Aklan Province and Boracay Island - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 5

spacewagon1

April 12th, 2007, 06:53 AM

8th Fiber Fest launches new products
2007-04-12

AKLAN, the acknowledged Piña capital and handloom weaving destination of the Philippines, will hold the 8th Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival (Fiber Fest) April 23-27.

Fiber Fest is one of the major events of the week-long celebration of the 51st anniversary of Aklan which falls on Apr. 25.

The festival will be held at the provincial capitol grounds, Capitol Site in Kalibo.

Fiber Fest will showcase Aklan’s best products of blended loomwoven fabrics, fashion accessories and furnishings from piña, abaca, raffia and other fibers.

Mixed-media-based (indigenous fibers e.g. abaca, seagrass, nito, lampakanay, agzam, rattan; wood; bamboo; steel/iron), gifts and houseware as well as furniture and furnishings will also be displayed.

Deboned bangus, meat-based processed foods and bakery products will also be highlighted. Horticulturists, landscape artists and hobbyists will appreciate anew the beauty of nature while buying from our ornamental plants and cutflower exhibits.

A special feature of the Fiber Fest is the Fairtrade Zone that will be set up at the theme setting and the contemporary lifestyle setting of living spaces by the world-renowned lifestyle designer PJ Arañador.

Arañador is the regular designer-consultant and visual merchandiser of the show.

Aside from the assisted SMEs, the 17municipalities of the province and several community-based organizations/agencies will exhibit their agri-industrial products.

Likewise, a One Town, One Product (OTOP) corner will be mounted to showcase the OTOP of each municipality.

Fiber Fest is a joint project of the provincial government, the congressional district office, the Department of Trade and Industry –Aklan and the Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc., in coordination with the Aklan Piña Manufacturers and Traders Association, Inc. and the Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc.

Alongside the Fiber Fest is the Tsibugan sa Kapitolyo, a nightly dinner event at the Godofredo P. Ramos Park in the provincial capitol grounds.

Local restaurateurs will showcase their various native gourmets’ amid music by live bands.

This is a special project of the Aklan Ati-Atihan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (AACCII) and the provincial government of Aklan.

Around ninety (90) exhibitors will join the Fiber Fest, Tsibugan and Agri-Fair.

The festival opening/theme setting unveiling will be on Apr. 23 at 3pm. (DTI–Aklan)

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2466)

sugarboy

April 12th, 2007, 05:02 PM

i'm from kalibo, why?

estudyante ka subong sa kalibo or working?

spacewagon1

April 15th, 2007, 08:44 AM

Aklan soon to be RP’s retirement haven, too

NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan – With Boracay Island’s pristine, long, beautiful beaches, Aklan’s modern medical facilities, big shopping centers and airport of international standard, the province will be the next retirement village site in the Philippines, according to Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) Chairman Edgar Aglipay.

Aglipay headed the group that came to Aklan on Friday as part of PRA’s awareness campaign for Western Visayas residents to promote the retirement program, the latest key flagship program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The awareness campaign in Aklan came in the form of a luncheon press conference held at Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington town and attended by members of the Aklan media and representatives and heads of national and provincial offices. Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez also joined the activity.

Aglipay said that in targeting Aklan (where Boracay is) as one of the country’s retirement haven, the PRA considers the fact that there is already no need for an extensive promotion of the place as Boracay is very popular throughout the world.

“The retirement industry is a big one and the government targets that by 2015 when even a minimal percentage of retirees from the different parts of the world come to the Philippines, there will be an estimated $44 billion inflow in the country. With this, four million Filipinos will be given jobs and there will be reverse migration. Filipinos no longer need to work abroad as work could be found here with good pay, and they can also be with their families,” Aglipay stressed.

Aglipay also said all these things will have multiplier effects.

Marquez, for his part, said he fully supports the program of the Philippine Retirement Authority.

“We are preparing Boracay Island to be the No. 1 tourist destination of the world. In fact, during the recent Holy Week, Boracay Island was cited to be the No. 1 tourist destination of the country for the period, with Cebu and Bohol at its heels,” Marquez said.

The provincial government is envisioning Boracay or Nabas as a retirement village site and other areas as long as the place is located along the tourism zone.

“Our local government units are preparing for this opportunity because of tourism receipts. President Arroyo is also very optimistic with our place, citing Aklan as the golden province of the country,” Marquez revealed.

Along with Aglipay’s group was Bureau of Immigration Commissioner and PRA trustee Enrique Galang, who said the retirement program is good for the economy.

Caregivers, nurses, English teachers (in the case of Korean retirees) will be much in demand in retirement villages, according to Galang.

“Currently, retirement villages in the Philippines are found in Cebu, Baguio and Manila. I happened to ask some retirees of how they feel about the Philippines and they can only say ‘Paradise’. It’s only in the Philippines, they say, where they can witness the rising and setting of the sun regularly, unlike in their countries in Europe or in the US,” Galang said.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news2.htm)

david_sonic15

April 16th, 2007, 04:31 AM

al_teeway

April 16th, 2007, 10:06 AM

estudyante ka subong sa kalibo or working?

Why? wala ko gaeskwela kag gtrabaho sa Kalibo subong. kun may ara ka pamangkot sa akon, mangkuta lang :)

congrats to all of them.

How's Aklan? Kalibo in particular?

Daw wala pa man guid dako nga balita aside sa mga political development di kag mga gagmay nga development. :)

Aklan soon to be RP’s retirement haven, too

wala guid ko kabalo sini.. thanks sa pagpost. :)

al_teeway

April 16th, 2007, 10:27 AM

kailangan ko po ang tulong niyo... may alam pa po ba kayong ibang route papuntang boracay aside sa tagbak?? hehe ask kasi mother ko eh... may meron bang route sa victorias city, Neg. Occ. to boracay?? thank you po

I don't think na meron. You really have to pass Iloilo.. Unless you take a plane from Bacolod going to Kalibo or Caticlan via Manila.

david_sonic15

April 16th, 2007, 10:52 AM

I don't think na meron. You really have to pass Iloilo.. Unless you take a plane from Bacolod going to Kalibo or Caticlan via Manila.

Thanks a lot po!:)

IAMME

April 16th, 2007, 12:03 PM

chymera00

April 16th, 2007, 06:40 PM

oboi

April 16th, 2007, 07:01 PM

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/ether_2006/IMG_1410.jpg

Oh Boracay, my Boracay. How I miss thee my Boracay! :)

Gone were the days of my monthly trips to this island jewel. I can stay and eat here on a budget - P50 peso meal (viand, rice and drink) in a decent restaurant or cook the food myself.

That limestone cliff located at the left portion of the pic is quite memorable. I've slept here with my friends under a cave-like rock formation. Further to the left would be the Nami Villas on top of the hill with its own elevator to the beach (Diniwid Beach, I guess). Actually there's a concrete foot path at the base of the cliff which connects it to the White Beach and would seems inaccessible from a far.

@Shyaman: Ever since they implemented the single entry-exit policy, all bancas/pumpboats are prohibited from docking along the white beach. Not withstanding the policy, since the area pictured is already at the high-end portion of Boracay, which is from Station 1 going up north, few bancas are relatively found there. :)

Actually, you can also pass by Antique. From Iloilo City, ride a bus to Pandan, Antique. From Pandan, you can take a long tricycle ride to a certain intersection in Aklan where you can ride a bus or van to Caticlan. The advantage of this route is that the scenery along the coast of Antique is really beautiful. Its better to stop-over the different towns of Antique while on your way. However, it will take longer and you will have to transfer at Pandan.

Yeah, and the highway along the Antique coast my friends tell me are really good. So much better than going the Capiz route.

This is one great alternative route for adventure seekers. The roads are far better than those along the Capiz-Aklan boundary. From Pandan you can take any public utility to Nabas Junction and from there you can wait for vehicles going to Caticlan.

Although a bit rough, the route going to Antique via Buruanga, Aklan and Libertad, Antique offers a picturesque view of the rugged coast of Buruanga and Libertad. I've circumnavigated the whole of Panay Island and the coast of Antique offers one of the best views. And sunsets are spectacular especially when you are zooming the hi-way. Of course, if you do a road trip, I suggest you take a 4x4 vehicle. It's very dependable. ;)

david_sonic15

April 17th, 2007, 04:30 AM

Actually, you can also pass by Antique. From Iloilo City, ride a bus to Pandan, Antique. From Pandan, you can take a long tricycle ride to a certain intersection in Aklan where you can ride a bus or van to Caticlan. The advantage of this route is that the scenery along the coast of Antique is really beautiful. Its better to stop-over the different towns of Antique while on your way. However, it will take longer and you will have to transfer at Pandan.

Yeah, and the highway along the Antique coast my friends tell me are really good. So much better than going the Capiz route.

This is one great alternative route for adventure seekers. The roads are far better than those along the Capiz-Aklan boundary. From Pandan you can take any public utility to Nabas Junction and from there you can wait for vehicles going to Caticlan.

Although a bit rough, the route going to Antique via Buruanga, Aklan and Libertad, Antique offers a picturesque view of the rugged coast of Buruanga and Libertad. I've circumnavigated the whole of Panay Island and the coast of Antique offers one of the best views. And sunsets are spectacular especially when you are zooming the hi-way. Of course, if you do a road trip, I suggest you take a 4x4 vehicle. It's very dependable. ;)

Thank you very much for the infos!! My mother will have options on which route to take. God bless all of you.^^

death327

April 17th, 2007, 05:22 PM

kirby21

April 18th, 2007, 01:49 AM

The pictures look great. the No.1 Tourist Destination of our Country today is getting better and better. More Boracay pics please. :banana:

kirby21

April 18th, 2007, 01:53 AM

Aklan has a very good and massive potential to become the country's leading retirement haven. Apart from Boracay, Aklan pride itself with so many natural and man-made sceneries the retirees can enjoy. The only thing Aklan's short at present is its commercial center. If SM builds a mall in Aklan, Aklan will surely make it to the top. Imagine, halos ara na tanan sa Aklan. Paspas Aklan !

IAMME

April 18th, 2007, 01:58 AM

I haven't skirmished Antique coast yet. Is it possible for someone to post some photos of the coastal road (with sceneries) here?

I'll post some tonight at the.. er.. Panay Island thread? Yeah, there..

kirby21

April 18th, 2007, 02:59 AM

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4821/candlesgu0.jpg
Boracay Sandcastle | Photo by JCC Cruz

WoW. Believe na guid ko sa Boracay !
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

leii_tomo

April 18th, 2007, 10:11 AM

taken a year earlier during our bora trip...
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/52/23/14883225/533391995l.jpg

i miss bora!!!

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/52/23/14883225/788290685l.jpg

smokingunmanila

April 18th, 2007, 10:15 AM

Yang mga batang yan ha...pagaling ng pagaling na sa pag gawa ng sand castles ha....dati maliit lang yan..ngayon higante na.... wala akong masabi..magaling talaga mga pinoy sa lahat....kung....gugustuhin talaga..

smokingunmanila

April 18th, 2007, 10:16 AM

taken a year earlier during our bora trip...
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/52/23/14883225/533391995l.jpg

i miss bora!!!

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/52/23/14883225/788290685l.jpg

ANAK NG ____....ang ganda naman mag design ng mga bata ngayon.....how can they do that?

smokingunmanila

April 18th, 2007, 10:20 AM

Risk Taker

April 18th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Yeah, and the highway along the Antique coast my friends tell me are really good. So much better than going the Capiz route.

yeah the sceneries are exceptional but i heard a bit risky llang. the roads from iloilo to kalibo is ok but when you pass capiz, dami pa lubak lubak na daan dito pag mabilis ang takbo nang sasakyan siguradong bugbog sarado ka pagdating sa kalibo or pag uwi mo sa iloilo.

david_sonic15

April 18th, 2007, 11:00 AM

yeah the sceneries are exceptional but i heard a bit risky llang. the roads from iloilo to kalibo is ok but when you pass capiz, dami pa lubak lubak na daan dito pag mabilis ang takbo nang sasakyan siguradong bugbog sarado ka pagdating sa kalibo or pag uwi mo sa iloilo.

hehe...talaga?....pero kung hindi ka naman siguro nagmamadali...ok lng naman siguro....yun nga lang, dapat ihanda mo na sarili mo sa pagtalbug-talbog mo sa upuan...hehe

lightning099

April 18th, 2007, 11:34 AM

Some pics from Bora

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid205/p6b44ff3c78d1672f9c03c9b8ac1e33d0/ef286a51.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid205/p5178669b206d04bf605b2137dc10a4e2/ef286a50.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid205/pe8e66e6dbf6756312a0f14f5e54b13a7/ef286881.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid205/pccb5d4f5410caedca13f4fbeedd8a526/ef286362.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/pde051b80408fe171714073d7d0ded376/ecf7eb0a.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p5fcf879f0e062a3a803f27e0498d08b0/ecf7eac0.jpg

IAMME

April 18th, 2007, 05:35 PM

I heard Antique daw is still a virgin....any tips kung anong beach resort maganda dun?

Virgin nga, so wala pa masyadong resorts. The only resort I know is Sira-an Hot Springs at Anini-y, Antique. It's at the southernmost tip of the province facing Nogas Island, a bird and fish sanctuary. the resort faciltites are not top-class but the sulfuric hot springs are really nice.

Anyway, here are some sights to see when you go to Boracay via Antique's coastal road.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/464090303_fde05dee64.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/464090087_ce63669eb1.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/464082802_87a1c58b73.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/464082926_3601c5a8a5.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/464089611_c6857f5adc.jpg
I like the concept of a small cemetery on a hill overlooking the South China Sea.:)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/464090493_b09f5cbecc.jpg

kirby21

April 19th, 2007, 06:06 AM

Foreign buyers arriving for Aklan’s fiber fest

KALIBO, Aklan – Ten foreign buyers from Europe will be coming over to check Aklan’s export quality products on showcase during the week-long conduct of the 8th Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival set on April 23-27 of this year.

The product showcase will be held at the ABL Sports Complex and at the capitol grounds in Kalibo.

“This means that Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival, now on its 8th year, is really going places,” said DTI-Aklan Senior Trade and Industry Specialist Philomena Valencia during a radio interview.

Valencia attributed this much-welcome economic development in Aklan as the result of regular participation of Aklan’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other local producers to different exhibits and trade fairs held in malls in Region 6 and in Manila, and at the Manila FAME.

The DTI here revealed that new products will be launched in the showcase this year. One special feature, the Fairtrade Zone, will be set up at the theme setting and the contemporary lifestyle of living spaces by the worldlifestyle designer PJ Arañador.

A total of 100 exhibitors will be showcasing their products this year, composed of loom woven (piña, abaca, raffia) gifts and housewares, furniture, processed foods, garden plants/cutflowers, OTOP (One Town, One Product) of local government units, products from KALAHI (Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan) and DAR-Agrarian Reform Communities.

From generating sales of more that P100,000 when the fiber fest was first launched in 1999, Valencia said the sales of the activity has never gone below the P2 million mark after its 3rd year in 2001, with sales that reached more than P3 million in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Last year, Valencia said the showcase generated a total of P2,267,000 sales through direct buyers and booked orders.

Today, Valencia said the nito products from Aklan are consistently the export leader, while the piña products are much more in demand in the domestic market.

Some Aklan SMEs are already exporters. Some have also availed of loans from government banks like the Land Bank and the DBP here for additional business capital.

According to NEDA Director-General Romulo Neri, the lending activities of banks have increased by 10 percent due to the low interest rates on their loans, making it palatable to the prospective borrowers and investors. Furthermore, inflation is at its lowest in 10 years at 2.2 percent, making borrowing from banks more appealing, according to Neri.
This trend of borrowing, he said, will translate to more jobs as more entrepreneurs put up their own businesses.

In Aklan, SMEs provide jobs to Aklanons especially in the barangays by getting their services as weavers, piña planters, fiber extractors and knotters, nito craft makers, food processing workers, etc.

The fiber fest is one of the highlights of Aklan’s week-long celebration as an indepenedent province from Capiz. Officially separated from Capiz by virtue of RA 1414 on April 25, 1956, Aklan is now 51 years old.

The showcase is a project of the provincial government under Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Office of Cong. Florencio T. Mirafkores, Department of Trade and Industry-Aklan headed by Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes and the Advocates of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc.

from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/aklan.htm

great184

April 27th, 2007, 05:49 AM

any algae bloom this year? How are they taking care of the sanitary disposal this year, i hope they are strictly using concrete septic tanks unlike before. Boracay I fear may be the first casualty of "over-tourism".

The very fact that bora dominates all media in terms of the summer place to be worries me, the 10 sq. km island can only handle so much people. There should be no future developments in the island to ensure a limit on the number of tourists. Let us gurantee the survival of this beautiful gem.

Waldenstrom

April 28th, 2007, 11:03 AM

Nice pics! :)

-=+cZaRiNa+=-

May 1st, 2007, 06:40 AM

Who tried going to Bora in RoRo?

oboi

May 1st, 2007, 07:44 AM

Who tried going to Bora in RoRo?

I did and I tried all forms of transportation getting there. Bumpy roads, choppy seas and air turbulence... It's fun! :okay:

spacewagon1

May 9th, 2007, 04:53 AM

P1B Boracay investment to showcase Filipino culture

Boracay Island -- A P1 billion new investment is set to rise in this resort island by the Titay's Foundation which is aimed to showcase the ingenuity of the Filipino culture and values.

In a corporate press conference held in a hotel Thursday last week, Milagros Lumbo founder of the said foundation bared her plans that the project will be set along Sitio Cagban in this resort island now considered an entry point to this resort island.

The Cagban Port became an entry point in Boracay after the Aklan Philippine National Police implemented a 'one entry one exit policy' to ensure the peace and order of the visiting tourists.

"The site is of two hectare land area and will be divided into three areas the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. We are opening up a new 200 kiosks for the area and we will ask investors to ask their employers to wear Filipino costumers to showcase our heritate," Lumbo said.

Based on the plan presented to the local media here, the project dubbed as the Boracay Business and Leisure Park will feature Filipino tradition such as the Fiesta Festival, showcase of Filipino food, entertainment of cultural songs and dances among others.

Aside from its service features, Lumbo said that the project will be prioritizing Aklanon applicants for employment since the project is considered an Aklanon investment.

They are also planning to invite aeta leaders on how they could be inculcated in the cultural tourism the project offers so that the original Filipino cultures and traditions and will be preserved in the tourists that continue to visit this resort island.

source: The News Today (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/05/08/p1.b.boracay.investment.to.showcase.filipino.culture.html)

kirby21

May 9th, 2007, 05:35 AM

Unique Sta. Cruzan festival in Boracay
2007-05-09

BORACAY Island – One of the country’s top wedding planners wants to preserve the wavering tradition of the Sta. Cruzan Festival by gathering the collections of local fashion designers and showcase them to both foreign and local tourists May 25 to 27 this year.

Dubbed as the Boragala (Boracay Gala) Summer ’07 Collections, the three-day May Fair is also set to feature local manufacturers and entrepreneurs of crafts, food and local talents.

The event will be highlighted by the parade of the Little Miss Boragala participants featuring the collections of local designers in this resort island.

“The event is organized by the group of Boracaynons wanting to preserve the culture of Boracay – among them is the Sta. Cruzan festival aimed to gather Aklanons, Boracaynons, local and foreign tourists to celebrate the best of the island’s stunning creation and unique flavor,” said Izy Jingco of Bells and Blooms.

The event will be held in D’Mall Boracay a place where most of the tourists visit because of its mall-like scenery in the resort island.

Bells and Blooms was recently featured in several national newspapers for its creativity in wedding preparations held here.

“We want to give back to the Boracaynons the success we received. This is why we wanted to help local talents showcase their best so that foreigners will know that the province of Aklan doesn’t only have Boracay to be proud of but also its people,” Jingco said.

Lesley Mobo, 29, is one of the Aklanons who is making names in the fashion circle in Europe. A native of Makato town, his clients are European celebrities including hotel heiress Paris Hilton.

The organizers said the Boragala Affair is the precursor of a bigger event in the island November 2007 targeting the international audience in cooperation with Manila-based Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management featuring Gary Valenciano and other celebrities.

from: The Guardian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2700

kirby21

May 9th, 2007, 05:36 AM

from Aklan and Panay Threads - posted by Spacewagon1.

P1B Boracay investment to showcase Filipino culture

Boracay Island -- A P1 billion new investment is set to rise in this resort island by the Titay's Foundation which is aimed to showcase the ingenuity of the Filipino culture and values.

In a corporate press conference held in a hotel Thursday last week, Milagros Lumbo founder of the said foundation bared her plans that the project will be set along Sitio Cagban in this resort island now considered an entry point to this resort island.

The Cagban Port became an entry point in Boracay after the Aklan Philippine National Police implemented a 'one entry one exit policy' to ensure the peace and order of the visiting tourists.

"The site is of two hectare land area and will be divided into three areas the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. We are opening up a new 200 kiosks for the area and we will ask investors to ask their employers to wear Filipino costumers to showcase our heritate," Lumbo said.

Based on the plan presented to the local media here, the project dubbed as the Boracay Business and Leisure Park will feature Filipino tradition such as the Fiesta Festival, showcase of Filipino food, entertainment of cultural songs and dances among others.

Aside from its service features, Lumbo said that the project will be prioritizing Aklanon applicants for employment since the project is considered an Aklanon investment.

They are also planning to invite aeta leaders on how they could be inculcated in the cultural tourism the project offers so that the original Filipino cultures and traditions and will be preserved in the tourists that continue to visit this resort island.

source: The News Today (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/05/08/p1.b.boracay.investment.to.showcase.filipino.culture.html)

spacewagon1

May 12th, 2007, 03:32 AM

Boracay : Simply the Best !

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Sinjin P.

May 15th, 2007, 06:18 AM

http://i7.tinypic.com/6c5ceae.jpg

al_teeway

May 16th, 2007, 03:43 AM

Daw natabunan guid sang election ang isa ka milestone para sa Aklan. The first international flight in Kalibo has already landed last friday, May 11 at 11:37 am. Unfortunately, i wasn't in Kalibo to witness it and i only learnt it when i arrived home here in Aklan. We are expecting two more different airlines to come to us here and according to ATO, Kalibo Airport will soon be declared as an "International Gateway". In addition to that, Kalibo has already accepted Chartered Night Flights and it will be regular once the ATO will declare the airport as an international gateway.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/IMG_0108.jpg

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Kalibo, Aklan- The first international flight had landed in Kalibo Airport after the successful landing of the Asian Spirit flight direct service from Incheon, South Korea-Kalibo Friday morning.

The flight carrier uses its McDonnel-Douglas carrier a 127- seater plane carries 60 Korean passengers and traveled four hours from its point of destination reaching this town considered a gateway to Boracay Island.

Allan Abat, regional director of the Air Transportation Office during the inaugural ceremony said that Kalibo is fortunate to have secured the first flight despite the undergoing preparation of two more airports of international standards in Western Visayas.

“The government had poured more funds for Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbarra, Iloilo and Silay City in Negros Occidental but the Kalibo Airport has successfully made it to receive the first direct flights from South Korea. Nevertheless, both airports will be operational before this year ends which we expect to spur the economic capability of the region,” Abat said.

Abat said, the successful landing of the Asian Spirit came after the Night Landing Facilities were installed in the Kalibo Airport last month and the papers required for its operation have been met.

Regional Director for Tourism Edwin Trompeta said the inaugural flight would open for the possibility of an increase of 20 percent Korean tourists this year.

Based on the records of the DoT, show that the number of foreign and domestic tourists in Boracay climbed to 556,084 in 2006 from 499,457 in 2005. Foreign tourists, representing a third of the total, increased 18 percent to 183,835 from 155,744. Korean tourists, representing two-thirds of total international visitors in the island, numbered 124,618 last year.

Joseph Cacho, ground manager of the Asian Spirit in Manila said that the carrier would fly Incheon,Korea-Kalibo twice a week Tuesday and Friday.

“From Incheon, Korea it would fly directly to Kalibo. In its return back to Korea, it will have interconnecting flights to Subic first before going back to Incheon,” he said.

Cacho said, the airline also carries a Ukrainian Pilot and several European and Korean stewardees.

Former representative Allen Quimpo, (not running for a political post) who chairs the preparation committee of the Kalibo Airport said that after the successful Asian Spirit flight he expects that other airline carriers will follow through.

“We already have negotiations with the Philippine Airlines to hold its direct flights also from Incheon, South Korea and that will be soon. Other international aircraft carriers such as Oceania airline also have negotiations with the Aklan provincial Government for them to have direct flights in the near future,” he said.

When asked why Incheon, South Korea Quimpo said that Incehon Airport carries the biggest number of international flight in South Korea.

After the successful airline flight, the provincial government’s next plan is to set the Kalibo Airport the venue for international gateway in the Western Visayas region.

Caticlan Commercial Port soon to be operational

BY ULYSSES ESPARTERO

MALAY, Aklan – The Caticlan Commercial Port will soon be fully operational.

Architect Niven M. Maquirang, administrator of the adjoining Caticlan Jetty Port and Passenger Terminal (CJPPT), told Panay News that the full-scale reconstruction and modernization of the port has a budget of P70 million from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Once operational, the port will complement the CJPPT which forms part of the Special Tourism Zone. Separated from the island of Boracay by about 1.26 kilometers, it serves as a jump off point for tourists to the world-renowned Boracay.

Work components are the construction of R.C. pier and ro-ro ramp, reclamation work with stair landing, construction of breasting dolphins, and port lighting system.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has placed the management, operation ands control of the Caticlan port to the provincial government.

Gov. Carlito Marquez earlier stressed that the recovery cost of this infrastructure facility be charged to the national government as part of basic services devolved to the province.
After all, he explained, the growth of tourism means an increase in the national taxes to the government.

It was during the time of then Governor now Cong. Florencio Miraflores that the provincial government planned to develop an all-weather seaport at the existing site in Caticlan.

Miraflores noted then that the former jetty port of Caticlan is capable of operating only during the dry season, which in the case of Aklan covers the month of December to May.

“The rest of the year, embarking and disembarking at this port become dangerous due to strong waves that batter the boats. A makeshift seaport in Brgy. Tabon was used for the months of June to December, Miraflores disclosed.

surfsam

May 20th, 2007, 09:32 AM

http://todaimitaka.blogspot.com/2006/08/university-of-philippines-alumnus.html

19 August 2006
aklan's patrick alcedo bags 2007 rockefeller fellowship

...just days ago, i learned from former schoolmates at cambridge that a filipino from u.c. riverside has received the 2007 rockefeller humanities fellowship at the smithsonian in washington, d.c. according to my friends, there were 140 applicants from 45 countries. only 10 were nominated for the fellowship. immediately, i became certain about the identity of the filipino rockefeller recipient.

he can only be russ patrick alcedo. originally from aklan (where boracay is). a very diligent student. one of my very first students when i started teaching in 1988. in fact, he took me twice: in communication ii (types of academic discourse) in 1988-1989. and humanities 1 (literature, society and the individual) in 1989-1990. i even remember the grades he got from me. 1.75 (89-91%) in comm. 2 and 1.5 (91-93%) in hum 1. during those days, i wasn’t too generous with grades. but i do remember patrick receiving one of the highest marks in his batch. he got on top of his limitations and pushed himself double time so he can be the best of the lot.

as soon as he got an email from me, patrick was very pleased to confirm the news. he got the rockefeller! i suddenly remember how patrick was a b.a. english (language) major who worked part-time to support himself and his brother to college. he became an active member of the u.p. filipiniana dance company. and he was ably guided (both academically and artistically) by veteran filipino dancer/dance choreographer/dance critic steve villaruz. oftentimes, i wondered how he managed to work, study and perform simultaneously with great agility.

once upon a time, patrick also taught courses in u.p. the very same people who labored many times to put me down when i was starting out (these people are now mostly retired; the ones who are still in active service are either losing their cohesion or varying in shades of desiccation) once described patrick (during a department meeting) as someone who “couldn’t write,” “who didn’t belong.” so patrick switched places and taught somewhere else within the university.
now it’s patrick alcedo who made it all the way to the top. the one who received postgraduate research and teaching awards, earned a phd in dance history and theory and was conferred with a postdoctoral fellowship at the university of california, riverside. then he became freeman artist-in-residence at the university of hawaii at manoa. the very same patrick alcedo who will be moving to the smithsonian institite as a rockefeller foundation humanities fellow on theorizing heritage.

meanwhile, walang nangyari sa career sa mga naging detractors niya----come to think of it, someone should write a tv drama or movie about the meanie means of academia. but then, no one should be glorifying criminals of that ilk.

so i’ll stick up for the likes of patrick alcedo. he who defies the meanie, greedy pundits....

Risk Taker

May 29th, 2007, 04:35 PM

Boracay regains title as one of world's top ten beaches

By Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

Boracay Island, Aklan -- The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Department of Tourism and the Aklan Provincial Government are optimistic that business will be good in this island resort after it regained its old title as one of the world's top ten beaches.

This developed after the BCCI reported in its monthly newsletter for the month of April released recently that this resort island is ranked number eight among the top ten best beaches in the world by the askmen.com website. Said website claims to have a readership of 5 million readers worldwide monthly.

Dubbed as the top ten best beaches in the world are: 1.) Copacabana, Brazil; 2.) Waikiki, Hawaii; 3.) Cancun, Mexico; 4.) Surfers Paradise, Australia; 5.) Negril, Jamaica; 6.) South Beach, Florida; 7.) Natadola Beach, Fiji; 8.) Boracay Philippines; 9.) Tenerife, Canary Islands and 10.) Phi Phi Island, Thailand.

In an interview, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said that the prestige now being enjoyed by this resort island is due to the continued aggressive promotion of the Department of Tourism which not only resulted to the increase in the number of tourists but also increase in the number of investors.

Last month, officials of the Air Transportation Office vowed to make Kalibo Airport the gateway for international destination in Western Visayas region after it had successfully operated the first Asian Spirit direct flight coming from Incheon, South Korea.

"Some international hotel and resort investors have already expressed its interests in investing in this resort island. Among them the Shangrila-Philippines, Discovery Hotel Suites among others are scheduled to open its respective hotels in this resort island until May next year," Marquez said.

Meanwhile, BCCI president Charlie Uy said that their target this year is to ensure food safety in all the corners of this resort island as they were alarmed by the reports of the Department of Health that this resort island ranks first in the entire country as having the most number of gastro intestinal illnesses with a share of 37 percent in the pie.

"We have been organizing series of food safety seminars and workshops since March until December this year as we are committed to promoting food safety in the island for members and non-members as part of our advocacy of sustainable development of tourism in this resort island," Uy said.

:banana:

ashton

May 29th, 2007, 05:47 PM

^ Yey, good news!

spacewagon1

May 30th, 2007, 02:37 AM

undeniably Philippine's best! Hala Bira BORACAY ! :banana: :banana:

spacewagon1

June 4th, 2007, 02:45 PM

Dragon boat fest attracts many
BY AMANDA VIRREY

BORACAY – On April 27-28, Boracay’s white beach shoreline hosted a heart-thumping and exciting event of the week to commemorate an age old Chinese legend. Nineteen men’s teams, eight women’s teams and 14 mixed teams from the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore strived for gold in the 1st Rudy Project International Dragon Boat Festival.

During this most prestigious international island event, organized by the Boracay Island Paddlers Association (BIPA) in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, Philippine Tourism Authority, the Municipality of Malay and the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, the most passionate dragon boat paddlers dedicated two days of non-stop physical, mental and fun activities at the beach front of Boracay Regency Resort and Convention Center in the aim to win the gold medals and trophies and to further heighten up Boracay’s already famous tourism.

In the midst of the striking sun and crystalline blue waters, the myriad of dragon boat devotees focused all of their attention to synchronically paddle hard and to grab the finish line closer to their reach despite the overwhelming pressure that push their individual brilliance and excellence among nine pairs of athletes to be awarded as champions in the 1st Rudy Project Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival.

Camarines Sur from the Bicol Region, who had circumnavigated the renowned tourist destination with the dragon boat twice a few days before race day, won 1st place in the Men’s 500 and 300 meters categories, while international team Hong Kong Island Paddlers won 1st place in the Mixed 500 meter category, and Boracay’s own Bugsay Boracay Dagon Boat Team became the overall champion winning 1st place in the Mixed 300 meter and Women’s 500 and 300 meter categories, thereby making them the most eligible team to compete internationally in line with the indomitable Philippine Team.

This year also marks an unbeatable feat for the Bugsay Boracay Dragon Boat Team for winning 6th in the women’s 300 and 500 meters divisions and 1st time for their mixed team to win gold, notwithstanding their diverse backgrounds; from authentic native islanders (the Aetas) to seasonal paddlers to artists to foreign nature-oriented sports buff who merely persevered for excellence as trained by Boracay dragon boat founder Jeff Galindez.

Next month, these Boracay mavericks will fly to Hong Kong to compete in the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Race on June 23-24, which will be held in Tsim Sha Tsui.

This year, the Bugsay Boracay Dragon Boat Team is bigger and better. They will not only display their competitiveness on the dragon boat again like last year, but they will also serenade the other paddlers with the native island beats using Filipino native instruments like the dijiridu, djembe, kubing, shakers and whichever they can make good music in.

Other teams that participated on the 1st Rudy Project Dragon Boat Festival were 1925 APO Paddlers Club, Aqua Fortis Dragon Boat Rowing Team, De La Sale University Dragon Boat Team, Liechtenstein Prince Navy, Manila Blazing Paddlers-Asian Spirit, Manila Dragon Boat Rowing Team, Philippine Navy Dragon Boat Team, PNP Dragon Boat Team (Patriots), Philippine Youth Rowing Society (PYROS), Seagods, UP Dragon Boat Team, Stormy Dragons, A & A Maquinas Ferramentas Paddlers Club, Singapore Barbarians, and the Boracay Sun Paddlers.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news12.htm)

3cr

June 8th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Bora’s worsening crisis
By REY GAMBOA
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=80064

Competition is truly a wonderful thing. It has cut down the cost of most services such as calls and text messaging; now, air travel could be as cheap as riding inter-island ferries, or even cheaper, if one believes the promo advertisements of some airlines.

This largely healthy rivalry among the country’s airlines has spurred domestic tourism such that Filipinos – who used to spurn local travel because travel (plus hotel stay) to Hong Kong is cheaper than going to Davao – are now jetting to Boracay, Batanes and Palawan.

Philippine tourism is indeed getting a boost as local airlines, and regional carriers, as well, now try to outdo each other in offering promo fares going as low as P1 (excluding taxes and surcharges).

Recent reports that Cebu Air Pacific and rival Air Philippines Inc. have acquired a fleet of turboprop planes are definitely welcome news to the growing number of domestic travellers. Before yearend, Air Philippines will start trips to Boracay, and by the first quarter of next year, Cebu Air will do the same. Filipinos are definitely in for more accessible and affordable travel within the country.

Downside

Yet there is a downside, and that has something to do with the fact that the small island of Boracay, listed as one of the top 10 beach destinations in the world, is potentially imploding.

Last year, there were half-a-million visitors to this seven-kilometer island of 10.3 square kilometers. Much of the activity is concentrated on the island’s four-kilometer white beach shoreline, battered daily by jet skis and pump boats, pummelled by incessant partying, pigging out and sunbathing, and abused by endless littering and loitering.

How much more of these thoughtless holiday activities must Boracay endure before concerned stakeholders – the government, its local units, business establishments and the tourists themselves – decide to do something to battle the island’s deterioration?

Can Bora, the island’s hip name, really support another half-a-million guests that bigger airlines and the expansion of existing providers like Asian Spirit and Seair will bring in the next three to five years? (Asian Spirit mounts more than 15 flights daily to Bora, while Seair has at least eight daily trips.)

There’s also traffic coming from Kalibo, Aklan where the bigger carriers unload tourists who don’t mind an hour of road trip to get to Caticlan, the take-off port to the fine white sand beaches and clear blue waters of Bora. There too are the growing budget travellers who take the ferry boats or buses that load onto Roro (roll-on, roll-off) water vessels.

Within the year, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the leading hotel groups in the region, will open a beachfront resort supposedly with 170 guest rooms and 50 deluxe villas, definitely a strong competition to the existing five-star Discovery Resorts.

Bora is burgeoning with the rapid development. I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking aloud whether it can really support this extent of progress without the corresponding infrastructure needed to preserve its integrity.

Threatened landscape

Those fortunate enough to have visited Boracay in the 80s, when power supply within the island was unreliable and lodging infrastructure were mostly semi-concrete inns, would hardly recognize the Bora of today.

They may generally be more appreciative of the bright lights and big hotels, but not the algae lining the shore or the loudspeakers blaring out music till dawn because of the almost non-stop nocturnal beachfront gigs. Is this an acceptable price for success, progress and competition?

I don’t think anybody would begrudge airlines flying to Boracay, especially if they offer lower fares that would be make the island more accessible. It’s just that the influx of more tourists both local and foreign when authorities haven’t put in place any strong ecological program is simply scary.

By the accounts of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the island produces between seven to 10 metric tons of solid waste. That was before the guest list hit 500,000. Traffic is projected to rise at 10 percent yearly.

Bora’s garbage disposal is spotty. The Chamber and other environmental groups have initiated a system for segregation, collection, and disposal of waste to preserve the island and assist in its ecological sustainability. But that project is taking its sweet time to crystallize, and so far, segregation hasn’t been carried out.

There too is the issue of waste water treatment, recycling and the creation of a new dumpsite. Sewage connection is still unresolved. The Boracay chamber is complaining that less than 60 percent of its 300 resorts are connected to the system; it does not help that local government is not going after violators.

And this brings us to government action, or inaction, for that matter. The island sorely lacks the road system that would allow for easier travel and better access to other parts of Bora that can be developed to ease the congestion along the prime white beaches.

Like most issues in this country, the government is probably waiting for some sort of a tipping point before it decides to do anything about Boracay’s problems. Well, we might as well continue to enjoy the island’s allure while it’s still around.

spacewagon1

June 13th, 2007, 02:16 AM

DOST-6 eyes better projects, plans for Boracay
By Maricar M. Calubiran

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6 was asked to come up with better project plans and programs in Boracay Island to meet the needs and demands of local and foreign tourists in terms of processed food products, furnitures and even environmental protection plans for the island.

The recommendation for the regional office was made by the performance review team led by Prof. Edison Cruz, executive director of the Technology Management Center of the University of the Philippines in Diliman in last week's performance review of DOST regional offices held in Cebu City.

The performance team wants the department to take a look on the food handling, services and distribution of processed foods in the island considering the number of tourists who visited the island. Currently, the local tourists, Koreans and Europeans posted the highest number of visitors in the island.

The team is asking the regional office to determine the number of tourist arrivals including their age and nationality. The data are all available at the Department of Tourism (DoT) office. The DOT has an office in the island to cater to the needs of the local and foreign tourists. The team also asked that data on the tourists preferences on their wants and needs should also be included.

The performance team also wants the department to give importance on the furniture industry in the island with foreigners as the main clients of high-end products coming from the province of Aklan. Among the companies which DOST already made an intervention are those engaged in housewares. The housewares such as place mats and trays are handcrafted from woven into vines.

Other products produced in Aklan are barong tagalog, shawls, scarf, hand bag made of natural fibers like piña, silk and abaca. The DOST made intervention on bangus processing. They made a technology transfer on fish processing that prompted an increase of production capacity of one company producing ready-to-eat bottled milk fish in oil from 500 to 1,000 bottles per month.

The same team also wants the regional office to take part in the protection of the island though it is the primary role of the local government unit and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The waste disposal and the end-waste produce in the island should be considered. There should also be "tsunami mitigation plan" for the island.

On his part, DOST 6 Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga said they have already conceptualized a plan for Boracay. The programs and plans will be out next month. It was not immediately known what are the projects included in the DOST programs and plans for Boracay.

Meanwhile, DoT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta said they have already conducted number of seminars in the island with regard to food handling. Food handling is one of the basis of customers in buying certain products and choosing a restaurant on where to dine and wind.

source: The News Today (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/06/12/dost6.eyes.better.projects.plans.for.boracay.html)

pau_p1

June 13th, 2007, 04:02 AM

jbkayaker12

June 13th, 2007, 10:57 AM

commercialized... I think yes... but overdeveloped.. I think no... Boracay needs more hotels, a wharf area for each station where boats need not to dock on the beach itself... the walkways may need to have cemented pathways maybe.. and I think there's still more that may be developed on the island to serve tourists better...

Borcay is overdeveloped, the limited resources are tapped out from water to electricity and even garbage is piling up. Lack of planning has made this beautiful island into a thrashy one.

Insanedriver

June 13th, 2007, 02:57 PM

hello guys
we can settle this in a very civilized manner :D
were acting like 100 AD Vikings here

Sinjin P.

June 15th, 2007, 12:34 AM

Infractions given to Risk Taker, MilkyXplosion and Ravenhawk (dave_m will be banned)

Now stay on topic :)

gen1

June 15th, 2007, 02:00 AM

Bora's a party place, where the manila's beautiful people go to during the holy week. I'd like to see it developed like the french riviera - a money-making machine where we can get max revenues from the tourists.

'pinas ranks in the top ten of countries with the longest coastline. If you want an el cheapo beach where you can frolick by you're lonesome, we still have lots of beaches for you. heck I can even point you to a beach like that in Panglao Island itself in Bohol.

pau_p1

June 15th, 2007, 02:46 AM

Borcay is overdeveloped, the limited resources are tapped out from water to electricity and even garbage is piling up. Lack of planning has made this beautiful island into a thrashy one.

well.. that's why I think that the island is still underdeveloped... the island is too commercialized and not too developed to accommodate the garbage output of the resorts...

the island would need to develop proper garbage disposal.. they may need to develop better electrical resources.. same as potent water resources... they may even be able to provide wireless networks or fiber optics on the island for business travellers.. like I said earlier a wharf or docking area needs to be developed to keep the beachside free of boats..

if such development is in place it may be able to cope up with the commercialization of the island... bars and malls there does not, in my opinion, make the island that developed...

smokingunmanila

June 15th, 2007, 07:01 AM

I think it's final that carabao island will be develop to ease the over crowding in Boracay. International Airport will be built on that island...I might go there by July and scout for cheap lands ...baka maging boracay ito uli...this one..clean title lahat!

rage@cebu

June 15th, 2007, 10:53 AM

spent 3 days sa Bora a few days ago... ayaw ko na maligo, hang.out nlang sa mga bars nila... nasira pa ang fone ko, nawala pa ang SIM... ang malas ko naman dun talaga...

jbkayaker12

June 15th, 2007, 11:06 AM

well.. that's why I think that the island is still underdeveloped... the island is too commercialized and not too developed to accommodate the garbage output of the resorts...

the island would need to develop proper garbage disposal.. they may need to develop better electrical resources.. same as potent water resources... they may even be able to provide wireless networks or fiber optics on the island for business travellers.. like I said earlier a wharf or docking area needs to be developed to keep the beachside free of boats..

if such development is in place it may be able to cope up with the commercialization of the island... bars and malls there does not, in my opinion, make the island that developed...

It is overdevelop in a sense that it doesnt have natural resources like ground water to support its existence, even electricity fluctuates partly to blame for that is the lack of proper planning. How can people rejoice when natural growth forest is being cleared for a 5 star hotel.

jonno

June 15th, 2007, 11:18 AM

It is overdevelop in a sense that it doesnt have natural resources like ground water to support its existence, even electricity fluctuates partly to blame for that is the lack of proper planning. How can people rejoice when natural growth forest is being cleared for a 5 star hotel.

5 star hotel is good, more money, more tax. The government should spend the extra income into more eco- friendly measures. Problem is business is too important to be left in the hands of the government. That's why I favor more privatization - let the private sector do the job. Probably we should put in charge a property management firm to handle the whole Boracay.

jbkayaker12

June 15th, 2007, 11:26 AM

^^^^^It is no good when you're clearing a natural growth forest which help store ground water for the island. The islands ground water is probably tapped out by now due to overcapacity on the island.

jonno

June 15th, 2007, 04:17 PM

^^^^^It is no good when you're clearing a natural growth forest which help store ground water for the island. The islands ground water is probably tapped out by now due to overcapacity on the island.

But Boracay needs a 5 star. I'm sure something could be done to compensate for this loss; use the income the government would get from the 5 star.

smokingunmanila

June 15th, 2007, 04:30 PM

jonno

June 15th, 2007, 05:00 PM

I think the island is too small to sustain itself and from the abuse of its natural resources. I am just wondering why a golf course was approved for that island.
With what's happening in that island, that will become another matabungkay in the making.

now that's something boracay doesn't really need and yes can not sustain - a golf course...get rid of the golf course, but 5 star is ok

jbkayaker12

June 16th, 2007, 12:41 AM

Money talks just like everywhere else, most definitely true in the Philippines. The golf course also cleared a forest just like the upcoming 5 star hotel. I have been inside the golf course trying to cross the island on foot and to think that huge tract of land once was a forest makes you wander about the priorities of the local officials.:ohno:

gen1

June 16th, 2007, 01:51 AM

^^^^^It is no good when you're clearing a natural growth forest which help store ground water for the island. The islands ground water is probably tapped out by now due to overcapacity on the island.

I don't think there are old growth forests in bora left right now.

I recall seeing some in the hollywood movie "Too Late the Hero" (which spurred interest in bora), but in my recent trips to the resort island, i don't recollect seeing any.

jbkayaker12

June 16th, 2007, 03:08 AM

Whatever is left of the forest on this small island is probably gone or will be gone soon, the latest casualty is the area were the 5 * hotel is being built. I saw a picture sometime back and you can easily tell the forest were cleared for this venture.

swahi

June 16th, 2007, 03:30 AM

Been in Bora twice this year, last week of May and Late Feb, and Sept last year. Before Sept last year, the last time I was in bora was several years back. Can compare what I saw. There is a marked degradation of the island. They have done some things to correct these, like the central sewage system, and from what I heard, they were supposed to clean the beach every morning. But on my last trip last week of May, I was very disappointed. Lumot was a prevalent site on the whole beach line. And the supposed daily cleanup was nowhere in sight. Cigarette butts were aplenty, and some plastic packaging materials sprinkled here and there. Of course, we can blame the walang pakialam attitude of most people for the litter, but what I noticed, there are very very few public trash bins in the main beach line. So where do these people expect to throw their trash???

The lumot is a function of waste. It thrives in the presence of organic matter. The locals says it happens normally during this time of the year, when the wind and sea currents shift, driving the lumot into boracay. I've been to boracay long long ago on a month of June and December, and I can easily recall not having encountered these lumot. I see lumot in Mactan beaches, now more than ever. You didn't see these lumot this much years and years back. Therefore, the lumot washing up ashore, yes, it is because of the wind and sea currents, but it is plenty because of the waste that is being generated by Bora, for example. The Bora officials must have this knocked into their heads silly that to maintain bora for what it is well known for, they must maintain their environment. Septic systems won't do. These easily overload and will just release untreated water into the sea or underground artesians. A comprehensive sewage treatment plant must be established, and everybody MUST conform, not what was mentioned that only a few % of the establishments are attached to the system.

Sure, it is faster to hire a team to do clean up, but in doing so, you remove part of the sand. Day in, day out, you do that. Who knows, this might make the bora sand less fine in the future. And doing daily clean up does not treat the source of the pollution. Why wait for another publicized e coli outbreak like what happened 5-10 years ago?

dinabaw

June 16th, 2007, 04:09 AM

I think more lumot is bec lacking of sea creatures, if there is no corals no fishes .

crappypants

June 16th, 2007, 05:58 AM

nakakahinayang ang Boracay. It should have been treated as a precious national treasure. Even comparing it to the boracay of the nineties there is a huge difference. Pretty soon it will become like pasig river and Manila bay.
an ecosystem can only support so much human wastes. there has to be balance and sad to say overpopulation of humans is winning. turn a blind eye is always the answer until it's too late to reverse the damage. What nature created in millions of years only took a few years for humans to destroy.
How careless.

jonno

June 16th, 2007, 06:19 AM

Insanedriver

June 16th, 2007, 06:57 PM

^^ 10.32 km²
(wiki)

dinabaw

June 17th, 2007, 07:59 AM

swahi

June 17th, 2007, 03:20 PM

I think more lumot is bec lacking of sea creatures, if there is no corals no fishes .

Nature has a way of balancing out the ecosystem. The food chain develops depending on the food source up and down that chain. The presence of lumot is not because it is lacking sea creatures, but that the organic matter that is generated by humans are too much for nature to compensate. The excess nitrogen coming from such waste is a fertilizer rich source that causes such overbloom. This lumot is nature's way of combatting such waste. This lumot helps absorb the excess nitrogen that is being generated. Sea creatures in turn would propagate as more food is available. Unfortunately, humans do their share by overfishing, thus disrupting the natural food chain.

CDOKAY

June 18th, 2007, 03:42 PM

Hello Boracay....meron ba ditong may mga Boracay tour packages ngayong 'off-peak' season? We're sure maraming matutuwa dito sa Cagayan de Oro kung meron. Maraming mga tourists foreigners dito na naghahanap ng mga leg trips -- at sana may CDO-Boracay na tour package.

Please contact us at info@cdokay.com. We can place your ad in our website: www.cdokay.com

Meanwhile, loving everything here, silip silip lang sa Boracay online.

sugarboy

June 19th, 2007, 12:05 AM

off-peak started june 16. there are loads of deals for boracay these days.

smokingunmanila

June 19th, 2007, 10:35 AM

nice explanations on the lumot...which the natives has been lying all the time to protect the island

dinabaw

June 19th, 2007, 03:43 PM

^^ hey smoking your avatar is smoking hot! :colgate:

Nature has a way of balancing out the ecosystem. The food chain develops depending on the food source up and down that chain. The presence of lumot is not because it is lacking sea creatures, but that the organic matter that is generated by humans are too much for nature to compensate. The excess nitrogen coming from such waste is a fertilizer rich source that causes such overbloom. This lumot is nature's way of combatting such waste. This lumot helps absorb the excess nitrogen that is being generated. Sea creatures in turn would propagate as more food is available. Unfortunately, humans do their share by overfishing, thus disrupting the natural food chain.

lumot is algae right? . lumot is not caused by human, it's inactivity of a pond or sea .. kaya nga may kasabihan nilulumot na ... it's the way it is....it's called life cycle.:)

wynngd

June 20th, 2007, 10:59 AM

^^ alam ko po kapag nilulumot ang isang body of water mataas ang CO2 level nya at mababa ang O2 level. If I'm not mistaken ang pullution sa water minemeasure the level ng dissolved Oxygen sa water. So kung maraming lumot sa dagat or ponds or river, malaking probability na di na sya ganun kalinis...

By the way I saw in Yahoo's best beaches in the world that Boracay is already in 7th place!

OtAkAw

June 20th, 2007, 01:27 PM

^^Well either way these lumots are still bad indications of how poorly kept the environment in Boracay is.

smokingunmanila

June 20th, 2007, 06:47 PM

Never did I encounter these lumots during the 80's and early 90's...now, parang andun na forever at hindi na uma alis...season my ass...can they stop lying about it and admit that their island is dying...and they better do something about it or all business in boracay will erode like matabungkay

death327

June 20th, 2007, 07:30 PM

Boracay is dying. It is poorly maintained and non-existing environmental policies. I hope they can do something about it before it totally dies.

Don't worry Carabao Island is being developed now. At least merong rest naman ang Boracay Island. I am hoping that other islands within the vicinity will be developed also but not overdeveloped.

hiiamdib

June 20th, 2007, 09:19 PM

TheRick

June 20th, 2007, 11:53 PM

http://travel.yahoo.com/beaches

That would be such a shame if we can't prevent Boracay from being
"Over Commercialized". It's a small island that the govt should be able to
manage preserving it.

It's really tempting to invest in Boracay either buying a lot or a Condotel project.
But if 5 to 10 years from now Boracay deteriorates then that investment would be a bad one. :ohno:

TheRick

June 23rd, 2007, 04:25 PM

Boracay resorts lack environment documents
By Roderick T. dela Cruz
(First of two parts)
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business3_mar12_2007

BORACAY Island—The municipal council of Malay, Aklan is in talks with Palafox Associates, the firm established by architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr., to draft a master plan for the fast-developing 10-square kilometer island.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, whose office donated more than P4.8 million to help manage the critical garbage problem on the island, said the master plan would address problems related to over-development and environment.

Durano said the town of Malay had allowed the construction of new resorts on the island even in the absence of required environmental compliance certificate.

“For local government units, issuance of business permits is a revenue function for them, not regulation,” he said. “With a master plan, we can tell the LGU to rationalize the issuance of business permit,” he said.

Private investors in Boracay complained that the lack of master plan had contributed to the problems of traffic, squatting and pollution on the island.

“These are gargantuan problems Boracay is facing. We are now sowing the seeds of our own destruction and if we do not work together, the entire island would be gone, lost in the squalor and decay of garbage and human misery,” the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in its March newsletter.

Former environment secretary Elisea Gozon, now a consultant for the World Bank, cited the need to put in the necessary systems to manage the over-development of Boracay.

“The island can only carry so much,” she said, referring to the large structures that have been recently built on the island.

Gozon said the ground water quality of Boracay had exceeded its threshold capacity as early as 1990 and the saltwater intrusion in the aquifers, as a result of continuous extraction of freshwater, threatens the sustainability of the island.

She said the coliform problem in 1997, which severely affected tourism and livelihood in the island, should serve as a warning for residents, tourists and establishments alike.

Assistant Secretary Consuelo Padilla, the presidential assistant for Boracay, said pollution threatened the island’s sustainability.

“Tourism will die if people will come to a trash island,” she said, while quickly adding that over the past 14 months, residents in the island had learned to segregate their trash.

She said waste segregation was being enforced in the island, with violators made to pay hefty fines, in compliance with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

I wonder if there is any progress on this.
I've been reading news on new projects on Boracay.

But can the island maintain this?
Sana naman ma-insure youn future ng Boracay.

kirby21

June 24th, 2007, 05:05 AM

Don't get me wrong but BORACAY is a very very beautiful Island, but not the most serene place to be if you want peace and quiescence, and if you want to be alone for a while hahahahha... The island is for party and crowd lovers... It is also for family fun!! :banana:
I agree with you, hiiamdib. Boracay is for party goers not for those who wants serenity and quite environment. If anyone wanted tranquility while enjoying the seaside, Guimaras is the place to be. Cheers.

kirby21

June 24th, 2007, 05:06 AM

kirby21

June 24th, 2007, 05:08 AM

how's my fave province's (outside Iloilo) doing at present? Update bi dira al_teeway.Daw nadula ka man. Anything new in Kalibo?

jaywalker

June 27th, 2007, 01:07 PM

ANP to launch exhibit
of Negrense furniture
Five groups of Negrense entrepreneurs will showcase their world-class furniture and furnishing products in an exhibit called "Matahum" to be launched by the Association of Negros Producers - Negros Showroom on June 30.

The ANP exhibitors are Art Energy, Hacienda Crafts, Tumandok Crafts, Atelier Aguila and Golden Furnishing.

"Matahum," which will open at 5 p.m. at the 3rd floor gallery of the Negros Showroom, will display the latest and most innovative furniture and home furnishing pieces made in Negros.

The exhibit will be opened to the public from July 1 to December 31 this year.

The latest furniture designs and pieces, all designed and crafted by Negrense producers, are being marketed both in the Philippines and abroad.

Art Energy, owned and managed by husband and wife team of Felix and Cathy Hagad, has been known for its contemporary and innnovative furniture designs. Hacienda Crafts, also by husband and wife team, Joey and Christina Gaston, is a leading manufacturer of lamps, gifts and décor, and home furnishings and well known for its coco twig creations, fiber glass lamp furnishings, and unique tableware products.

Behind Tumandok Crafts is Josephine Locsin, also an exporter of furnishing and home decorative products, and a leading producer of wood and laminated table top décor, lamps, tableware, and home furnishing items.

Golden Furnishing, by Jaime Chan, is a leading local manufacturer of top quality rattan and wicker furniture - from living room sets, dining sets, and bedroom furniture.

Karl Aguila, a young Negrense artist, is at the helm of Atelier Aguila, a furnishings company which manufactures some of the most unique design pieces in the country. Atelier Aguila, based San Carlos City, uses recycled wood materials for its highly creative designs, innovative furniture pieces, and contemporary furnishings.*

shyaman

June 29th, 2007, 04:25 PM

The July 2007 issue of Conde Nast Traveler listed Boracay's White Beach as one of the 30 Best Island Beaches in the World.

spacewagon1

June 30th, 2007, 11:24 AM

^^ ^^ amo na iya! Boracay will still to go along, long way to compete with other international beaches. But hey, this is just one of the many improvemnt in Boracay's promotion. Great job !

spacewagon1

June 30th, 2007, 11:27 AM

how's my fave province's (outside Iloilo) doing at present? Update bi dira al_teeway.Daw nadula ka man. Anything new in Kalibo?

why fave? he he. Kirb, Aklan is a growing province and it's really doing well lately. I hope they'll continue to progress. Remember, Aklan is the home of the world-famous BORACAY ISLAND. At present, nothing beats Boracay when it comes to tourism in our country. Truly, the pearl of the orient sease itself.

PhilAv

July 9th, 2007, 06:56 AM

As an fyi- Pacific Pearl Airways, a new Philippine start-up airline that in intended to fly KALIBO-Incheon arrived at Subic yesterday.
Photographs of the plane as she was being ferried and on the first leg of her island hopping journey can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/philippineaviation/pacific_pearl_airways . Photos were taken in Salinas, CA.

jaywalker

July 10th, 2007, 04:19 PM

The July 2007 issue of Conde Nast Traveler listed Boracay's White Beach as one of the 30 Best Island Beaches in the World.

^^ I think Boracays White Beach should be on the Hall of Fame list of Conde Nast Traveler for being consistently included in thier top list.

elantonio

July 11th, 2007, 11:10 AM

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011829.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011807.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011820.jpg

Here's some of the images that I took when we went there last April. It's kinda funny that the pictures looks uncramped when in fact it is the start of the holy week and news report have it that almost 30,000 people are estimated to visit Bora.

jaywalker

July 12th, 2007, 07:59 PM

elantonio

July 13th, 2007, 09:55 AM

habagatcentral1

July 15th, 2007, 05:23 AM

O Kalibo: A Song in Aklanon byUlihing Tribung Tubod

RDFKkAb7Bkg

habagatcentral1

July 15th, 2007, 11:31 AM

It was Holy Week and spotting stars were just for kids.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/4/photos/33/500x500/8/richardlucy.jpg?et=1O8LCgMrMQuWvy1L1AB7uw
Yung tumakbong senador at ang asawa sa Waling-Waling Resort Boracay

Thunderflip

July 15th, 2007, 12:08 PM

Abaw! Ano ba yan! Ang dami nang algae sa coast ng Bora! Pano nangyari yon, dapat may maintenance! Alisin dapat yan, alisin! Do something about it, nakakahiya.

spacewagon1

July 15th, 2007, 05:58 PM

I have to agree with the earlier posts that Boracay isn't the place to be if your looking for a serene, unadulterated beach to get a tan. I'd like to imagine that it's our own little version of Miami beach or Rio de Janeiro. There's a lot of heavenly bodies in skimpy clothes occupying the whole stretch of the beach. And if we're on the same wave lenght here, I'm sure you don't mind that.
I totally agree with you, elantonio. Btw, your Bora pics really nice. Cheers.

Sinjin P.

July 16th, 2007, 05:32 AM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1283/824526640_0d9e7ecdfa_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1032/823641891_eaee0f2454_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/824524804_b3cd0f840a_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1347/823660561_e0f0ed6b8c_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/823643531_7331f2d298_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/823642307_415989adb3_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/824530252_b88a06b614_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1058/824544508_1bda5d8984_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1352/824513704_406d4623bb_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/823653617_8cb348d23a_o.jpg

Sinjin P.

July 16th, 2007, 05:34 AM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/824534486_59eb57dcb3_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/824517068_90e22e6fdf_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/824530432_8704f3ec13_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1196/824544684_c5a4f948e1_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1251/824514498_a58ccab934_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1102/824524984_f89e85f75c_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/824499954_c3554eab2b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/823626431_ff9f4da3c3_o.jpg

jbkayaker12

July 16th, 2007, 10:48 AM

Don't worry Carabao Island is being developed now. At least merong rest naman ang Boracay Island. I am hoping that other islands within the vicinity will be developed also but not overdeveloped.

Yes and hopefully learn from the mistakes of Boracay, Carabao island can be seen from the northern part of Boracay especially from Puka Beach.

Waldenstrom

July 17th, 2007, 01:51 PM

Parties are the next best thing in Boracay. :)

elantonio

July 18th, 2007, 06:44 AM

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011814.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011812.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011767.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011766.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011765.jpg

crappypants

July 18th, 2007, 06:50 AM

I have to agree with the earlier posts that Boracay isn't the place to be if your looking for a serene, unadulterated beach to get a tan. I'd like to imagine that it's our own little version of Miami beach or Rio de Janeiro. There's a lot of heavenly bodies in skimpy clothes occupying the whole stretch of the beach. And if we're on the same wave lenght here, I'm sure you don't mind that.

Boracay is the wrong beach to turn into a Miami or Rio beach.
Boracay is too precious and a unique natural formation to be trashed by humans only in a few years.
Manila bay would be better suited as a "Rio or Miami beach."

elantonio

July 18th, 2007, 06:54 AM

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011777.jpg http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011856.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011854.jpg http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011775.jpg

shyaman

July 18th, 2007, 12:02 PM

Wow! Cool photos you got there @elantonio.
More please.

elantonio

July 19th, 2007, 01:41 AM

Thanks Shyaman, I will:)

Boracay is the wrong beach to turn into a Miami or Rio beach.
Boracay is too precious and a unique natural formation to be trashed by humans only in a few years.
Manila bay would be better suited as a "Rio or Miami beach."

There's no question that Boracay is a special place, for whenever we talk about world's best beaches, that island off Caticlan would surely be on the list. But to be able to maintain that status they have to address some issues, garbage problem being one of them. They also have to built a better hospital, a fire station, and an airport. Prostitution should also be addressed.

And what's wrong being likened to Miami or Rio, it's a party beach anyway.

habagatcentral1

July 20th, 2007, 03:59 AM

White Beached as viewed during Good Friday 2005.
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/33/orig/6/borac.jpg?et=Q0KpF9I5nfoRSkzSM7X0NA

elantonio

July 20th, 2007, 04:35 AM

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011815.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011783.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011780.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/cloudpole/400x300/P1011797.jpg

shyaman

July 20th, 2007, 01:46 PM

@elantonio, you have flair in taking photos. Those shots are postcard material. It would be more pleasing to the eyes if you upload them in bigger size, try 640 x 480 or larger.

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2007, 04:46 AM

P5-billion island airport to increase visitors to Boracay and nearby areas (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2007072198262.html)

MALAY, Aklan — The construction of the R5-billion Carabao Island Airport, starting October, is expected to serve hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists visiting the world famous Boracay island and nearby areas yearly.

The construction of the airport, a private sector initiative, will be completed by 2010.

Steve Tajanlangit, vice chairman of the Boracay Property Holdings, Inc., the main proponent of the project, expressed confidence that the airport will further hasten the growth of tourism on Boracay- Carabao Island corridor.

Tajanlangit stressed that the airport will also generate thousands of employment and spur economic growth and activities not only on Boracay island, but also the entire municipality of San Jose, Romblon, where the Carabao Island is located.

He said his group has already secured a guarantee line from the Phil Exim Bank which shows that the private sector can work hand in hand with the government, especially in the development of tourist destinations.

Once completed, the airport will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that can accommodate even big aircraft doing international flights in contrast to the Caticlan Airport which can only host small planes.

Among the highly reputable and world-class firms that have expressed interest and offered expertise and financial resources to the project is Sellex Sistemo Integrated of Italy. Sellex, which supplies airside equipment, is the main firm of the comglomerate Finmeccanica owned by the Italian government.

Tajanlangit’s group is also seriously considering Changi International of Singapore, which is consistently rated as the world’s best airport operator, to be the airport manager.

Construction management will likely be handled by an American firm with proven expertise in building airports and support facilities for the US Defense Department.

Tajanlangit said the government’s guarantee company has already approved credit clearance for the project, while the Air Transportation Office under the Department of Transportation and Communications has already given its condition locational clearance.

pandan

July 22nd, 2007, 01:27 AM

Don't get me wrong but BORACAY is a very very beautiful Island, but not the most serene place to be if you want peace and quiescence, and if you want to be alone for a while hahahahha... The island is for party and crowd lovers... It is also for family fun!! :banana:

Just only a few minutes away (45min) out in Pandan / Antique, there is all, what you miss in Boracay. - the lonley white beaches, the friendly community, the cleanest river Bugang, rainforest, unspoiled islands and off course NATURE and Adventure...:banana:

elantonio

July 25th, 2007, 12:17 AM

@shyaman: Thanks for the comments. As much as i'd like to post larger images I just don't like anyone using my photos for commercial purposes without my permission.

habagatcentral1

July 27th, 2007, 07:21 PM

Isang dokumentaryo tungkol sa mga sacada na galing sa Bicol at pumunta ng Batangas.

fF3bmPKpm7g

death327

July 28th, 2007, 09:12 PM

Resort firm launches P1-B Boracay complex project

By Ronnel Domingo
Inquirer
Last updated 05:00am (Mla time) 07/28/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Cebu-based resort developer J. King and Sons Co. Inc. launched Thursday a P1-billion condominium-hotel complex to be built in central Boracay, the first of a series of projects meant to address what is says is a 5,000-room shortfall in first-class tourist accommodation on the resort island.

Company chairman Richard King said the 382-unit Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center would be the firm’s answer to the continuous influx of local and foreign tourists to Boracay, which is growing yearly.

Citing data from the Department of Tourism, King said Boracay hosted some 700,000 tourists in 2006, up from about 500,000 in 2005.

“Tourism arrivals on Boracay are becoming less and less seasonal, especially those who come from abroad,” he said. “This could only mean good for a project such as a Crown Regency in Boracay.”

Construction work on the 1.2-hectare property would start in November and could take two years to complete.

The project boasts of a convention center that could accommodate 1,200 people at any one time, and a swimming pool that would be the biggest on the island at 3,000 square meters.

J. King and Sons has also lined up three other Crown Regency projects, which would add at least 200 five-star rooms in other parts of the island.

King said Crown Regency Resort would be built at Boracay’s Station 3 beachfront, Crown Regency Prince Resort at Station 1, and Crown Regency Bayview Resort at one end of Bolabog Beach cove on the northern side of the island.

The resort will offer “a revolutionary ... concept in that we are not just selling time-shares but the units themselves,” King said.

An owner will be assured of 45 days free stay with an option to sell the unit if it is not used, he said. People may also find accommodations in any of over 2,000 affiliate hotels and resorts here and abroad through Interval International, he added.

Cynthia Suelto, president and chief executive of the group’s marketing partner Megatrend Realty Network, said buyers would be assured of profit from the 320 days that their units would be rented out to guests.

Prices range up to P7.5 million, which is a 59 square-meter unit with a loft.

spacewagon1

August 1st, 2007, 06:53 AM

Boracay is UNSTOPPABLE. Hatwa talaga ! Go, go, go to the real Pearl of the Orient !

spacewagon1

August 2nd, 2007, 07:07 AM

diin na si al-teeway? Daw wala na siya kabalik diri haw?

TheRick

August 6th, 2007, 04:49 AM

Don't get me wrong but BORACAY is a very very beautiful Island, but not the most serene place to be if you want peace and quiescence, and if you want to be alone for a while hahahahha... The island is for party and crowd lovers... It is also for family fun!! :banana:

Boracay will be "The Party Place" until the next "Party Place" comes up.
Di ba ganyan naman talaga - palipat lipat lang.

So you hope that when that happens Borcay is still beautiful, so people can appreciate the paradise appeal of the island.

hiiamdib

August 6th, 2007, 05:38 AM

Abaw! Ano ba yan! Ang dami nang algae sa coast ng Bora! Pano nangyari yon, dapat may maintenance! Alisin dapat yan, alisin! Do something about it, nakakahiya.

according to studies, the algae are a vital part of white sand beaches

dancethingy

August 6th, 2007, 11:04 PM

^^^^^^ they turn white when they dry up

kirby21

August 11th, 2007, 06:31 AM

missing Boracay so much. I could not imagine how Boracay looks like nowadays. When we were in college, Boracay is a laidback island. Today, it's teeming with business and foreign visitors. I agree with anyone who'll say that Boracay is definitely "The Pearl of the Orient Sea"

kirby21

August 11th, 2007, 06:32 AM

any more developments of Aklan?

spacewagon1

August 17th, 2007, 07:10 PM

Boracay’s mid-year tourist
arrivals reach 387,288

KALIBO, Aklan – Boracay Island posted a total of 387,288 tourist arrivals from January to July of this year. Based on records obtained from the Provincial Tourism Office here, the month with the highest number of tourist arrivals was April, with 93,615 arrivals.

Of the tourists who visited Boracay during the period, domestic arrivals outnumbered the foreigners. Domestic tourists numbered 217,837 while foreign tourists reached 117,518. Overseas Filipinos, on the other hand, numbered 51,933.

The biggest number of foreign tourists who flocked to Boracay was noted during the month of February, with 19,859, while they had the least number during the month of June with 11,054.

Domestic tourists, on the other hand, peaked during the month of April with 75,739 and lowest during the month of February with 2,372.

For Overseas Filipinos, their number was highest in the month of January with 21,051 and lowest in March with 2,038.

Converted into tourism receipts, the foreign arrivals generated P4,063,513,900.40 while the local tourism receipts generated P3,592,014,527.00 for a total of P7,119,670,219.20.

source: Panay Philippines News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/boracay2.htm)

^^ ^^ Bira Bira na BORACAY ! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

ikra

August 18th, 2007, 01:02 AM

nice, 7 billion pesos. Philippines is a very marketable place for tourist holiday destination. I dont see why we cant compete with the likes of phuket in thailand or such. I think as citizens we need to do our part, and hopefully that our peace and security issues will be solved :( Even though its on the remotest of locations, people cant help but stereotype

spacewagon1

August 18th, 2007, 06:30 AM

impressive stats but does the municipal government of Malay (Caticlan) making profit from this 7billion or more industry? Because of it is, then Malay should become a city by now. How much of the tax goes to the municipality of malay government? Because it looks like that Boracay economy is feeding the national government and not the municipality where it is on at present.

3cr

August 20th, 2007, 11:09 AM

Atienza declares moratorium on Boracay construction
GMA News
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/54770/Atienza-declares-moratorium-on-Boracay-construction

Newly-appointed Environment Secretary Jose “Lito" Atienza has put on hold new construction in the famed resort island of Boracay to give way to completion of its master development plan that is expected in six months.

Atienza issued the order as he called on the local government of Malay town in Boracay to stop issuing any construction permits for new projects.

He noted that the national government must step in to put a stop to uncontrolled development in the island.

“The negative impact of unplanned developments will eventually compromise the safety and welfare of the public. Leveling the mountains to build structures could trigger landslides," said Atienza, who held a dialogue with local residents and resort owners after he spoke before delegates at the Association of Southeast Asian Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) conference in Boracay.

The Boracay master development plan is expected to be completed in six months.

He noted that the depletion of Boracay’s forests and the construction of residential and other structures in the mountains could trigger landslides.

The environment chief said that the moratorium would only be lifted once the Department of Environment and Natural Resources completed Boracay’s master development plan.

Atienza, former mayor of the city of Manila, was sworn in as head of the DENR on July 31, replacing Angelo Reyes, who was reassigned as secretary of the Department of Energy.

Boracay hotel owner Orlando Sacay agreed that there is an urgent need for planned development in the resort island because they face serious sewerage problems, garbage disposal issues and migration.

“The problem grows each day with the increasing number of people flocking to Boracay in search of economic opportunities," Sacay added.

pinoybeachboy

August 20th, 2007, 03:34 PM

certified Aklanon here....

death327

August 20th, 2007, 03:37 PM

^^ Welcome! Enjoy SSC-Pinas. :D

spacewagon1

August 20th, 2007, 05:08 PM

post away pinoybeachboy ! Welcome to Aklan Thread.

pinoybeachboy

August 20th, 2007, 06:18 PM

Aside from being the birthplace of Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, this peaceful town is considered Aklan's Pearl.

It is an idyllic seaside retreat with very religious and hospitable people.

eonynx

August 20th, 2007, 06:21 PM

^^ do you have pix of this place?:) i have almost been there years ago! unfortunately, i was only up to a neihboring town, i forgot the name of the town though!

pinoybeachboy

August 20th, 2007, 06:29 PM

Tambak Seawall, New Washington - our version of Manila Baywalk minus the pollution....:lol:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/496003465_7e23fee980.jpg?v=0

pinoybeachboy

August 20th, 2007, 06:35 PM

Pinamuk-an - Where the best seafoods (crabs, Lapu-Lapu, prawns and shrimps) come from.....

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/496068890_262f108630.jpg?v=0

eonynx

August 20th, 2007, 06:37 PM

^^ nice photos! tnx!:)

pinoybeachboy

August 21st, 2007, 03:07 AM

boracay will be lovelier if the following issues are addressed:

a. organized jetty port (just imagine not being bothered by pumpboats along its beaches)

b. a strict enforcement of the beach easement and no construction zone.

c. a stricter food inspection office.

d. a stricter baggage inspection (to weed out guns and drugs flowing into the island).

e. a tourist friendly police force

f. a systematic life guard system (a la baywatch).

g. an effective water and sewerage system.

h. an efficient garbage disposal system.

g. accreditation of tourist guides and water sports services

h. regulation of motorized vehicles in the island (off limits at the beach area).

i. a dog pound unit (have u noticed stray dogs on the beach...at night?)

ah...there are still a lot of valid suggestions.

oddstyle

August 21st, 2007, 03:15 AM

^^it was my clinical instructor who took those shots during her vacation to boracay, she asked me to make a slideshow for her wedding, and i asked for her permission to post her bora pics here...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/ether_2006/IMG_1414.jpg

wow nice shot.............c'',).........do they have helicopter ride also...?

pinostalgic

August 21st, 2007, 08:18 AM

My office mate who came back from PI and frequents Boracay thinks it's over developed. He's from Aklan, a diver, and loves the ocean. He no longer brings his family there because he thinks it developed into an adult party atmosphere. He used to brag Boracay before foreign tourists found about it. He thinks progress is good but the ecology suffered and migration increased due to perceived opportunities. If you looked carefully, he says that trash increased. Unfortunately, he thinks eager developers will just go island hopping - Carabao Island, Mindoro, Palawan, Bohol, Negros, etc. may suffer the same fate w/o careful planning and intervention from the national govt.

spacewagon1

August 21st, 2007, 12:23 PM

Tambak Seawall, New Washington - our version of Manila Baywalk minus the pollution....:lol:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/496003465_7e23fee980.jpg?v=0
this looks really great. Are they going to develop this area, pinoybeachboy? Aklan is really progressing. I hope the momentum of progress and developments in Aklan will soars even more if not to maintain it.

GearX

August 21st, 2007, 12:33 PM

Boracay is congested.....the entry of green algae (lumots) is an indication of high nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium-NPK) in seawater. And the sources of these nutrients? --- human feces. Unless there is an agricultural plantation wherein agricultural runoffs drain into the sea creating an NPK-rich environment conducive for lumots or what we call green algae, the main source of nutrients will be the tourists who frequent the island, who have stayed in the island, and who have lived in the island.

chocolato1000

August 21st, 2007, 02:53 PM

spacewagon1

August 21st, 2007, 11:42 PM

DOE wants Aklan mini-hydropower

KALIBO, Aklan: The Department of Energy has signified its intention to put up a mini-hydropower plant in Libacao, Aklan.

Mayor Charito Navarossa of Libacao recently received a communiqué from Mario Marasigan, director of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau.

Marasigan said the bureau found that the Bulabod River in Barangay Dos has a firm flow of one cubic meter per second and a net head of 34.54 meters.

It has rated the firm capacities at 550 and 300 kilowatts, Marasigan added.

Navarossa said that the department’s proposal is a welcome move, but the local government will have to consult with experts from the California Energy (CalEn).

“The CalEn has invested millions of pesos for their plan to put up a series of hydropower dam projects in Libacao. They are planning to put up a multimillion-dollar hydropower project to supply the needed demand for electricity in Panay,” Na*varosa said.

Marasigan added that CalEn is hopeful that it will complete its feasibility study early next month. They, too, will construct a dam project that will start before the year ends.

source: Manila Times (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/22/yehey/prov/20070822pro5.html)

3cr

August 22nd, 2007, 03:29 AM

Boracay construction goes on despite ban
By KATHERINE ADRANEDA
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=89416

BORACAY – Construction on this resort island continues despite an order issued by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza calling for a moratorium on building new structures, amid problems of uncontrolled development and overpopulation.

Malay town Vice-Mayor John Yap said the municipal government has yet to issue a resolution calling for a moratorium on all construction in the island because the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has not formally “communicated” to them a “request” for such a moratorium.

Yap explained that this communication from the DENR is very important since it would serve as the basis for the resolution the Malay municipal council would draft.

“We cannot issue the resolution because there is no formal letter yet from the DENR,” Yap said in an interview, following a dialogue here with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Tourism Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Assistant Secretary Consuelo Padilla, Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling, the chiefs of Barangays Yapak, Balabag, and Manoc-Manoc, and other tourism officials.

Cawaling raised the issue of the absence of a comprehensive land use plan for the island, which prompted Durano to appeal to municipal and barangay leaders to cease from issuing new permits and clearances for construction until December to pave the way for the preparation of a comprehensive land use plan for Boracay.

Yap said Padilla has committed to immediately send them the formal communication for the moratorium, which could warrant the issuance of the municipal resolution.

He also disclosed that the municipal council never convened to tackle Atienza’s order.

The DENR chief had a dialogue with resort owners and municipal officials last Aug. 6 at the sidelines of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) in Boracay.

Yap even explained that Atienza’s order was a moratorium on the issuance of the environment compliance certificate (ECC) for building plans. This order, however, was for all types of construction in the resort island.

Atienza likewise suggested that a master development plan be prepared to address the alarm raised by resort owners on the uncontrolled development and migration problems in the world-famous resort island.

“The influx of people and development in the island have rendered facilities and utilities over-stretched, including sewage, water, and electricity,” Atienza said.

kirby21

August 26th, 2007, 05:51 AM

miaka_cham

August 26th, 2007, 07:57 PM

http://photos-483.friendster.com/e1/photos/38/44/4614483/921714239l.jpg
(this one I took when we went to bora last june15-15, 2007 for my bday celebration...truly a great place to be!)
top picks (bars)
1) juice
2) cocomangas
3) pier one
4) hey jude
5) ....i forgot the name..

and don't forget to try their crepe @ Crazy Crepe (@ d'mall)

FYI, we only spent 7,000 good for two (including acommodation fare and all...)

pinoybeachboy

August 26th, 2007, 08:07 PM

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p254/goodbeachboy/KAPIS.jpg

pinoybeachboy

August 26th, 2007, 08:42 PM

this looks really great. Are they going to develop this area, pinoybeachboy? Aklan is really progressing. I hope the momentum of progress and developments in Aklan will soars even more if not to maintain it.

yeah, the current leaders of the New Washington have a lot in mind in developing the Tambak Seawall area. But i hope it will not be highly commercialized like putting up restaurants at the edge of the beach.

anyway, i have faith in the current municipal leadership.

pinoybeachboy

August 26th, 2007, 08:59 PM

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p254/goodbeachboy/kapis2.jpg

Isla Kapispisan, New Washington Aklan

Marine and Bird Sanctuary

kirby21

August 27th, 2007, 06:41 AM

scary bamboo bridge. :lol: joke lang.

Keep up posted of Aklan's development.

pangyao™

September 2nd, 2007, 06:46 PM

Towns making headways
for a ‘green’ Philippines

KALIBO, Aklan – Some Aklan towns have long started making headways to promote a green Philippines by coming up with pro-environment measures.

Promoting a green Philippines is one of the government’s “Eight in 2008” anchor programs for 2008, her way of delivering her promise of social payback as a result of a strong economy.

In Aklan, the Green Philippine Highways project is being sustained by local government units and other involved agencies.

The Green Philippine Highway in Aklan is a stretch of national highway from Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off point to Boracay and port of entry of ro-ro boats that ply the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) to Cabangila, Altavas, the boundary of the province.

The highway is planted along its sides with flowering and ornamental plants and various tree species.

One municipality with a novel idea of implementing its pro-environment approach is the town of Tangalan.

Tangalan, a town in the western part of Aklan, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office here, has come up with a declaration of its rivers, tributaries, water shed and forest reserve as protected areas.

The main proponent of this initiative is Tangalan Mayor Jed Tirol himself, because of his strong conviction that protecting the watershed means sustaining the Coastal Eco-Tourism Program of the municipality, one of the flagship industries and attractions of the town.

Tangalan also has a Marine Sanctuary and Coral Garden which will benefit much from the protective declaration. The sanctuary, established in 2003, hosts numerous species of hard and soft corals, sponges, shells, sea stars cucumbers and oysters, while the coral garden, a 10-hectare area located within the Marine Sanctuary, aims to rehabilitate an area previously decimated by dynamite and cyanide fishing.

Tangalan has a Municipal Environment Code already, according to DENR and so is Balete, a town in the eastern side of Aklan, while Kalibo, the capital town which also boasts of its successful Mangrove Reforestation Project is working for its own.

Panay News

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buruanga,_Aklan
sana wag nilang kalimutan na may buruanga pa. road projects are centered only from brgy. caticlan to the town of altavas(boundary of aklan and capiz). i never heard road project going to this little town up to the boundary of antique... taga-aklan din po ako. hehe..

pangyao™

September 2nd, 2007, 08:21 PM

awwww...i get it now...

The resort island Boracay is geographically part of the municipality although administratively independent of it (Boracay is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the provincial government of Aklan). (wikipedia)

too bad...all the cash directly goes into some agency while Malay is left with virtually nothing...no wonder why it's still a 4th class municipality

the latest update about the income classification of the municipality of Malay is already in 3rd class(2006). although the income is qualified to be 1st class, the only thing is, they failed to comply with the Personal Services(PS) because they still allocate 55% of the annual budget. the PS share for 1st class municipality, i think is 45%.. anyone can help for specs regarding classification? al teeway and chagusa i'm also aklanon.

pangyao™

September 2nd, 2007, 08:38 PM

ai al teeway pano gali mgbutang it kodak dikara? gapangayo abi it url, nakasave sa pc do mga kodak, ano ang obrahon kato agod mapost ko? thnks gid. hehe

3cr

September 3rd, 2007, 08:26 AM

Ramon’s bigger Boracay Ang-le
Cocktales
Victor C. Agustin
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business6_sept3_2007

SAN Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang apparently has a bigger angle in Boracay than what had been reported here on Aug. 22.

Instead of 15 hectares as earlier reported, Ang is negotiating to acquire 40 hectares of prime beachfront property right beside the fast rising Shangri-La resort hotel.

According to the grapevine, Ang is now in advanced stage of negotiations to gain 51 percent control of the property owner, Boracay Property Holdings Inc., to represent his planned 40-hectare acquisition.

Boracay Property Holdings vice chairman Esteban Tajanlangit Jr. declined to comment on the reported buy-in when reached for comments.

According to the grapevine, Boracay Property Holdings will still be left with about 32 hectares after the Ang buy-in, a forested portion which will remain untouched and be devolved in the name of an indigenous group, Taytay sa Kauswagan, the non-governmental organization that had originally acquired the sizable property from the Ayalas in partnership with Boracay Property Holdings.

It is not immediately clear whether Ang is making the Boracay acquisition for himself or in behalf of San Miguel Corp.

Ang had previously announced that he and chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. wanted San Miguel to diversify into power, tourism, and real estate to gain new revenue drivers for the region’s largest food and beverage complex.

The media-allergic Ang already controls the Manila Diamond Hotel along Roxas Boulevard.

chocolato1000

September 3rd, 2007, 04:17 PM

Land use plan for Boracay in the works

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 09:32pm (Mla time) 09/03/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Tourism said on Monday the ban on new construction on Boracay Island may be lifted by the end of 2007 as local governments of Malay town and Aklan province were already working out a comprehensive land use plan for the world-famous tourist attraction.

Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano said the formulation of the use plan would be a basis to suspend the construction, recalling that while there was a land use plan for Malay town, there was none for Boracay.

“The deal we struck with the villages is not to permit new construction for the remaining months of the year and we will come out with the land use plan by the end of the year,” Durano said in an interview.

The land use plan would be embodied in a municipal ordinance in coordination with the provincial government and Boracay's three villages -- Manoc-manoc, Balabag and Yapak.

“We asked them not to permit new construction so that in making the land use plan, the existing structures can be taken into consideration. If you make the land use plan and they still allow construction, the land use plan would become obsolete even before it is completed," Durano expalined.

Last month, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza called for a halt to all new construction on the island pending the completion of the Boracay tourism master development plan that is expected in six months.

He noted that the depletion of Boracay’s forests and the construction of residential and other structures in the mountains could trigger landslides.

The master plan is being developed by another DOT agency, the Philippine Tourism Authority, whose consultant is the Palafox Associates, Atienza's consultant in his urban renewal projects when he was Manila mayor.

The tourism chief, however, said the master development plan would be more of an “aspirational plan” dealing with infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads.

“That's good; at least everybody can see the potential of the island. But after my meeting with the local governments, what came out was that Boracay really needed a comprehensive land use program,” he said.

Durano also advised Atienza to put Department of Environment and National Resources personnel on the island to enforce the moratorium. He said the nearest DENR unit was its regional office in Iloilo City.

The tourism secretary said DOT continued to help the provincial, municipal and village governments having jurisdiction over Boracay improve their capabilities in responding to the uncontrolled development on the island.

There was also a need for a coordinate effort among stakeholders “to accelerate the introduction of engineering solutions to defend the island from environmental deterioration,” he added.

Durano said environment-friendly projects such as the solid waste management system and the common sewerage network would be useless if the hotels and resort would not subscribe to them.

“I always say it's like the peace process. You cannot give up; you just have to continue engaging them local governments. What's important for the national government is not to take over the jobs of the LGUs but to educate and equip them to handle the development on island,” he explained.

shyaman

September 4th, 2007, 01:05 PM

^^@pangyao, go to the main page of Philippine Forums. You'll find a thread there on how to post photos. :)

pangyao™

September 5th, 2007, 03:38 PM

thnks shyaman.

discovery shores may 25, 2007
http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p5250157ac2.jpg
http://img73.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p5250158by9.jpg

The Fourth Asian Beach Games are to be held in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines.

In the 25th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly in Doha on December 2, 2006, the Council selected Boracay as host of the 2014 Asian Beach Games. The games will fall on the same year of the 17th Asian Games.

Kakayanin kaya ng boracay?

iloilocitykid

September 6th, 2007, 02:45 PM

^Hope it does...it needs more hotels, that's for sure. The neighboring Malay can be built with hotels, etc if Boracay gets too crowded.

al_teeway

September 7th, 2007, 03:53 AM

http://dailyjokeonline.com/winner.html

ai al teeway pano gali mgbutang it kodak dikara? gapangayo abi it url, nakasave sa pc do mga kodak, ano ang obrahon kato agod mapost ko? thnks gid. hehe

ubra ka anay it account sa photobucket. igto mo i-upload ag tapos hay kopyahon mo eang da URL. una mat-a ron.

.

al_teeway

September 7th, 2007, 03:56 AM

http://dailyjokeonline.com/winner.html

diin na si al-teeway? Daw wala na siya kabalik diri haw?

sako guid ko. hehe.

habagatcentral1

September 7th, 2007, 03:35 PM

Ey, has anyone took a pic of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin bronze statue in New Washington?

nesto

September 7th, 2007, 10:53 PM

British newspaper The Independent property section dated 05 Sept 2007.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/nestopix/boracay.jpg

al_teeway

September 8th, 2007, 01:36 AM

Ey, has anyone took a pic of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin bronze statue in New Washington?

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/STATUESIN.jpg

hiiamdib

September 8th, 2007, 07:50 AM

al_teeway

September 10th, 2007, 02:27 AM

elow aklanons, pede pu ba keong mag post ng Kalibo "supposedly" INTERNATIONAL Airport, dba?! gusto ko makita, balita ko ginagawan eto ng bagong terminal. Kung ginagawan nga po eh pa ki picturan nadin, salamat!!!!

Exactly. the initial fund released for the construction of the new Kalibo Airport Terminal is 80 Million. Hindi pa nagsisimula yung construction pero baka nasa bidding process na.. Hintayin nalang natin. Pag tapos na, kukunan ko ng picture para sayo.

.

al_teeway

September 10th, 2007, 02:30 AM

‘Don’t use Bora’ urges biz group

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY – The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) urges the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay to pass an ordinance banning the use of the term of “Bora” in all promotional and advertisement materials.

The BCCI noted that tourism industry is facing tremendous challenges with the proliferation of the term “Bora” in programs, events, shows and activities in the island.

“Boracay is part of the Aklanons’ cultural heritage and it has always been the name of the island. Changing it to “Bora” is just like placing the name ‘Filipino’ with ‘flip which is a derogatory term for Filipinos in the United States,” the group said.

BCCI believes there is an urgent need to stop this attempt to corrupt the name of Boracay for promotional and advertising efforts of businesses to include the media and entertainment industry which exert much influence on the Philippine society.

The BCCI was a recipient of the “Most Outstanding Young Chamber Award” by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for its active involvement in Ecological Solid Waste Management and Environmental Protection, having partnered with the Canadian I n t e r n a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t Agency (CIDA) in a two-year project, which led to the construction of the first Material Recovery Facility in Boracay.

It said, “Boracay will never be Bora. Bora-bora is an island in the French Polynesia and if travelers will use the term Bora to search Boracay in the websites promoting Bora-bora and not Boracay, it is, thus, detrimental to tourism.”

BCCI, the recognized voice of business and an instrument of positive change in Boracay since 2004, stressed that the Philippine government spent millions of dollars promoting the island of Boracay as an international tourist hub through years of steady promotion and advertising campaign.

This year, the Department of Tourism is anticipating more foreign tourists to spend money on restaurants, spas and hotels in Boracay.

About 65 percent of the visitors who enjoyed the powdery white sand of Boracay last year were Koreans..

al_teeway

September 11th, 2007, 06:56 AM

James Concepcion on a mission

HIS name is James, like filmdom’s suave agent for the British Secret Service coded 007.

But the suave James in today’s cover story has a more realistic and immediate mission: To make the Philippines the prime tourist hub for the Chinese market, starting from the former British colony, Hong Kong.

“It’s more of an advocacy on my part to bring tourism to a higher level. We have the facilities and the resources all over the country. We just need to tap the right market,” said young entrepreneur James Puyat Concepcion, when we caught up with him one rainy night in his private den, a Mediterranean-African themed two-floor restaurant called Ziggurat in the heart of Makati City.

James—or Jimmy to close friends and colleagues—is also the main man behind Days Hotel, the chain of international hotels that his late father started 10 years ago. Recently, James bagged a much-coveted deal to bring Hong Kong Air Lines to Philippines shores.

Tourism royale

James emphasized that his dream is to make the Philippines a haven for tourists and everything seems to be falling into the right place. He got the hotels strategically located in key cities in the provinces. Now, he has the planes to bring them in.

He is no neophyte in the industry. If we’re going to dissect James’s many lives in the corporate arena, his hands will be the type that holds lots of high-tech gadgets to help him fulfill his missions.

From the skies, James’s “earthly” ventures cover food, resort-hotels, condotels, car rental, vacation clubs, real estate, property development and publishing, among others.

Being a hands-on manager in Ziggurat, he literally holds lots of pots and pans and shianse. “I plan the menu. When the restaurant was just starting, I cooked the food and taught my assistant chefs. I eat here a lot to test the quality and enjoy the food,” he said.

As a gourmet chef, he emphasized he started with simple dishes like Japanese, Korean and Thai. His fascination with Mediterranean and African cuisine started while he was studying in Boston. His classmates were of diverse nationalities and James made friends with them, as close as invading their kitchen and visiting their favorite eating places.

Since 2001, he has been president and CEO of VCI Holidays. He revealed that from being a vacation ownership start-up company, he turned it into a successful venture. It is touted to be the largest of its kind in the Philippines.

James is also behind a new company selling discount cards that cover 2,000 business establishments here and in Hong Kong. He called it Your E-Card, which benefits foreign and local tourists. “Say if you’re in Cebu, you’ll feel like you’re a Cebuano because of the discount privileges you can avail,” he explained.

Since 2003, as big boss of Days Hotel Philippines Inc., he was able to make it one of the largest international hotel chains in the country. It has branches in the cities of Tagaytay, Batangas, Mactan-Cebu, Iloilo and Palayan in Nueva Ecija. James revealed that new branches will open in Baguio City and Boracay.

James has also taken over managing the pioneering family business, Virra Mall. His parents started it and made it the first mall to offer the most affordable clothes and electronic products. A new V Mall was opened in Sucat, Parañaque, near the airport. He said, “We have plans of building and franchising more throughout the country.”

Away from the corporate arena, James loves to write, not the greatest Filipino novel but magazine features that people will love to read and reread. He also takes photographs. The businessman in him would catch up with his newfound passions.

In 2002, when he took over a small magazine called Stopover, he re-branded and remarketed it as a monthly glossy focusing on lifestyle, travel and success profiles. It was recognized the Best Travel Magazine by several consumer choice awards. It was even endorsed by several Asean ambassadors for international circulation and franchising of the brand. Stopover has a younger sister magazine, JetSet, which covers the finer things of travel and everything associated with it like jewelry, clothing, among others.

With the entry of his newest baby, Hong Kong Air Lines, he has to limit his time for the magazines. Now, both will come out only with special editions.

The world of fish balls is not enough

Despite these “day jobs,” James is a fulfilled, happy, married man, with three kids. He is armed with a business economics degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, which he completed in three years. He also finished an MS management degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Being a Concepcion—the former Trade secretary is an uncle—it’s just but expected for young James to venture into business. While still in college at the State University, his first foray involved fish balls.

“I got the idea from the roving fish ball vendors near the dorms and campus buildings. I learned that a vendor earns about P2,000 a day. That’s a lot of money in the 1990s. So I started my own food stalls, about five of them. It was a hit so eventually I built a fish-ball factory. I love experimenting and cooking. I also started concocting new products like scallop, crab and lobster balls.”

Though well-educated and backed up by a legacy that is both Puyat and Concepcion, he intimated that he learned the ins, outs, ups and downs of running a business the hard way.

Like any other businessman, he had suffered losses. “The fish ball business was doing well so I decided it won’t need my full attention. I was summoned by my parents to handle our family condominium business. It took most of my time. Behind my back, there were lots of irregularities happening in the fish-ball factory. I woke up one day, I found out I was losing lots of resources and money. I had no choice but to close it down.”

While still in college at the UP, he experienced having no money. The worse thing was, he needed to go home amid a thunderstorm. “I was part of a car pool going to-and-fro Makati, where I lived. Because of the storm, my companions left ahead of me. My baon was enough for food and essentials. I had to buy a book so there wasn’t enough money left for a taxi or even bus fares. I walked all the way from the campus to Philcoa then I had to ride four different buses to get to Makati, for free.”

That early, the teenaged James was already a fast thinker, a trait that he would maximize later to survive and succeed in the real world. But how did he get home that day? Why four buses?

He narrated: “The moment the conductors come to collect my fare, I’d asked if the bus is going to Fairview or Caloocan, always the opposite direction to Makati. I fancied an American accent. They thought I was a balikbayan lost in the way. The bus conductor would drop me off in the nearest bus stop upon learning I’m ‘on the wrong bus.’ Then I would take another bus and do the same. That’s why I took four buses until I reached Makati.”

The fourth bus he took passed by just in front of a prominent subdivision’s main gate, from which he walked all the way home. It was easy for him to be mistaken as someone who grew up in colder regions in the planet because of his fair complexion.

But that’s not the worse. One time, he recalled there was a major traffic jam. He can’t remember if there was a coup d’ etat or a major political rally but nothing was on EDSA, which was suddenly transformed into the world’s longest parking lot. From the UP campus, the exasperated James took off his shirt and jogged all the way to his home in Makati City.

The sky that loves him

Nowadays, James says he can function well in the day even with about five hours of sleep. “I’ve learned my lessons well. I know I have to be in touch with my assistants. I have to know the details. If I need to decide on something very important, my partners and my deputies can call me even if it’s 2 in the morning. That’s how focused I am these days.”

There’s a slight problem when he’s abroad with his family. His phone would ring at an ungodly hour, depending upon what country he’s at. The caller, obviously on a different time zone, will always be surprised that James is on the other side of the globe. That’s why on the bed, his wife assures that he is on the side nearest to the landline phone, especially when they are in a hotel room.

But all the hard work has paid off. James’s new baby is growing fast and healthy as he expects it to be. As of press time, Hong Kong Air Lines has already fulfilled its maiden flight from Chep Lak Kok in Hong Kong to Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

It has daily flights, seven days a week. From Chep Lak Kok, James said it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes only and vice versa. The Hong Kong to Clark route is being serviced with six brand-new 737-800 planes. Each plane has 156 seats plus 8 in the business class. Every month, another plane is being added and three new destinations launched. The airline is now known as the fastest growing in Hong Kong.

James proudly endorsed, “The pilots are experienced and recruited from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and Canada. I even heard many passengers commenting that they are very good looking, too. The stewardesses are beautiful Chinese women and they are all recruited from top airlines. Soon, we will be hiring Filipinas of the same caliber.”

Based on recent data, the World Tourism Organization still considers China as the biggest market in Asia. Before going to Europe and the United States, the Chinese tourists prefer visiting their Asian neighbors.

According to WTO, five years ago the outbound tourist market reached 20.2 million, with more than 11 million Chinese going to various Asian countries. The WTO projects China’s outbound market to be one of the largest by 2020 with 130 million tourists.

For those going to the Philippines, it was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself who affirmed the influx of Chinese tourists. Speaking before students and academicians at the Nanchang University in China’s Jiangxi province in October last year, she pointed out, “The number of Chinese tourists that came to the Philippines in 2005 is almost three times the number in 2004. A very rapid increase indeed. But it’s a very small percentage compared to Chinese tourists going to the rest of the world, just a hundred thousand from 30,000 the year before. This year, hopefully we can have 300,000. We would like to have more and more of people-to-people exchange. Filipinos very frequently come to China, I hope the Chinese go very frequently to the Philippines.”

Specifically, in the same speech, she also advertised Cebu and Bohol, citing the world-class beaches comparable or better than the famed Boracay.

Before the end of this year, James projects Hong Kong Air Lines will have direct flights to Cebu, Kalibo and Davao.

On a high with his new venture, we asked James what business philosophy he follows. He said it’s hardly called a philosophy. He explained that because the Concepcions like shopping, they built Virra Mall. Personally, he likes cooking, he started Ziggurat. He enjoys writing and taking pictures, he ventured into publishing Stopover and Jetset magazines.

“I like traveling, now I have Hong Kong Air Lines. I learned it all from my father. He told me that to be able to succeed in business, I should earn from what I enjoy doing. So I decided to earn from my hobbies, from the things I am comfortable with. It’s as simple as doing what you like. Everything else follows.”

James, the name is James. Enter Carly Simon singing, “Nobody does it better. . . .” Bring on the vodka martini.

James the gourmet quipped, “Shaken or stirred, there are 30 kinds of martinis including James Bond’s favorite, available only in Ziggurat.”

ngprofflorida

September 16th, 2007, 03:19 PM

great184

September 17th, 2007, 06:46 AM

It probably the fault of some advertiser to list it as "bora" (its a western way of making words catchy is suppose), now every kid here in manila uses bora. I find it irritating at times, since i know they think using bora is hipper or cooler than boracay. Its very sad. Boracay is a very nice name.

hiiamdib

September 17th, 2007, 07:14 AM

^^ plus, bora was used as a name for ABS-CBN sit-com remember.

great184

September 17th, 2007, 11:35 AM

Our media is very effective at promoting ignorance and stereotyping.

spacewagon1

September 17th, 2007, 07:37 PM

more hotels and more international flights to Aklan. Paspas na AKLAN ! :banana: :banana:

hiiamdib

September 17th, 2007, 08:47 PM

Exactly. the initial fund released for the construction of the new Kalibo Airport Terminal is 80 Million. Hindi pa nagsisimula yung construction pero baka nasa bidding process na.. Hintayin nalang natin. Pag tapos na, kukunan ko ng picture para sayo.

.

Salamat po! hope the terminal is good kse pambungad un sa mga bumibisita sa Boracay!! E top seller pnmn ang Boracay Island

spacewagon1

September 18th, 2007, 06:48 PM

hoping to see bigger and better Kalibo INternational Airport. Is the new terminal underconstruction by now?

spacewagon1

September 20th, 2007, 08:24 AM

British newspaper The Independent property section dated 05 Sept 2007.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/nestopix/boracay.jpg

very nice advert. Boracay is slowly making is way here in Europe.

Raven83

September 20th, 2007, 08:27 AM

I think the reason why Boracay became Bora in local term is because of our culture's penchant for shortening names,It's not just media's fault I think.

Eg: Eugenia to Jean,Juan Pablo to JP,Cagayan de Oro to CDO,General Santos to GenSan.etc...etc...

spacewagon1

September 20th, 2007, 10:34 PM

Boracay is it ! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

al_teeway

September 21st, 2007, 06:20 AM

hoping to see bigger and better Kalibo INternational Airport. Is the new terminal underconstruction by now?

Not yet.. perhaps several months from now.

flymordecai

September 23rd, 2007, 04:41 AM

As beautiful as Bora Bora(the real one) is, the name Boracay sounds more exotic than "Bora" in my opinion. Let's give Boracay the proper respect it deserves by calling it by its actual name.

pangyao™

September 24th, 2007, 05:50 PM

I don't think there are old growth forests in bora left right now.

I recall seeing some in the hollywood movie "Too Late the Hero" (which spurred interest in bora), but in my recent trips to the resort island, i don't recollect seeing any.

gen1, do you have a copy of that movie? i havent watched it. i only heard it from my father, and once again you remind me of that. lalo akong na-curious..

Ex!lE

September 25th, 2007, 02:08 AM

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

PTA gears for Boracay sewerage expansion (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/25/yehey/prov/20070925pro4.html)

BORACAY ISLAND: The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) is setting up necessary infrastructures to spur tourism and preserve the natural environment of the country’s premier tourist destination.

Aklan Rep. Florencio Mira*flores said the PTA’s P90-million expansion of the centralized water supply and sewerage system in Boracay Island will improve the facilities for commercial establishments and residential consumers.

“The PTA considers the island one of their priority development areas. The expansion of the sewerage project further bolsters the position of the island as one of the best tropical beaches in the world,” he said.

The PTA finished two components of the P800-million Boracay Environmental Infrastructure Pro*ject (BEIP) through the 19th Yen Package from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

The operation and maintenance of the sewerage system is conducted by the Boracay Waterworks and Sewerage System (BWSS), which was established in December 2001 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the PTA.

“The expansion of BWSS services will accommodate commercial establishments availing of the centralized water and treatment plants connected with the PTA’s potable water supply,” Miraflores pointed out.
--Panay News

v_rod

September 25th, 2007, 05:07 AM

eonynx

September 25th, 2007, 05:10 AM

^^ no.7 in the whole world? not bad!:)

v_rod

September 25th, 2007, 05:14 AM

^^ yeah, I'm surprised Phucket is not in the list...:cheers:

Babydamulag

September 25th, 2007, 02:28 PM

The beauty that is Boracay and surrounding islands is really a natural phenomenon that must be seen by all. If you are a diver you would be amazed to see what lives in and around these gorgeous islands. It is truly a blessing from BIG GUY upstairs.

METROPOLITAN_ILOILO

September 26th, 2007, 06:49 AM

Yeah, wish I could say more... though I was only able to snorkel some few meters deep... for me what Ive seen is really a treasure worth keeping... I hope this will be preserve... for next generation... esp the shell island... or was it coral island?

pinoybeachboy

September 27th, 2007, 10:50 AM

heard on the news about another garbage problem in malay.

icarusrising

September 27th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Just got back in Manila this morning. I took a plane from Kalibo Airport. I didn't get enough chance to take pictures because I checked in 15 minutes before my flight. :)

The waiting area is rather cramped. O baka lang I'm comparing between the waiting areas of Manila Domestic and Iloilo (which was my entry point to Panay). One thing I like about it though is it's proximity to my parents' hometown of Pandan. One hour travel time plus concrete path from Pandan town proper all the way to Kalibo was a very good road experience. It sure beats 5 hours all the way to the New International Airport of Iloilo.

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/17418/2550436320101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/19834/2846466860101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/19763/2892727470101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/19325/2839597890101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Kalibo from the Air
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/17127/2986026310101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

TheRick

September 29th, 2007, 12:38 AM

We really need a masterplan for Boracay... If we can it could be like Hawaii it can survive through test of time...
Otherwise, the next island will come along after Boracay has been polluted...

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/12172/Boracay-landfill-closed-garbage-problem-looms

TheRick

September 29th, 2007, 12:40 AM

stlito

September 29th, 2007, 12:55 AM

I just found this yesterday... :)

Best Beaches

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2. Miami, Florida
3. Cancun, Mexico
4. Kaanapali, Hawaii
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
6. San Diego, California
7. Boracay Island, Philippines
8. Key West, Florida
9. Sydney, Australia
10. Santa Barbara, California

Source: YAHOO TRAVEL

^^ What's up with that list? 7 out the 10 are US beaches. 2 are from California. I'm sure there are far way better beaches than san diego or santa barbara. Thailand has some great beaches. The Caribbean Islands has some nice beaches as well. I wonder who gets to decide to put it on the top 10.

v_rod

September 29th, 2007, 07:00 AM

^^^ I agree, Discovery Channel's top 10 beaches is more accurate. If I remember it right they rated Boracay as one of the top 3.

icarusrising

September 29th, 2007, 09:36 AM

Matatagpuan sa Daang Roxas, Kalibo ang bahay-sambahan ay inihandog sa Diyos noon 1991. Nasa bakuran rin ng gusaling sambahan ang Tanggapang Pandistrito Eklesiastiko ng Aklan.

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/20834/2347230820101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Isa sa pagkakakilanlan sa mga bahay-sambahan ng Iglesia ni Cristo ang nakaunat na habong sa harapan na nagbibigay ng pananggalang sa araw at ulan.

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/20263/2554942000101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang iba't ibang bahagi ng bahay-sambahan ay napapalamutian ng mga minoldeng konkreto o nililok na kahoy.

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/19628/2932496580101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/19094/2940516910101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

May naka-ukol na daanan para sa mga may-kapansanan.

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/18176/2223401920101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang mga tore, tilos at arko na hango sa arkitekturang Gothic ay paulit-ulit na ginagamit.

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/18380/2202121200101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Maging ang mga pintuan sa tagiliran ay may nakaunat na habong sa itaas. Makikita rin ang hilera ng mga bintana ay may habong na arko sa itaas.

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/17086/2543690380101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/20713/2433820820101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/20937/2153853840101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang mga bintana ay ginamitan ng mga salaming may-kulay. Ang mga ito'y nabubuksan o "adjustable" upang papasukin ang hangin at liwanag o di naman kaya'y maging pananggalang sa ulan...

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/18799/2156052510101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Pagpasok ay mapapansin ang aranyang may palamuting hugis-bulaklak sa kanyang pinakapuno...

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/18967/2336112030101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/20843/2169733530101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang kisame ng bulwagang sambahan ay may mga aranyang nagbibigay lliwanag at nakapagdaragdag ng solemnidad sa mga pagsamba...

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/20261/2422730720101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/18139/2921886470101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/17570/2732046540101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang bulwagang sambahan ay naglalaman ng mga upuang makasasapat sa dami ng mananamba. Ang pinakatampok na bahagi ng bahay-sambahan ay ang tribuna kung saan isinasagawa ang pangangaral...

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/4866/2906235910101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang koro na kinalalagakan ng malaking bilang ng mga mang-aawit ay matatagpuan sa likuran ng tribuna. Narito rin matatagpuan ang organ na siyang panugtog na isinasaliw sa mga himno...

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/19819/2441415620101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Ang bahaging likuran ay naglalaman ng mga tanggapan at mga silid-bihisan...

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/20650/2504889860101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

eonynx

September 29th, 2007, 06:04 PM

iloilocitykid

September 30th, 2007, 04:11 AM

^^ We overtook Phucket?

Babydamulag

September 30th, 2007, 10:41 AM

We are building a SCUBA diving resort in the Municipality of Culasi, Antique, Panay, Phils. This is an important first step to develop tourism in Antique. We are proud to announce this effort and we are very excited about working with the Municipality of Culasi. Check out our website at www.panayexplorers.com
We are also looking for qualified chefs, restaurant and hotel staff, experienced boat handlers, groundskeepers, and vehicle drivers. For more information contact us at information@panayexplorers.com.

DIVE CULASI!
__________________

spacewagon1

September 30th, 2007, 03:43 PM

Kalibo Airport by all means needs a lot of improvement. I wish our government will continue to pour funds to upgrade the airport. Believe, this could be one of the busiest airports in the future due to Boracay. More for Kalibo !

spacewagon1

October 1st, 2007, 01:53 AM

nice one Babydamulag. Something to complement Boracay beauty. Panay definitely has so much to offer to all its visitors when it comes to beaches and nature.

BORACAY being the number 7 best beach in the world? Wow ! Hala Bira Boracay !

Ex!lE

October 1st, 2007, 02:16 AM

Gov wants to revive palm trees in Boracay (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/oct/01/yehey/prov/20071001pro2.html)

BORACAY: Gov. Carlito Marquez of Aklan urged the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and other agen*cies concerned to revive the palm trees in Boracay.

Marquez’s appeal developed after the PCA reported palm trees suffered from the brontispa longissima that infested some 2,000 trees in this resort island.

“Boracay was known for its white sand and palm trees. But the palm trees were neglected with the construction boom.

“We appeal to stakeholders and government agencies concerned to revive the palm trees as another way of protecting the environment,” he said.

Marquez considered the beetle infestation as a wake-up call to re*vive the fading attraction in Bora*cay.

It is believed the coconut leaf beetle got in the island from the imported palm trees transported to Boracay.
--Panay News

icarusrising

October 1st, 2007, 04:00 AM

Here are some more Aklan aerials. I'm not sure if all of them are still parts of Kalibo though... The big structure in the middle is the Gaisano Mall.

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/19112/2048494360101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/19935/2065453700101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/18622/2332036550101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/18305/2727634700101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

spacewagon1

October 2nd, 2007, 12:40 AM

Kalibo is expanding economically. I've heard SM investing in Kalibo? Any idea? Or this is just a hearsay?

Any new commercial structures in Kalibo? Or any projects and proposals for Kalibo?

spacewagon1

October 2nd, 2007, 12:42 AM

^^ a very good proposal indeed for Boracay.

icarusrising

October 2nd, 2007, 02:35 AM

Kalibo is expanding economically. I've heard SM investing in Kalibo? Any idea? Or this is just a hearsay?

Any new commercial structures in Kalibo? Or any projects and proposals for Kalibo?

I had free lodging for a night from a family living in Old Buswang in Kalibo last week. They mentioned that SM did propose to buy a huge parcel of land within Kalibo for its mall. They said the negotiation did not push through because the owner of the land opted instead to sell parcels of his property for residential purposes. So maybe the price wasn't right...

I also heard they're setting their eyes on Nabas instead which connects to Antique. From Kalibo, you'd also pass by Nabas to get to Malay, the town where Caticlan and Boracay are parts of.

Kalibo is choking with too many tricycles. Perhaps that's an indication of its vibrancy. I told my friends maybe only Luzon Avenue in Quezon City has more tricycles per square area. To my relief, they said, the local government has stopped issuing franchises.

pangyao™

October 2nd, 2007, 08:03 PM

I just found this yesterday... :)

Best Beaches

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2. Miami, Florida
3. Cancun, Mexico
4. Kaanapali, Hawaii
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
6. San Diego, California
7. Boracay Island, Philippines
8. Key West, Florida
9. Sydney, Australia
10. Santa Barbara, California

Source: YAHOO TRAVEL

Best Beaches from other site askmen.com

1. Copacabana, Brazil
2. Waikiki, Hawaii
3. Cancun, Mexico
4. Surfer's Paradise, Australia
5. Negril, Jamaica
6. South Beach, Florida
7. Natadola Beach, Fiji
8. Boracay, Philippines
9. Tenerife, Canary Islands
10. Phi Phi, Thailand

Only boracay and cancun appeared in the two different best beach lists.

pangyao™

October 2nd, 2007, 08:35 PM

[QUOTE=icarus-rising;15584720]Just got back in Manila this morning. I took a plane from Kalibo Airport. I didn't get enough chance to take pictures because I checked in 15 minutes before my flight. :)

The waiting area is rather cramped. O baka lang I'm comparing between the waiting areas of Manila Domestic and Iloilo (which was my entry point to Panay). One thing I like about it though is it's proximity to my parents' hometown of Pandan. One hour travel time plus concrete path from Pandan town proper all the way to Kalibo was a very good road experience. It sure beats 5 hours all the way to the New International Airport of Iloilo.

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/17418/2550436320101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/19834/2846466860101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/19763/2892727470101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/19325/2839597890101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

Kalibo from the Air
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/17127/2986026310101994864S600x600Q85.jpg[/QUO

i think the 2nd pic is the old control tower, the control tower of caticlan is better to look at. but the 3rd pic is the new one, it is now better and taller than the new constructed control tower of caticlan(the design is same as in baguio airport). hope the terminal replaced by a big and modern for the reason that it now caters international flights.
this is also my first time to see kalibo from above, thanks for the pics icarus. the long street passing in front of gaisano is Roxas avenue (four lanes) brgys of poblacion and andagao(gaisano location).

al_teeway

October 3rd, 2007, 03:40 AM

Int’l flight from China arrives in Kalibo

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The Chinese are coming! The first Philippine Airlines (PAL) international flight from Pudong, Shanghai, China arrived on Monday morning at the Kalibo domestic airport.

Air Transportation Office (ATO) manager Engr. Percy Malonesio said the 156-seater PAL Airbus 320 touched down at 6:30 a.m. with 93 passengers.

It is the second international chartered flight aside from the regular flights of Asian Spirit MCDonnel Douglas MD82 from Incheon, South Korea .

“This is a big boost to our local tourism industry and economic development of Aklan with the arrival of chartered flights from China,” he said.

According to Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, the Kalibo domestic airport is the next international gateway of the country with P84-million budget for its new arrival terminal building to accommodate more tourists.

Malonesio stressed the Chinese passengers will stay in Boracay Island to enjoy the pristine sand beaches and nightlife.

At least 50 million Chinese tourists will travel overseas annually by 2010 and 100 million by 2020. By then, the World Tourism Organization predicts China will be the world’s largest tourism market.

In Asia, China has already overtaken Japan to become the largest source of outbound travelers. A growing number of mainland Chinese tourists now travel farther, filling more Asian airplanes, hotel rooms and beaches.

PNP RMG to guard Libacao hydroelectric power project

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – At least 12 members of the 6th Regional Mobile Group (RMG) will be reassigned in the mountainous barangays of Libacao, Aklan to secure the $420-million hydroelectric power plant project of California Energy International Ltd. (Cal En).

Libacao town mayor Charito Navarosa said the presence of RMG personnel in four barangays – Manika, Oyang, Dalagsaan and Loctuga – is needed before the construction starts this year to safeguard the investments of the American firm.

“Security is a vital component in ensuring the safety of engineers and workers of the multi-million project up to its completion. The deployment of RMG would further encourage the other investors to visit our town of Libacao to invest,” he told Panay News.

Navarosa said the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured him of the support of the RMG personnel in securing those barangays during a brief visit of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 regional director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. in the town of Libacao over the weekend.

“This involves protecting the public utilities and vital installations of the investors against possible activities of domestic groups and communist insurgents,” he added.

Navarosa said the hydroelectric power project will provide sustainable electricity at the least cost, jobs and other opportunities brought by investments.

“It targets to operate in 2010 to ensure lower cost of electricity for far-flung barangays in the central mountains and those adjacent towns of Libacao,” the mayor stressed.

eonynx

October 3rd, 2007, 03:47 AM

^^ good development! another chartered international flight! i hope this will translate to regular international flights in the future! the chinese, with their increased economic prosperity can be a potential tourist market we can increasingly tap and make it a captive market to our tourism industry.

spacewagon1

October 3rd, 2007, 06:22 AM

^^ the best ang Aklan. Now, Aklan is making waves in international aero-business. Keep the momentum going guys ! Loved to see more international flights going to Kalibo. Boracay deffo is it ! :banana:

spacewagon1

October 3rd, 2007, 06:24 AM

that is CONSISTENCY. Always, always love BORACAY. I'm sure, more and more tourists will visit the emerald island in the next few months to come.

Any idea of Boracay's visitors data?

hiiamdib

October 3rd, 2007, 06:46 AM

^^ anyway, how about a new terminal? Di pa ba nag commence ung construction. Sana madaliin nila, this is a gateway to the top tourist destination. Pagandahin din nila.

great184

October 3rd, 2007, 10:50 AM

Best Beaches from other site askmen.com

1. Copacabana, Brazil
2. Waikiki, Hawaii
3. Cancun, Mexico
4. Surfer's Paradise, Australia
5. Negril, Jamaica
6. South Beach, Florida
7. Natadola Beach, Fiji
8. Boracay, Philippines
9. Tenerife, Canary Islands
10. Phi Phi, Thailand

Only boracay and cancun appeared in the two different best beach lists.

Actually there were three.. South Beach is the actual beach in Miami Beach, which is the name of the city there.

spacewagon1

October 3rd, 2007, 04:12 PM

that's right, hiiamdib. Aklan needs a world-class terminal to cater international passengers. I hope they'll commence the construction of the new terminal soon.

Edmundtanso

October 4th, 2007, 04:39 PM

hmmm....well, i hope that the gov't officials do something about the over population, waste, pollution issue in boracay island. guys sorry for always being very negative but trust me, i am very loyal to the philippines but what i saw boracay back then and now, it is very different in the bad way. too bad for boracay, so depressing to see pictures of how it look now.....=(

terrapinoy

October 5th, 2007, 03:00 AM

al_teeway

October 5th, 2007, 04:14 AM

Renaming of Aklan airport
to Cardinal Sin Airport seen

KALIBO, Aklan – The Aklan provincial government is now contemplating on renaming Kalibo Airport after the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said there is a need to rename the Kalibo Airport. Some sectors suggest naming it after the late Cardinal, being a resident of this town.

Marquez said they will consult with local officials.

“We will request Rep. Joeben Miraflores to ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to issue an executive order relative to the proposal.”

In 2005, Arroyo issued an executive order for the Caticlan Airport in nearby Malay, Aklan to be named Godofredo P. Ramos Memorial Airport as a tribute to the former congressman considered to be the father of the province.

Marquez said while the name of Cardinal Sin is being considered, they are still open to other suggestions. But at the moment, he said the late archbishop seems to be the most prominent choice, being the hero of the EDSA revolution.

The renaming of the airport is seen to boost the province’s claim as a tourism centerpiece, being the gateway to Boracay Island.

spacewagon1

October 6th, 2007, 04:08 PM

more improvement for Aklan. Any new news on whether more international flights will be considered for Aklan? Like Iloilo, the present, is also an exciting time for Aklan's rising economy.

spacewagon1

October 6th, 2007, 04:13 PM

any new developments for Boracay?

spacewagon1

October 7th, 2007, 03:48 AM

Kalibo to have new terminal airport soon

BY 2008, there will be a new airport terminal at Kalibo Airport to accommodate arriving passengers in the province brought by international flights from Incheon, South Korea and China.

Engineer Percy Malonesio, Airport Manager of Air Transportation Office (ATO) here, said this, adding that Asian Spirit, Philippine Airlines, Pacific Pearl, and very soon, China Eastern are the plane companies that will be bringing tourists in Kalibo from South Korea and China.

Malonesio revealed that currently, Asian Spirit directly lands from Incheon, South Korea at the Kalibo Airport on a daily basis except Thursdays, bringing in some 150 Korean tourists each flight. Asian Spirit’s international flight from South Korea to Aklan started May 11 of this year.

The Philippine Airlines, on the other hand, just started ferrying in tourists from Pudong, Shanghai, China last October 1 and 2. The first flight brought in 93 passengers while the second flight had 101 passengers.

Malonesio also said Pacific Pearl and China Eastern airlines will soon have their own flight landings at the Kalibo Airport.

The new airport terminal, according to Malonesio, has already a budget of P84 million, released as promised by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and announced here by Congressman Ignacio Arroyo and Presidential Management Staff Chief Cerge Remonde during their visits to the province.

“The bidding process for the new airport terminal building will be held November of this year, and hopefully, by next year, the building will be finished,” Malonesio revealed.

He also said the 100 meters expansion of the airport runway will be underway, so domestic and international flights could land easily in the airport.

With the daily international flights coming in through Asian Spirit and with more brought in by other airlines in the days to come, Malonesio said the ATO in Aklan is being extra-careful and vigilant in implementing anti-terroristic measures to protect leaving and arriving domestic and foreign passengers at the Kalibo Airport.

He said ATO holds regular meetings with the Philippine National Police, the transport groups, the Aviation Security Group, and other stakeholders to take up anti-terror preventive measures.

The international flights also prompted the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, the Bureau of Customs, and the Quarantine to establish regular desks and staff in the airport.

Quarantine has four divisions to take care of specific concerns: plants, fisheries, animals, and people.

The quarantine division is on alert here, said Malonesio, with the threat of bird flu, and the problem affecting ornamental palms and coconuts here, which might be brought to mainland Aklan through entry at the Kalibo Airport. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga.

(October 6, 2007 issue)

source: Sunstar ILOILO (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2007/10/07/news/kalibo.to.have.new.terminal.airport.soon.html)

spacewagon1

October 7th, 2007, 09:27 PM

Solons eye peninsula natural park
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores sought the establishment of the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park in the three towns of Aklan and two northern towns of Antique.

Under House Bill No. 2308, the natural park that covers Nabas, Malay and Buruanga towns of Aklan and Libertad and Pandan in Antique aims to protect and manage its natural environment and endangered species.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo earlier declared the Northwest Panay Peninsula as a protected area pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586, or the NIPAS Act of 1992 on April 25, 2002.

The Northwest Panay Peninsula, with 12,009 hectares, is “ranked as one of the highest conservation priorities in the world based on the degree of endemism and threat.”
Antique Rep. Exequiel B. Javier supported Miraflores’ bill seeking for the establishment of the natural park as an alternative ecotourism destination to the traditional tourism spots like Boracay.

The natural park is home to one of the largest remaining areas of low-elevation forest in the Visayas.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/aklan3.htm)

icarusrising

October 8th, 2007, 01:11 AM

^^ Thanks for sharing this news, Spacewagon. So that place where I used to gather firewood is a lowland forest area...:)

eonynx

October 8th, 2007, 06:26 AM

Edmundtanso

October 9th, 2007, 04:36 PM

@edmund - I agree with you having been to Boracay in 1995 and 2006. While the island still had a lot of its beauty and charm, it was disheartening to see the lack of government control placed on growth and pollution.

Check out this month's Conde Nast Traveler (http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/detail?articleId=11432) magazine and it has bypassed Boracay and selected Palawan as the overall home of the best beaches in Asia.

Let us hope that the powers that be see to it that Palawan does not become another Boracay.

hi! glas someone agrees with me =) yeah, it is so depressing how boracay had turn out. i dont even want to go back there anymore until the gov't do some drastic change to the island.

about palawan, i hope it wont become anothe boracay.

al_teeway

October 10th, 2007, 03:22 AM

Aklan State U tops vet med exam

Banga, Aklan -- The Aklan State University (ASU) Vet Med student Dr. Melanie Masangkay Pelayo ranked second in the recent Veterinarian Licensure Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

For two years (2005-2006), the ASU-SVM was a consistent top performing school in the licensure examination. This year, although they did not made it, Dr. Pelayo brought glory to her Alma Mater by bagging the second place in the Top 10 examinees

Dr. Pelayo, the daughter of Engr. and Mrs. Delano Pelayo garnered an average of 83.75%; a mere 1.57, lower than the topnotcher Dr. Dennis V. Umali of UPLB who got 85.25.

A motorcade sponsored by the University was conducted in honor of Drs. Melanie M. Pelayo and Anabelle L. Samino together with other ASUians who passed the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists this year. The new agriculturists are:

Karol Kay T. Amacio, Rasel J. Billones, Andrew D. Bretaña, Japhet L. Catuiran, Jayrelo C. Celab, Rio S. Dunque, Johner C. Francisco, Miss Mary Grace C. Ibit, Miss Cecile M. Maquirang, Miss Catheryn G. Morales, Miss Lorelie N. Rambunay, Mr. Ruel O. Veloso, and Mrs. Norlie M. Villa.

During the celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with the theme "Paghiliugyon ag Paspasaemat" on September 14, 2007, the testimonial program for the board passers and the closing program for the Student Convention was held. President Emeritus, Dr. Helmar E. Aguilar and University President, Dr. Benny A. Palma awarded certificates of recognition to all board passers. It was indeed a celebration of thanksgiving for the ASU community. (ASU-PME)

eonynx

October 10th, 2007, 03:24 AM

^^ congratulations to ASU-SVM!:)

spacewagon1

October 10th, 2007, 08:37 AM

some piece of good news here!:)
that's right. We need to help improve Aklan. The exchange between Aklan and Iloilo is now increasing in numbers. Trips going to Aklan is getting better and bigger as well. With influx of new tourists coming to visit Aklan and Boracay, the region's capital is also opening its doors to welcome some of these tourists to visit our place. Aklan, is moving well and I'm glad the improvement in on its way. Just imagine two international airports in one island in the future? Both are complementing each other's strengths?

Goodluck to Aklan! Keep going ! :banana: :banana: :banana:

al_teeway

October 11th, 2007, 02:58 AM

I agree with this..

Cawaling wants Roro
vessels ‘out’ of Caticlan

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

MALAY, Aklan – Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling opposed the continued docking of roll-on roll-off (Roro) vessels at the Caticlan port, the main jump-off point to Boracay Island .

This he stressed in a public hearing yesterday morning to hear the proposed ordinance of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Rodson Mayor regulating the entry of vessels in the Caticlan port and re-routing some Roro ships to New Washington port.

“The future is at stake for the tourism industry and the environment of Boracay Island. As mayor, I am strongly opposing the presence of large vessels in Caticlan,” Cawaling said.
The mayor stressed the entry of Roro vessels in the town of Malay brought more undisciplined passengers and criminal elements from Metro Manila like cell phone snatchers even during Holy Week.

Balabag barangay captain Glenn Sacapaño also expressed alarm over the presence of transient individuals in his barangay and the continued operations of three shipping lines.
Cawaling added a P34-million budget is allocated for solid waste management, more than half of the annual budget of town of Malay, to address the garbage problems
“Let us preserve Boracay as an island paradise, free from Roro vessels, to enhance its status as a premier tourist destination,” he said.

Boracay Foundation Inc., a group of business establishment owners in the island, through its president Loubell Cann and chairman Henry Chusuey also approved a resolution on October 6, 2007 protecting the natural coral reef formation in Boracay Island.

“No safety net is in place in the event of shipwrecks, mishaps, oil spills by these large ships plying the Roro route. Any of these unfortunate eventualities would be disastrous to the fragile environment of Boracay Island,” the resolution said.

BFI stressed the preventive maintenance system of Roro ships are done in ports, where these ships disembark including the disposal of solid wastes.

Mayor stressed, “they should not wait for the occurrence of any serious problems affecting the environment of island, which lays the golden eggs and brings honor to the country.”

“This (ordinance) is more of a preventive measure. How about the wastes from Roro vessels docking at the jetty port? I am mindful of the SRNH of the national government, but let us act now before it’s too late,” he said.

al_teeway

October 11th, 2007, 03:00 AM

Ex!lE

October 11th, 2007, 06:35 AM

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Gov wants ticketing system in Boracay (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/oct/11/yehey/prov/20071011pro5.html)

BORACAY ISLAND: The provincial government is eyeing a unified ticketing system in Boracay. The new scheme will provide a system that is convenient for tourists when they purchase tickets at the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Gov. Carlito Marquez said there will only be one ticket to cover payments such as the environmental fee, boat fare and other charges.

“Through a unified ticketing system, tourists can now experience convenience in their Boracay visit which also aims to reduce the costs of fees and charges as we also consider their safety,” Marquez said.

The proposed unified ticketing system developed after the Malay municipal government disobeyed the appeal of the provincial government to tem*po*rarily cancel the charging of the controversial environmental fee for tourists.

This also came after the Malay local government unit failed to remit the share of the provincial government from the collection due to lack of a formal agreement.

“I will still give them one month extension to formalize the agreement so that we will have a basis for our plan in creating a unified ticketing system for Boracay,” Marquez said.
--Panay News

Mond87

October 11th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Best Beaches from other site askmen.com

10. Phi Phi, Thailand

Only boracay and cancun appeared in the two different best beach lists.

this is really funny... :lol:

habagatcentral1

October 13th, 2007, 06:48 PM

^^ So, where do we put the Roro Terminal? In Buruanga? Quite far. And I do not agree that criminal elements enter thru roro only. Insofar, this is the most affordable means of transportation from one of Boracay's major markets: Manila people.

Before he acts on this drastic measure, he should also provide an alternative to the Caticlan Jetty-RoRo Port so that the Nautical Highway wouldn't be affected to much.

spacewagon1

October 15th, 2007, 02:31 AM

Lantern Festival to light
up Boracay this Christmas
By JUN ARIOLO N. AGUIRRE

BORACAY – Christmas in this island-resort is expected to be bright, beautiful and colorful with the pioneering Boracay Lantern Festival.

The Philippine Networking for Eco-tourism Development (Philned) is organizing the festival.

Dadjmar Amores of Philned-Boracay said they hope to make the Boracay Lantern Festival the biggest tourism event in the country.

The festival, that will showcase indigenous Filipino culture, has the backing of the Development of Tourism (DOT), Amores said.

"Foreign tourists and balikbayans have not experienced the Pinoy flavor of Christmas in this resort island. We would now want them to feel that,” Amores stressed.

Among others, there will be a nightly contests and concerts in this resort island showcasing Original Pinoy Music (OPM), and on-the-spot lantern making contest.

To be officially named “Parol Bira, Boracay Lantern Festival”, the event will be staged from December 15 to 31. It will culminate in a fireworks display during the New Year revelry.

Every year, many resorts here have their own fireworks display to attract tourists on New Year's eve.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/boracay1.htm)

eonynx

October 15th, 2007, 02:42 AM

if this will be the first lantern festival in boracay, i hope this will grow to become another big crowd drawer there during christmas time!

pinoybeachboy

October 16th, 2007, 10:29 AM

I greatly support the transfer of the Roro terminal to anywhere but Catiklan.

pwede naton ilocate ro roro terminal sa ibajay....or nabas....both having piers currently used by silica barges.

pwede rin sa new washington but that will prolong the agony of roro passengers - maybe an additional 2-3 hour sea travel to the existing 5 hours. Although this will greatly decongest Caticlan and make it as an exclusive tourist jumping board to Boracay.

Last note - sana more investors will come in the roro business. There are whispers that the current set up is a monopoly (check the owners...and you'll see).

spacewagon1

October 16th, 2007, 12:11 PM

^^ keep Bracay as turistic as ever.

Boracay is one of the best beaches in the world ! Go Boracay !:banana:

habagatcentral1

October 16th, 2007, 02:08 PM

^^ Who's handling the "monopoly"? hehe!

The port in Colong-Colong Ibajay is underutilized and may be a potential alternative roro port. :)

Babydamulag

October 18th, 2007, 12:20 PM

We are lost! We can't find anyone that sells the roundtrip Seoul/Incheon to Kalibo tickets for Asian Spirit. This is frustrating!!! Asian Spirit claims travel agents in Korea sell the tickets. Ever tried talking to a Korean???? HELP!!!:bash:

spacewagon1

October 20th, 2007, 03:02 AM

Aklan’s Nabas town is most outstanding in Western Visayas

KALIBO, Aklan — Aklan’s Nabas town, located in the western part of this province, was adjudged as most outstanding municipality during the 18th Nutrition Congress held recently at the Grand Hotel in Iloilo City.

As the region’s most outstanding municipality for three consecutive years, Nabas has been a consistent regional winner on nutrition (CROWN) awardee.

If it continues to maintain this status, Nabas will be awarded the National Honor Award, the highest award given to municipalities and provinces with outstanding performance in implementing nutrition programs.

Kalibo, the province’s capital town, and Aklan itself, had been recipients of this award, according to Crescini Roxas of the provincial health office.

Roxas said Nabas edged out other provinces in Region 6 because its nutrition program enjoys the full support of the local leaders and it has instituted innovative projects for nutrition to improve the health of its constituents especially the children.

Roxas said Nabas is the only municipality in Aklan which has a salt iodizing machine to ensure that Nabasnons have ample supply of iodized salt to prevent iodine-deficiency among its constituents.

It also produces insumix, a nutritious but affordable mix of food for young children.

All barangays in Nabas have assigned midwives, with their salaries paid by the local government.

Roxas also said that residents of the municipalities are holders of green passports – another innovative program introduced by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Under the program, a green card is given to a family if it has met the health requirements stipulated in the program.

The green card is given when the children are all fully-immunized, the household has a sanitary toilet, the family cooperates with government’s other programs, and maintains a backyard vegetable garden for their daily supply of fresh vegetables to augment family income.

Practising backyard gardening or farming is now being pushed by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, to support households’ daily needs in vegetables.

BPI Officer-In-Charge Joel Rudinas said 766,863 households in the country have tapped the Programang Gulayan Para sa Masa, located in the 30 priority provinces that were assessed by the DA’s Hunger Mitigation Task Force.

Under the program, DA Regional Field Units are providing seeds, training and services to all interested households, he added.

In Region 6, only the province of Antique is included in this program, according to Aklan Provincial Agriculturist Delano T. Tefora.

"However, if local governments here opt to spend for the institutionalization or practice of backyard gardening to help mitigate hunger, it would be much better," according to Tefora.

Tefora said backyard gardening in Aklan households will also help lower prices of vegetable in Aklan public markets now.

source: Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20071020106312.html)