizer Chelsey Hall is positively bursting with fervor and genuine enthusiasm at what she sees as a way to make a real difference to the community by helping the young kids of Boracay, as well as the mums who she’s trying to empower by getting them involved.
Having spent time working in an orphanage in Africa, she came to Boracay on a mission, having already secured funds from an anonymous benefactor, to establish something simple to provide basic learning for local kids by way of a playpen, with special emphasis on nutrition, as well as setting up future workshops where the ‘mummies’ can acquire new skills which may lead to alternative sources of income.
“Education is an equalizer. And I wanted to give kids some sort of discipline, or structure, to prepare them for when they go to proper school”, she explains. “And I chose Boracay because of the strong western influence. I wanted to go where there would be the most exposure, maybe build it from there and export it to other places”.
She found a plot of land on Tambisan, where a dilapidated shack stood, and she went to work, rebuilding and extending what she now calls her “little bamboo doll house” to include a kitchen as well as a greenhouse in the back. She secured the services of a couple of well-meaning volunteers and then went out to the community to reach the families, who welcomed the scheme since the whole idea is that they help to run it, or as she so passionately explains, “I didn’t want to come in like the big white thunder, I want BOB to be theirs not mine”. Seven ‘mummies’ became volunteers - and there are also a couple of live-in volunteers from abroad, and the whole thing took off very quickly with around 80 kids already registered, and up to 40 kids attending on any given day.
The routine is pretty simple, playtime, nursery rhymes in both English and Tagalog, music classes, dance, painting, outdoor games, and the all-important feeding program where emphasis is placed on the little details like washing their hands, taking their plate up to the counter after they’ve finished, saying thank you. The idea is to establish some life skills, which will be needed in school itself and beyond.
The website will soon be up and running and direct donations will be possible, with transparen-cy on where the money is going. There are also grand expansion plans in place as they look to set up BOB 2 in November, then one in Tablas, one in Caticlan… And judging by the passion of its founder, it will just keep on growing. For donations and more information find Babies of Boracay on Facebook.
BORACAYFUND - A call to armsBy Daniel Leemon
There is a recognizable pattern which is stitched onto the Boracay fabric and which goes largely unreported…in times of trouble and crisis, the expats who’ve made this place their home go to a lot of trouble and effort to help.
REDCROSS – Keep on keeping onBy Daniel Leemon
Some organizations have been around for so long that it’s sometimes easy to take them for granted, familiarity breeding a kind of passive blasé regard, a kind of ‘what-have-you-do-ne-for-me-lately’ attitude. Quite a lot as it turns out…
Turn to page 26 for this story.
Boracay NGOs’Acts of CharityBy Amanda Virrey
AMONG the Non Government Organizations (NGOs) on Boracay that that function for the benefit of humanitarian and environmental reliefs most especially caused by devastating calamities, are the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) and the Philippine Mermaids Swim-ming Academy (PMSA).
Being an organization composed of a growing number of local establishments, the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) has a stock full of plans to deliver to the most needy of the island community and that of its neighbors. It also sustains the wages of four Bantay Dagat sea rangers who have been deputized by the LGU Municipal Agricul-tures Office to ensure that Boracay’s coastal waters are protected from illegal activities like illegal fishing, which have been abused for tourism.
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, BFI’s Christmas Party for a Cause raised funds for the Balabag Elementary School building, which not only was severely damaged by the typhoon but was also a designated venue for evacuation. Last month, three classrooms were installed with new roofs, new jalousies, fresh paint and many more improvements.
Many other charitable acts include a donated desktop PC to the Boracay Police; relief goods that served 2,000 families, plus roofing materials and cash for the severely affected families in Barangay in Libacao, Aklan; school supplies for 65 children from the Ati tribe; cash sponsorship to support four Boracay PNP personnel for their advanced schooling in the PNP Academy; and cash donations for the setup of the Red Cross First Aid Station in D’Mall.
The Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy (PMSA) is a humanitarian and nature-driven organization. With a fast-growing global reputa-tion, the benevolent sea creatures – the mermaids of PMSA are out to rescue humans and animals. Under the banner Project MOM (Mermaids on a Mission), the PMSA began its environmental conservation advocacy last year with an outreach program called the Mermaid Therapy Program, with free workshops and dental care for special needs children, basic first aid and CPR for rural fishing communities in cooperation with Red Cross Boracay.
When reports of calamity-stricken towns around Boracay reached the island a few days after Typhoon Yolanda made its landfall, PMSA found-er Normeth Preglo along with Carlos Blanch of Fisheye Divers organized the collection of funds and relief goods for the population of Maniguin Island, a tiny island off the coast of Antique Province in the Southwestern side of Panay Island. Along with other active mermaids, they voyaged on board the M/V Maruja dive boat to this remote island and distributed the goods.
Last summer, Project MOM answered the call to save stranded dolphins in the northern part of the country. At Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, two days of courses and photo-op sessions raised funds for the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, an organization that was caring for three stranded dolphins. This fundraising event was carried over to Boracay a week later with awareness programs headed by a Marine Biologist of the BFI, with special media coverage by Euro News, and their program “Learning World” on TV.
These NGOs are reliable, credible and always willing to achieve a mission for a good cause. So if you want to extend your help to the needy while you’re vacationing on the island, just get in touch with the BFI or PMSA.
BORACAY Wall Street Incorporated (BWSI), the umbrella which this very publication falls under, might be a business enterprise but it also has a wide-ranging Social Responsibility Program dedicated to sponsoring a whole host of different projects and donating to countless different charities over the years, in Boracay and beyond, and indeed are committed to donating 10% of all future earnings to charity.
They have an ongoing relationship with Red Cross on this island, providing the funds for a myriad of projects as and when they’re needed, they are one of the contributors in the fairly new Babies of Boracay, and they have donated to many of the worthwhile causes on Boracay in the last few years, including the various different projects in the aftermath of Yolanda, which they are still donating to.
They were responsible for reforestation on Tablas, they led the Reef Rehabilitation and Protection program there, they’ve built five health centers, three of them in conjunction with the Rotary International Club which Chris Bech used to be the president of, four schools in Tablas and Samar, as well as rebuilding and restoring many classrooms in already existing schools, they have implemented feeding programs at elementary schools on both islands, both medical and feeding programs for the elderly, lots of arts projects for young kids, they support orphanages in both Cavite and Samar, they have been involved in deworming and anti-dengue campaigns, the list is long and varied and all the different programs are ongoing.
But the most important enterprise they’re involved in is the scholarships they provide for the 300 or so students they’re putting through school, from elementary all the way through to university. “The only way to help the people in this country is to give them an education, help them to become self-sufficient…” says Chris Bech, CEO of BWSI.
And they did this directly. As well as going by referrals from people they knew, they also went into the villages and sought out the kids in need. Despite initial resistance from parents who couldn’t see the point in their kids going to school when they saw their future as a village life pre-ordained, they slowly built up a roster of different kids of all ages who they offered full scholarships to, paying for books, food, travel, school uniforms, anything that was needed, as well as school fees, laptops, housing, and living expenses at University level, with the only requirement being hard work. “They have to have good grades and show some sort of aptitude, but more than that, they have to be motivated…” Chris emphasizes.
At the time of writing there are nine kids who have been put through school, from the age of ten, through high school and now on to universi-ty, and the support doesn’t just end there, with work experience opportunities offered to them within the organization during their summer vacations.
Charity is important but it’s always going to a short-term thing. The long-term solution is to empower people, enable them to help themselves, and education is the key. And this group is doing their best to help unlock a few doors.
THIS is exactly what happened when Yolanda hit. A few well-meaning expats got together and formed the Boracay Fund in order to try and help in the aftermath of this devastating catastrophe, dealing with it with action rather than words, direct involvement as opposed to directing from the sidelines. There were no formal arrangements and no official meetings, just a genuine will to help at ground level, and, without too much rhyme or reason, the group splintered off as different people took on the responsibility of different regions destroyed and left in ruins.
Claus Bauer, President of the Boracay Internation-al School amongst other things, and Susi Trisch-berger of Aria, somehow ended up going inland onto Malay. The plan was simple. They got some money together by digging into their own pockets and asking for donations from friends, spent it on what they thought were the most essential items, asked the Red Cross who’s been hit the hardest, then went and distributed it accordingly.
The road was long, and strewn with debris and fallen trees, and they reached their chosen destina-tion region to find it flattened, the streets full of roaming homeless and hungry people. They first went to San Isidro, then San Francisco, then a few other places on a type of exploratory giveaway walkabout, literally standing in the middle of the street together with the Barangay Captain and just handing out packages they’d prepared, a selection of materials, like tarpaulin, nails, and rope, and foodstuffs, like canned sardines and rice, as well as medicines, managing to help maybe 300 families at a time. “The amazing thing was that there was no stampede even though these were desperate people. They queued up nice and orderly…” Claus says.
They came back and formulated a more long-term plan. They continued to raise money from local donations, but then also reached out to friends abroad and used social media to spread the word. Their missions of mercy turned into a regular thing, and all subsequent efforts concentrated on one town, San Isidro. Claus explains why this came to be. “Once, when we tried to give them more tarpaulin for shelter, they assured us that they had enough and told us about another place nearby which was in more need for it. This impressed us.”
The goal changed from emergency assistance to sustainability, and the money got redirected to stuff beyond a mere food survival pack; they built a new school, around twenty new homes, a few fishing boats to allow people to sustain themselves, and now they’re building a new community boat which will act as an emergency services vehicle, as well as a tool for transporting water to the disparate islands in the area.
Donations have slowed down somewhat and the near future will see this group’s efforts directed towards more local affairs like building new classrooms at the Yapak school and continuing with their program of teaching local kids how to read amongst others. “We started with a broad vision, now we’re trying to narrow it down a little, concentrate on more local but high-impact deeds”, Claus explains.
Some people talk, others act. Whilst many expats enjoy the sunshine and cheap beer, this group are quietly getting on with the job of giving and trying to make a difference to their adopted home. For donations and more information please visit the website at www.boracayfund.org.
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 20 and 21.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:53 AM
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |21
POOREST OF THE POOR,
NO MOREBy Freida Dario-SantiagoPhotos By Cha Santos
Missions of love and solidarity for our Boracay Ati brethrenTHE Boracay Ati Tribal Organization’s (BATO) journey to self-determination and empowerment is one of hope, determination, and above all, love. An outpouring of compassion always followed their suffering, and in the darkest of times, they were never alone. Having witnessed much, with much more support left unknown, nothing but sheer love for our brothers and sisters of color could have delivered such an unrelenting support through decades of struggle.
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Ati Mission (OLHR-PAM)
After visits to Boracay Island back in 2000, then Kalibo Bishop Monsignor Gabriel V. Reyes (now Bishop of Antipolo) decided to embrace a mission for the diocese on the indigenous people (IPs) and immediately set to work by inviting some sisters from the Daughters of Charity (DC) missions to visit the island and to see to the indigenous Ati of Boracay. True enough, the DC missions were directed towards the IPs at the time, so they welcomed the invitation wholeheartedly and started sending sisters to live among the Ati. Although there were NGOs visiting the Ati in the 90s, none were permanent.
This was the beginning of OLHRPAM’s selfless work with the community. To this day, the DC mission is sustained under the OLHRPAM, under the guidance of Reverend Father Arnaldo ‘Nonoy' Crisostomo and the direction of Bishop Talaoc of the diocese. According to Evangeline Tamboon, BATO council leader, the support from Fr. Nonoy – known to be an outspoken defender and spokes-person for BATO, Fr, Jomil and Fr. Edwin has been overflowing, offering their support even through the most difficult (and dangerous) times, particularly after one of their youth leaders, Dexter Condez was murdered (read more on page 10), and the parish has been there every step of the way.
Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (DC) Mission
The DC missionary sisters first came to Boracay in 2000 and they have lived with the BATO to this day – that’s 14 years of unbridled commit-ment.
Sr. Ma. Flor Jalmasco, D.C., a DC missionary for the past 17 years who has been living with the Ati since May 2013 is referred to as the Sister Servant (Mother Superior in other orders). She says, “Our mission is not superiority but to serve the local community.” Acting as the project coordi-nator, she describes her job as “the one who animates the local community or congregation, the people entrusted to our care.” Sr. Elvie Oliamot
who has been around for three years is in charge of land advocacy and education, while Sister Teresa Villarin who arrived in May of this year and is a nurse by profession, is in charge of health.
She tells us that from the beginning, their role was to be like mothers to the Ati community, teaching them to walk on their own, rearing them as best as one could, while being sensitive to their indigenous sensibilities. It was the DC sisters that worked on acquiring the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) for years, which was eventually awarded to BATO by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on January 21, 2011.
Sr. Flor defines the DC’s main mission in Boracay as “Guiding them to grow towards being self-governing, and spirit-filled.” Spiritual guidance is not a matter of religion but making sure there is time for spirituality, without depriving them of their culture and rituals. We witnessed how the children tugged at her habit, how the women whispered into her ear, and how the men waited for direction. Her involvement in their daily lives has no bounds – from playing with the kids, accompanying birthing mothers, playing referee to husband and wife. Breakfast is served with good doses of maternal advice, and on her days off, she enjoys cooking for the community.
She sums it up with a quote from DC co-founder St. Vincent de Paul: “Your smell must be their smell. What you learn in the universities is nothing compared to the university of the poor.” With good humor she adds matter-of-factly, “Pati nga kuto, may kuto na kami.” (“Even lies, we have lies already.”) She adds, “No matter our struggles with the DILG and LGU, the providence and grace of God is overflowing.”
According to Tamboon, “Their mission is to care for the people. They communicate on our behalf and are teaching us to speak for ourselves. By 2016 we will be on our own so slowly, they are helping us get used to handling our own affairs.” Sr. Flor is confident that they will be ready. “Fr. Nonoy challenges me to encourage them to integrate with people and so I try to teach them humility and equality – that it means not expect-ing any special treatment.”
Of their detractors who say that the sisters do more harm than good by trying to influence the Ati, she says, “This is the mission of Jesus, to go to the marginalized and let them experience Jesus’ love through you. The challenge is to find the poorest of the poor. In Boracay, the Ati is the poorest of the poor, they have been deprived for so many years. And when you die, God will ask only one question: “How did you love, and who did you love?”
Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI)
In 2010 ADFI president Benjamin Abadiano, a Mangyan and a Tagbanua leader, helped facilitate the visioning activity of the BATO. The minori-ty’s vision, mission and goals are now articulated in their ADSDPP. Apart from the major support for various community development programs and constructions, ADFI also provided technical and financial assistance for the ADSDPP, development of IP learning materials and curriculum, develop-ment and management of the Ati soap enterprise and trainings on leadership, bookkeeping, financial management and organizational development.
Their long-term goal is to help make the commu-nity and its people self-sustaining and fully empowered. According to Kristine Sumalinab, ADFI program officer for special projects, “BATO will continue to be our partners in advancing the IPs agenda. Should they need us, we will still be there especially in terms of strengthening their IPO and in sending more IP youths to school.” ADFI is confident that by 2016, the community members will be fully empowered to independent-ly implement their development plans, run their own school, manage their livelihood programs and strengthen their own natural resource management practices.
ADFI’s advocacy program hopes to reach the poorest of the poor. Their mission is to seek to uplift, empower and transform the disadvantaged in society towards attaining their full human development, through direct intervention or in partnership with institutions and communities, as co-stewards of human and environmental resourc-es. Their culturally sensitive services are rooted in faith, love and justice. To learn more about the Assisi Development Foundation, Inc., their advocacies and how you can help support their missions, visit their website at www.assisi-founda-tion.org or email them at [email protected].
Champions
The Boracay Ati have countless champions who prefer not to be named, but time and again, the Ati members have acknowledged them for their silent commitment through the years such as Dr. Rabin Sarda of Hey Jude Hotel who donated 10 houses, sponsors the monthly feeding program, is responsible for some scholarships including teacher Lourdes’ – one of two fulltime teachers at the Ati learning center. Tamboon said, “He is really the most loyal of supporters ever since, we cannot even begin to count all the good he has done. There are many more like him and we are forever grateful.”
Another staunch supporter is lifestyle designer and Nautilus owner Pj Arañador whose advocacy called ‘Project Dimension’ spearheads an empow-erment project for the Boracay Ati women. Commissioned by the NCIP, he works as a volunteer, and already he has forged a collabora-tion with ADFI, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Brother international, Smart and Nautilus. Still in the works, the ultimate goal of the livelihood project is to put money in their pockets for their daily sustenance to start with. Indeed, blessed are those who teach men (or women) how to fish. You can reach Pj at [email protected] and visit his blog site at www.pjaranador.blogspot.com.
Arañador raised a fine point, “I think, we all should just give them space, empower them and let them move on.” For this writer who has witnessed the Boracay Ati’s plight through the years and their eventual rise from the rubble, this moment is their time to settle in, settle down, take it all in, and in stride. I am just overjoyed to see their genuine smiles that can light up the darkest skies. As I left the village on my most recent visit, they were singing hymns in preparation for Sunday mass. Hope and gratitude resound in their voices, and the most beautiful thing is that they now sing in harmony, as one.
To find out how you can support the Ati people of Boracay, you may call the BATO office at (+63 36) 288 2623, email Sr. Ma. Flor Jalmasco, D.C. at [email protected], and find Boracay Ati Community on Facebook. Donations for the school (which will be a pre-school, elementary tutorial, adult literacy and cultural awareness learning center), and other development projects are most welcome.
Boracay’s future leaders? The future looks promis-ing for the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization’s children. You may very well be looking at the barangay captains, parish priests, resort managers, or even the future mayor of Boracay!
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 20 and 21.pdf 1 7/25/14 12:53 AM
island happenings| august 2014 |
22| Boracay Sun |
events
By Monique Tolentino
“Anyone who thinks sunshine is pure happiness has never danced in the rain.” – Anonymous
WE are at the height of Habagat and yes, a storm (of fun filled island activi-ties that is) is coming!
No matter how harsh the weather can be the island that never sleeps doesn’t run out of happening events to suit your mood this crazy monsoon season. Checkout the surge of these #HabagatH-its for the month of August.
A storm is coming!
For more updates, join us on Facebook and visit our website at www.boracaysun.com. Tell us about your upcoming events, two months in advance, by emailing [email protected].
VENUE/ HOST: APLAYA BEACH BAR AND RESTAURANT
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Every Day Aperi-tivo (11 to 1PM); Every Day Sunset Sessions; Every Day DetoxWHY GO: Aplaya offers breakfast, aperiti-vo, lunch and dinner. The menu consists of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Regular cocktails are available, but Aplaya’s signa-ture drinks are a must-try! Come by bask in the beach vibes with some chill house, funk, house & live music at this beachfront chill-out spot.Every Day Aperitivo – one drink + one tapa for Php200Every Day Sunset Sessions – happy hour from 4 to 8PM on selected drinks and beersEvery Day Detox – Detox juices, food corner specials and cocktailsMONDAYS – Wine club/ Little Italy alternating from week to weekWEDNESDAYS – Ladies Night Out: Special treat for ladies with a 50% discount on all our pasta dishes and drinks from 5 to 10PM. Happy hour is also available for gentlemen until 8PMFRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS – Life chill house vibes DJ from sunset to sundown depending on the week.SUNDAYS – Sunday brunchSPECIAL DISCOUNTS are available to locals & residents (10%) and senior citizens (20%) upon presentation of official ID.WHERE: Find them at the Boracay Beach Resort beachfront, between Station 1 and 2.
VENUE/ HOST: AREA 51 TOP SECRET PARTY FACILITYWHAT’S HAPPENING: Full Moon Party on August 11 and Black Moon Party on August 25WHY GO: Situated away from the party strip, AREA 51 ‘Top Secret Facility’ reinvents what it means to party in Boracay, with an underground vibe where free spirits are allowed to soar in a relaxed and unpre-tentious party atmosphere, reminiscent of the old Boracay, promising a unique clubbing experience. One has never really partied in Boracay until they step foot in AREA 51, known for their legendary monthly Full
Moon Parties with the distinctive island vibe and incredible music by resident DJs Erwin Edralin and Reo Mendoza – beloved by the locals as “the best DJs in the world,” who promise to take Boracay on an unforgettable journey until sunrise on these special dates, and get a chance to party with Boracay’s friendly local aliens! WHERE: Lugutan Beach, South of Bulabog Beach.
VENUE/ HOST: CUTIECOOL NAIL SALON
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Treat yourself to the perfect place for relaxation and self-pam-pering during this crazy monsoon season open on Mondays to Saturdays.WHY GO: A cute, cool, comfy nail salon with the island's most creative nail art designs. Enjoy our special promos for every day of the week as well as discounts for Boracay locals.WHERE: Plazoleta, right next to Juice Bar on Station 2
VENUE/ HOST: LEVANTINWHAT’S HAPPENING: Romanian Buffet, Moonlight Party WHY GO: Beachfront live entertainment, body painting, vampire-inspired happy hour alongside a Romanian buffet, and buckets of fun!Romanian buffet (every Thursday) starts at 6:30PM onwards. Moonlight party (August 12, 2014) starts
VENUE/HOST: THE VESSEL AT MANDALA SPA & VILLAS
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Yoga and Dance ClassesRegular daily classes are at 9AM, 12NOON, 2PM, 4PM, and 7PM. Classes are Community Classes, which are donation based.WHY GO: Experience the magic of The Vessel, Visit and join the island's uncon-ventional souls as they celebrate life with the life enhancing activities and events. Classes available are
VENUE/HOST: TRUE YOGAWHAT’S HAPPENING: Daily Yoga classes at 9AM Offering Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow & Anusara-inspired classes. Avail of the special Weekly Unlimited Pass (unlimited yoga for 7 days) for only Php1,500 and a Drop-in rate of Php400. Mats are provided. If you are an island resident or staying for at least 1 month, ask about their monthly rates.
The same great, inspiring, well trained and seasoned yoga instructors of True Yoga on White beach now hold a weekly afternoon class every Wednesday at 4PM at The Vessel at Mandala Spa & Villas – an utterly amaz-ing and space to practice and an awesome venue meet other soulful yoga practitioners. The same drop-in rate applies at Php400, with a special 25% discount for island residents. The classes vary between Vinyasa Flow, led Ashtanga and Anusara depending on the teacher for that week.
WHERE: True Yoga is located at the 2/F of True Food Indian Restaurant, Station 2.
The Vessel at Mandala Spa & Villas entrance is along Angol Road, Manoc-Manoc (behind Mandala Spa & Villas). For inquiries, call Nicole at (+63 917) 700 2292, (+63 918) 916 2252 or email [email protected].
at 7:30PM onwards.WHERE: Beachfront of Bulabog at the back area near 7Stones Boracay Suites.For inquiries & reservations call (+63 36) 288 2763) or email [email protected].
Yoga ( various types from Kundalini, Tantra. Vinyasa Flow, Mantra, Ashtanga) and Dance ( Zumba, Belly Dancing, Jazz, Pole Dancing and Crossfit.Avail the 10 Pass Class for Php3,500 good for 3 monthsWHERE: Mandala Spa & Villas, Along Angol Road Station 3 Brgy. Manoc-Manoc. For Inquiries contact: The Vessel: (+ 36 36) 288 5888; Mandala Spa & Villas reception:
(+ 63 36) 288 5858; Mobile: (+63 917) 506 4943, (+63 0915) 414 7193 and (+ 63 999) 712 2665; email: [email protected]; Facebook: www.facebook.com/thevesselman-dala or visit their website: www.mandalas-pa.com.
Find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/levantin.boracay.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 19 and 22.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:24 AM
events | june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |
23events
PHILIPPINE RED CROSS CHILI COOK-OFF PART II
By Monique Tolentino
THE ANNUAL Chili Cook Off Competition, a seasonal fund raising activity to help the Philippine Red Cross Boracay-Malay Chapter to help generate funds to sustain its disaster preparedness training and youth development activities in Boracay and Malay is now on its second year. This said event is meant to be a “fun, fund day enjoyment” while at the same time showcasing the flair of Boracay’s own local chefs.
The chili cook-off panel of judges consisted of Wilhelm ‘Bollie’ Bolton, Chef Philip Schauli and Paul Tomlinson. Among the establishments represented by their respective chefs were: 7 Stones Boracay Suites, Ambassador in Paradise Resort, Ariel’s House/Boracay Beach Club, Asya Premier Suites Boracay, Boracay Haven, Boracay Regency Beach Resort & Spa, Crafty’s Rooftop, Kings Cuisine, Maya’s Filipino & Mexican Cuisine, Nagisa Japanese Restau-rant, The Deck @ Blue Dawn, The Tides Hotel Boracay, True Food Indian Cuisine, Valhalla Bar & and Zapravka #2.
7 Stones Boracay Suites bagged first place taking home Php5,000 in cash, kitchen appli-ances and a perpetual trophy followed by The Tides Hotel Boracay coming in at second place with Php3,000 in cash and kitchen appliances. Third place went to Maya’s Filipino & Mexican Cuisine with Php2,000 in cash and kitchen appliances while Crafty’s Rooftop won the People’s Choice Award.
ZEBAZTIAN KADESTAM TAKES HOME THE BELT
By Monique Tolentino
FIGHT FANS, friends and the island family of Swedish MMA fighter Zebaztian Kades-tam gathered together on June 27 at Epic Boracay for the viewing party of PXC 44 which took place at the UOG Fieldhouse in Guam.
The main event featured the 23-year-old Kadestam’s shot at the 170-pound title against PXC’s undefeated black belt Brazil-ian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Josh Calvo. The Swede was in control for the entire duration of the fight, outpointing Calvo with his strikes and dominating all the rounds except for one takedown in the fifth and final round. Calvo, meanwhile, did have his moments but hardly gave his opponent any difficulty. After five tough rounds and some vicious leg kicks from Kadestam, the fighter was awarded the belt in a unanimous decision by the judges.
On July 11, ‘The Bandit’ was warmly greet-ed by his Boracay family, friends and fans at Fusion Lounge and Sports Bar in Bulabog Beach for his much awaited island home-coming and victory party. The belt was on display, screens all over the bar showcasing Zeb’s previous fights and flowing drinks. The night was capped off by the legendary monthly Full Moon Party at Area 51.
Zebaztian Kadestam has been training with Legacy Gym and has been settled on the island for more or less two years.
“2GO Travel has sponsored this promising athlete for some time now, and we have seen him grow from his win-after-win status until now, as world champion. Zebaztian is a Swedish fighter based in Boracay wherein we, as 2GO Travel, support Boracay's tourism, especially the island's ‘Sports Tourism’ development. We wanted to let the world know that Boracay is not only a beautiful beach destination, but also a venue for many sports activities which is now the adopted home of our chosen champion!” – Stephen Tagud, VP 2Go Travel
“Zebaztian trains intensely hard every day in order to be the best fighter possible. Congratulations to him achieving a most deserved first championship belt. Zeb has brought honor and glory to himself, Legacy Gym, his family, friends and Boracay!” – Barry Chew, MyBoracayGuide
“It's a true pleasure representing The Bandit. I applaud his tireless work ethic and commitment to social responsibility. These are two unmistakable qualities of Zebaztian as mentor for young athletes and as a true World Champion. I see only great things in his future, and am thrilled to be involved. “ – Aaron Civitarese, Positive Vibration Patrons Co-founder
FEATURING more than 35 of the world’s most influential kiteboarders, the prestigious Venyu Triple-S Invitational runs during the first week of June at REAL Watersports in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Invited Riders and wildcard winners compete in three disciplines — Surf, Slicks, and Sliders — showcasing the planet’s most progressive kiteboarding action for a full week. (Source: www.triplesinvitational.com)
This year, the girls in the league rode harder than ever, including local kiteboarder Paula Rosales, the only Filipino invited to join this league, who demonstrated that kiteboarding is a progressing sport in Asia, especially in the island Boracay.
Triple S Invitational overall winner Colleen Carroll was training hard in the cable parks around Asia, especially in the Philippines and spent two weeks in our sunny little island paradise to train for the said event. Read about their travel to Asia-Thailand and Philippines at www.stanceplanet.com.
TRIPLE S INVITATIONAL
7Stones' first place winning entry
The chefs behind the 1st place masterpiece
Boracay Sun's Lyra Tabalong and Monique Tolenti-no with the Red Cross organizers
‘The Bandit’ Zebaztian Kadestam
PROJECT MOM SAVES THE SEA
By Amanda Virrey
Photos by JM Lumagod
FOLLOWING their dolphin-saving campaign at Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay on May 10 and 11, the Philippine Mermaid Swim-ming Academy reasserted their true claim of the sea at the Project MOM or Mermaids on a Mission event in Boracay on May 23.
The full day marine campaign began with mermaid classes and photo-op sessions with tourists at White Beach in front of Fish-Eye Divers. Afterwards, the mermaids, led by founder Normeth Preglo wagged their glitter-ing tails on the shore for an official press video, to be included in Project MOM’s special feature at Learning World, a TV program in the globally acclaimed Euro News channel.
Together with the Boracay Foundation, Inc. and Balinghai Beach Resort, the mermaids attended a Reef Restoration lecture presented by marine experts JM Lumagod from the BFI and Jan Balquin from the LGU, followed by the much-awaited coral planting in support of the Boracay Beach Manage-ment Program beyond the cove of Balinghai. The sinking of a mermaid statue into a huge rock in the depths of Balinghai was PMSA’s grand offering for the vibrant fishes laying their eggs within the area. Proceeds of this event went to the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN). To know more about Project MOM the PMSA’s marine advocacies, find Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy on Facebook.
Euro News shoots a video of the Mermaids on White Beach
PMSA mermaids immerse in a Reef Restoration lecture by BFI's JM Lumagod at Balinghai Beach Resort
Boracay kiteboarder Paula Rosales struts her stuff
| august 2014 |
Chili Cook Off II participants and organizers
This year’s Triple S girls
Overall winner Colleen Carroll claims her prize
REAL Watersports in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 18 and 23.pdf 1 7/24/14 11:51 PM
24
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 17 and 24.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:23 AM
goal is to produce a world-class player from Boracay Island. As such, they offer training sessions for island residents, with two trainers from Manila who are available to teach and train aspiring athletes. They are encouraging the youth to try this sport and are offering the indoor facility as an alterna-tive playing area especially during Habagat season. Greg also added that this sport is way to lure the youth away from negative influences in the community.
Indeed, this awesome indoor facility is a smashing idea!
badminton court. Actually there are three major differences between playing in a makeshift court and a dedicated badminton court: First, in a technical badminton court, the game is more in control. When you smash hard without aiming, the shuttlecock goes out. Second, the air in an ideal badminton court is denser than a higher and wider gymnasium, thus affecting the perfor-mance of the shuttlecock and the gameplay. Thirdly, dedicated badminton courts have rubber flooring, mostly called a Taraflex mat. The rubber mat hugely aids footwork and somehow reduces the tension and impact on a badminton player’s knees and joints.
Upon realizing this, Bong Tirol and Greg Keyser thought of building a dedicated badminton court in Boracay Island. The idea was received with enthusiasm, support and encouragement, even from non-Boracay residents who expressed excitement at the prospect of traveling to the island just to play at the brand new racquet club. So together with Chester Gellido and Atty. Raymund Lachica, Tirol and Keyser built Boracay’s first dedicated badminton court. Bong’s ever-supportive father, Admiral Leonard Tirol, was generous enough to share his property which is now the site of Boracay Racquet Club.
Sports Program
Aside from having an authentic indoor badminton court, according to Keyser, their
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |25health & wellbeing
leisure guide
Boracay Racquet Club: A Place Where You Can Smash! By Mark Cabrera
GOOD NEWS Boracay badminton fanatics! We now have a new indoor badminton haven. The Boracay Racquet Club opened it doors last July 14 at Zone 1 Diniwid, Baran-gay Balabag, Boracay.
How it Began
Boracay resident couple Greg and Chicklette Keyser have been playing badminton for years. They started playing badminton with a small group of friends in a gymnasium in Barangay Yapak, and soon enough, the group of badminton enthusiasts grew. Boracay residents Bong and Amanda Tirol tried the sport joined the badminton group.
Bong Tirol, a former varsity player, found out through his running gadget that given the same amount of time, playing badminton burns almost double the calories compared to running, which is his primary mode of exercise). He discovered that playing badminton was more challenging in a fun way. In badminton, you play against some-one or a team. You are challenged to use technique, strategy, skill and teamwork. You are challenged to train hard to develop endurance and the skills needed to win.
Badminton became a part of the group’s lives that whenever they would go to Manila, they would play badminton in ‘authentic’ badminton courts. At those badminton courts in Manila, they noticed that there was a huge difference playing in the Boracay gymnasium turned makeshift
Rates
The Boracay Racquet Club is at Zone 1 Diniwid, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island. They are open from 7AM to 10PM. Rates are at 200Php per head (play all you can) from 7AM to 4PM and at 350Php per hour from 5PM to 10PM. Trainer fee is 300Php per person per hour.
The facility has two badminton courts with Taraflex mats on wood flooring. Wearing badminton shoes or other non-marking rubber shoes are highly recommended. For reservations call (+63 999) 883 7968 or (+63 939) 936 2459.
| august 2014 |
Boracay Sun reviews Boracay’s top leisure activities.
The facility initially has two badminton courts with Taraflex mats on wood
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 16 and 25.pdf 1 7/24/14 11:57 PM
26| Boracay Sun |
health & wellbeing
healthy you
LEPTOSPIROSIS is a real threatBy Maria Cristina Teotico, MD
After graduating from the University of the Philippines, “Doc Girlie” found herself in Boracay and has considered it home for the past 15 years, deeply committed to a love for learning and in ensuring and providing the best health care possible for its residents and tourists, operating Metropolitan Doctors Clinics and Laboratory.
safety tips
Some organizations have been around for so long that it’s sometimes easy to take them for granted, familiarity breeding a kind of passive blasé regard, a kind of ‘what-have-you-do-ne-for-me-lately’ attitude. Quite a lot as it turns out…THE Red Cross on Boracay have been relentlessly doing their bit for the commu-nity for a very long time but it’s only when you really delve into their activities that you realize just how wide-ranging and hard-working they really are. They are involved with so many projects that it’s practically impossible to talk in depth about all of them.
They are involved in a lot of communi-ty-based training in Disaster Management, giving lessons and instruction on how to recognize potential risks in their area, how to prepare for them, and how to deal with them should they occur. They draw out maps of a region and help the locals work out where the risks are, where a river may overflow, potential fire hazards, areas which would be the weakest and most affected by an earthquake, before then training people up on First Aid, CPR, evacuation proce-dures, fire drills, and anything that may be of help in an emergency situation.
RED CROSS – Keep on keeping onBy Daniel Leemon
The regular section Safety Tips by Marlo Schönenberger of Red Cross Boracay-Malay chapter is making way for the special feature on Boracay Missions (Continued from the centerfold).
Disclaimer: It is not the intention of the editor to advise on health care. Please see a medical professional about any health concerns you may have.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN A CURE
1. Keep your house and surrounding areas clean.2. Parents should instruct children not to wade or swim in floodwaters.3. If exposure to flood waters is unavoidable, protective gear such as boots, goggles, overalls, and rubber gloves should be used.4. All food and drinking water should be protected against contamination. Fresh vegetables and fruit should be washed in previously boiled or clean water and then cooked or peeled. 5. Boil drinking water for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Physical filtration through ceramic or charcoal filters is not adequate for Leptospirosis.6. Food should be protected against rodent attack or contamination.7. If children are exposed to flood waters, antibiotic prophylaxis may decrease occurrence of clinical disease and mortality. Prophylactic antibiotics should be given under the supervision of a physician, who can give advice regarding effects, precautions and contraindications for these medications.
Habagat and the rains are here again, bring-ing with it a whole slew of diseases we need to protect ourselves from. As second in the series, we will try to give you a bird’s eye view of another real threat during the rainy season: Leptospirosis.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection acquired mainly by wading in water contaminated by infected rat’s urine. This is highly endemic in the Philippines. Outbreaks usually occur during the typhoon season.
Data from the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Epidemiology Center showed that the number of cases as of August 2013 alone reached 2,471, 62% higher than previous years.
Human leptospiral infections can occur when mucus membranes and skin are contaminated by the urine of infected animals, or upon ingestion of contaminated food and water, all of which may occur when an individual is exposed to flood waters. Thus the occurrence of freshwater flooding after typhoons or increased rainfall can lead to an increased risk of Leptospiro-sis.
Why is Leptospirosis bad?
Leptospirosis affects a wide variety of organs, like the brain, liver and kidneys. In its late stages, if left untreated, it can cause meningitis, liver damage and renal failure. According to Dr. Tayag of the DOH, “One out of 10 of those infected by Leptospirosis can have complications that can cause death. This includes acute renal failure requiring dialysis.”
Turn to page 20 for the special section on Boracay Missions.
| august 2014 |
Contracting the disease
When water with contaminated urine (most-ly from infected rats) comes into contact with open wounds, eyes, lips, or the genitals and anal area, the disease can immediately be transmitted to humans.
Protection is prevention
Avoiding wading in potentially contaminat-ed water and prevention of direct contact anywhere in your body with floodwater, especially if you have open wounds (even just a scratch), is the best protection against Leptospirosis. Using waterproof clothing such as boots or gloves is also helpful.
Even without a wound, Leptospirosis can enter the body through mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
How do we know if someone has Leptospi-rosis?
According the to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the time between exposure to a contaminated source and falling ill can be as short as two days, to as long as four weeks. Anyone with a history of wading through flooded waters and high-grade fever lasting more than two days should be brought to the nearest facility for evaluation.
What are the symptoms?
The problem with Leptospirosis is that it appears similar to other diseases. In its early states, mild Leptospirosis is hard to diagnose because many of the symptoms are similar to flu.
There are two main types of Leptospirosis: With mild Leptospirosis, a patient experi-ences muscle pains, chills and possibly a headache. 90% of cases are of this type. Severe Leptospirosis on the other hand can be life threatening, with a risk of organ failure and internal hemorrhaging. This occurs when the bacterium infects the kidneys, liver and other major organs. Experts are not sure why some patients develop the severe form, but people who are already very ill, such as those with pneumonia, young children under five, and elderly individuals are more susceptible.
Common symptoms include high-grade fever, chills, diarrhea, reddening of the eyes, severe headaches that can come on suddenly, muscle pain particularly in the lower back and calves, nausea, poor appe-tite, and skin pain.
Severe Leptospirosis affects vital organs like the liver, heart, kidneys, and the brain. The symptoms include fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, coughing up blood (in sever cases, the patient chokes on his own blood), swelling of hands, feet or ankles, jaundice (yellowing of eyes, tongue and skin), confusion/disorientation, seizures, and stiff neck. If left untreated, these are life threatening.
Prophylaxis is not 100% effective. Prevention of exposure is most prudent. Monitor all those exposed for the occurrence of symp-toms of leptospirosis. The early signs of infection occur between four and 10 days after exposure, and usually begin with a fever and an influenza-like illness. Head-aches, sensitivity to light, muscle and joint pains, vomiting and fatigue are also common. Seek medical attention once these symptoms are noted.
Leptospirosis is a real threat especially during floods. It's a difficult disease to diagnose and treat. So for those wading in the floods, especially those with open wounds, take Doxycycline 200mg maximum dose once weekly, EXCEPT CHILDREN, PREGNANT and LACTATING WOMEN and those with known ALLERGY to Doxy-cycline. If you are unsure, do not hesitate to ask and consult your health professional. Keep safe.
They helped repair classrooms and offered food relief and clothing after Yolanda hit, working together with various groups like the Boracay Fund, and they also run Blood Donation programs and education on Health & Hygiene, as well as psychosocial support for people who’ve been involved in catastrophes.
But it’s their work with the youth that deserves the biggest credit. They have established a division called the Red Cross Youth, through which they not only educate and train up local children of all ages on a vast array of topics and skills, but they also do something far more important… they empower them and teach them how to take on responsibility, a mindset which is so vital in every aspect of life but which does not come naturally to the average child from the provinces.
They set up a Red Cross Council in each school, made up solely of students, where-by the students take command, organizing and leading different exercises and educa-tional sessions. They have all manner of meetings, field trips, youth camps, and training days where they’re coached and taught a vast array of skills, like CPR, First Aid, and lifeguard training, and where they take part in team building activities and crisis management preparation techniques. They even manage to make it super fun and competitive by hosting an annual First Aid and Lifeguard Olympics on the beach where different schools take part in races and events designed to test their knowledge and proficiency at what they’ve learnt.
The kids, who are also introduced to other NGOs in the region and taught the basics of environmental issues and conservational practices, get together and elect a president, and that kid ends up sitting in on the Red Cross Board meetings, getting more invalu-able life education.
The Red Cross has also set up an entirely different project for these kids but with the same end goal. T.E.D. (Technology Educa-tion Design) is a very simple idea, just a forum to teach public speaking, where the kids take the stage and give a talk on any subject within the T.E.D. umbrella. The reason for this, as well as the different camps, team building exercises, and the Youth Councils, is to give them something which is invaluable: confidence.
It’s all very well having the skills and the knowledge to do whatever it is you wish to do, but if you don’t have the confidence to believe that you can be successful then all your skills will merely amount to wasted talent. This is especially important in the poorest regions in the provinces where the kids grow up thinking their life is pre-ordained and where aspirations tend to be pretty limited. This is possibly one of the most important aspects of the Red Cross effort, despite the many other wonderful facets to their organization.
It all started in Switzerland in 1859, it has achieved so much all over the world, and
for what seems like forever.
But these guys just keep going. Kudos and respect.
For more information and for donations please visit their website at www.red-cross.org.ph or find Philippine Red Cross Boracay Malay Chapter on Facebook.
it is one of the most recognizable symbols on the planet. The Malay chapter of the organization is a mere blip on the radar yet the work they carry out is beneficial to so many people, but it goes by largely unnoticed, mostly due to the fact that they’ve been a part of the landscape
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 15 and 26.pdf 2 7/24/14 10:33 PM
bikini body always and forever| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |
27health & wellbeing
Sierra Bullock with her Master of Science in Nutrition and over 15 years of teaching yoga is a Holistic Health Coach, Mother, Wife, Mind-ful Schools advocate and CrossFit enthusiast!
ALLERGIES are debilitating. They stop us in our tracks and can wreak havoc on an otherwise perfect day.
With the Habagat winds come a variety of allergens. Allergies have a lot to do with pollen, but it also comes from the food we eat. No, I’m not going to focus on food allergies, however they do go hand in hand. Remember, for ‘bikini bodies’ food is medi-cine, and the food we consume will contrib-ute to making our symptoms better or worse.
Most of us with these types of allergies focus on the nose/sinuses, itchy eyes, itchy throat and difficulty with breathing. It is important to keep in mind that the systems of our body are all interconnected. Our body functions not as separate parts but as a complete, integrated, interdependent whole. With our approach to allergies we need to consider the immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, body’s electric system, psychological system and digestive system.
Depleting foods adds to our allergic inflam-matory response, and harm our digestive system leaving most of us with some kind altered intestinal permeability also known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’. This ‘leaky gut’ creates more inflammation in our body causing our allergic symptoms to get worse. So if your primary immune system is deficient and you have a ‘leaky gut’ your position with the Habagat winds and allergies does not stand a chance.
Coping withAllergy SeasonBy Sierra Bullock
Plan of Action
Remember we spoke a few months ago that consistency brings results. Allergies are complex so let’s keep this simple, accessible and most important, let’s be consistent.
1. Revisit and practice consuming nourishing foods and beverages. Avoid all depleting foods especially sugar- and alcohol-contain-ing foods and drinks. Avoid packaged sauces, ketchup, and dressings etc. that contain sugar - read labels. Our body is designed to cope with about two teaspoons of sugar a day. More than that disrupts our body’s ‘sugar equilibrium’. These disruptions stress our body and overload the adrenal glands and pancreas (endocrine system), which are critical to controlling allergies.
2. Drink adequate amounts of water. Water is nectar for our body and you (allergic person) need to have enough water intake to keep all the nutrients you are consuming in a solution available to repair cells and provide nourishment. Most importantly, water is required to flush chemical and biological toxins and waste products from cells. It is this flushing that helps to reduce the total overload of the allergic person.
3. Avoid foods and plant products that cause inflammation such as members of the night-shade food family: eggplant, potato, tomato, pimento, peppers and tobacco.
4. Avoid being outdoors when it’s windy and pollen count is high (it’s time to enjoy the Bulabog side of the island). Plants release most pollen in the morning and some of them before the sun rises. Limit your outdoor activities in the morning or wear a dust mask. They are available in the pharma-cy stores in D’Mall and along the main road.
5. Those of you with long hair or wear your hair loose, put on a hat when you go outdoors then leave the hat outside when you go indoors and remember to wash your hair at night to reduce pollen in your bedding. You can even bring a change of shirt to the office to help reduce your symp-toms while at work.
6. Allow yourself at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. The immune system does all of its hard work when you are sleeping. The less sleep you have the less time your immune system has to keep you healthy and eat up the free radicals that cause inflammation.
7. Vitamin C with bioflavanoids and/or quercetin helps reduce inflammation in the body. If you are inspired to treat your symp-toms with natural supplements, consult a certified nutritionist or holistic health practi-tioner.
8. Cultured and fermented food and beverag-es contain good bacteria such as probiotics and enzymes needed for proper digestion. Help rebuild your gastrointestinal tract and keep it strong with cultured foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi etc. and fermented bever-ages such as kombucha or fermented coconut water (buko juice).
For an inspiring read on fermented foods check out Sandor Katz’s book “Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation”.
A note on yogurt: Although it does contain probiotics, yogurt made from milk causes inflammation and those of us with sinus allergies will help reduce symptoms if they avoid all diary products.
Restaurant Tip:
The Fry Man across the lake from D’Mall serves a variety of fermented vegetables with all their meals. It’s one of my favorite places to go when I want a good boost of probiotics and digestive enzymes.
CABBAGE (Homemade Sauerkraut)Yield: 1 gallon; Serving Size: 1/2 cupPrep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes
A simple recipe to make traditional, lacto-fer-mented, homemade sauerkraut using only cabbage, salt and time.
Ingredients
2 medium cabbage heads (about 2 to 3 kilos), cored and finely shredded2 tablespoons sea salt
Procedure
1. Toss cabbage and salt together in a large mixing bowl and begin to squeeze the cabbage and salt together with your hands, kneading it thoroughly to break up the cellular structure of the shredded cabbage.2. When the cabbage has become limp and releases its juice, transfer it to a sauerkraut crock or vegetable fermenter. Pack the salted cabbage into the crock or fermenter as tightly as you can, eliminating air bubbles. A kraut pounder is particularly helpful in packing the cabbage tight within the crock. 3. Continue packing the cabbage into the container until the cabbage is completely submerged by liquid. Cover loosely and allow it to sit at room temperature, undisturbed, for at least 1 month and up to 6 months, testing the sauerkraut every few days until it is done to your liking. Transfer to the refrigerator or other cold storage where it should keep for at least 6 months and up to 1 year.
Sierra’s Tip: if you do not have a crock or fermenter, you may use a large jar with a wide opening then use a plate or smaller jar to weigh down the cabbage then cover with a cheesecloth or cloth to keep insects and flies out of jar.
Recipe from Jenny McGruther of Nourished Kitchen (www.nourishedkitchen.com/home-made-sauerkraut/)
| august 2014 |
Let me know what health & nutrition topics you would like to read about here, or share
your healthy recipe or restaurant tips to [email protected].
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 14 and 27.pdf 1 7/25/14 12:00 AM
get fit28 health & wellbeing
Boracay’sFitness GymsBy Mark Cabrera
Mark Andrew J. Cabrera is a jack-of-all-trades. He is a business consultant, culinarian, entrepre-neur, coach, sports fanatic, lifeguard, and a devoted family man.
During Habagat season, the strong winds and occasional rain will make the playing conditions of the beach very challenging, making it almost impossible to do fitness activities outdoors. So what do the athletes and health buffs do when the beach is closed for their fitness activities? How do they maintain their fitness levels? They go indoors!
Boracay Island is now equipped with indoor fitness facilities that can accommodate all types and levels.
This is the second of two parts.
THE FITNESS CENTERat The Tides HotelOpen from 9AM to 9PM
Location: Second floor, The Tides Hotel, D’Mall, Station 2. Contact number: (+63 36) 288 4517 local 8005Rates and Inclusions: Daily rate is 300Php, monthly rate is 3,000Php, quarterly rate is 6,000Php, semi-annual rate is 10,000Php and the Yearly rate is 15,000Php. The gym rates include free use of the roof deck swimming pool, hot and cold shower, drinking water and free Wi-Fi connection.Facility Equipment: Body - Solid gym equipment include the treadmill machine, bike machine, elliptical machine, smith machine, a multi-press machine and a solid cable crossover machine. The gym also uses solid end rubber dumbbells, a rubber Olym-pic grip disc set and several gym Balls. They also have a boxing bag, Olympic bars with collars and an Olympic EZ bar with collars.Special feature: The membership packages include free use of the roof deck swimming pool. You have a very nice view of The Tides Hotel center garden from the gym’s
glass wall. The gym has an in-house fitness instructor, Sandel Francisco. Celebrities have been seen working out a sweat at this gym.
THE HEALTH CLUBat Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and SpaOpen from 6AM to 10PM
Location: The Health Club is situated at the heart of Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa in Barangay Yapak and is equipped with world-class amenities. Contact number: (+63 36) 288 4988Rates and Inclusions: Membership fees are as follows: Joining fee is 14,000Php; semi-annual fee is 36,500Php, and annual fee is 56,000Php. This exclusive health club offers the follow-ing membership benefits: Access to all the Health Club facilities: gym, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi; outdoor tennis courts; resort beach and swimming pool; and access to Adventure Zone and the Entertainment Center;Complimentary one (1) hour use of the following non-motorized water sports activi-ties: kayak, snorkeling, Hobie cat and paddleboard;Complimentary round trip scheduled shuttle service from D’Mall to the resort;20% discount on food and beverage from the resort’s restaurants and bars and at CHI, The Spa; 5% discount on salon treatments; and 10% discount at Regalo Boutique;Yoga class (Tuesdays and Saturdays at 4PM) and Zumba class (Mondays and Fridays at 4PM).Facility Equipment: The Health Club is proud of their Life Fitness line of exercise equipment. It’s a complete line of cardio and strength machines that are very well main-tained. In fact, Life Fitness sends a technical staff to check on the fitness machines quarterly. Aside from the gym, members also can enjoy playing air hockey, arcade basket-ball, Ping-Pong and even video games in the Entertainment Center and the Adventure Zone.Special feature: Aside from the complete list of state-of-the-art exercise equipment and the world-class amenities mentioned, The Health Club is also proud to carry Shangri-La’s brand of five-star treatment from the gym, tennis, yoga, Zumba, and swimming instruc-tors to the gym attendants. Their locker
room reminded me of an exclusive Golf Club. In case you left your shoes at home, no worries because the Health Club has clean gym shoes for you. Sightings of Holly-wood celebrities are a common sight as they enjoy the Shangri-La’s exclusivity and priva-cy.
LEGACY GYM BORACAYOpen from 8AM Mondays to Saturdays, personal training on Sundays
BODYFIT20 GYMOpen from 10AM to 7PM
Location: Islakite Kitesurf School, Bulabog Beach. Contact number: (+63 36) 288 5352Rates and Inclusions: EMS sessions are 1, 000Php per session, inclusive of the use of Body Fit20 facilities, rental of exercise suits, one-on-one sessions with the fitness instruc-tor. Facility Equipment: BodyFit20 gym is equipped with a state of the art Miha body-tec EMS (Electro Muscular Stimulation) machine sand individual EMS body suits. There are no treadmill, elliptical or cardio machines in the facility.Special feature: BodyFit20 is the only gym that offers a unique EMS technology for health and fitness in the country. From a technical point of view, it is a full body training exercise using impulse current. This is achieved by applying EMS electrodes to the skin directly above the muscle. EMS is simply a selective intensification of electrical stimuli from the outside. You gain the best results if you are working out actively while using our EMS device. Muscles are further stimulated through the electrodes while doing a series of low-impact exercises. This combined training leads to an additional increase of tension producing highly effec-tive training results. Your personal trainer can control each muscle group by adjusting the training intensity according to your individual goals. With EMS you achieve visible and tangible success in a very short time. Bottom line, you only need 20 minutes of EMS fitness training a week to achieve the same results as going to a regular gym three times a week. This fitness system helps in your muscle formation, weight reduction and back stabilization. So if you have a very busy schedule and you want to minimize the risk of injury while lifting heavy loads, then this is the perfect fitness regimen for you.
Time to sign up!
Location: 0915 Diniwid Road. The Gym is located at the top of a mountain within a Diniwid residential area. From Diniwid road heading to the beach, look for the “Legacy Gym This way!” sign and take a short hike along the path to the top of the hill. Contact number: (+63 908) 535 1939Rates and Inclusions: Training fees are 500Php per session, 800Php per day for all scheduled sessions, 3,000Php per week, and 10,000Php per month. Training plus room accommodation fees are 6,000Php per week and 20,000Php per month.Private lessons are 800Php for Boxing, 1,000Php for Muay Thai and 1,000Php for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kindly contact the gym for local rates and promos.Facility Equipment: Legacy gym is a fighter’s gym with two boxing rings, 11 punching bags, speed bags, a full size octagon cage, and weights equipment. They also have 10 private rooms available for visiting fighters and guests.Special feature: Legacy Gym offers a hardcore, tough and highly effective fitness alternative to Boracay’s Gym options, with multiple martial arts training sessions. Aside from traditional Muay Thai that Legacy Gym has long been known for, they are now focusing on Western boxing. They also have a world-class MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program, which is currently thriving in the Philippines. Legacy Gym Boracay has become a destination gym among fighters around the world.
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 13 and 28.pdf 2 7/24/14 10:37 PM
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |29
| august 2014 | people
eurekaAs Lewis Carroll’s inquisitive Alice in Wonderland said, “Curiouser and curiouser!” A special section for curious minds explores the intricacies of pop culture, probing into the origins of modern trends, in a fun sociological expedition towards understanding our madly astounding world and appreciating our humanity today. Pauline Astronaut is a Mass Communication graduate from ISCOM Paris and studied journalism, sociology and Audio-visuel/Multimedia as her areas of specialty.
INKEDBy Pauline Astronaut
Probing into the Filipino’s indeli-ble history engraved through tattoosONE thing most people want to tick off their bucket list when coming to Boracay is to get a permanent or a henna tattoo. No longer considered taboo, tattoos have become an accepted form of personal expression, a fashion statement of coolness the world over, or something to commemo-rate a milestone (or a really wild night!). But did you know that tattoos have been a part of Philippine history way before the Spanish occupation?
Tattooing in the Philippines was first documented when the Spanish explorers landed in the Philippine Islands at the end of the 16th century. The Bontoc Igorot, Ifugao and Kalinga people of Northern Luzon are the most recognized tattooed indigenous peoples of the Philippines. The natives of the Visayan Islands were even called ‘pintados’ (the painted ones) by the Spaniards when they first visited this part of the country in 1521. Most of their body was covered in tattoos, with the exception of their hands and feet.
Privateer William Dampier was so impressed
by their tattooed bodies that in 1692, he bought Prince Giolo, a native from Miangas (a southern island part of the Philippines) and brought him to England for a public exhibition to showcase his fully tattooed body.
“Tattooing used to be a ranking and a way to prove accomplishments within the tribe. In the Igorot tribes, it was a reward to a warrior after practicing headhunting,” explains Khym Gangis, tattoo artist and owner of Under Ground Tattoo, in station 2. They would use tattoos to distinguish the status of the headhunter in the community and how many heads he collected during a hunt.
The Kalinga tribe would start by tattooing the hands and wrists of the hunter after their first kill. The more heads he would sever in future hunts, the more elaborate the design. Tattoo designs and styles varied depending on the region or the tribe. Some warriors even wore tattoos on their heads as signs of strength.
But this art was not reserved only for the men. Women were often tattooed to serve as clothing, to enhance their beauty and help in fertility. Tattoos were, indeed believed to possess spiritual and magical powers that would protect and give strength to the people.
Way before the magnetic and rotary tattoo machines, the methods and tools of ancient Filipino tattoos would also vary from tribe to tribe. Some would use a sharpened object like a thorn, wood or animal bone and attach it to a stick. They would tap or poke into the skin with a wooden hammer until the ink is applied. Other tribes would make numerous cuts to the skin then rub some black powder into the wound. The black pigment often came from tree resin and soot. Back then, tattoos were not for everyone. Most tribes had one tattooist and one had to be worthy of having a tattoo.
In the National Museum of the Philippines, one can admire the tattooed body of
mummy Apo Anno, that has been preserved for 400 years. He must have been a great warrior and hunter, judging by the tattoos covering his body from the forehead to the soles of his feet. Unfortunately, the mission-ary schools started to discourage this practice in the late 1940’s, after World War II. If you go to North Luzon, you might see people older than 60 wearing tattoos but not the younger ones.
Get inked safely
When choosing a shop to get inked, always remember to get to know the establishment and artist. Ask to see their license, if they are using disposable needles, and where are their inks come from. If this is your first tattoo, ask to test the ink on a very small part of your skin so you know if you are allergic to the ink or not. For regular blood donors, remember you are required to wait a year after getting a tattoo or getting pierced before giving blood safely.
Boracay Sun recommends:
One of Boracay’s most renowned tattoo shops is Yanninks Tattoo in Station 3, owned by Ryan Saltiga. Approached by Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, lead singer of the band Journey, Arnel Pineda and Manny Pacquiao, Ryan believes they chose him for his skills, and the trust followed. The 34-year old family man who also sings and plays the guitar at Bombom and Pats Creeks Bar, was discovered in Cebu in 2002 by a group of tattoo artists and he became certified in 2004. Now settled in Switzerland with his wife Jessica and their two children, Ryan is a head artist at 2NDSKIN Tattoo/Piercing in Zurich. The company, which has four studios around Zurich, hired Ryan for his style in tattooing, which is more realism tattoo art. Despite moving to Switzerland, his tattoo shop didn’t loose any of its fame. Ryan’s right hand man Bebot and his four in-house artists are there to take care of your tattoo needs.
Under Ground Tattoo located within Exit bar, is owned by Khym Gangis. Born in
Cebu and raised in the Buga Buga moun-tains of Leyte, Khym grew up watching his grandfather carve wood as he told him stories of his own grand-dad, a traditional tattoo artist. Khym learned how to carve and to draw. In 1992, he discovered tattoo machines in Cebu. Hired by Dagat and Dencio in Boracay, Khym worked and honed his craft for four years before winning the Tattoo Wars 2011, after which he opened his own shop. He still loves doing traditional bamboo tattoos but tells us that the environ-ment must be ideal. His dream is to build a kubo (hut) on the mainland near the river, where he could bring his guests who want to experience the traditional tattoos. “It’s different to focus on traditions when you are in a building. It’s important to do it surrounded by nature, without crowd, noise. There should be a fireplace and open air,” Khym explains.
P&P Tattoo at the center of D’Mall opened in November 2011. A very well established tattoo shop with four branches around the country, it is owned by Ron Poe (a well-known DJ and the son of the late FPJ). You are in good hands at the Boracay branch with in-house artists Kyle and Bongz. Famous actor Jericho Rosales chose Kyle to ink him before his wedding in Boracay.
1908 postcard traditional view of young Igorot male
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 12 and 29.pdf 1 7/25/14 12:22 AM
30| Boracay Sun |
gourmet guideindulge
Boracay Sun’s restaurant guide with ratings and reviews by a select panel from the staff, local foodies and F&B professionals, to help you decide where to dine in Bora-cay.
HOLE-in-the wall restaurants rarely conjure up positive attributes when it comes to the quality of food. Most impressions on these obscure establish-ments are that they will never be up to par with your value-for-money as most restaurants. However, there will be hidden gems here and there. Keeping an open mind and having a taste for new dining experiences will help bring out your inner foodie and will take you to new epicurean heights you never thought you would reach.
Nice Place World Food Art Café is one of the latest additions to the fast grow-ing roster of restaurants in the Bulabog area. Take it at face value and enjoy it for what it is – a small, homegrown and kitsch specialty restaurant. It’s everything that comes to mind when you say ‘art café’. The restaurant is adorned with artwork by various local artists (which are for sale), on some nights you may catch an open jam session and a quick visit to the second floor will lead you to one of Boracay’s newest tattoo shops.
The dishes that Nice Place offers are nothing short of masterpieces them-selves. Top recommendations are the Stuffed Dynamite Poppers – a generous serving of chili peppers stuffed with cheese, wrapped in batter; Beef Rogan Josh Curry Meatballs – meatballs with a twist! This dish brings an explosion of exotic flavors which you can’t quite grasp, but will leave you craving for more and make this a staple dish to order whenever you return; then there’s, the Nice Place Burger – a burger that comes with its own instructions, it’s a hearty serving of bone marrow patty, lettuce, onions, tomatoes and American cheddar with a side of potato wedges.
Nice Place is owned and operated by Malaya Pasion and Datu Yap. A quick word with one of the owners revealed exciting and positive projections for that Bulabog road. “Well my vision for Bulabog is to have more small specialty restos and call it ‘Boracay Eat Sreet’. In that way, we can attract tourists and other travelers to engage in boosting the Bulabog economy. Meanwhile, Datu and I have been toying with the idea of having our own version of weekend night markets in the street where Nice Place is, prioritizing the artists, musi-cians and small entrepreneurs with their own products, and a flea market to spice it up more. We wanted to call the street, ‘D’Nice street’ – in the tradition of ‘D'Mall’, ‘D'Talipapa and so forth. But this thing will require a lot of help to put together, especially since Datu and I have other things on our plate. It will be awesome if people like you or your outfit could actually help us in making this thing possible in the nearest future... That's the vision so far,” Malaya reveals.
The name of the establishment speaks
| august 2014 |
NICE PLACEWORLD FOODART CAFÉBy Monique Tolentino
Nice Place on Nice Street
The nice guys of Nice Place with CEO Datu Yap (2nd from right), co-owner Malaya Pasion (center), Chef Justin Ponce-Enrile Yenko (in between), Andrew Espiritu and the gang
The Nice Place BurgerStuffed Dynamite Poppers Mixed media pieces on display by Norielle ‘Skinny’ Herrera
Co-owner Malaya PasionNice Place World Food Art Cafe CEO Datu Yap
Chef Justin Ponce-Enrile Yenko, food and operations director
‘Dolphy, the Joker’ by James Mendoza
for itself. With its all around good vibes and the chill, laid back environment, this little specialty restaurant is quickly becoming a favorite among locals and a must-try dining experience for tourists. Just make sure to bring extra patience along with a good appetite!
Visit Nice Place World Food Art Café on Facebook.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 11 and 30.pdf 2 7/25/14 12:16 AM
boracay sun recommends| Boracay Sun || august 2014 |
31indulge
lberto's Italian Cuisine
Aria PizzaBite ClubBoracay KitchenCafé del SolChopstickCocomangasCymaDemario PizzaGerry's GrillHamaKasbah Moroccan CaféKing’s Cuisine
McDonald’s BoracayNiu Ohana Bar & RestoReal Co�eeSbarroShakey’sSmoke RestoThai BasilTilapia 'N Chips
Tito’s GrillValhalla Bar and RestaurantYellow Cab
288 2815,
(+63 999) 909 2178
288 5573
288 5947
288 2410
288 6223 or 288 5573
288 6784
288 4455
288 4283
288 3601
288 1459
288 5978
288 4790
288 2876,
(+63 917) 894 2404
288 6236
288 3409 or 288 3737
288 5340
288 2542
288 1777
288 6014
288 2787
288 2283,
(+63 917) 328 7123
288 2369
288 5979
288 5550
Restaurants
Astoria Boracay Dinner Buffet at Astoria Boracay; (+ 63 36) 288 3657Hama at D’Mall plaza, Station 2; (+63 36) 288 5978Pirates’ Arm Bar & Restaurant at Paradise Garden Boracay Resort; (+63 36) 288 3727 to 30Sea Breeze Café at Boracay Regency Beach Resort & Spa, Station 2; (+63 36) 288 6111Star Lounge at the 3F of The District Hotel, Station2Sunny Side Café at the Sands Hotel beachfront, Station 3Sushi Shi-ro at Road 1-A Bulabog; (+63 36) 288 2587 or 288 3727Tsukiji Sushi Bar at Sea Gaia Dive & Resort, Station 1; (+63 36) 288 3661
Resto-Bars
Aplaya at Boracay Beach Resort, Station 2Hey Jude South Beach along Angol, Station 3Spider House at the end of Diniwid Beach coveStar Lounge at the 3rd floor, The District Hotel, Station 2White House Beach Lounge at White House Beach Resort, Station 1
Accommodations
Balinghai Beach Resort at North White Beach; (+63 36) 288 3646; www.baling-hai.comBlue Lotus, main road, Station 2; (+63 36) 288 3380Boracay Kite Apartments along Bulabog Road near Bloomfield; (+63 36) 288 1482Diniview Villas at Diniwid Beach; (+63 917) 799 2029; www.diniviewboracay.com
Discovery Shores Boracay along Station 1; (+63 36) 288 4500; www.discoveryhotels-re-sorts.comFrendz Resort along Station 1; (+63 929) 8023801Lazy Dog Bed and Breakfast at Bulabog Beach; (+63 36) 288 4128; www.thelazy-dogboracay.comMandala Spa & Villas, main road, Station 3; (+63 36) 288 5858; www.mandalas-pa.comNezima Beach House at North White Beach; (+63 36) 288 5798Ralph’s Place Bulabog Beach; (+63 36) 288 3374Shangri-la’s Boracay Resort and Spa at North White Beach; (+63 36) 288 4988; www.shangri-la.comTreehouse is along Angol; (+63 36) 288 4386; (+63 916) 341 4031 / (+63 929) 293 8477
Leisure Activities
Ariel’s Point thru Ariel’s House (+ 63 36) 288 4853X-treme Fun Flyboarding at (+63 910) 230 0000Gypsea Divers at (+63 999) 900 0100Mandala Spa & Villas at (+63 36) 288 5858; www.mandalaspa.com
Spider House
Hey Jude South Beach
Sunny Side Café’s Blueberry and Cream Pancackes
Ralph’s Place
X-treme Fun Flyboarding
Diniview Villas
FOOD DELIVERY DIRECTORY
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 10 and 31.pdf 1 7/25/14 12:17 AM
32| Boracay Sun |
kusina affairsindulge
Boracay chef Rea Anchores, one of the kitchen masters behind the well-loved Smoke Restaurant introduces Filipino cuisine 101 for foreigners, with insights on Filipino cuisine, enticing recipes and foodie insider tips on where to grab the best Filipino grub.
Wonder SoupBy Rea Anchores
PESANG ISDA (FISH TINOLA)Serves 2 to 3
Ingredients 3-4 pieces tilapia or snapper fillets (medium size)4 thumb-sized ginger, crushed1 small onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1 stalk lemongrass, pounded2 cups rice washing1 medium potato, cubed1cup bokchoy or cabbage leaves3 tablespoons oilFish sauce or salt and pepper to taste
Procedure
1. Sauté ginger, onion and garlic in oil until soft and brown. Add rice washing and lemongrass. Let it boil. Once boiling, add potatoes and reduce heat to let it simmer.2. Once potatoes are almost done, add the fish fillets. Add fish sauce or salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 2 minutes then add the bokchoy or cabbage leaves.3. Let it simmer for 1 minute until leaves are cooked. Serve hot.
Cooking Tip: Rice washing is simply water from washing the rice before you cook it. Normally we throw the first water used to wash rice and we use the second wash for cooking soup. The rice washing gives the soup a richer flavor.
THE rainy season has been drenching Boracay and the rest of the country with nonstop rain, and with it, the seasonal cough and cold. A traditional Filipino dish that is a favorite for the inclement weather is the Tinola. If I were asked for an old wives’ tale cure for the common cough and cold, this would be it. Just like the mythical soups of other cultures, this soothing soup is good for restoring one’s health.
Tinola is a ginger based soup that can be cooked with meat or seafood. It is the ginger that defines this dish and gives it its distinct tangy taste and aroma, as well as the broth’s medicinal effects. It is believed that if you drink ginger tea or salabat, as we call it, it can cure one’s cough or sore throat and even gives you a better singing voice. No wonder Filipinos are fond of karaoke singing especially during the rainy days.
A traditional tinola recipe would be cooked with chicken, green papaya, sautéed ginger, onion and garlic, with a bunch of bird’s eye chili leaves thrown into the mix. In the Visayas area, the use of malunggay (morin-ga) leaves and sayote (chayote) is more common. Both papaya and sayote are fruits but papaya would be more seasonal compared to the latter. Green papaya has a sweeter taste but a mushier texture when cooked compared to the sayote, which is much firmer but a bit bland in comparison.
A variation to chicken tinola, some recipes
use fish or mussels in the soup. The Luzon provinces, especially the Tagalogs, refer to fish tinola as pesang isda but in the Visayas area, it is still called tinolang isda. In Cebu, an island in the Visayas region, they have a version of tinola using only vegetables called Utan Bisaya. It is a vegetable broth dish with of course ginger and a variety of vegetables like squash, long beans, tomatoes, okra, eggplant and malunggay leaves.
Tinola is such a staple food for Filipino families that even our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, loved to eat it and even mentioned the dish in one of his first novels, “Noli Me Tangere” (“Touch Me Not”). Known for his literary wit, Rizal was able to represent Filipino culture and how we show our respect and disdain to another person through our food. In the said novel, Kapitan Tiago served chicken tinola to his guest Crisostomo Ibarra, who then just arrived from Europe. Ibarra was served the best part, which was the breast and to the dismay of the corrupt Spanish friar Padre Damaso, who was given the neck part, which was considered the least favored. The scene subtlety depicted what Filipino norms and customs were and how even in food, one’s culture persists.
If you ask me where to sample the best tinola on the island, I would say, in any Filipino home. But that said, you can also enjoy it all over Boracay, or at these restau-rants: Station 1: Boracay Kitchen, Kolai Mangyan, Maya’s Restaurant; Station 2: Damiana Restaurant, Pamana, Bombom Bar, Smoke Resto, Jasper’s; Bulabog: Munchies; D’Talipapa: You can buy your meat or
seafood in the market and ask one of the restaurants to cook it tinola-style. (I suggest trying it with fresh mussels!)
Should you have a craving of this wonderful soup and would like to share it with your
DAMIANA’S CHICKEN TINOLA By Chef June VinoServes 3 to 4
Ingredients
¾ kilo chicken, cut into pieces3 thumb-sized ginger, thinly sliced1 medium onion, sliced thinly2 pieces chili fingersFish sauce to taste1 cup malunggay (moringga) and sili (bird’s eye chili) leaves1 cup green Papaya wedges4 cups coconut water4 tablespoons oil
Procedure
1. Sauté ginger and onion in hot oil. Add chicken and cook until browned.2. Add coconut water and bring to boil. Let it simmer until chicken is tender.1. Add green papaya wedges and chili fingers once chicken is halfway tender. Add fish sauce to taste.4. Add malunggay and sili leaves once chicken and papaya are cooked. Serve hot with rice.
Damiana’s Chicken Tinola (Photo courtesy of Chef June Vino)
Fish Tinola (Source: www.angsarap.net)
family, here are two recipes that you might want to experiment on. Chef June Vino of Damiana’s Restaurant kindly shared his recipe for their Chicken Tinola and another is my mother-in-law’s Pesang Isda recipe. Enjoy!
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 9 and 32.pdf 2 7/24/14 11:31 PM
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |33
desireindulge
Look Good in Bad WeatherBy Monique Tolentino
Beanies & Crochet Hats – Beanies are always on trend especially in cold seasons. They not only add some style to your look, but keep your head toasty and dry as well. We love how they look paired with a chunky scarf. Check out The Beanie House on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thebeanie-house), Beanie Bums on Twitter (www.twit-ter.com/beaniebums) and Fancy Crochet on Instagram (www.instagram.com/fcwadab) for colors and styles to suit your mood this season!
Kokoon – Kokoon by Headware is one of the latest babies by this multipurpose brand. Not only can it keep you warm on those cold days but it also serves as a full body cover, a sling bag another, a towel, skirt, and a scarf all in one. Currently offered in three colors (red, black, and blue), the Kokoon measures 177 x 77 cm and is available for Php1,195. Grab your own Kokoon from the following retail partners: in Boracay – Body & Soul, Hangin, Kite Asia, Happy Planet, Mandala Spa & Villas, Pinas Kite Boarding, Stables, Habagat; Planet Sports; ROX; Stables; Joanna’s (Balesin). For more information, visit www.face-book.com/the.headware.
WITH the Habagat gloom and schizophrenic weather we’ve been experiencing on the island lately, it can be quite a challenge to dress to impress or feel warm and toasty without looking like you raided your grand-mother’s linen closet.
It can definitely be tough to dress for a rainy day because there are so many things to consider. From what type of material you can wear, to how to stay dry without sacrificing style, dressing well when it’s pouring out requires a little planning in advance.
Don’t worry, though! It’s easier than most people think. You can avoid becoming a rainy day disaster, however, simply by looking for waterproof clothing that flatters your figure and appeases your personality.
Here are some style ideas to brighten up your rainy day.
Scarves – When it's raining and getting extra cold, layering up is the best style solution for any look and the perfect piece to use is always a scarf. It's not only a chic accessory but it can keep you warm and shield you from the rain, plus you have tons of options with how you wish to style it with your outfit. Whether you're sporting a sun dress or your favorite tank top and shorts, adding a colorful scarf is always a good idea. Scarves are available almost everywhere and can go for up to Php200 to Php500 and up depending on the brand and material. Checkout Color Blush Manila on Facebook (www.facebook.com/colorblush) to get your fix of this style essential.
pines and go for Php250 to Php350 per piece. You may also find a cute selection of these umbrellas with quirky designs at www.luckycowshop.com.
| august 2014 |
Dome Umbrellas – Umbrellas serve the purpose of shielding you from the rain, but they don’t only provide you with protection from harsh elements, the right one can also serve as a perfect rainy day accessory. Dome umbrellas are the latest and cutest trends this season! These are available in various online stores such as Cash Pinoy and OLX Philip-
Keep A Sunny Attitude - No matter what you're wearing, you'll stand out in the rain if you can manage to smile and be happy in your dismal surroundings. Embrace the day, and don't worry too much about getting wet - your smile will make up for any shortcomings in your outfit.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 8 and 33.pdf 1 7/24/14 8:24 PM
34| Boracay Sun |
sunset to sundown
The Blind Side
indulge
The Blind Side is a regular section dedicated to music fans looking for the perfect Bora-cay beach soundtrack, straight from local DJ Reo Mendoza’s playlist. Named after his weekly radio show “The Blind Side With Reo” on 106.1 FM and live streaming online at www.radioboracay.com/fm-106-1/ (every Saturday from 3 to 6PM).
You’ll find DJ Reo arresting the Boracay crowds at AREA 51 on the monthly Jungle Black Moon and Full Moon parties. Known for his eclectic brand of dance and house music, he is unashamed of his populist appeal, and his raw musical sincerity comes through with every musical journey he takes you on. “A good DJ lives and breathes his music.”
music
by dj reo mendoza
Top Tenhabagat dance
music hits
Top Tenhabagat dance
music hits
Top Tenhabagat dance
music hits
It’s all about Tech House, Deep House, House, and Techno!
Bigger Than Prince (Jay Lumen Remix) - Green Velvet Jay Lumen comes out with a remix, definitely a dance floor filler.
Forget - Patrick Topping A hit making it the most ʻShazamedʼ track in Ibiza now!
How I Do - Tapesh & Dayne S This is a great remix of the sample “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
Jungle Line (Eats Everything Modernisa-tion) - Sundowners, Mystic Bill A re-issue from the classic stable, the record was a staple part of Luke Solomon and Kenny Hawkes̓ DJ sets throughout the Girls FM and Bar Rumba/ Space years.
Rules Of Engagement - Gene Farris, Sonny Fodera Love this track from the “Cosmos” album and its Scarface quote.
La Boriqua - Rancha Tek, Stanny Abram, Dos Padres From the hit sample “Heater” to “Coco Loco” now comes “La Boriqua.”
Zona Norte - My Digital Enemy High energy track with a great vibe for those Habagat parties!
Con Son - David Penn, Hosse House music producer David Penn̓s latest in his annual “Ibized” compilation series which showcases the authentic Balearic sounds that have helped establish Ibiza as the go-to destination for the world̓s most revered DJs.
All Night - Maurice Tamraz With this trackʼs familiar sample, you would make your way to the dance floor.
Cafe Del Mar - The Groove Ministers, Fran Ramirez, Mich Golden A familiar track from way back that will blow our mind!
WHERE THE SUN RISEStBy Monique Tolentino
BULABOG Beach is quickly gaining more popularity these days – mostly for being known as the number one kitesurfing beach in Asia. On this strip of sand you will see a different side of Boracay. Hilltop retreats, breath-taking sunrises and the awe-inspiring moon rise over the more quiet side of the island.
Situated in the middle of the Bulabog beachfront, away from the semi eye-sore windbreakers of White Beach this season, is Levantin’s Bar and Restaurant. Now under new management, this local favorite chillout spot now offers a wide array and brand new cocktail selections, new special dishes and of course their signature dishes such as the hearty beef goulash – which is the perfect meal on those habagat days. Levantin offers a weekly Romanian Buffet every Thursday night and monthly Moonlight Parties that last until wee-hours in the morn-ing, just in time to see that spectacular Bulabog sunrise.
Other must-trys include: Levantin’s Tapsilog, Piggy in a Blanket, Garlic Chorizo, Liver Pat’e, Napolitana, Moussaka, Tuna Belly, Mahi-mahi, and Mango Crepes for dessert – all reasonably priced.
The happy, lively and accommodating staff of this establishment deserves a special mention. Every single encounter with the waiters, cooks, and manager of Levantin leaves you feeling overwhelmed and extra special making you feel like everyone there will go the extra mile to provide you with great service and make sure you are contented and comfortable, all done with a warm smile. The overall atmosphere of Levantin on a regular day leaves you so relaxed that you will lose track of time as you indulge yourself in mouth-watering dishes and treat yourself to a well-deserved cocktail.
Levantin Boracay is located along Bulabog Beach, Station 2. For inquiries and reservations call (+63 939) 937 9052, email them at [email protected] or visit their website at www.le-vantinboracay.com.
| august 2014 |
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 34.pdf 1 7/25/14 9:48 PM
| june 2014 | | Boracay Sun |35indulge
| august 2014 |
They can learn how to follow a recipe, measure proportions and apply heat (depend-ing on how old they are), to appreciate how their favorite snacks are made. It might spark a lifetime interest in cooking, and is a great way to make them aware of what they put on their plates, while giving them mem-ories they will cherish forever. Always keep
water babyIndoor Fun TimeBy Pauline Astronaut
Are your kids feeling stuck and bored at home?
THE monsoon is here and with it, heavy rainy days that plunge the kids into long periods indoors.
After getting home from a rainy school day, to avoid them catching a dreadful cold, it’s best to have your kids jump into the shower and change to dry and comfortable clothing. Then, you can enjoy some indoor family fun!
Rainy days are a great opportunity to spend more intimate time with your kids and they can also enjoy this time with their best buddies. Invite a few of their friends at home and hit the board games. Monopoly, Backgammon, Guess Who, Clue, and playing cards are just some of the many
Disclaimer: It is not the intention of the editor to advise on parenting. Children shouldalways be accompanied by a parent or supervised by a trusted guardian.
have any of those, just grab a piece of paper and play the Dictionary game. Simply pick a letter and each player writes down as many words that start with this letter as they can. After going from A to Z, you can be the one checking the scores. It is a fun way to have them review their spelling and vocabulary skills.
games they can have fun with while challenging their minds.
And if you don’t
If you have a big indoor space, Blind Tag or Hide-and-Seek are always a fun way to spend the afternoon.
the recipes simple and fast, and let them decorate with icing, sprinkles and fruits! And remember, the mess is part of the fun, and so is the cleaning!
On rainy days when you feel like having a more quiet time, you can share your love for books with your children. Pick a book or let them choose one, then find a cozy spot at home, make some hot chocolate. Read the book together if your children are still too small for reading on their own. If you have older kids, you can simply pick your own books and sit next to each other to enjoy a nice bonding time. Showing your child how enjoyable reading is can lead to an undying love for books, which will end the problem of boredom!
After a long week at school, you can treat your kids to a nice TV dinner once in a while to celebrate the weekend. Don’t make it an everyday habit so it remains special and can be a great family memory. Prepare their favorite food; let them choose their favorite movie (even if you are not fond of it, you will be able to discover what your children love), and sit all together on the couch. You can even prepare popcorn for dessert!
Even when it is raining, if the weather is still warm and the sea is calm, it might be a good idea for a quick trip to the beach to enjoy running in the rain and building a sand castle – something kids absolutely love! But before taking a swim, make sure that it is safe by asking a lifeguard on duty, then swim near a lifeguard station and let them know you are going in the water. Do not go too far and always stay with your kids. Stay safe and enjoy the wonderful rainy season!
Who doesn’t love a nice snack? Ask your kids to join you in the kitchen and be your little chefs. You can bake cookies, brownies, cupcakes, or make crèpes. It is always a nice way to teach them how to concentrate.
The village was abuzz with men working the construction site, children five years old and above were gathered at the makeshift Tubuanan Ati Learning Center pre-school learning their Inati ABCs that encourages basic literacy and culture, women were making soaps at the livelihood center, students in uniform were coming home from the local high schools, while others were happily gathering ‘sikad-sikad’ sea snails while the tide was low, for cooking with coconut milk and vegetables for supper. On other days, they practice traditional weaving and
have yet to hear back from the resorts they have already presented to. The BAMPC store yields humble annual dividends and patronage refunds for each Ati cooperative member. According to Tamboon who also does the bookkeeping, it really isn’t much especially with so much borrowing and lending at the store.
ADSDPP a roadmap towards self-reliance
In February of this year, the affirmed draft of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan or ADSDPP was released. The ADSDPP was formulated by the BATO to promote the sustainable development of the Ati community with the help of the ADFI, the NCIP, DENR, and DILG.
It represents the Ati’s commitment to sustain and develop their ancestral land, as a blueprint for various programs and projects aimed at long-term progress, and serves as a valuable testament to their ability to standup as a people. The ADSDPP underscores the Ati people’s rights as indigenous people and the importance for others to recognizing and respecting these rights.
Above all, it portrays the Ati for who they truly are – a treasure. As assets for cultural tourism, the ADSDPP will empower them so that they learn to govern themselves, as a cultural, spiritu-al and self-reliant community. Once implement-ed, it bridges the gap and tears down cultural and racial barriers, providing an enriching interaction for locals and tourists with the indige-nous people of Boracay who are the soul of the Filipino race.
During the course of its creation, they held an interfacing forum at the Balabag Barangay Hall on the first anniversary of their self-installation. Attended by 90 participants from various government agencies and the private sector, including this writer, a staunch advocate for the Ati of Boracay, BATO leaders presented their short- and long-term plans, to which participants pledged their support. A groundbreaking ceremo-ny followed at the ancestral domain.
Already, Tamboon noted that the ADSDPP has made an impact on the community. She said that the local community has begun to regard them differently; people have become more interested in knowing how to support their plans, donating to specific projects; and visitors seem to be in awe at what the community has been able to build and achieve for themselves, “no longer are we the ‘eye sores’ but now we have something that makes people around us proud,” she adds.In March of this year, DILG Secretary Roxas expressed support for the implementation of the ADSDPP, stressing the need to mainstream the Ati’s ADSDPP into the local development planning and budgeting processes.
In his message on the ADSDPP, President Benigno Aquino III said, “I recognize with great pride the publication of the ADSDPP for our brethren… We have shown that nothing is impossible for a people united in purpose and solidarity. Let us cast our stake in establishing the equitably progressive Philippines we have long sought, and hand down to future genera-tions a society built on integrity, compassion, and social justice.” The final and complete ADSDPP will be launched along with the blessing of the livelihood center, Tubuanan Ati Learning Center and Bihasin Ati Living Heritage this October, in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month. Published by ADFI, copies will be distributed to government agencies and organizations who have committed their support. It is hoped that the ADSDPP will serve as a guide for the LGU to incorporate the community’s plans with their own as mandated by the law; be a source of information for all; and will be an inspiration for other IPs to follow the BATO’s lead.
The Boracay Ati have definitely come a long way on their struggle for self-determination, but their journey has only just begun. The heritage center and the soap enterprise will hopefully show the world that there is treasure within the community that can definitely contribute to Boracay’s cultural identity.
To find out how you can support the Ati people of Boracay, you may call the BATO office at (+63 36) 288 2623, email Sr. Ma. Flor Jalmasco, D.C. at [email protected], and find Boracay Ati Community on Facebook. Develop-ment projects for the village that are still in need of financial and technical support include the chapel, boardwalk, birthing facility/clinic, boats for tourism and livelihood, and conference hall/training center.
Read about the unsung heroes behind the Ati’s rise from the rubble in the special centerfold feature on Boracay Missions on pages 20 to 21.
Proposed Ati Community Boracay visual plan
continued from page 10and demarcation of 2.1 hectares of ancestral lands in Manoc-Manoc, Boracay, Malay, Aklan.When Boracay Sun visited the Ati Village last July, they were overjoyed to finally have running water from the Boracay Island Water Company. On the very same day, they received a surprise delivery of 30 rechargeable lamps with built-in radios (one for every home) courtesy of Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Following a meeting by Daughters of Charity Mission’s Sr. Ma. Flor Jalmasco, D.C. with the tribal chieftain and the BATO council leaders, we were given the grand tour. Construction of the 30 houses, the Boracay Ati Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAMPC) store, the livelihood center and sewing facility, and the Bihasin Ati Living Heritage Center have been completed, and on-going construction of the front perimeter fence (spearheaded by the NCIP and DILG) and the school were underway, to be followed by the construction of the Our Lady of Lourdes chapel.
other crafts, passing on cultural traditions to their youth.
Ati life was “back to normal” – the ‘new normal’ being having a structure and a sense of place and security – something they never had in their lifetimes, save for Lola Benedicta “Binda” Egeron, who at 90, was the oldest living Boracay Ati, who had spoken of tales of a Garden of Eden island paradise that was abundant in food. A relative tells us that Lola Binda still has a complete set of teeth, but somehow she found no reason to flash us with her Close Up smile as she slowly made her way to her home carrying a plastic bag of cooked fish.
But yes, Evangeline Tamboon, tireless general manager for BATO and Program Management Team coordinator says, they are happy. They are happy to sleep well at night within the comforts of their own (three meter by three meter) two-story Ati-designed homes, with stairs instead of the original ladder, she explains jokingly, “because if we had ladders and someone decided to remove it, we would get stuck!” She shows us her home that was being tiled, thanks to a generous local donor, but she was more thrilled to point out her backyard vegetable garden including one enclosed in a barbed wire fence to protect it from one of the claimants who had built a concrete wall and structure to mark his territory. Tree seedlings have also been planted along the roadside.
Now that they were living on their ancestral domain, she says that they are indeed very happy, despite struggling for the staple two meals a day that they shared as a community. She says that among the 25% working Ati, their income (Php260 per day for garbage collecting; Php200 for laundry service; Php260 per day minimum wage at resorts; and Php120-150 per day for construction work) is not enough and she reminds us that they buy their food and goods on the tourist island just like we do).
According to the May 2014 census, BATO is comprised of 33 families and seven extended families, with a total population of 176 men, women and children. The brand new pump boat has been in use for fishing, but is very seasonal and can no longer feed the community. Instead, they intend to use the boat for island-hopping trips for tourists – a brilliant idea indeed. The Ati would be the best tour guides, with the opportunity to share the history of Boracay as its first settlers, and the stories behind the places their ancestors named.
The livelihood programs include handcrafted accessories by the Ati youth, and the BATO bath soap enterprise, which is a work in progress. A variety of herbal soaps can be purchased or ordered wholesale. So far, they
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 6 and 35.pdf 1 7/24/14 10:39 PM
green solutions
By Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Road toRuins?
36| Boracay Sun |
environment
WHILE Boracay Island is considered as one of the best beaches in the world, its poor road network may contribute to the downgrade of the island’s tourism indus-try. This, even as the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Aklan Provin-cial Government and the municipal government of Malay claim to be doing their best to fix the problem. Also, the Boracay Foundation Incorpo-rated (BFI) a business group has expressed its sentiments earlier to the local government of Malay to try its best to fix the poor road network, which is one of the many factors that cause traffic congestion especially during peak season. Other factors that cause traffic include loading and unloading of visitors, construction materials that block roads and sidewalks, illegally parked vehicles, no efficient public transport system, and no traffic manage-ment and implementation. The worsening flooding is becoming more and more of an inconvenience for tourists and a menace for the island’s residents especially during heavy rains in this resort island. Aside from the poor road network, the unregulated garbage collection system causes the drainage system, which is still under construction, to clog, contributing to even more flooding. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimates that billions of pesos are needed for the rehabilitation of Boracay’s roads. Because of this, they have to slowly fix portions of the roads prioritizing those areas that experience heavy flooding. In his recent report, Neri Miranda of the DPWH Maintenance Section bared that they already have given an allocation to the Boracay Redevelopment Task Force for the improvement of the flooded road section going to the Boracay Tourists Action Center. “The task force had requested the DPWH that they will be the one in charge for the improvement of the road
| august 2014 |
section,” said Miranda. It was not clear how much the cost of the project would be. In 2010, the DPWH announced that it was allocating Php80-million for the concreting of the circumferential road. It was later announced that landowners have signed a Memorandum of Agree-ment to donate a one-meter right of way each. Aside from the circumferential road the DPWH also had other road projects, which include the Php30-million concreting of the Balabag – Manoc-Manoc main road, the Php8-mil-lion Boracay Circumferential Road – Tambisaan Section, concreting of the Php15-million Balabag – Yapak Section and the Php7-million Yapak – Puka Shell Road Section. Currently, the DPWH is waiting for the green light from the Aklan provincial government for the expropriation of lands that affect the DPWH road projects. Glenn Sacapano, Boracay Island chief operation officer earlier said that the local government needs to compliment the national program for road projects for Boracay.
The blame game
Mabel Bacani of the Boracay Redevel-opment Task Force in radio interviews blames the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for lack of proper action on the clogged drainage system. The TIEZA has yet to publicly announce their drainage program for Boracay.
As this developed, the TIEZA and their local counterpart the Boracay Island Water Company has already started doing inspections on what went wrong that caused the severe flooding. They are currently setting up pumps for the flood control project for Boracay.
Tim Ticar of the Department of Tour-ism-Boracay said that their department would also help in the construction of additional pumping stations for this
To minimize the worsening traffic situa-tion, the local government of Malay is currently drafting a transportation code that enables the LGU to regulate the operations of both public and private vehicles on the island. The local traffic code is needed for Boracay for a strong enforcement since not all national laws on traffic are applicable to the island.
The Boracay Sun hopes that they could implement basic traffic rules, proper ‘stop and go’ traffic, ordinances requir-ing parking spaces for vehicles, and create loading and unloading bays for commercial establishments, while wait-ing for the Provincial Government to expropriate land and for the DPWH to build the circumferential road and improve the main road. Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo who is a tourism indus-try expert said that stakeholders must also be blamed. “I have noticed that the stakeholders themselves because of the construction boom, pushed bringing in heavy trucks and equipment to Boracay in the previ-ous years. The arrival of increasing transportation also contributes to the already draining road sector,” said Quimpo. Conclusion While each government agency claims
to be doing their best in fixing Bora-cay’s road problems, none of them has so far admitted to having shortcomings, that for several years they neglected to fix the situation. The lack of resources, too much politics and the blame game contributes to the worsening problems while tourists, businessmen and residents are grieving for the lack of iron will of those in charge. As there is no end in sight to the wors-ening traffic situation and the perennial floods being experienced in this resort island, the local government bared that they are planning to build a bridge connecting Boracay to the mainland of Malay. The local government promised that the entry of vehicles would be properly regulated once the bridge has been constructed. It remains to be seen if the local government can regulate traffic with a bridge, looking at Boracay’s traffic situation in the last few years. It may be speculated that the bridge will lead to promising solutions but that is so many years down the long and narrow road.
The local government being in the forefront of Boracay development needs to improve road traffic right now.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 36.pdf 1 7/25/14 9:43 PM
Classified ads 37
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 4 and 37.pdf 1 7/24/14 8:17 PM
38
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 3 and 38.pdf 2 7/24/14 10:23 PM
PLACE YOURAD HERE
PHP 2,760PER MONTH
39
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 2 and 39.pdf 1 7/24/14 7:36 PM
40
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
page 1 and 40.pdf 2 7/24/14 7:28 PM