ive heard some rumors(i hope it is) that they are going to build a reclamation island to expand the island because the accomodation is not enough during peak season.. how true is that?
I hope they would reamin just like that: rumors. Coz if this was true, theyre destroying the island!

I hope they would reamin just like that: rumors. Coz if this was true, theyre destroying the island!

Haha ala Dubai's Palm Jameira.

fully book na ang PAL for the whole month of March.. except for departure on March 1, arrival on March 4.. hmmmmm

wow ... impressive ! Feel ko summer na summer na tuloy ... hehehe.

I hope they would reamin just like that: rumors. Coz if this was true, theyre destroying the island!

yeah it's stupid to do this

It's time to explore pristine islands other than boracay. No offense ha!

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=32864&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=boracay&start=15

SarcasmKills,

I dunno if you've left already, but I would skip Boracay, Mindoro and Banaue and check out these places:

1. Malapascua Island, north of Cebu. Bit of a pain to get to, but worth it. Like Boracay but more laid back.

2. Batad, North Luzon. About a 2 hour hike from Banaue. Much better and secluded with an absolutely stunning setting surrounded by the rice terraces. I personally thought Banaue was a dump.

3. Vigan, North Luzon. Spanish-colonial era villas, cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage taxis. Atmosphere galore.

4. Palawan. I repeat, Palawan. Skip Boracay. Spend the money on a flight to Puerto Princesa and check out the stretch between Sabang and the other little town north (the name escapes me now).

Sagada is well worth the jeepney/bus ride. The scenery on the way back to Baguio is stunning. Baguio itself is worth a night or two to have a look around.

You would do well to consider Siquihor and Bohol in the south as well. Leyte is also quite nice but VERY rural.

I personally think Phils is the best vacation spot in SE Asia. I've been there three times now for long spells, so I know what I'm talking about. PM me if you want more details.

Have fun and safe travel.


http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea...ghlight=palawan
Hey, Tiger...

Pesonally, I think the place is a biatch to get to, but that's why it's so great. It's not overrun with tourists. The place is pristine. It puts Thailand to shame, in my opinon, for clear water, coral and beaches. Just too bad the food in the Phils wasn't as good as Thai food. But those small planes scare the Schit outta me.

I've got two quotes..

one from PAL..
Php14,219.00 per head on twin sharing.. 4 days / 3 nights at Boracay Regency (aicron room w/ cable tv).. airfaire.. transfer from kalibo to caticlan, boat ride to caticlan to boracay and back.. free breakfast.. bad trip lang yung departure.. departing manila at 3pm pa.. tapos yung departure sa kalibo eh ang aga din.. 10.00am..

one from SEAAIR
Php12,392.80 per head on twin sharing.. 4 days / 3 nights at Fat Jimmy's or Red Coconut (aircon room w/ cable tv)... airfare straight to Caticlan.. boat ride to bora.. and back.. free breakfast.. mas ok ang departure.. departs 8am.. sa manila.. tapos sa caticlan eh 5pm... so mahaba haba ang stay sa bora..

wow ... impressive ! Feel ko summer na summer na tuloy ... hehehe.

It's time to explore pristine islands other than boracay. No offense ha!

Yes, Boracay is too overated in the minds of the Philippines, Boracay would fail in comparison to El Nido, Batanes and even Surigao!

Let the people visit Boracay so the others may remain pristine. :)

rowell
i agree with you, palawan is really beautiful but again boracay used to be very beautiful also, it's just got neglected and doesn't seem like govt officials are working hard enough to restore the original beauty of the island

Hey guyzzzzzz...read on.......

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2006021156068.html
[quote]
Plan to make Boracay truly world-class tourist draw sought

World Bank says changes needed

BORACAY, Malay, Aklan — This worldrenowned resort island has the potential to become a world-class tourist destination that could give both Bali and Phuket a run for their money.


This could be achieved, a study commissioned by the International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank Group said, if an updated development plan is put in place and all the aspects of operations are improved.

The study was undertaken for IFC by a team of Filipino and German consultants who analyzed the investment opportunities that Boracay Island offers.

According to the consultants, the results were encouraging even as they urged local officials to pay attention to strategic tourism marketing and promotion, adding that this is a serious matter that must be pursued relentlessly to develop Boracay.

The same study also said major changes will have to be done to develop the infrastructure on the island and sustain it, consistent with the desire to make Boracay as a major destination for big-ticket tourism.

"There is an urgent need to update the 1990 Boracay Master Development Plan and to redesign the marketing strategy to make the island more visible and accessible to tourists from around the world," declared IFC Country Manager Vipul Bhagat.

Both the IFC and the consultants hired for the study will present the final report to Boracay stakeholders at the Seawind Hotel on the island on Monday, February 13. National and local officials, along with hotel owners, transport operators, travel agents, environmental groups and civic organizations are expected to participate in the meeting.

For starters, IFC will conduct a web marketing seminar for local officials and businessmen to improve their skills in using the Internet to sell Boracay and improve its image. A separate forum for potential investors will be held in Manila on February 16.

The consultants said Boracay must address issues like migration, zoning, lack of health facilities and medical personnel, visual and noise pollution, solid waste and water management, energy supply and intra- and inter-island transport.

They want Caticlan to be developed fully to ease the burden faced by Boracay. The plan is to make Caticlan a commercial and business district.

The other recommendations are: Transfer of solid waste management facility from Boracay to Caticlan; the construction of low-cost mainland housing to ease migration and congestion in Boracay; improved transport facility between Boracay and Caticlan; development of Caticlan’s airport and marina; a Caticlan-based full service hospital to respond to emergencies, and; an agro-industrial center in Caticlan with ice and cold storage facilities and a public market.

Apart from these, the study also recommended educational facilities in Caticlan that can offer tourism-related services, environmental management and eco-tourism. (LPB)[unquote/]

Boracay can be Phuket and Caticlan Miami!

i agree very much with the article posted by Junex...this tiny island can not accomodate everything, they need to basically make boracay island as a tourism area and nothing else.

i really hope that the govt officlas would take this studies seriously and put it into work!!!!! coomon govt officials and resort owners of boracay! get your act together!

yes that is what i've been reading on blogs and forums about boracay, it's sometimes avoided or skipped by western backpackers because it's too crowded.

Some of them tried the calm yet pristine that falls in comparison with Boracay like these islands.
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cebu/blog-38902.html

http://hem.passagen.se/waeppling/malapascua/photomalapascua.htm

@junex, maganda ang plano kaso ang kulang - political will. There are sooo many things to consider before they can make Boracay a truly world class resort or else, nananaginip lang sila ng gising.

I opened one of the junk mails the other day and found this...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c261/sandwalker206/DSC01023.jpg
It's from CapitalOne which is probably one of the biggest distributor of junk mails in the US?
Neat i have one of their credit card

Boracay Island Thread II

Congrats to Boracay for its 2nd Thread. :applause:

Boracay panorama from the side of Fairways and Bluewater

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/fairwayscopy2.jpg

:lock: UNOFFICIALLY LOCKED. ;)

Congratulations Boracay ! Thread II na !

^^ ASAWA MO PALA SUGARBOY

Wow .... just look at this statistic ... Koreans are secretly plotting to take over the Phils I tell yah!!! Here in Iloilo, they're absolutely everywhere...

For Every 100 Tourist in Boracay, 18 are Koreans...
In 2004, total tourist arrivals in Boracay increased by 26.31% from 339,434 in 2003 to 428,755 in 2004. Foreign tourists accounted to 121,023 or 28.23% of the total Boracay visitors. Koreans were the most prominent (78,693) where for every 100 foreign tourists 65 are Koreans and for every 100 tourists (to include domestic visitors), 18 are Koreans. Other nationalities that belongs to the top 10 foreign visitors of Boracay were: Americans (8,246); Japanese (5,012), British (4,517); Chinese (2,439); French (2,439); Canadian (1,794); Australian (1,511); and Swiss (1,310).

Koreans are a lot better than Mainland, Singaporean, and Malaysian Chinese. But hope that the Chinese spend all their hard-earned money in the PI. They've been stealing jobs from everyone anyway.

@junex, maganda ang plano kaso ang kulang - political will. There are sooo many things to consider before they can make Boracay a truly world class resort or else, nananaginip lang sila ng gising.

Like the pier for instance, hindi na natapos yang pier na yan. Lahat ng bangka naka linya sa main beach polluting and ruining the beautiful beach.

Boracay Thread #1 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=168233)

it's confirmed.. we'll be in Boracay on March 2 to 5.... wala bang pupunta nang Bora sa inyo?

'Even though if (sic) I have chances to come back to the Philippines again, I will never come to (the) Philippine(s). Here it is dangerous and bad surroundings (sic).

http://www.dinagyang.com/content/view/292/74/

'From now, I can't believe in Filipinos anymore, he said as he continued to lament the mediocre police assistance, he said, they got from the Boracay police. 'Also, Filipino people are terrible (sic) slow to see what is (sic) find out what happens and blind to the whole situation. No police going around to see place is safe.

'Even though if (sic) I have chances to come back to the Philippines again, I will never come to (the) Philippine(s). Here it is dangerous and bad surroundings (sic).

http://www.dinagyang.com/content/view/292/74/

'From now, I can't believe in Filipinos anymore, he said as he continued to lament the mediocre police assistance, he said, they got from the Boracay police. 'Also, Filipino people are terrible (sic) slow to see what is (sic) find out what happens and blind to the whole situation. No police going around to see place is safe.

it was an unfortunate experience, however it could happen anywhere and to anyone. you should look at this situation at both sides:

The hotel where they checked in should have a safety deposit box where they can store their valuables (and they should have declared to the reception what they have so the staff could have taken measures to protect their belongings).

Language barrier should also be considered in communicating with the local police.

About the boatman who threatened them with a knife, it depends where they tried to negotiate and with whom, most of these "recreational activities provider" have their stalls or offices at the beachfront and transactions were done mostly at the beach where a lot of people can see.

its a dangerous world out there. you should take precautionary measures to protect yourself.

Boracay safe from oil spill—NPC
By ELY SUYOM, The Manila Times Correspondent

BORACAY ISLAND - The National Power Corp. assured Boracay residents and resort owners that the oil spill in Semirara will not reach Boracay Island, one of the country’s best tourist destinations.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=30361

My fave island in the Philippines. An absolute paradise !

'Even though if (sic) I have chances to come back to the Philippines again, I will never come to (the) Philippine(s). Here it is dangerous and bad surroundings (sic).

http://www.dinagyang.com/content/view/292/74/

'From now, I can't believe in Filipinos anymore, he said as he continued to lament the mediocre police assistance, he said, they got from the Boracay police. 'Also, Filipino people are terrible (sic) slow to see what is (sic) find out what happens and blind to the whole situation. No police going around to see place is safe.

Hope it wouldn't affect Boracay's reputation. It's one in a million uncalled news. I still believed that Boracay is as safe as anywhere else in our country. :)

any recent pictures of the progress of Shangri-la hotel and resort there? pls post pics!

Boracay Regency
Feb 25,2006

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/flashlight_/Feb2006Holiday076scopy.jpg

Sunset
Feb 26, 2006

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/flashlight_/Feb2006Holiday079scopy.jpg

From my trip to Boracay this last weekend (State of Emergency Weekend!). Taken using a review unit of the new Kodak dual-lens camera


Around the Boat Station 2 area

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p3a22abaf1c9b340213d2aee7940de490/f004ebee.jpg


D*mall's controversial ferris wheel

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p6920f139950b99a2d3abfea0762410b2/f004ebea.jpg


Our cottage at Boracay Terraces Resort, it's the one right in front. The resort is an awesome place at a very clean, peaceful area, at the very end of White Beach. The cottages are terraced, hence the name. Interesting architecure.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pa14ce2d7f60fdf4f4218b34fbdf538ea/f004eb65.jpg


Inside our cottage

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p25bdda9a4c612aefbe66a6990f692acc/f004eb96.jpg


View from our cottage

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pa80684a3818bd1189d6b1b283e3b2b82/f004eb6b.jpg


Resort's main building

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p637fbae978a2626a57b3911ca283b437/f004eb60.jpg


Beach in front of the resort

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p7a0d849599f318b42034a499c4caf8ca/f004eb5f.jpg


Sandcastle at night

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p6beea4f4ce699e29cff98b2182df49dc/f004eb82.jpg


Willy's Rock at night

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pe7e2b26c85e0751e32cc36ba211db079/f004eb75.jpg


Boat Station 1 area at night

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p9e7e5b74537dff20b578613d5cd2d32c/f004eb7d.jpg

Wi-fi on the beach! (Yes, I visited SSC of course ;))

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pcd6b17327c936a820383bc18abc6372f/f004eb43.jpg


Discovery Shores Resort under construction

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pf00c19e9266aa6b214793addb2f05d27/f004eb4a.jpg


Crystal Cave 1

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p681d230c8619b9446a6fcee89726b17c/f004eb3b.jpg


Nami Private Villas

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p732a2d1c09d442c08bff7d02d3976fce/f004eb39.jpg


Panoly beach. The Shangri-la property is right behind it.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p566dcb2dbd35b30f83d37310eeaaadd8/f004eb34.jpg


D*mall at night. At first I thought this mall in the middle of Boracay would be a gross monstrosity. But you realize it's a necessary evil, and the way it was designed and constructed, it actually fits in quite well. I just wish they'd picked a classier name for it though.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pea50eb54b95e87e65516de4bef137093/f004eb2a.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p57fd429af6b89f0d30a3e5722ad002d0/f004eb26.jpg


Hey Jude's

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p31bae09734116eeba59bdcd7458e62a8/f004eb21.jpg


Boracay sunset

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p8e3057a454c1f20b7652b12a4788800a/f004eb1d.jpg

That's another perk of being a tourist. Its your responsibility to secure all your valuables. Dont expect the same comfort, security and hominess that you have back home when you are visiting other countries.

Things like these really happen but not only in boracay, this kind of situation also happens in other countries. If these koreans were really robbed, then its understandable that they would react on this manner, especially that they felt they were not assissted properly. But that is only one side of the story, we did not hear the side of the local police or the resort.

Anyway, if these koreans wont come back, theres still plenty more where they came from and who are still eager to visit the Philippines hehehehe the last time i hear, there's no shortage of koreans in boracay! the whole philippines is already infested by koreans hehehehe


'Even though if (sic) I have chances to come back to the Philippines again, I will never come to (the) Philippine(s). Here it is dangerous and bad surroundings (sic).

http://www.dinagyang.com/content/view/292/74/

'From now, I can't believe in Filipinos anymore, he said as he continued to lament the mediocre police assistance, he said, they got from the Boracay police. 'Also, Filipino people are terrible (sic) slow to see what is (sic) find out what happens and blind to the whole situation. No police going around to see place is safe.

omg.....what have they done to boracay? look at the algaes.........yaks!

omg.....what have they done to boracay? look at the algaes.........yaks!

its always there this time of the year. i dont know if this is "bull" but someone told me these algaes play a part in making the sand white.
but as i said, i dont know if its true.

dont know either, but they had made boracay into a sari sari island, they have amusement parks, slipper factory, it is just over develped, they just trased the island, too bad really. sorry for being so negative but i've see boracay with my eyes back in 1992 and it was so beautiful, it is just so heart breaking to see how it become.

the last time I was in boracay was last December 2004. Last year di ako nakabalik dito pero ngayong 2006 I will make it sure na pagka-resign na pagka-resign ko sa trabaho ko kailangan makapag-unwind muna ako sa boracay. Tulungan nyo naman ako maghanap ng new job na malilipatan he he he :)

Sandcastle at night
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p6beea4f4ce699e29cff98b2182df49dc/f004eb82.jpg

ganda! I love this! hehe.

we'll be going there on march 18-20.. we got a package from PALakbayan... I'm getting excited.. this will be my first time to see Boracay.. :D

Nice pictures of Boracay @DrJudeD and @flashlight. :)

what?? making the sand white??? hehehe I've been to boracay during its "sulo and gasera" days(late 80's) and the sand back then was very very much white and there were no algaes or lumot during those times...that was the true boracay paradise


its always there this time of the year. i dont know if this is "bull" but someone told me these algaes play a part in making the sand white.
but as i said, i dont know if its true.

the algaes come and go.. usually pag ganitong months.. meron nga..

We're going to Bora tomorrow!!! wohoooooooo!

what?? making the sand white??? hehehe I've been to boracay during its "sulo and gasera" days(late 80's) and the sand back then was very very much white and there were no algaes or lumot during those times...that was the true boracay paradise

i dont know if i'll be glad or sad that i haven't seen the "true boracay paradise" as what you've guys described it. maybe glad in a sense that i dont have much to compare it with, therefore not feeling bad about its current condition, maybe sad in a sense that i should have been there before when it was still a "paradise".

however, we must put into consideration that most tourist haven't seen the island in its late 80's condition/appearance, most of them were there for the first time, and i'm glad that they still see it as a paradise and at par if not more beautiful than its neighboring counterparts.

next time i'll spend some time investigating/researching about this algae problem (if it is a problem) and ask people why its coming up during this time of the year.

Nice photos Juded!! I missed Boracay

@edmundtanso: I know!! the presence of green alga are indeed mind boggling. Never in my beach experience, even on non-white sanded ones have I seen these types of alga thriving this many along the sea shore.

omg.....what have they done to boracay? look at the algaes.........yaks!

I first started going to boracay back in '95. Believe me, I checked my old photos. Those things weren't even there yet. So yeah, it's all Bull.

http://partners.inq7.net/newsbreak/cover/index.php?story_id=33540

cant they remove the green stuffs in the beach???
thats the only reason why sometimes i hate going to the shore..

cant they remove the green stuffs in the beach???
thats the only reason why sometimes i hate going to the shore..

cant they remove the green stuffs in the beach???
thats the only reason why sometimes i hate going to the shore..

i asked myself the same thing. i can be done, all the beachfront resorts should clean their respective places.

Some native Boracaynons say that the algae has been showing up yearly ever since they could remember. Well, I was first in Boracay around 1996 as well and I do remember seeing algae around the Boat Station 2 & 3 areas. Not as much around Boat Station 1 and Panoly Beach, and none at Puka Shell Beach. Maybe you guys were there during the season when the algae doesn't bloom or was washed away by rains. This is usually around July to October.

Hmmm maybe they are just justifying it to negate the unfavorable fact. I remembered going to boracay in the summer of 95 and I didnt see any algaes. Anyway, boracay is still beautiful.

Some native Boracaynons say that the algae has been showing up yearly ever since they could remember. Well, I was first in Boracay around 1996 as well and I do remember seeing algae around the Boat Station 2 & 3 areas. Not as much around Boat Station 1 and Panoly Beach, and none at Puka Shell Beach. Maybe you guys were there during the season when the algae doesn't bloom or was washed away by rains. This is usually around July to October.

its always there this time of the year. i dont know if this is "bull" but someone told me these algaes play a part in making the sand white.
but as i said, i dont know if its true.

and here is what I got from a local who live on the island.

According to him, he lived there all his life and has seen the green algae ever since and according to him this green algae breaks down and turns into sand.

Out of curiosity I tried looking around for dried up algae and sure enough it is slowly breaking down and drying up and turning into sand particles but then again I didnt stay very long on the island to really investigate even further.

The sand will never stay the same pristine white color forever, too many visitors stepping on it, spilling drinks on it, peeing on it, throwing colored powdered particles on it...... :)

i dont remember seeing algae also back in 1992, the sand was very white and fine, but i noticed the last time i was there the sand is coarser and not too white anymore.....

bora is kinda messy now. next stop: Palawan........

Yups ur right...the sand is not as powdery and white as before...also the yapak puka shell beach has no more puka shells na buo...anyway, i think the most credible people to ask about the algaes presence are the true natives of boracay which are the aeta's or ati's....dati marami pa talaga sila diyan...i dunno kung saan na sila ngayon


i dont remember seeing algae also back in 1992, the sand was very white and fine, but i noticed the last time i was there the sand is coarser and not too white anymore.....

it's too bad but i do hope that the gov't officials and resort owners would get their acts together and atleast preserve the island and not make it worst

there were algaes mid 90s but it wasn't to the extent it is now. Now it has gotten really bad. water not as clear and sand a little grayish now. of course it's still beautiful if you compare it to manila bay.

there were algaes mid 90s but it wasn't to the extent it is now. Now it has gotten really bad. water not as clear and sand a little grayish now. of course it's still beautiful if you compare it to manila bay.

very nice comparison. :ohno:

How's the Shangri-la doing?

guys,ano ba hotel na mura lang sa boracay?slamat po

^^^Orchids is nice and a good mix of local and international guests. It is on station 3.

greetings coming straight from Boracay!!!! hayos ang WIFI dito!!!! hehehe

we're staying at Fat Jimmy's, sa likod nang d'mall, lapit sa palengke.. may promo sila don.. ok naman ang place at security..

guys,ano ba hotel na mura lang sa boracay?slamat po

jb and devorak thank you sa info

le sigh. Lucky dvorak! Wish I could be in Boracay (or any Philippine island for that matter) right about now. Hope you enjoy your stay!

@mba
I paid 600 pesos a night peak season at Orchids the week of Ati Atihan in Kalibo 2003. Don't really know how much now for the same room. It has 2 single beds, pvt cold shower, you can also have a room with a full size bed and a single bed for the same price. I stayed on the 2nd floor, nice balcony with lounge chairs outside. Nice garden.

Hmmm maybe they are just justifying it to negate the unfavorable fact. I remembered going to boracay in the summer of 95 and I didnt see any algaes. Anyway, boracay is still beautiful.

Honestly agree with you, daks2003. Boracay still is beautiful and fun isladn. Simply irresistible !

Amen to that, too Jon. Loved Boracay since then. :)

its always there this time of the year. i dont know if this is "bull" but someone told me these algaes play a part in making the sand white.
but as i said, i dont know if its true.

^I once saw a PBS documentary showing that the ones responsible for those powdery sand are those huge parrot fishes that break the corrals as they scrape off the algae for food. These fishes also gobble up pieces of rocks/corrals along with the algae and excrete fine powders of rocks/corrals as fine sand.

some Bora pics.. mamaya na yung iba.. nasa laptop pa kasi..

pics deleted

saya naman. :) wife mo po un kasama mo sa banana boat saka un sa last pic?

yup mhe-ann... wife ko.. bale 6 kami lahat..

medyo nakakapanibago.. dami nang nabago sa boracay... una wala na yung talipapa.. so medyo pricy ang food.. pero may Andoks naman.. 250 lang yung whole chicken..

yung D'mall ibang iba na rin ang itsura.. dami nang food outlets don.. may d'hobbit pa.. parang hobbit haws sa mabini..

yung beach naman.. ganon pa rin.. maganda pa rin sya.. kaya lang dami nga algae.. tsaka pag hapon.. ang daming boats na nakaparada.. hindi naman ganon dati yun.. sana gawan nila nang paran para hindi yung buong stretch nang beach ang may mga boats.. nakakasira nang view..

yung puka white beach... nakow.. wala nang mga puka shells.. naubos na.. ang dami na ring vendors.. sayang..

saya naman. :) wife mo po un kasama mo sa banana boat saka un sa last pic?

ganda naman ng wife mo. :)

at yay! baka pag nakarating ako ng boracay, pangit na? :no:

more bora pics...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora8.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora2.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora3.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora4.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora5.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora6.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora7.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora9.jpg

surfing at Bora...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora12.jpg

the rock..
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora13.jpg

sunset at bora..
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora10.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora11.jpg

@Dvorak, bakit mo tinanggal yung nagsasayaw ka sa "Pinoy Ako Pinoy"? Enjoy ako doon. Ang saya naman ng trip mo sa Boracay. :)

Ang ganda pa rin naman ng Boracay. Kayo ni Dr. @JudeD, dala niyo pa yung laptop niyo sa Boracay instead na mag nature-trip na lang kayo.

nasa photo thread yung nagsasayaw lili..

ehh kailangan i monitor pa rin ang work kahit once a day.. hindi pwedeng total vacation.. every hour nasa phone pa rin ang mga staff..

@Dvorak, bakit mo tinanggal yung nagsasayaw ka sa "Pinoy Ako Pinoy"? Enjoy ako doon. Ang saya naman ng trip mo sa Boracay. :)

Ang ganda pa rin naman ng Boracay. Kayo ni Dr. @JudeD, dala niyo pa yung laptop niyo sa Boracay instead na mag nature-trip na lang kayo.

more bora views..

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view2.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view3.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view4.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view5.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view6.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view7.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/view9.jpg

In my case Lili, one of the reasons I went to Boracay was to check out the wi-fi service there for a magazine article. So required bitbit yung laptop. And buti na lang I brought it! On Sunday night, my laptop sort of became a mini personal newscenter as the events at Fort Boni unfolded. I kept receiving calls, messages and reports from friends and family over the net. My family was really panicking. I almost re-booked my ticket online and came back home a day early! Pero all's well that ends well.

they are removing it in the morning.. parang merong mga MMDA don tapos binabaon nila yung green stuffs sa buhangin..

ang concern ko if you go island hopping / snorkelling.. ehh basta basta na lang sila nag babato nang anchor.. kaya ang daming nasisirang corals.. sana naman maglagay na sila nang fix post don para don na lang nila tatali yung boat.. para di na sila nagtatapon nang anchor.. ang dami nang corals ang nasisira.. sayang..

cant they remove the green stuffs in the beach???
thats the only reason why sometimes i hate going to the shore..

Ganda pa rin ng Boracay. Di pa ba tapos yung daungan ng mga turista dun sa may ibang parte ng White Beach? @ Dvorak

hindi pa rin..

Ganda pa rin ng Boracay. Di pa ba tapos yung daungan ng mga turista dun sa may ibang parte ng White Beach? @ Dvorak

OIC kaya pala dami parin ng bangka

Actually, according to my friend who lives there, that port is already ready for operation. They even did a dry run of it a few months ago, with all boat traffic directed to the port, no more stations on the beach, but it turned out to be disastrous. Traffic on the main road came to a standstill and nobody could get to their resorts for hours.

taken at around 7am.. parang yacht club tuloy tong Bora sa dami nang boats..

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora14.jpg

the green stuff...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora15.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora16.jpg

oh my lord that' s bad^

the last photo looks like a work of art. :lol:

ugh.... its makes me wanna puke..... eeeeewwwww.. theyre like slime...

yay! nakakadiri atang maligo!

nasa tabi lang naman sila.. so kung maliligo ka.. dapat talaga medyo malayo layo ka sa shore.. mababaw lang naman eh..

or the best yung island hopping.. snorkelling.. walang mga ganyang green slime.. ang linaw as in pag nagdurog ka nang biscuit / popcorn / chips.. naglalapitan yung mga isda and you can actually feed them sa kamay mo.. mararamdaman mo pa yung small bites nila.... t'was really fun doing that..

yay! nakakadiri atang maligo!

nasa tabi lang naman sila.. so kung maliligo ka.. dapat talaga medyo malayo layo ka sa shore.. mababaw lang naman eh..



yay... i can hardly step on them kaya... it feels so icky stepping on them eh..

gross! i cant beleive there are still tourists in this island with such algae (waste problem) - i dont think i could never go back to boracay again, it's so depressing really. i though they built boats docks on the other side of the island so that there wont be boats on the white sand?

I can't believe they're having such a laid back attitude about it. If they're promoting it as a world class destination, wish the people fond of using this term would make it analogous to Philippine class. , they need to act more aggresively in fixing and preserving boracays soon to be uncontrolled problems. The ones in charge should just stop with this puede na attitude.
Some of the resort owners i can understand the behavior since they're just leasing the land and are not long term stakeholders. They're in it only to milk the cow as long as they can .

No tourist with a right mind would go to boracay if those algaes are there!! Kadiri!

Boracay isn't the relaxing gem of a getaway that it used to be.

But hey, there's always Amanpulo.

^^ But not all can afford the $500/night minimum in Amanpulo...

well.. marami pa ring tao sa Boracay.. at lalo na ngayong summer time na.. re: the algae.. parang common na lang sa kanila yun.. go back in December and wala yang mga algae na yan.. so parang it's a nature's thing..

ang they're doing something naman.. di naman nila pinababayaan.. as I said.. every morning a group of people are cleaning the shore tapos binabaon nila yang mga algae na yan sa sand..

Boracay isn't the relaxing gem of a getaway that it used to be.

But hey, there's always Amanpulo.
No, there's Pagudpud, libre pa!!!!

bohol nalang.

Ritz, Four Seasons eye Boracay hotels
By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons groups of hotels are keen on putting up their own hotel and resort facilities in the country, particularly Boracay.

Samie Lim, chair of the BIZTour committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the two global leaders in the luxury hospitality business are just among the groups of investors eyeing to put up tourism projects in the country.

Should the investments of The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons push through, these would be on top of the .2 billion tourism investments that have been approved as of last year, the second year of PCCI’s five-year tourism master plan.

According to Lim, these two groups have approached the Department of Tourism after they found out that Shangri-La, another world-class operator of hotels and resort facilities, has massive investments in the country.

These groups were also encouraged by the study of the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, which has identified 60 tourism-related projects in Boracay with project cost of as low as P10 million to P10 billion that are eligible for its financing.

Officials of the Ritz and Four Seasons are reportedly scouting for possible areas in the Boracay main island or in the nearby areas in Aklan.

Lim said that one available area is the titled 400-hectare beach-front property owned by Ambassador Alba in Caticlan.

Among the grand hotels of the world, The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts are renowned for indulgent luxury. Sumptuous surroundings and legendary service await every guest that passes through our doors.

Its award-winning hotels reflect the 100 years of tradition that stand behind them.

The group has 59 hotels with 18,475 guest rooms in 20 countries with 28,000 employes,

The Ritz-Carlton was established in 1983 with the purchase of The RitzCarlton, Boston and the rights to the name RitzCarlton.

The management company has plans for further expansion in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

On the other hand, Four Seasons is a leader in luxury hospitality operating a chain of world-class hotels.

Four Seasons has 70 hotels in 31 countries and 20 others under various development stages.

Lim said the private sector and the government are pushing for the development of world-class tourist facilities in Boracay because its beauty has no comparison with the rest of the world making it the country’s sure ticket to be recognized among the top beach resorts of the world that include Bali, Phuket, or the Gold Coast of Australia.

So far, Boracay attracts only 140,000 tourists a year but Lim said it easy to bring in 2 million when all the facilities and promotions are in place.

The PCCI has launched a tourism investment advocacy program to complement the Department of Tourism’s focus on bringing in tourists into the country.

PCCI’s five-year master plan for the tourism industry aims to bring in five million foreign tourists, generate $ 5 billion in tourism receipts, and create five million jobs through billion investments by the fifth year of the program, which is by 2010.

"We are very much on track with our schedule" he said noting that a total of .2 billion in new investments for tourism-related projects have been approved last year.

PCCI president Donald Dee said the PCCI is spending P5 million for its tourism advocacy program this year. Last year, the business group spent P3 million. (BCM)

hmmm it's good to hear that ritz and 4 seasons have plans of setting up a resort in boracay. personally, i prefer these established hotels rather than the smaller resorts that boracay have now just because they would do all the possible measure to make sure they preserved that beauty of the island. again it would be less affordable but i rather see boracay stay clean abd beautiful than polluted and just out of control pollution problems.

malaki yung ginagawa nung shangrila dyan.. pag natapos parang they'll occupy one side of the island.. talagang grand yung setup nang resort..

hmmm it's good to hear that ritz and 4 seasons have plans of setting up a resort in boracay. personally, i prefer these established hotels rather than the smaller resorts that boracay have now just because they would do all the possible measure to make sure they preserved that beauty of the island. again it would be less affordable but i rather see boracay stay clean abd beautiful than polluted and just out of control pollution problems.
that's very true. and they will attract high end tourists. Since we can't really be like a backpacker type thailand we should concentrate on carribean type tourists

bohol nalang.

for me its a little Boracay, (Panglao Island), not that much difference. if you are into snorkeling, its a good place for you. (kung gagamitan ng analogy, kung pangit na sa Bora dahil sa maliliit na hotels na dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng algae, pangit na rin doon kasi pareho sila ng set up)
i was in Bohol in december 2004 and it was beautiful. i haven't asked/reseached if they have the same algae problem during the same months (maybe they don't, their geographic location and land area are different, that is if you consider the wind direction,water temperature/current)

Boracay has its own set up (small hotels), which makes it different from Thailand beaches(Phuket/Pattaya) , Spain/Canary Islands, Caribbean (dominated by famous hotel chains). it is Boracay, as what tourists see it, and one of the reasons why they go there. Shangri-la, Ritz, Four Seasons in the island or nearby would be great, income for the government, jobs for the locals.

i agree with Dvorak, sa mga palaging nandoon, common na yun sa kanila, most of the kids even play with it (getting a handful of it and throwing it at the face of those who feel disgusted of it, hehehe). i was there last May 2005, wala na yung mga algaes that time.

Algae sa beach:
early January 2004=wala, March 2004=meron, middle of April 2004=wala, October 2004=wala, May 2005=wala, October 2005=wala, January 2006=wala, February 2006=meron.

that's very true. and they will attract high end tourists. Since we can't really be like a backpacker type thailand we should concentrate on carribean type tourists

thanks for agreeing with me :)

btw, in this month's national geographic adventure magazine, palawan is in the magazine, a little article but atleast for the worls to know it exists!

Ritz, Four Seasons eye Boracay hotels
By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons groups of hotels are keen on putting up their own hotel and resort facilities in the country, particularly Boracay.

Samie Lim, chair of the BIZTour committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the two global leaders in the luxury hospitality business are just among the groups of investors eyeing to put up tourism projects in the country.

Should the investments of The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons push through, these would be on top of the .2 billion tourism investments that have been approved as of last year, the second year of PCCI’s five-year tourism master plan.

According to Lim, these two groups have approached the Department of Tourism after they found out that Shangri-La, another world-class operator of hotels and resort facilities, has massive investments in the country.

These groups were also encouraged by the study of the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, which has identified 60 tourism-related projects in Boracay with project cost of as low as P10 million to P10 billion that are eligible for its financing.

Officials of the Ritz and Four Seasons are reportedly scouting for possible areas in the Boracay main island or in the nearby areas in Aklan.

Lim said that one available area is the titled 400-hectare beach-front property owned by Ambassador Alba in Caticlan.

Among the grand hotels of the world, The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts are renowned for indulgent luxury. Sumptuous surroundings and legendary service await every guest that passes through our doors.

Its award-winning hotels reflect the 100 years of tradition that stand behind them.

The group has 59 hotels with 18,475 guest rooms in 20 countries with 28,000 employes,

The Ritz-Carlton was established in 1983 with the purchase of The RitzCarlton, Boston and the rights to the name RitzCarlton.

The management company has plans for further expansion in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

On the other hand, Four Seasons is a leader in luxury hospitality operating a chain of world-class hotels.

Four Seasons has 70 hotels in 31 countries and 20 others under various development stages.

Lim said the private sector and the government are pushing for the development of world-class tourist facilities in Boracay because its beauty has no comparison with the rest of the world making it the country’s sure ticket to be recognized among the top beach resorts of the world that include Bali, Phuket, or the Gold Coast of Australia.

So far, Boracay attracts only 140,000 tourists a year but Lim said it easy to bring in 2 million when all the facilities and promotions are in place.

The PCCI has launched a tourism investment advocacy program to complement the Department of Tourism’s focus on bringing in tourists into the country.

PCCI’s five-year master plan for the tourism industry aims to bring in five million foreign tourists, generate $ 5 billion in tourism receipts, and create five million jobs through billion investments by the fifth year of the program, which is by 2010.

"We are very much on track with our schedule" he said noting that a total of .2 billion in new investments for tourism-related projects have been approved last year.

PCCI president Donald Dee said the PCCI is spending P5 million for its tourism advocacy program this year. Last year, the business group spent P3 million. (BCM)

Finally, three 5-stars in Boracay(the other one being Shangrila). Anyway, any updates on shangrila in Boracay?

malaki yung ginagawa nung shangrila dyan.. pag natapos parang they'll occupy one side of the island.. talagang grand yung setup nang resort..


So underconstruction na ang Shanrila-Boracay?

Anyway ang ganda ng commercial ng Shangrila sa Discovery, NG at Tarvel and Living. Nkabandera ang Shangrila-Mactan.

malaki yung ginagawa nung shangrila dyan.. pag natapos parang they'll occupy one side of the island.. talagang grand yung setup nang resort..

I liked to see this one (Shangrila) pag finish na. I'll sure visit Boracay pag-uwi ko ng Pinas. Even here in Europe, Boracay remains the first selling destination of the Philippines.

^^ hmmm.... i wonder why boracay?

palawan is indeed better..

^Do we have a Palawan thread?

Balinghai
http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/01.jpg http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/02.jpg
http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/03.jpg http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/04.jpg
http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/05.jpg
http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/06.jpg
http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/07.jpg http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/08.jpg
http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/09.jpg http://boracay.com/i_resorts/balinghai/10.jpg

:eek: The possibility of a Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons in Boracay is big news! Looking forward to see how this turns out.:okay:

Crystal Cove Island

http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0001.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0002.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0003.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0004.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0005.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0006.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0007.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0008.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0009.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/crystal_cove_island/0010.jpg

Sunset @ Bora

http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0001.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0002.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0003.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0004.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0005.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0006.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0007.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0008.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0009.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0010.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0011.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0012.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0013.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0014.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0015.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0016.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0017.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0018.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0019.jpg
http://www.boracay.com/gallery/albums/boracay_sunset/0020.jpg

what´s shangri la´s construction site doing ? are they progressing ? when will they open ?

^^The website says mid-2008 is the opening of the resort. We can't really get pictures (unless someone here is well-connected) since it's all private, this resort will be an exclusive one kasi mag-isa siya dun sa location niya, unlike the others which are side-by-side.

Boracay's still lovely as ever. Wishing to visit the island by January next year. Btw, thanks for posting pics of Boarcay @Sinjin.

Another "new" hotel for Boracay !


Enter the BORACAY TROPICS

BORACAY ISLAND — The rush of construction for new hotels and resorts has intensified here as the demand for more rooms has increased considerably in recent years. First to finish construction was a new five-star resort hotel named Boracay Tropics. It is located at Boracay Station 2 on a sprawling estate of verdant landscape, a tropical oasis blending of Mediterranean and Asian architecture and interiors.

(article taken from: Manila Bulletin online
link: http://www.mb.com.ph/TOUR2006031959144.html)

Bora int’l dragon boat race
to bring in more tourists
By ULYSSES ESPARTERO

BORACAY – Preparations are now underway for the 3rd Boracay International Dragon Boat Races on May 11-13, 2006.

Event organizer Abigail Antonio said plans are being finalized by Xtreme Concepts for a successful dragon boat run.

(article taken from: Panay News online
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news10.htm)

if you want to promote boracay or other beaches by picturetrail, PM for the passwords.

maximum of 10 pictures per album..

i don't know if 2 million tourists a year in Boracay is good news or bad news...man, that tiny island is getting very crowded...
------------------------

yes, oh, yes to ritz-carlton and four seasons!!!

hope cebu would get ritz and four seasons as well...cebu is still the number 1 tourist destination in the country...

What happened na to the proposed Sheraton Boracay?

Got this from their site:

With a well-established brand synonymous with deluxe hotel accommodation, fine food and caring service, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is the leading Asian-based luxury hotel company in the region. The distinctive design of individual Shangri-La and Traders properties instills a rare and exclusive charm and personality in each property. Continuing expansion will further showcase the company's award-winning Asian-style hospitality. For more information on Shangri-La's exciting new hotels and resorts under development, please see below.



Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou Suzhou, China 2006
Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2006
Shangri-La Pazhou, Guangzhou Guangzhou, China 2006
Shangri-La Hotel & Spa, Chiang Mai Chiang Mai, Thailand 2007
Shangri-La Hotel, Xian Xian, China 2007
Shangri-La Hotel, Baotou Baotou, China 2007
Shangri-La Futian, Shenzhen Futian, China 2007
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore Bangalore, India 2007
Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu Chengdu, China 2007
Shangri-La Hotel, Hohhot Hohhot, China 2007
Traders Hotel, Urumqi Urumqi, China 2007
Traders Hotel, Bangalore Bangalore, India 2007
Shangri-La Resort & Spa, Seychelles Mahe, Seychelles 2007
Shangri-La Hotel, Manzhouli Manzhouli, China 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Doha Doha, Qatar 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Dongguan Dongguan, China 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo Ningbo, China 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver Vancouver, Canada 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Wenzhou Wenzhou, China 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Macau Macau 2008
Traders Hotel, Macau Macau 2008
Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Villingili Island Maldives, Villingili Island 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Miami Miami, United States 2008
Shangri-La Resort & Spa, Boracay Boracay, Philippines 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Paris Paris, France 2008
Shangri-La Resort & Spa, Bangalore Bangalore, India 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago Chicago, United States 2009
Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin Guilin, China 2009
Shangri-La West, Jingan, Shanghai Shanghai, China 2010
Shangri-La Hotel, At London Bridge Tower, London London, England 2010
Shangri-La Hotel, Las Vegas

20 January, 2005 Print this Page



Shangri-La To Strengthen Presence In Asia With Shangri-La Resort And Spa, Boracay Opening Mid 2007

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, has announced it will open a new spa resort in Boracay, Philippines in mid 2007, to complement the group's existing four properties in the Philippines.

The beachfront resort on Boracay island will be designed by Hawaii-based architect firm WATG, and the interior design will be headed by well-known Singapore-based designer Dan Bube, who is designing the group's Maldives resort. The resort will reflect a classic yet contemporary style combined with local cultural influences.

All the resort's 170 large guestrooms and 50 deluxe villas, with average floor space of 45 and 90 square metres respectively, will feature ocean views from spacious balconies or porches. Villas will include outdoor plunge pool, shower, whirlpool, pergola for al fresco dining and day bed for relaxation or massage.

The resort's dining and entertainment options will include a poolside bar, lobby lounge, pub, all-day dining coffee shop with outdoor seating, and specialty restaurant located on a spectacular promontory offering 360 degree ocean views, with indoor and outdoor seating.

Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay will provide the largest meeting and banqueting facilities on the island, consisting of a 600-square-metre ballroom and 400 square metres of function rooms. An outdoor wedding pavilion with panoramic views will accommodate 50 persons for weddings or special events.

The resort will feature a 1,350-square-metre CHI spa, Shangri-La's signature spa brand, with treatments based on Chinese and Himalayan healing concepts. Located on a rock peninsula in the ocean and overlooking a private bay, CHI will be a separate spa village complex designed as a sanctuary within the resort. The spa village facilities will include deluxe villas for half or full day use, and smaller suites for hourly treatments. A spa pool will be set within the landscaped garden.

In addition to CHI spa, recreational facilities such as outdoor tennis court, free form swimming pool, health club and marine centre with diving facilities will also be available.

A one-hour flight south of Manila, Boracay is an ideal tropical vacation destination. The picturesque island has more than 30 beaches, foremost of which is the four-kilometre White Beach with pure white sand, which is widely considered to be among the world's best beaches.

"The resort's prime location, luxurious accommodations, variety of outdoor activities and Shangri-La's unique hospitality, will produce extremely memorable stays for all our guests," said Giovanni Angelini, Shangri-La's chief executive officer and managing director. "This exciting new addition will strengthen our position as the dominant luxury hotel group in the Philippines and in Asia."

Shangri-La's existing properties include Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Edsa Shangri-La, Manila; Traders Hotel, Manila; and Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa, Cebu.


Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages 45 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders Hotels brands, in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates with a rooms inventory of over 21,000. In addition, the group has over 20 projects under development in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Qatar and Thailand.For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

For digitised pictures of the group's hotels, please go to http://www.shangri-la.com/imagelibrary


I think nagkaproblema sila kaya nadelay yung project.

http://www.shangintranet.com/mkt/images/SLBO/64e0001l.jpg

kaya lang medyo malungkot yung Shangrila resort dyan.. parang club panoly.. you have to take a tricycle pa para makapunta sa station 1 / 2 where all the fun is..

^^The tourist market they are trying to lure are usually made of people who enjoys vacationing in an exclusive, secluyded, tranquil and non-crowded place so a Shangri-La hotel far from the major tourist area would be a great idea. Amanpuri in Phuket is far from the main Phuket that we see in TV guides...

^^totot, when I go to one of these resorts the last thing I want to see is some drunken guys partying 1am outside my doorstep. differentiated marketing lang.

Boracay eyed as hotel hub

Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La see boom in RP tourism

By ANGIE CHUI

CEBU CITY — Major players in the international hotel industry like the Ritz Carlton and Shangri-La are now eyeing Boracay as a propspective site for their upscale hotels, said Sammie Lim, chairman for tourism of the PCCI Tourism Committee during a press briefing for the BizTour 5.


The BizTour program aims to boost the local economy and alleviate poverty by developing the tourism potentials of the country.

According to Lim, with the world-class quality of beaches in the Philippines, it is no wonder that potential investors are coming in by the bunch to infuse fresh capital into the country’s tourism industry.

Cebu Plus, one of the programs that resulted from the the BizTour initiative, is a five-year program aimed at atracting five million tourists to Cebu annually by 2010.

Proponents of the program have assured that Cebu, and its surrounding clusters, is highly suitable for tourists who have a penchant for gaming, adventure, sightseeing and wellness as it offers a wide variety of activities for them to choose from.

It also assures tourists of 3.5 million annual international air seats in Cebu Plus and the world class condition of the Mactan International Airport, which operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.


It also boasts of the high visibility, friendly and knowledgeable tourism police, which eliminates security as an issue in visiting the province.

Other parts of the Cebu Plus cluster are Mactan, South East Cebu, South West Cebu, North Cebu, North East Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Boracay, Bacolod , Iloilo, Palawan, Tacloban and Guiuan, while it also offers access to Palawan, Surigao, Siargao, Iligan, Dipolog, Zamboanga, Cagayan. Camiguin, Legaspi and Sorsogon.

The target of five million tourists annually within a five year period is actually a very modest figure considering that Malaysia has been securing tens of millions of tourists, along with Thailand, which has a number of beaches considered by industry leaders as a far cry from Boracay.

According to Lim, also president of Automatic Appliances, Inc., the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has mobilized its network of 110 chambers and 35 foreign bilateral business councils nationwide to help out in this ambitious program.

The tourism plan is anchored on the country’s five major international gateways — Laoag, Subic Clark, Manila, Cebu and Davao.

By 2010, the planners believe they could secure $ 5 billion annually in tourism receipts. They aspire to create five million jobs on the fifth year of the program.

"Before, the country has continously failed to surpass the two million tourist per year mark. Since the program was launched two years ago, the country now has 2.3 million visitors coming in annually," he said.

He attributed the increase to the program’s drive to promote medical tourism, gaming and other opportunities in the country, even as they continue to push the Philippines to be included in major cruises and tour packages like its other Asian counterparts.

http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/03/20/PROV2006032059163.html

Shangri-La To Strengthen Presence In Asia With Shangri-La Resort And Spa, Boracay Opening Mid 2007



can't wait for Shangrila Boracay to open .. above anything else, it'll boost Boracay's tourism industry more. Good for Boracay indeed !

can't wait for Shangrila Boracay to open .. above anything else, it'll boost Boracay's tourism industry more. Good for Boracay indeed !
I hope Shangrila has a great program to manage their solid and water waste like they have in other resorts.

http://www.shangintranet.com/mkt/images/SLBO/64e0001l.jpg

this one reminds me of Bali and hawaii`s luxurious style.. i love it..

Living shangrilas definition of luxury. good that shangrila continues to invest in the country eventhough we're not luring as much tourist as our neighbors. love shang too...

I hope Shangrila has a great program to manage their solid and water waste like they have in other resorts.
I hope so, too. Shangrila is a big international company with a name to uphold to. I'm confident enough they'll do their best to manage whatever waste disposal in their backyard for sure.

Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat, Oman (opening early 2006)
Edsa Shangri-La, Manila (opening mid 2006)
Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns (opening mid 2006)
Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang, Malaysia (opening mid 2006)
Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa, Yanuca, Fiji Islands (opening late 2006)
Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (opening late 2006)
Shangri-La Pazhou, Guangzhou, China (opening late 2006)
Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing, China (opening early 2007)
Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand (opening early 2007)
Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu, China (opening early 2007)
Shangri-La Hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (opening mid 2007)
Shangri-La Hotel, Qingdao, China (opening late 2007)
Shangri-La Futian, Shenzhen, China (opening late 2007)
Shangri-La Resort & Spa, Boracay, Philippines (opening early 2008) Tuloy natuloy na talaga ito
Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo, China (opening early 2008)
Shangri-La Hotel, Macau (opening early 2008)
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver, Canada (opening early 2008)
Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Maldives (opening mid 2008)
Jingan Shangri-La, Shanghai, China (opening mid 2008)
Shangri-La Resort & Spa, Bangalore, India (opening mid 2008)
Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, Qatar (opening late 2008)
Shangri-La Hotel, Miami, USA (opening late 2008)
Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago, USA (opening early 2009)
Shangri-La Hotel, at London Bridge Tower, London (opening 2010)
Shangri-La's Sunny Bay, Sanya, China
Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin, China

^^ actually the resort is opening in mid-2007...that list is for the Chi Spa openings... the one in Boracay opens later in mid-2008...

Spa grande ! Go Boracay !

bora will be fully congested within a year or two..

^^ Isn't it already? I think the Phils has to start promoting and developing other areas more agressively.

Ritz Carlton Corporate Vice President for Public Relations Ms. Vivian Deuschl confirmed through email that she is not 'aware' at the current time of any expansion plans to the Philippines. . . . Their focus right now is China-- they're opening up 3 hotels, 1 being now opened in Hong Kong. Thanks.


Ritz, Four Seasons eye Boracay hotels
By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons groups of hotels are keen on putting up their own hotel and resort facilities in the country, particularly Boracay.

Samie Lim, chair of the BIZTour committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the two global leaders in the luxury hospitality business are just among the groups of investors eyeing to put up tourism projects in the country.

Should the investments of The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons push through, these would be on top of the .2 billion tourism investments that have been approved as of last year, the second year of PCCI’s five-year tourism master plan.

According to Lim, these two groups have approached the Department of Tourism after they found out that Shangri-La, another world-class operator of hotels and resort facilities, has massive investments in the country.

These groups were also encouraged by the study of the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, which has identified 60 tourism-related projects in Boracay with project cost of as low as P10 million to P10 billion that are eligible for its financing.

Officials of the Ritz and Four Seasons are reportedly scouting for possible areas in the Boracay main island or in the nearby areas in Aklan.

Lim said that one available area is the titled 400-hectare beach-front property owned by Ambassador Alba in Caticlan.

Among the grand hotels of the world, The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts are renowned for indulgent luxury. Sumptuous surroundings and legendary service await every guest that passes through our doors.

Its award-winning hotels reflect the 100 years of tradition that stand behind them.

The group has 59 hotels with 18,475 guest rooms in 20 countries with 28,000 employes,

The Ritz-Carlton was established in 1983 with the purchase of The RitzCarlton, Boston and the rights to the name RitzCarlton.

The management company has plans for further expansion in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

On the other hand, Four Seasons is a leader in luxury hospitality operating a chain of world-class hotels.

Four Seasons has 70 hotels in 31 countries and 20 others under various development stages.

Lim said the private sector and the government are pushing for the development of world-class tourist facilities in Boracay because its beauty has no comparison with the rest of the world making it the country’s sure ticket to be recognized among the top beach resorts of the world that include Bali, Phuket, or the Gold Coast of Australia.

So far, Boracay attracts only 140,000 tourists a year but Lim said it easy to bring in 2 million when all the facilities and promotions are in place.

The PCCI has launched a tourism investment advocacy program to complement the Department of Tourism’s focus on bringing in tourists into the country.

PCCI’s five-year master plan for the tourism industry aims to bring in five million foreign tourists, generate $ 5 billion in tourism receipts, and create five million jobs through billion investments by the fifth year of the program, which is by 2010.

"We are very much on track with our schedule" he said noting that a total of .2 billion in new investments for tourism-related projects have been approved last year.

PCCI president Donald Dee said the PCCI is spending P5 million for its tourism advocacy program this year. Last year, the business group spent P3 million. (BCM)

^^Isa pang adik sa China, CNN nga inulit na naman yung Eye on China. For all I know nagpapasipsip lang yang mga yan kasi feeling nila maoovertake ng China ang US, sus!

^^
totoo yan, everyone panicked. :) pati Japan may "China + 1" policy na. . .

Meaning moro moro lang yung balitang expansion ng Ritz-carlton dito sa Pilipinas?

^^ well yeah, if the Corporate Vice Pres is telling the truth. But maybe she is just hiding it(expansion to the Phils), which I doubted as all of their projects are posted on their website.. but they should be seriously considering us... :)

http://www.travel-to-philippines.blogspot.com/
try to visit this site and see the beauty of the philippines

http://www.travel-to-philippines.blogspot.com/
try to visit this site and see the beauty of the philippines

i see this "the same post" in the other threads.

Kailan matatapos ang Discovery Shore?

has this been posted before ?
Boracay complies with garbage management

BORACAY -- The local government unit of Barangay Balabag, one of the three villages on the famous resort island of Boracay, has established a material recovery facility in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Glenn Sacapano, village chief, said the facility has been operating smoothly since Jan. 15, about a month before the Feb. 16 deadline set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). He said Barangay Balabag, which is located in the central portion of the island and host of several tourism-related businesses, is working at improving its waste disposal system.

The five-hectare materials recovery facility (MRF) serves as the temporary storage of recyclable garbage as well as composting area for biodegradable wastes.

"Some 80% of the residents and 90% of business establishments have been complying with the segregation policy. The wastes collected are being brought to the MRF for recycling and composting," Mr. Sacapano said.

He said they received a grant of P250,000 from the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BCCI) for the improvement of the facility, which was used to be made up of bamboo.

The chamber, which represents 37 member resorts and establishments, is implementing the P4-million "Eco-Education Campaign and Material Recovery Facility Project for the Residents and Tourism-Related Establishments in Boracay Island" with the help of the Private Enterprise Accelerated Resource Linkages, Phase II (Pearl 2), of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The project aims to gather all stakeholders to implement ecologically sound solid waste management which will contribute to the sustainability and viability of Boracay as a tourism destination.

The project uses the following strategies: information and education campaign; capability building; establishment of materials recovery facility for each of the three villages on the island; holding of an annual event to reward establishments with the best solid waste management system; and holding of the same event that promotes environmental awareness among students.

Jeorge D. Billedo, BCCI’s communication officer, said the project also provided Barangay Balabag a mini-dump truck as well as two chipping and shredding machines for processing of waste into compost.

"Income from selling recyclable materials and organic fertilizers will be used to self-sustain the MRF and the profit will be allotted to finance the expansion of the facility," Mr. Sacapano said.

Part of the plan is to develop a model organic vegetable farm to encourage the vermiculture scheme being adopted at the barangay level as a livelihood program. -- Jeehan V. Fernandez

resurrecting The Boracay Thread II.

Keep posting guys!

(ara na siya sa page 9. Aywan man ko pangita ba)

I'll try to fill this thread with some articles to liven it up!

Malay exec vows to address garbage problem
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY – Mayor Ceciron Cawaling has vowed to implement the solid waste management plan with the support of local organizations and barangay officials to fully address the garbage problem in the island.

“We are determined to provide funds for the normal operations of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) being put up in the three barangays – Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak,” Cawaling said over the weekend at Galaxy Beach Resort.

He said it is the prime responsibility of the local government of Malay to solve the garbage disposal problem, even if established organizations composed of resorts and establishments are doing their share in the waste segregation program.

Cawaling added the influx of local and foreign tourists contribute to the growth of tourism in the island. To sustain the beauty and nature of the island environment, the stakeholders should be responsible in addressing the garbage problem.

“Our collective efforts to address these issues by the establishment of a sanitary landfills and transfer of solid wastes to the mainland will have a positive impact in the continuing growth of the island’s tourism,” the mayor added.

He said holistic plans should also be incorporated in the planning of programs and there should be the participation and collaboration of the local government and other agencies to promote and develop tourism in the island.

“In any tourism-related development, the involvement of the local and national governments, business establishments and other various stakeholders lead to responsible and ecology-friendly tourism development projects in Boracay,” Cawaling added.

(article from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news8.htm)

Please post your Boracay pictures here>

Hala Bira Boracay!

When Typhoon "Caloy" passed across the Visayas last May 12, this was how Boracay looked like at that time. Simply the pristine blue seawater of boracay was not there. :no:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora01.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora02.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora03.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora04.jpg

^^ Lol, marami pa ring naliligo... Hmm, gano kaya kaginaw yung tubig?

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora05.jpg
Time delay exposure photo of d'mall ferris wheel.
Funny, there is a ferris wheel fun ride in Boracay located at D'Mall?? what's next? disneyland? nakakatawa na talaga ang boracay ngayon, sobrang commercialize na.

I think it's okay to commercialize Boracay just as long as the environment remains protected

Anyone has a picture of the new shangri-la being built in Boracay?

I am dying to see it!

I think it's okay to commercialize Boracay just as long as the environment remains protected
^^I agree with that but not TOO MUCH. The very reason why people flock to the island is to relax away from the hustle and bustle of commercialized areas.

SOme resort islands like Cancun and Bali and resort towns in the French and Italian Rivieras are already PACKED with gigantic resorts in some areas.

Boracay is crowded. Establishments must be controlled with strict implementations that will not damage Bora's environment and image.

Right now, they really have to work on the area along the central road. Honestly, baka ma-turn off ang turista kung dadaan sya dito.

Let Bora be a model for waste management for the rest of the country sana. Balancing human activities without hurting the environment.

Remember, the main asset of Bora is its natural beauty.

^^let's hope and pray the effort of the BCCI will work>>

Boracay Lives! (http://corporate.mozcom.com/dot/bb/bcci.html) is a 3 stage effort initiated by the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the objective of addressing the ecological sustainability of the island amidst rapid growth and development. Boracay currently produces between 7 to 10 metric tonnes of solid waste daily depending on tourist traffic which peaks in the summer months from March till May yearly.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/waste_Boracay.jpg
Waste management gets a boost in Boracay. Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland (second from left) recently witnessed the launch of the partnership between the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and the Private Enterprise Accelerated Resource Linkages Phase II (Pearl2) program of the Canadian International Development Agency for the "Eco-Education Campaign and Material Recovery Facility Project for the Residents and Tourism-related establishments in Boracay." The project aims to reduce the volume of solid waste in Boracay and increase the volume of recycling. Joining the Ambassador were (from left to right) Philippe Bartholomi, Chairperson, Executive Committee of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Carina Reina, President of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Ed Sutherland, Pearl2 Field Manager.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c261/sandwalker206/DSC00622.jpg
I don't think I've posted this before, taken last March 2005. As you can see, theres the algae again, but the sand was not only finer than sugar, it was also blindingly white under the afternoon sun.

and they have to control the local population there. it's beginning to look like manila with baby factories. along the shorelines of kalibo you would see garbage floating . I never saw this in 1996.

marites4, i agree with you. boracay looks totally different now, sads to say in a bad way. see all those people and garbage on the pictures posted above? yikes...

marites4, i agree with you. boracay looks totally different now, sads to say in a bad way. see all those people and garbage on the pictures posted above? yikes...
^^actually the above photos were taken during the height of typhoon "caloy" and those litters were seaweeds, and parts of trees caused by strong wind at that time. In fairness, boracay beach is being maintained and cleaned regularly by the Aklan authorities and island's business establishments.

Boracay Waterpark - Boracay, Philippines

International Theme Parks Services, Inc. was contracted to perform a feasibility analysis on developing a 2.8 acre waterpark on the Island of Boracay, Philippines. The study considered expected attendance, anticipated revenues, probable operating expense and projected cash flows - all based upon the supportable market and capacity available at the site.

Source (http://www.interthemepark.com/projects/asia.htm)

When Typhoon "Caloy" passed across the Visayas last May 12, this was how Boracay looked like at that time. Simply the pristine blue seawater of boracay was not there. :no:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora01.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora02.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora03.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/bora04.jpg
Oh gosh!!

anong nangyari? ang pangit!
di ko na kaya!

Anyone has a picture of the new shangri-la being built in Boracay?

I am dying to see it!
Me, too.

Any pics?

Bora tourist arrivals grew by 10.34%
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL


BORACAY – Tourist arrivals rose to 10.34 percent for the first six months this year, thanks to the 257,294 domestic tourists in the world famous island resort.

Of the total tourists from January to June, 78,553 or 23.39 percent are foreigners. The island registered 335,847 tourist arrivals from January to June or a 10.34 percent increase from the 304,358 arrivals last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

Boracay Island is a beach tourist destination offering great dive and snorkeling sites, pristine beaches, water sports and warm weather. It attracted 499,457 tourists in 2005 or 16.5 percent from 428,755 in 2004, of which 321,893 are domestic tourists.

Korea is still the island’s priority market with 46,447 arrivals or 59.13 percent of the total foreign tourists, followed by the United States with 6,368 arrivals.

Last year, tourist arrivals of 304,358 for the first semester grew by 11.26 percent to 273,545 in 2004.

The East Asian markets composed of China, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong posted 54,714 arrivals, accounting for 69.65 percent of the total foreign tourists.

North America such as Canada, Mexico and the United States has 7,800 arrivals followed by Western Europe with 5,579 and Northern Europe with 5,131 arrivals.

Boracay’s first semester growth was propelled by strong domestic tourist arrivals of 257,294 compared to 235,311 arrivals recorded in the same period last year. Foreign tourists grew from 78,553 or 13.77 percent compared to 69,047 arrivals in 2005.

(source: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/archives/2006/0723/news9.htm)

Shang at Bora?! Kala ko may Hyatt pa daw papagawa dyan. May Shang na gali?!

Boracay Waterpark - Boracay, Philippines

International Theme Parks Services, Inc. was contracted to perform a feasibility analysis on developing a 2.8 acre waterpark on the Island of Boracay, Philippines. The study considered expected attendance, anticipated revenues, probable operating expense and projected cash flows - all based upon the supportable market and capacity available at the site.

Source (http://www.interthemepark.com/projects/asia.htm)
I hope it doesn't get built.

^^ I agree. Kailangan pa ba ng "waterpark" sa Boracay, e nandyan na ang isa sa pinakamagandang beach sa buong mundo? I'd choose the sea, sand and sea breeze anytime over chlorinated pools and machine-generated waves.

^^ I agree. Kailangan pa ba ng "waterpark" sa Boracay, e nandyan na ang isa sa pinakamagandang beach sa buong mundo? I'd choose the sea, sand and sea breeze anytime over chlorinated pools and machine-generated waves.

doon na lang yan i-construct sa lugar na di malapit sa dagat. bat mag kocompete pa yan sa beach.

Boracay experience is best spent with peace of mind by enjoying the best nature can offer. Why the hell would a waterpark be built on such wonderful place? :soapbox:

By Dee Lopez

Boracay has always been the eternal paradise for me, the perfect refuge, the much-awaited asylum. Three visits (2001, 2004, and 2005) and numerous sessions of sunsets/sunrises, noontime tanning, accessories shopping, banana boat rides, crazy dancing, Illusion Shakers, avocado milkshakes, sexy hennas, summer flings - the usual, but heavenly, Boracay lifestyle – tattooed a picture-perfect paradise in my mind. Apparently, not…

While eating my overpriced and greasy tosilog breakfast (thank God it was complimentary) at our hotel at one in the afternoon (breakfast, technically, is still the first meal of the day), I received a text from my dad: See if you can be a journalist on the road. Interview a hotel personnel, assistant, or manager, and ask about what is being done about the sewerage waste problem there. They say that Boracay may die in three to five years.

Bummer, am I not supposed to be in vacation here? So I procrastinated the task to second to the last day in the island. What the hell, it’s just for a couple of minutes anyway, so I asked the receptionist if she knew anything about the ‘sewerage waste problem’ of Boracay. Good thing the hotel’s owner was eating breakfast nearby and overheard me. She was such an angel. She asked one of the staff to accompany me to the barangay captain’s office. And the next sixty minutes of my life changed the way I saw my pristine paradise forever…

I talk to Mr. Glen Sacapaño, Captain of Barangay Balabag, which extends from Allied Bank all the way up to the island’s west tip (Pearl of the Pacific, Sea Wind, Friday’s, etc.). And he tells me this: “Maliit na isla, malaking pinapasok na pera, palpak na mga proyekto.” (Small island, big money, poor projects.)

Back in 1990, there was a proposed project by the Philippine Tourism Authority to obtain a 400M Php loan from Japan, which would be spent on three things: sewerage, water, and solid waste management. The four barangays of Boracay opposed for they did not feel the need for borrowing such a huge sum of money. There was already water coming in from a private company from the mainland Aklan. They petitioned to NEDA, to the Office of the President, to the Office of the Local Government, and to the DILG to no avail. The loan pushed through and now Boracay owes 1B Php to Japan, due to the peso devaluation and high interest rates. And where has this money gone? To a sewerage treatment plan, that after only one year in operation, underwent problems already; to a 60M Php project for the concretizing of roads, which up to now has not yet been completed; to a drainage system with a useless outlet that leads to nowhere. I wonder where else…Why pursue such a huge budget when it is clear that its beneficiaries don’t want and need it? It is such a big injustice that the people of Boracay now have the burden of owing 1B Pesos just to satisfy the pockets of corruption.

I then remembered my dad specifically asking for details on the sewerage waste problem of Boracay so I ask Sir Sacapaño about this. And he tells me that the problem is not yet that grave in extent, but why wait for it to get bigger and bigger until all the tourists are driven away by too much garbage in the island. He says that Mike Defensor and the DNR intended a two-hectare dumping site for solid wastes in Caticlan, but up to now, it has remained nothing but a promise. All the solid wastes of the island still go to a dumping site in Barangay Balabag. This would be really disastrous to the island’s tourism if continued. What irks me is that the side-by-side biodegradable and non-biodegradable trash cans all over the island seem to be of no use. What is the purpose of segregation when there are no definite recycling plans and systems in the island?

Finally, Sir Sacapaño dwelt on what to him was the main problem of Boracay: NO CONCRETE PLANNING. He said that there were no actual and long-term development plans for the island regarding building constructions, access roads, solid waste problems. The master plan of DOT adopted by the municipal government more than a decade ago is still not being implemented, and worse, not even revealed. He likened Boracay to one chaotic mall with no designated areas for restaurants, shops, cinemas, and recreation. He said that the already saturated island was a disorganized fusion of residents, resorts, aqua sports, cockpits, shops, and even piggeries. This small island was being overdeveloped at rocket speed. The population was continually growing with laborers, employees, and construction workers outnumbering the tourists.

At least there was good news for the obsessive-compulsive shopaholic that I am: With the Talipapa market burnt down, a bigger and better shopping area is undergoing construction. This supposedly world-class Talipapa is soon to open (behind Kriselda).

With a heavy heart and a distorted vision, I come out of the barangay office. I hit the beach with a sudden desire to capture all the essences of my little nirvana: tan like the sun will never shine again, play Frisbee and build castles in the sand, drink piña coladas and dance as if my body was made solely for it. I wanted to safeguard the island in my arms and keep it there forever. Who knows when this piece of paradise will just be some glorious Atlantis tattooed in our memories…

Source (http://beachbaby.multiply.com/journal/item/80)

I have not gone to Boracay ever and I'm still wondering what makes Boracay's beaches special? (I mean if you compare it to Cebu's and Bohol's) What's the difference with Boracay's and Cebu's beaches? Umm, sand? :?

boracay dead in 4-5 years? Sad to say it's already happening. are filipinos just goint to allow this to happen?

I have not gone to Boracay ever and I'm still wondering what makes Boracay's beaches special? (I mean if you compare it to Cebu's and Bohol's) What's the difference with Boracay's and Cebu's beaches? Umm, sand? :?

Back then it was Bora's blinding white powdery sand beach.
Today, pati party-boopers love this place.

I don't see something special at Bora, especially Holy Week! Yikes! Parang Divisoria ang buong beach from Station1 to Station 3!

If you want peace of mind and away from the crowd, better go to nearby Carabao Island or sa mga tagong lugar sa Bora.

Some Aklanons or even Panaynons say that Bora is not Region 6 or Western Visayas but an island of the National Capital Region. Ang ambiance kasi parang sa Makati or Baywalk, nilagyan lang ng beach.

My friend works for Intercontinental Hotels Group and he told me a few weeks ago that Intercon is planning to put up a hotel in Boracay.

My friend works for Intercontinental Hotels Group and he told me a few weeks ago that Intercon are planning to put up a hotel in Boracay.

Yikes! Another hotel.
Kung maglalagay lang sana ng hotel sa Bora, dapat may sinusundang standards. Para naman sa Malay LGU ng Bora, dapat nilang nillalatag ang plano para sa Bora...;

What a big mistake for everyone who developed Boracay! The island is top-caliber it should have remained a tranquil and serene island, much like the island of Pamilacan and the islands in El Nido: FEW TOURISTS! Dapat Cebu or Bohol or Palawan mainland nalang ang i-develop ala Cancun, Phuket, Bali and Acapulco, these big islands can sustain proper waste management, unlike teeny-weeny Boracay, no space for more trash and worse, MASS TOURISM!

What a big mistake for everyone who developed Boracay! The island is top-caliber it should have remained a tranquil and serene island, much like the island of Pamilacan and the islands in El Nido: FEW TOURISTS! Dapat Cebu or Bohol or Palawan mainland nalang ang i-develop ala Cancun, Phuket, Bali and Acapulco, these big islands can sustain proper waste management, unlike teeny-weeny Boracay, no space for more trash and worse, MASS TOURISM!

Cramped na ang Bora. Ey, the Golden Mile of Mactan is being developed a'la Acapulco or Cancun.

Bora's supposedly parang exotic ang dating, hindi isang convention centre.

have a look to the east of caticlan. there is an extremly long beach there (google earth). why not develop that place with big hotels like interconti and others instead of killing paradise island. it´s closer to all 3 airports caticlan, kalibo and iloilo anyway....

Yikes! Another hotel.
Kung maglalagay lang sana ng hotel sa Bora, dapat may sinusundang standards. Para naman sa Malay LGU ng Bora, dapat nilang nillalatag ang plano para sa Bora...;
^^ I agree, take a look at the Korean-owned Seraph Hotel at station 2. A sprawling hotel with horrendous design and planning. Hindi bumagay ang edifice niya sa overall Boracay environment, ginawang disney castle ang frontage at chopseuy ang ibang buildings sa loob ng complex. yaayyy!!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/seraph.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/seraph02.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/seraph03.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3705.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3728.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3738.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3739.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3745.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3798.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3799.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3800.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3809.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3911.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/ergit222/CIMG3976.jpg

^^ Salamat sa Diyos wala na ang dumi... sumisingil na ba sila ng visitor's tax para sa kalinisan ng Boracay?

^^ Salamat sa Diyos wala na ang dumi... sumisingil na ba sila ng visitor's tax para sa kalinisan ng Boracay?

I don't know if the "visitor's tax" is included but when you get to Bora from Caticlan, iba ang rate ng "transportation fee"; last year Holy Week, it was P19.50 for Aklanons; P40 approx for other local and foreign tourists.

RP-Korean cultural house prexy visits Boracay
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL


BORACAY Island – To strengthen cultural and friendship ties, businessmen from the Philippine-Korean Cultural House (PKCH) visited the famed island resort yesterday.

Son Jong-Sun, a South Korean businessman and Center President of the PKCH cultural group arrived with Dr. James Kim, a cultural worker, for a three-day visit in the province.

Johnny Dayang, President of the Publishers’ Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), said businessmen and educators led by Cecile G. Alvarez, Presidential Adviser on Culture and Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Atty. Stanley Canta and Philippine Ambassador Susan O. Castrence, vowed to promote Filipino culture to Son.

Boracay is the favorite destination among Koreans who account for 60 percent of the total foreigners from January to June this year.

Korean businessmen also established dive shops, restaurants and beach hotels to cater to the needs of Koreans visiting the island.

“Son’s visit to the province seeks to encourage a friendly interaction among Koreans and Filipinos to address the spiritual and basic social needs of the Filipino community by establishing more cultural fairs and exhibits,” Dayang said.

Son is expected to meet with officials of the Department of Education (DepEd), leaders of the Philippine KOICA Fellows Association (Philkofa) and administrators of leading educational institutions in Aklan engaged in the promotion of culture and arts.

(article taken from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/archives/2006/0728/news8.htm)

and i always thought that boracay was a densely forested island with an immaculately white beach...damn i was wrong...no wonder why my folks hated it so much

and i always thought that boracay was a densely forested island with an immaculately white beach...damn i was wrong...no wonder why my folks hated it so much

^^ That was 30 years ago. Sad but true. I was also expecting an exotic Bora. Na-turn off kasi Holy Week ako pumunta. Parang Divisoria ang dami ng tao! Ang ingay! Di ako makapag-relax. Dun na lang ako sa Sicogon siguro or sa Olango or Bohol o Samal.

Bora is halfway between Paradise and Pandemonium for me.

Just got back from Boracay and I will echo the sentiments of the place not being remote anymore. First time I was there was in 1995 and it was truly "provincia". I remember walking for at least 10 minutes just to find a sari-sari store that sold pan de sal in the morning. Now, you have stores galore along the street and the beach walk.

I'm not sure if it was because it was habagat season, but there was so much litter along the beach and the alleys. Sayang. Everyone needs to take care of this place. Not once did I see a garbage truck collecting litter along the beach. Nakakainis, someone even left a soiled diaper on Willy's Rock!

Boracay still has pockets of paradise, but you have to look for it now like my pan de sal 11 years ago.

It was actually back in 1982 that was my first time in boracay.WOW It was the most beautiful island that I have ever seen.It was so clean and dirt cheap and no hotels at that time.You will be lucky to find a decent nipa hut for 10 pesos or 20 pesos a nite.Locals so friendly and not corrupt at all.I went back at 1990 and have seen changes already and came back probably 20 more times after that and have not seen bora for two yrs now.Now each time I go back I get readlly sad and stress but I still manage to get away from the crowd when its holy week I try to sail with my friends or hike and see the whole area not just the beach...so much to see and explore..and now I only try to return when its habagat season.No matter how much boracay has change I still have the first glimpse when it was really a paradise :wave:

Virtually all visitors to Boracay come for only one thing--the sea, sand and sun. This, after all, is what Boracay is all about. You would be very ill advised if you came here in search of history, art or culture. The truth of the matter is that Boracay does not have much of a history. There are neither grand old buildings to admire for architecture nor flea markets to browse for antiques. Until only a couple of decades ago, Boracay was nothing more than just a scattering of fishing villages. The typical local house is a bamboo-and-nipa hut that can barely withstand a strong typhoon, let alone the passage of time.

To get a glimpse of how local folk lived, and still live, a ride to Manoc-Manoc Beach will take you past one of the island's earliest settlements. Another place where you can get a taste of local life is the Cockfighting Arena (though be prepared for some bloody scenes that would offend an animal lover). Talipapa Market, where goods ranging from fresh food to tourist souvenirs are sold, offers you the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of a typical Filipino market.

The onset of tourism changed Boracay completely. As word of its exceptional beauty--specifically the immaculate white sands of White Beach--spread, tourists began arriving, first in dribbles and then in droves. Suddenly, from a sleepy, sparsely populated island, Boracay was transformed into a major destination on the international travel circuit. Whether the change was for the better or worse is an open question, but it was certainly a turning point in the "history" of the island.

The first foreigners to discover Boracay were backpackers--budget travelers who required nothing more than a place to rest for the night after exploring the island's unspoilt grandeur by day. The early forms of accommodation were rudimentary. A mattress on the bamboo floor of a native-style hut was considered a "luxury." There were no such niceties as hot and cold showers, televisions, telephones, or even restaurants. Electricity did not come to the island until the early 1990s. Until then, candles and kerosene lamps provided the only man-made light under the glittering stars or the brilliant tropical moon.

For some reason these first visitors were mostly European, particularly Swiss and Germans. So much so that for a while Boracay was jokingly referred to as a canton of Switzerland. Even today there is a conspicuous Swiss/German presence that can readily be seen in such places as the Swiss Inn Restaurant & Bar and Bavarian House. The owner of Mango-Ray Resort is one of several Swiss citizens who opted to settle on the island.

Today the foreign community comprises a truly multinational collection of British, French, Belgian, Austrian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Australian and American nationals, in addition to the aforementioned Swiss and Germans. One of the earliest Western-style establishments to go up was, in fact, a British import-the English Bakery. Here you can enjoy traditional English tea (or breakfast), accompanied by such English specialties as muffins and scones. Moondog Shooter Bar, a drinking "institution" closely identified with Boracay's nightlife, is owned by an American.

As the number of tourists increased, it became obvious that modern accommodations were needed. Thus did more sophisticated versions of the traditional bamboo-and-nipa hut sprout to welcome the influx of visitors. One of the earliest to rise near White Beach was the Red Coconut Resort. Somewhat later, hotels constructed of concrete, such as Willy's Beach Resort and Pearl of the Pacific, appeared on the scene.

Interestingly many of these places were built by members or branches of one family--the Tirols--who owned much of the land along the beach. The Sea Wind Resort is owned by a Tirol, as are many others, and stands next to the Gloria & Robert Tirol Heritage Museum, where you can see a small display about Boracay's past, along with some antique Philippine and Chinese ceramics excavated from old graves. (If you are interested in indigenous art, the Center for Art Creativity and Consciousness is also worth a visit.)

How was Boracay discovered by international travelers? The answer to that question is largely conjecture, but some say a visiting movie crew was the first to come back with tales about the island's natural splendor. Others say it was a rave review in a German traveler's book that piqued people's curiosity. The fact is that Boracay today is visited by roughly 100,000 tourists every year, making it one of the Philippines' premier tourist destinations. Given the fact that the island is just some seven kilometers long and three kilometers wide, that is a quite considerable number.

The old magic of being "lost" in a tropical island paradise may be gone forever, but in its place you now have the convenience of modern amenities. Some hotels, such as Fridays, Lorenzo South and Roman Palace, boast rooms that are world-class in standards. Still, even with the coming of modernity, Boracay remains a place of surpassing beauty. It certainly can continue laying claim to the title of "the world's most beautiful tropical island."

Text by Virgil Calaguian
source (http://uk.holidaysguide.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-120923-boracay_island_history-i)

guys,may nakapag travel na ba sa inyo by car from calapan city to roxas then roxas to katiclan.how many hours drive from calapan to roxas.tnx

guys,may nakapag travel na ba sa inyo by car from calapan city to roxas then roxas to katiclan.how many hours drive from calapan to roxas.tnx

^^ From Calapan to Roxas, Or.Mindoro, it'll take you about approx 3-4hours.
First leg will be straight then it'll be a winding road in Happy Valley, Socorro.

It is advised not to drive on night from Calapan to Roxas Or.MIndoro kasi may nambabato daw.

Pag-abot mo Roxas, OR.Mindoro, mga 4hours ang ferry to Caticlan port.

thank you very much @ berniemacksouthcentr

omg Boracay is overdeveloped already in a bad way

I MISS BORA!!!!! :(

omg Boracay is overdeveloped already in a bad way

what is rather the good way to develop it? would you like to clarify?

hello SkyscraperCity Forumers!
pa plug lang! try to see this video...
Visit Davao!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJJey5tbs-0

tnx

it's good to note that Ritz and Four Seasons are interested. I think Bora is a good location for them :)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/bora.jpg

nakakainis talaga tignan mo kulay ng tubig , green dahil sa algae. mamaya isang manila bay na naman yang boracay. a very rare beach pinapabayaan talaga.

sana makapunta man lang ako ng boracay bago ako mamatay....

if youre in iloilo/bacolod, ilang hours na lang ba to boracay?

sana makapunta man lang ako ng boracay bago ako mamatay....




rephrase: sana makapunta ako ng boracay bago ito mamatay... :D

^^ That was 30 years ago. Sad but true. I was also expecting an exotic Bora. Na-turn off kasi Holy Week ako pumunta. Parang Divisoria ang dami ng tao! Ang ingay! Di ako makapag-relax. Dun na lang ako sa Sicogon siguro or sa Olango or Bohol o Samal.

Bora is halfway between Paradise and Pandemonium for me.

I'm for Sicogon too. Pero honestly, I don't think Bohol is all that bad. I like Bohol too.

rephrase: sana makapunta ako ng boracay bago ito mamatay... :D

^^ Life expectancy: Within a decade or less if conservatory measures will not be implemented.

Bora made near-death experiences with oil spills (Semirara is east of Bora, only 10kilometers and Guimaras on the other side of Panay) but it might get self-destruct.

Was Boracay affected by the Guimaras oilspill? If it was, it would be a disaster for Philippine tourism!

Was Boracay affected by the oilspills?

^^ Not yet. Just near misses. That event in Semirara alarmed Boracay since it is just 10 kilometers. Bwenas sila kasi it was Amihan (Northeast winds) that was prevailing, so it was moving away from Bora.

In Guimaras however, it's moving northeast due to prevailing habagat, endangering not only Guimaras but also Negros, Iloilo, Sicogon and might reach Bantayan if that 2 million liters of bunker fuel would not be contained immediately.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bVhwyJsQV6g"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bVhwyJsQV6g" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Korean Music Video shot in Bora

I still like Boracay. These pics were taken Summer of 2006

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p5fcf879f0e062a3a803f27e0498d08b0/ecf7eac0.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/pde051b80408fe171714073d7d0ded376/ecf7eb0a.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p714979be8914e291b364fb5e66183827/ecf7eb16.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid205/p5178669b206d04bf605b2137dc10a4e2/ef286a50.jpg

.. really beautiful Boracay, Lightning. I wish to revisit the place in the very near future. Any idea when is the next Sandacastle (Porma Balas) Contest? And the famous Bikini Open? :)

Getting To Boracay

Various routes lead to Boracay Island. The easiest and fastest way from Manila and Cebu is by air either to Kalibo or Caticlan. Schedules vary, so please check with the airlines. Another way is via ship from Manila, which will dock, depending on the weather, either a few minutes away from Caticlan or a little further away. Not for the faint-hearted! And for people with more time and an adventurous streak there is the overland route from Cebu over Negros to Iloilo and from there to Caticlan.

Travel Resources
(click the establishment name for more information)

Tourist Center Boracay A one-stop center for all services and businesses.
Asian Spirit - The People's Airline Asian Spirit serves today not only the Manila - Caticlan route, but also flights from Caticlan to Cebu and vice versa and as well many more domestic routes and airports.
South East Asian Airlines (SEAAIR) South East Asian Airlines a pioneer in Philippine aviation since 1995, bringing you to the most beautiful destinations. Consistency, quality, and reliability characterize our services.



Travel by air (Main Routes)

Manila - Caticlan

Asian Spirit with four to five flights daily Sea Air with three flights daily
Sea Air with three flights daily

Manila - Kalibo

Philippine Airlines with up to four flights daily
Cebu Pacific with one to two flights daily
Air Philippines with one to two flights daily

Cebu - Caticlan

Asian Spirit with one to two flights weekly
Sea Air with one to two flights weekly
Caticlan - Busuanga (Coron Isl./Northern Palawan)
Sea Air on demand




Alternate Arragements (Land or Sea)

From Iloilo to Caticlan
Ceres Bus has regular bus schedules, some of them air conditioned, from Iloilo to Kalibo and three times daily directly to Caticlan. GM Liner is another bus company plying the route Iloilo - Caticlan with air-conditioned buses twice daily in both directions. Alternatives are the mini-vans from Iloilo to Kalibo and another mini-van from there to Caticlan. Another alternative is to rent a taxi from Iloilo directly to Caticlan. The trip Iloilo to Caticlan takes between 4 to 7 hours.
From Kalibo to Caticlan
Southwest Tours, Star Express and 7107 Island Tours ply the route from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan with air-conditioned buses or coasters. Included in the price is also the boat transfer from Caticlan to one of Boracay's boat stations. Other means of reaching Caticlan are mini-vans, which are a little cheaper, but don't provide boat service to Boracay. The trip takes one to 1.5 hours.
Ship Manila to Caticlan
MBRS Shipping Lines have two boats plying the route from Manila to Caticlan. The ships leave Manila's North Harbor, Pier 8, every Friday, Monday and Wednesday at 5 PM. Arrival time in Caticlan is the next day between 6 and 8 AM.

Other shipping companies service the route Manila to Dumaguit, half an hour east from Kalibo. The companies are WG&A and Negros Navigation.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>By Car from Luzon<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Caticlan, the entry point for Boracay, can be reached also by private cars or air-conditioned buses, via the 'strong republic nautical highway', stretching from Batangas, Luzon, to Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. A RoRo (Roll On - Roll Off) vessel leaves Batangas daily at 8.30 AM to Calapan, Mindoro. From there drive your own car or board a mini-van or air-conditioned bus to Roxas, Mindoro, where another RoRo vessel leaves at 2 PM for Caticlan, where the boat arrives at 6 PM. Private cars can be parked at one of the many shady and secured parking lots for a fee. No cars are allowed on Boracay Island. The same RoRo vessel leaves Caticlan daily at 9 AM. Contact number: Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc., Main office Batangas City, Tel.: 043 723 7975/ 723 7598 and 723 2964.

From Calapan to Roxas, Or.Mindoro, it'll take you about approx 3-4hours.
First leg will be straight then it'll be a winding road in Happy Valley, Socorro.
It is advised not to drive on night from Calapan to Roxas Or.MIndoro kasi may nambabato daw.
Pag-abot mo Roxas, OR.Mindoro, mga 4hours ang ferry to Caticlan port.

SM Prime to build 4 new malls next yr
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
The Philippine Star 10/09/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200610090701.htm

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest shopping mall developer and operator, has earmarked P7 billion next year for the construction of four new malls and the expansion of SM Fairview and SM Cebu.

SM Prime president Hans Sy said the new malls will be constructed in Bacolod City; Baliwag, Bulacan; Taytay, Manila; and Muntinlupa.

Sy said the 2007 capital budget excludes land acquisition.

Jeffrey Lim, vice-president for finance of SM Prime, said the projects will be funded with a combination of borrowings and internally-generated cash.

SM Prime earlier said it intends to build four to five malls annually for the next three years in 14 locations including Marikina, Parañaque, Tarlac and Pangasinan.

SM Bacolod is slated for opening in the first quarter of next year.

The company opened last month SM City Lipa in Batangas, bringing the number of SM Prime’s malls to 27.

Launched earlier were SM Supercenter Pasig, SM City Sta. Rosa, SM City Clark, and SM Mall of Asia, the group’s biggest so far.

SM Prime expects its flagship Mall of Asia which opened in May, to help net profit rise by up to nine percent this year from 2005. Net profit is seen to reach P5.3 billion to P5.4 billion from P4.97 billion in 2005.

Mall of Asia, which was construted at a cost of P7 billion, will account for about two percent of net profit this year, and 10 percent of annual profits in the long-term.

Rental revenues from new malls and cinema ticket sales boosted SM Prime net profit in the first half of the year by nine percent to P2.6 billion from P2.4 billion in the same period last year. Total revenues grew 17 percent to P6.09 billion from P5.2 billion.

The Sy family was earlier reported to have acquired majority control of a 430-hectare property in Boracay Island. The Alba family who owns the property will retain a 30 percent stake.

Initial plans for the property include the establishment of another SM mall and a recreation area and a spa resort to cater to tourists visiting the island resort.

^ An SM mall in Boracay? That's too much in my opinion :)

^ An SM mall in Boracay? That's too much in my opinion :)

No kidding.
Freakin dumb idea.
Yeah, create more garbage for Boracay.

I agree that a mall is overkill and quite unnecessary sa Boracay. Perhaps what they will end up doing is integrate that with the resort/spa they're building kinda like Serendra maybe.

oms sm mall in boracay? where do they plan to built this? is this pushed thru, i really lost the credibility of the government, especially in that area////

I really do wish that THEY LEAVE THE ISLAND ALONE!! :wtf:

^^ That was 30 years ago. Sad but true. I was also expecting an exotic Bora. Na-turn off kasi Holy Week ako pumunta. Parang Divisoria ang dami ng tao! Ang ingay! Di ako makapag-relax. Dun na lang ako sa Sicogon siguro or sa Olango or Bohol o Samal.

Bora is halfway between Paradise and Pandemonium for me.

imo Bora is actually more of a party place for the 20-somethings now...

filthy partygoers and then they don't clean up after themselves trashing the whole island.

[SIZE="3"]
The Sy family was earlier reported to have acquired majority control of a 430-hectare property in Boracay Island. The Alba family who owns the property will retain a 30 percent stake.

Initial plans for the property include the establishment of another SM mall and a recreation area and a spa resort to cater to tourists visiting the island resort.

oh la la. Even the mall kingpin is interested with Boracay Island. :dunno:

more Boracay pics please. Cheers !

SM Prime to build 4 new malls next yr
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
The Philippine Star 10/09/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200610090701.htm

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest shopping mall developer and operator....

The Sy family was earlier reported to have acquired majority control of a 430-hectare property in Boracay Island. The Alba family who owns the property will retain a 30 percent stake.

Initial plans for the property include the establishment of another SM mall and a recreation area and a spa resort to cater to tourists visiting the island resort.

^^This news item is inaccurate. The said 430-hectare property owned by Aklan Resort Corp. of the Alba family is located in the town of Nabas, which is adjacent to the town of Malay, and not in the island of Boracay. The initial plans considered for the property are correct though and Sy acquired 70% of the company.

What is absurd with the write up is that Boracay is only a 10.32 sq. km. island (approx. 7 km. long and about 1 km. at its narrowest point) yet the Albas happen to own 4.3 sq. km. of the island (41.67% of it)? Wow! :bash:

The writer needs to do some thorough research before putting anything on print.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bVhwyJsQV6g"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bVhwyJsQV6g" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Korean Music Video shot in Bora

sponsor pa yata ang Globe...

^^This news item is inaccurate. The said 430-hectare property owned by Aklan Resort Corp. of the Alba family is located in the town of Nabas, which is adjacent to the town of Malay, and not in the island of Boracay. The initial plans considered for the property are correct though and Sy acquired 70% of the company.

What is absurd with the write up is that Boracay is only a 10.32 sq. km. island (approx. 7 km. long and about 1 km. at its narrowest point) yet the Albas happen to own 4.3 sq. km. of the island (41.67% of it)? Wow! :bash:

The writer needs to do some thorough research before putting anything on print.


phew! that's a relief! imo an sm would have been one of the worst that could happen to bora... i like those small stalls at d mall better... there's a certain charm to them

maybe bora is too crowded but i dont think its dying...just got back from bora...its not summer time so not as many filipino tourist are there, instead alot of foreigners (westerners to be exact) flood the white sand beaches and it seems na if by this tym kayo pumunta...its not that crowded and maapreciate mo tlga ang natural beauty niya...i dnt think resort owners will make pabaya w/ bora since ito ang kinabubuhay nila...siguro were just all concerned about the welfare of the place. i believe every sector naman is doing its best to preserve bora....nasa atin mga tourist actually ang RESPONSIBILITY to keep boracay what it is now.

yep i hear the SY family will be building a resort spa in bora BUT NOT a mall....may regulations ata sa mga structures na dapat ibbuild sa bora island and a mall is definitely not part of it. so relax hindi mall ang ipatatayo ni henry sy..=)

maybe bora is too crowded but i dont think its dying...just got back from bora...its not summer time so not as many filipino tourist are there, instead alot of foreigners (westerners to be exact) flood the white sand beaches and it seems na if by this tym kayo pumunta...its not that crowded and maapreciate mo tlga ang natural beauty niya...i dnt think resort owners will make pabaya w/ bora since ito ang kinabubuhay nila...siguro were just all concerned about the welfare of the place. i believe every sector naman is doing its best to preserve bora....nasa atin mga tourist actually ang RESPONSIBILITY to keep boracay what it is now.

my sentiments too. :)

^^This news item is inaccurate. The said 430-hectare property owned by Aklan Resort Corp. of the Alba family is located in the town of Nabas, which is adjacent to the town of Malay, and not in the island of Boracay. The initial plans considered for the property are correct though and Sy acquired 70% of the company.

What is absurd with the write up is that Boracay is only a 10.32 sq. km. island (approx. 7 km. long and about 1 km. at its narrowest point) yet the Albas happen to own 4.3 sq. km. of the island (41.67% of it)? Wow! :bash:

The writer needs to do some thorough research before putting anything on print.

That's right Oboi. I don't think a single person can own almost half of an island. :nono: Anyway, I wish SM will build a mall in Aklan soon. They'll definitely have a good local and international market to cater (local for Akeanons and international for foreign visitors in Boracay). Go BORACAY !

^^Indeed I agree, this will help aklan alot!

It'll boost Aklan's local economy, for sure. Bringing SM closer to the Philippine's Best. My, my, my - high end shops will flood the area once SM will open in Aklan near Boracay. Foreigners are the best market for a high-end brands. They have the money to stir and spare. It's a good idea indeed.

Back to Boracay Island, there's an ongoing MEDIA SUMMIT there at present. Boracay is becoming the present's choice (or venue) for national conventions. Also, I've read in one newspaper that illegal strucutres were being dismantled to pave way for "clean" paradise-island and cater more projects coming.

Proud of Boracay!

anything for Aklan ang hampang niyo diri ah

Back to Boracay:

Modernization of Boracay
security measures pushed
By MICHAEL RESTERIO

BORACAY – With the global threat on terrorism, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) prepared a “modern” security plan for Boracay and submitted it to Camp Crame.

According to Senior Supt. Wesley Barayuga, deputy regional director of the PRO-6 Operations and Plans Division, the security plan also lists the equipments needed in security the island-resort.

Aside from the PNP, also securing Boracay are the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Among the PRO-6’s recommendations are:

• setting up of a data base of residents, stakeholders and employees in Boracay;
• implementation of no-gun policy among the residents;
• modernization of equipments
• setting up of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in key areas of Boracay.
Because it is believed that terrorists could enter Boracay through its shores, the Boracay Security Plan is also tasking the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to simultaneously conduct patrol boat visibilities around the island.

Barayuga said increasing the number of cops in the island would also be good. At present, there are only 100 policemen in Boracay protecting some 13,000 residents.

source: Panay News

i read an article re the opening of discovery suites in boracay... it's close to boat station 1... looks and sounds kinda nice :okay:

thanks for the good news Laquacherra.

Just got back from bora couple of days ago and the island is looking real good

I posted lots of pics on the photo album thread at samahan, attach ko na lang link dito

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=402296&page=9

everthing was good except for this monstrosity smack dab on station 2!!!!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/progressiveflip/DSC04804.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/progressiveflip/DSC04808.jpg

BORACAY, not being part of Conde Nast's TOP 10 Island Destinations in Asia/Indian Ocean Category poses a big challenge to this beautiful paradise... I just hope one day, Boracay and some other islands in RP will be part of this prestigeous listing.

No violent reactions please, opinion ko lang po to...

^^ eeww! what's that?! :ohno:

^^ eeww! what's that?! :ohno:

sewer? canal? drainage? eh bakit papunta sa beach?!!! wtf.

omg....what's that? what had happened to Boracay? this is so heart breaking...so sad to see something like this.

Oh my god it's a sewer canal smack in the middle of boracay. disgusting.

Hay nako bat di nila tanggalin yan! Sila rin ang mawawalan ng trabaho kapag nasira ang Boracay!!!

A disaster waiting to happen or shall the people be so laidback with this issue? Honestly, gusto ko si Bora nung Birhen pa sya, pero ng ginahasa sya ng sobrang komersalisasyon at ni walang pakialam. Maganda ang alindog ng Boracay pero di maglalaon, kung hindi sosolusyunan...goodbye Bora!

Sustainable Tourism is a must, not neglect nor apathy.

and i just know tons of people walked by there dedma lang. Without anyone taking the time to point this out .

sad sad sad...

The first time I went to Boracay was in 1991. I went back to the island in 2001. A very big difference indeed!

In 1991, there's no colliform (did I spell it right?) on the beach and it was never heard of. Maybe it was not an issue back then that's why I never heard anyone mentioned its occurence. It was April when I went there so maybe those things did not sprout in April.

In 1991, there was generally no electricity in the island. Most of the resorts used kerosene lanterns at night except for those who opted for generators, but still there were no glaring electric bulbs on structures and open areas.

In 1991, most of the resorts are made of native materials. I was told before by the receptionist of the resort where we stayed that it was prohibited to construct structures made of concrete, masonry or steel.

In 1991, you will see no more than 10 bancas docked along White Beach.

In 1991, I was able to indulge on a conversatrion with an Italian couple and asked about their impression of the island. Surprisingly, they said it was a little bit crowded (can't imagine what their comments would be if they visit the island today) but they were quick to say that it's a lot more beautiful than Phuket/Pattaya, Bali and Hawaii.

After 10 years (2001), none of the above holds true except maybe for the comments made by the Italian couple which is very subjective. Sad to say, we can't be assured that all new visitors in Boracay today will have the same impression.

that canal/estero thing has actually been there since my first visit to the island in '96. back then, it was much "cleaner" but still an eyesore and very unsanitary. anyway, they should do something about it ASAP.

my gawd.. the government has failed seriously in maintaining and putting up strict restrictions in the island.. devastating!!!

Just got back from bora couple of days ago and the island is looking real good

I posted lots of pics on the photo album thread at samahan, attach ko na lang link dito

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=402296&page=9

everthing was good except for this monstrosity smack dab on station 2!!!!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/progressiveflip/DSC04804.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/progressiveflip/DSC04808.jpg

eeeeewww! buti na lang low tide. at least all of us are spared from the gory sight of seeing sewage mix with beach water coz that happens during night time. :-(

The cleanup of Boracay island begins
GoodNewsPilipinas (http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/beauty_of_the_philippines/current/boracay_cleanup.html)


The Philippine Tourism Authority has started cleaning up operations on the world famous white beach recently to return to Boracay its natural appeal and unhampered view of the beach.

The issuance of Executive Order No. 156 Series of 2006 dated Oct. 5, directs owners of business establishments in Boracay Island to clear illegal structures and individual landscaping and beautification of the front beach area facing their respective properties and establishments.

Local officials from the Provincial government of Aklan witnessed the Boracay front beach clearing operations.

Pursuant to its mandate, the PTA enforced Malay Municipal Ordinances 96-97 and 2001-131, regulating the construction of all buildings and other structures in the island. Upon the creation of a task force, the PTA has determined that 69 establishments had illegal structures that were encroaching on the "NO BUILD ZONE."

Some of the establishments constructed permanent structures despite only being granted temporary permits stipulating the use of only light materials but have already extended their facilities towards, and nearer the waterline.

"Boracay is a magnet for both foreign and domestic tourists with arrivals increasing by more than 15 percent every year, generating almost R10 billion in receipts for the stakeholders in the island. Sustainable development is the key to maintaining and preserving the beauty and environment of the island," said the PTA.

The area to be cleared covers 25 meters from established markers and this encompasses the "NO BUILD AREA" declared in Malay Municipal Ordinances 96-97 and 2001-131. "The ordinances were issued as early as 1996. It's been a long time coming and we must uphold the rule of law. Since the law says that all structures within the NO BUILD ZONE must be set back 25 meters, this designated area must be cleared," added Barbers.

Asked about his reaction on the clearing operations, an expat resort owner who requested anonymity said, "We'd like Boracay to retain its natural appeal and unhampered view of the white beach. I guess it only took the strong political will to put the development of the island in the right perspective. We've cleared our frontage already as they asked and we will support the PTA all the way."

With its famous white sands and bustling everyday all night parties, the heavy influx of tourists was accompanied by relentless rapid developments on Boracay's front beach that now mars its natural beauty. The front beach is now littered with structures used as stockyards for construction waste and debris.

"One of the reasons I chose to settle here was because of the wide front beach. Now the resorts are almost at the waterline. It's good that they're clearing the area so everybody has a chance to really enjoy Boracay's white beach," commented a Filipino resort owner.

Asked about the status of the water supply and sewerage on the island, the PTA replied, "We are convincing the owners of the establishments to stop using ground water and have themselves connected to the sewerage system of the Boracay Waterworks and Sewerage System so we had a big billboard installed at the municipal plaza listing the violators. We are also doing the drainage system to help secure the island's water supply."

The PTA is currently undertaking the construction of a drainage system, having already established a water and sewerage system on the island. The Boracay Waterworks and Sewerage System (BWSS) supplies clean water to residences, resorts as well as other institutions.

"It is good that the stores are pushed back so that there is more beach to enjoy. With the new sewerage and drainage system, Boracay would be better than ever," commented a Korean national. Koreans are consistently in the top three nationalities visiting Boracay along with the North Americans and the Japanese.

Just got back from bora couple of days ago and the island is looking real good

I posted lots of pics on the photo album thread at samahan, attach ko na lang link dito

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=402296&page=9

everthing was good except for this monstrosity smack dab on station 2!!!!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/progressiveflip/DSC04804.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/progressiveflip/DSC04808.jpg

matagal na yan!!!