Boracay Island - Compiled Threads

[berlin]

I'm kinda nuts about this place. I went there 3 times in 2003 from Peak season 'til there were just a handful of tourists left on the island.

some of my bora shots

http://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/02.jpghttp://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/65.jpg
http://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/05.jpghttp://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/04.jpg
http://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/06.jpghttp://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/36.jpg

more posted here:
http://www.stberlin.com/view.php?ArtID=35

Share your boracay photos below.

[mhe-ann]

nice. :cool:

[rmb]

cool pix. :)

[kiretoce]

Nicely done! :okay:

[Edmundtanso]

it's because it's so commercialized and it's not as nice before it became so popular....went to boracay first on 1992 and next was 2000, boy what a big difference, the water is not as crystal clear as it used to be and they need to work more on maintaining the beauty of the island.

[mhe-ann]

there you go again. hehehe. :D (naaalala ko palagi un taga-GreenPeace Movement kong mga kakilala, especially Danny - who is also a friend of edmund, kapag beaches ang pinag-uusapan).

[pau_p1]

nice pictures there!... boy.. I'd like to get there someday! :D

[berlin]

it's because it's so commercialized and it's not as nice before it became so popular....went to boracay first on 1992 and next was 2000, boy what a big difference, the water is not as crystal clear as it used to be and they need to work more on maintaining the beauty of the island.
i visited hawaii and palawan that same year, but i'd still choose hawaii over palawan even though hawaii is 600 times more commercialized. palawan is nicer but it's so freakin' boring when there's no people around. however some people (like yourself perhaps) do prefer that.

the gal on the first post is half pinay and half swedish. like hawaii, in boracay, you'll meet filipinos from all over the world, from italy, germany, australia and japan.

the more the merrier
http://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/46.jpg

http://elba.globat.com/~jumayn.com/misc/35.jpg
clear enough for me. compare that to the beach 10 minutes
away, in Pacifica, CA. 15 - 20 degrees fahrenheit and murky
as hell.


before anyone mentions anything about the pollution, read page two of the following article from Asia Bill. Asia bill is a boracay native.
http://www.stberlin.com/view.php?ArtID=36

[Edmundtanso]

good article berlin....well, i am suprise they didnt mentioned about how boracay island had changed. just want to add this, back in 2000 when i visited boracay, i noticed that the sand is not as fine as it used to be, before i could go barefoot because the sand was so fine. also, i noticed that there are floating plastic wrappers of chips on the water and you could see plastics buried in the sand and even sand bags......

as mhe-ann says, i love and care for the nature, like boracay, but the people who run businesses there should better take extra care of the island...

[stephencua]

well i went there last year and i didnt see garbage lying about.. i guess the business owners have woken up and realized that they are responsible for keeping the beaches clean..

[berlin]

I've only been to Estancia, but I've heard, Sicogon nearby was a hot spot back in the 80's much like boracay today. it got too polluted and was later abandoned. i might go check it out in May. Sicogon is the reason why they spent $2M installing a sewage and treatment plant in boracay.

[ThisFire]

I have to visit Boracay. I wasn't able to when I visited the Filipinas last time.
But moving on, after the tsunami disaster struck for the first time I was thinking of (besides how lucky the Philippines was to have been away from that) the fact that hopefully tourism should go up now that those other known southeast asian destinations are temporarily N/A due to the tsunami. Well, I'm relieved to have read two days ago an article about how tourist bookings have increased in the Philippines. I'm happy about this, but at the same time, I'm thinking that it shouldn't be like this just because of some things taking place, but tourists should be going to Philippines anyways because it's a beautiful country that is so complete in every way, isn't it?!

And if anyone knows, can you please tell me the name of that lodge/resort in the second row of pictures? I'd like to stay there one day and keep that for a future reference.

[amras]

just wanna ask this, if Boracay is really beautiful and "magical" why is it that many people still prefer Phuket or Bali over it? I mean, is there something that Boracay is still lacking? I haven't been to any of these places so I can't compare.. hehehe :)

[chymera]

No Boracay does not "lack" beauty. The difference is that phuket is more accessible, and its a crucial factor in a traveler's decision, being in the mainland and having the necessary infrastructure and all.

Boracay doesnt have an international airport of its own, the nearest is going to be in Iloilo which is not finished yet (even if it does finish it will take you 3-4 hours to get to boracay from Iloilo, the rehabilitation of the Panay railways is not going to happen in 5 years I think)

If boracay gets an international airport and other infrastructures then, hands down boracay is surely going to get more tourist that phuket.

[rico]

No Boracay does not "lack" beauty. The difference is that phuket is more accessible, and its a crucial factor in a traveler's decision, being in the mainland and having the necessary infrastructure and all.

Boracay doesnt have an international airport of its own, the nearest is going to be in Iloilo which is not finished yet (even if it does finish it will take you 3-4 hours to get to boracay from Iloilo, the rehabilitation of the Panay railways is not going to happen in 5 years I think)

If boracay gets an international airport and other infrastructures then, hands down boracay is surely going to get more tourist that phuket.
exactly. i've been to both boracay and phuket. phuket has more infrastructure. boracay has better beaches. :D

[Thunderflip]

Please no airport in Boracay. I wouldn't want to have bridges that connect to Panay eother. It already is commercialized and it should stay that way.

[mhe-ann]

^ I agree with you Thunderflip.

[rmb]

No Boracay does not "lack" beauty. The difference is that phuket is more accessible, and its a crucial factor in a traveler's decision, being in the mainland and having the necessary infrastructure and all.

If boracay gets an international airport and other infrastructures then, hands down boracay is surely going to get more tourist that phuket.

Yeah you're right. :) It is even hard for local tourists to go to Boracay. My balikbayan relatives were planning to go there last August but were discouraged knowing the accessibility of the place, they went to Bohol instead. :weirdo:

[Æsahættr]

Air Phillippines (?) is doing flights direct to the small airport in boracay from Manila and Cebu, or so I heard.

[stephencua]

on comparing phuket to boracay, let me share this anecdote from a friend..

he was booking a flight to go to phuket and the travel agent asked him where he was from.. he said he was from the philippines and the travel agent vehemently said, "you from the philippines? why are you going to phuket? go to boracay.. much better.. " and the agent absolutely refused to book him the flight to phuket..

goes to show that even travel agents know which is better..

[ThisFire]

That is a very funny story! Actually, extreme is more of an appropriate word. You know guys, I feel the way you do about Boracay. I'm past questioning for so long about why Phuket and Bali are are always talked about and visited, while our Filipino beach resorts (especially Boracay) are visited but not that close to Phuket or Bali. Travel, distance and infrastructure. But then I feel that it sometimes is a good thing that Boracay is no Phuket or Bali because that means that it will be Boracay as it has always been. Our Boracay. So I'm starting to settle on something, I think it would just be nice for Boracay to be at Tahiti-level tourism. Strong, promoted but still natural! ;)

[Dvorak]

Air Philippines and SEA Air (i think) flies from Manila to Caticlan airport.. but very scary trip..

[berlin]

Air Philippines and SEA Air (i think) flies from Manila to Caticlan airport.. but very scary trip..

Asian Spirit.. at cebu airport last year on a connecting flight to iloilo, I noticed several Asian Spirit flights to boracay in just a few hours. They don't check the aircraft after each landing. it takes off and land 'round the clock, like a bus or jeepney on a stop.

[Æsahættr]

Flying on one of the Asia Sprit planes to the tiny-ass airport at boracay feels like riding a bus in good weather, or a roller-coaster in bad weather.

They us the old Fokker-50 series planes I think.

[Dvorak]

Below are some of our Boracay pics when we went there in 2003.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/p9f4781cb0eabe0a1877f4750f7852807/f57839a7.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/p92476d5794131f1852bbc9ca084cd1cf/f57839ae.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/paf3ddb21ed066a5a2a3af962d957740b/f57839ac.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/pb7a76d0c6dbe8eadc6a2b097e96a8d30/f57839ab.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/p096ae4a22228e788520293d1c7e9e64d/f57839aa.jpg

[mhe-ann]

nyehh! ayos na sana kaso madaya ka, sinigurado mong hindi ka namin mare-recognize :D

[bagel]

Here's me in Boracay a couple of years ago. I'm wearing my new swim suit. As you can see, the sand is very white. Except I took the picture at night so you probably can't tell that I'm very sunburned.

http://img134.exs.cx/img134/6653/boracay.jpg

[amras]

is it just me or it's really all black?

[Francis20]

haha...loko ka Mike. bat walang lumalabas sa photo? parang kang si Dvorak. Mas malala nga lang. hehehe...
Several officemates are talking of going there. Is it really a hassle going to Boracay? Would one weekend be enough to have a worthwhile getaway?
I heard airline companies are offering promo prices for trips to Boracay bec it's off peak season. Have no idea of the details tho.

[bagel]

To protect the identity of the subject. :D

Na-inspire lang ako ng mga picture ni Dvorak. :D

[Francis20]

To protect the identity of the subject. :D

Na-inspire lang ako ng mga picture ni Dvorak. :D

luku-luko ka. kanino ka nag-mana?

[bagel]

Sabi nila madami daw akong kaibigan na hindi tao ng maliit ako.

Ok. sa totohanan lang, hindi pa ako nakarating sa Boracay. Hanggang Puerto Gallera lang ako. Next time na makapunta ako sa Pilipinas pupunta ako sa Boracay.

[Francis20]

hindi tao? eh ano?
sige punta ka. bk kami din punta. pero yun ay para mag beach, hindi para mag disco or what. gusto ko solemn.

[mhe-ann]

Ilang linggo na kaming nag-uusap ng mga kaibigan ko tungkol sa kung saan at kailan kami magb-beach..hanngang ngayon wala pang final decision. naisipan na nila sa San Juan; Mabini; Calaca; Balayan; Calatagan (Batangas) - wala...ayaw ko kc napuntahan ko ng lahat un. Sa Boracay daw kasi madami daw kakilala dun ang mga ka-Congregation ko..kaso dapat mga 3 days daw kami (nyeh! kelan pa kaya un?). Sabi ko mag-Baguio na lan kami...wala pang naga-agree. grrrr! :sleepy: baka ang mangyari, sa Hot Spring na naman sa Laguna. :lol:

[bagel]

Punta kayo sa Bohol o Iloilo. Ang ganda ng mga picture ni Chymera. Baka puwede rin solemn dun kagaya ng gusto ni Francis.

[amras]

magaganda din daw ang mga beach sa Sariaya, Quezon...

anyway on topic, how much will it usually cost you to have a good vacation at Boracay? :)

[mhe-ann]

magkano nga ba? sabi ng kaibigan ko mura lan daw..basta bus. 750 pesos daw ata, from Cubao (?), one way. tapos madami pang pasikot-sikot bago ka dumating sa Boracay. :cry:

[chymera]

Oo nga, pwede kayo punta dito para sa Dinagyang (Jan. 22-23) at mag side trip sa Guimaras Island for some white-sand beaches.

If you people are planning to go to Boracay, I suggest going to Iloilo first, by plane or boat, then ride a Bus to Boracay. Take the time to explore more of this side of the Philippines nman, you'll discover a lot of treasures in Iloilo, I assure you.

[mhe-ann]

mukha nga...ilang linggo na nga akong masyadong amazed sa beauty ng Iloilo kahit sa photos lan.

[Dvorak]

pasensya na sa pictures.. marami kasi akong kasama don eh.. syempre di naman appropriate na pakita ko mga mukha nila dito :)

bitin ang 3 days sa Boracay.. dapat at least 4 days.. the best way to go there is still via Kalibo (PAL), then 2 hours by land going to Caticlan.. then a 15 minute boat ride.. kaya lang 3T+ na yata ang one way sa PAL ngayon.

pero kung medyo tight ang budget.. I suggest Superferry... may aircon naman ang tourists cabin nila.. kaya lang nakakahilo talaga sumakay don.. and you'll lose more than 1 day (back and forth)..

sa acommodation naman.. I recommend www.boracay.com , dyan kami nagpa book.. marami namang murang rooms sa boracay.. ok na rin pag hindi aircon at malamig naman pag gabi.. kaya after a day's stay under the sun.. mas maganda kung aircon ang room. Room rates starts at 1,500 pataas.. depende kung anong season..

ang food naman walang problema.. sa talipapa lang eh sulit na sulit na.. fresh pa ang seafoods.. mas madami kayo.. mas matipid..

so hala.. punta na sa Boracay!

[Francis20]

opo. bk bukas andun na kami. hehehe...madaya ka talaga. bakit nahihiya ka ipakita pics niyo?

[mhe-ann]

cguro kaya ayaw mo ipakita pics mo @Dvorak kc ibang babae un kasama mo ano? tas makikita ng totoong gf mo. lagot nga naman. :D hehehe. :jk: peace po.

[bagel]

intriga sa ssc...

[mhe-ann]

:lol: :hilarious: intriga ba? cya, hindi na po. :)

[me2]

boracay is one of the most known beach in the world, although i never been there i was planning to go there this april, anyone want to join? Boracay? Puerto Galera? Palawa? anyone?????

[Francis20]

hoy, tumigil kayo, di ba me asawa na si dvorak?
uy si me2 maglilibre. sige sama ako sa Palawan. Ipaalam mo ako sa boss ko. lam mo tong mga officemates ko ora orada. gusto na magpunta ng Bohol or Boracay this weekend. Mga mapepera kc sila. Eh ako, alaw money.

[normandb]

nooo.. hindi mahal ang mag boracay.. ang mahal lang ay ang pamasahe sa eroplano pero kung mag barko ka mura lang. We stayed in Pizza da Baffo in station 2 in Boracay and the room is 2000pesos/room and the maximum person in the room is 4. so everyday tag 500 pesos lang kaming apat para sa room tapos we ate in Talipapa Market, mura lang din dito compare don sa mga eat all you can dyan sa boracay. Very affordable sya talaga. Mas mahal po nga ang mag tour sa Cebu or Baguio.

[mhe-ann]

owss? mas mahal pa ang magpunta ng Baguio? eh di ayos pala. mag-barko na lan. hehe. kaso matagal nga. a-absent na lan kami sa meetings namin... magpapakasarap muna. bwahaha. pero opss.. :no: :no: :no:

[Francis20]

Ahh talaga? kaso di ba yun talo sa oras? sobrang mainipin pa mandin ako. ilang oras ba biyahe via Ferry? Pag pabalik na lang mag plane. Exciting yun ah.

[normandb]

Mukha lang syang mahal kasi sikat yong lugar at maraming turistang puti at asiano at artistang pinoy. Kahit gawin nyong career ang pagpunta sa boracay every year di kayo ma mumulubi pero syempre maganda yong maraming dalang pera at credit card kasi madami magandang bilihin don sobra.

Eroplano=6300 pesos round trip or Barko= 2000 pesos back and fort

from Port of Caticlan to Boracay = 25 pesos ang banca, plus additional 5 pesos yata para sa 'tourist fee' sa may port of caticlan ewan ko ba para naman airport, di ko na matandaan kung para saan yon pero 5 pesos lang naman. hi hi hi...Note: Kung ayaw nyo mabasa ang undies nyo pag baba na ng banca better take it off at port of caticlan may c.r. po don he he he kasi ako basa short ko pati loob damit lang ang hindi. Dapat na ka short kayo and dont wear long pants kasi talagang mababasa. wala kasi silang pantalan sa boracay kaya pag hight tide at dumaong na ang banca sa boracay kapos yong ladder nila kaya lalakarin mo pa rin hanggang sa shoreline.

Pizza da Baffo near Boat Station 2 = 2000 pesos per room for 4 person
pero sabi sa kin ng friend ko may mas mura pa raw sa bandang Boat Station 3.

Talipapa Market (If D'mall in Bora is Megamall then Talipapa Market is the Greenhills in Bora) = food is 400 pesos for 4 person per meal and marami syang putahe na iba-iba included na yon sa 400 pesos kaya lang tag-2 sugpo lang per person yong sinigang na sugpo nila pero malaki naman, anyways 1200 pesos for 4 person per day.

Basta ang natatandaan ko every day nasa 1000 pesos lang ang share ko sa gastos namin and we stayed there for one week last christmas lang yon. Mas mahal pa nga ang gastos ko sa mga pam-pasalubong ko pauwi sa manila.

If your going to bora you dont need to bring any of your stuff except for money, mobile phone and digital cams. You can buy anything you need in Talipapa market or D'mall, the clothes are cheap ranges from 78 pesos to 190 pesos. Hindi nga ako yata ako nakakita ng lumampas sa 200 pesos ang price. Syempre as you go near the Boat Station 1, pamahal na sya na pamahal, kasi nandon na yong mga mamahaling resorts kaya yong mga boutique/shops sa paligid mahal na rin pero at tolerable price naman.

[rico]

all these talk about boracay makes me wanna go there again. :)

[amras]

1000 a day is still quite expensive for a student like me... kailangan talga pag-ipunan... my friends plan to go to, well not Boracay, but to Palawan this April. transpo lang ang gagastusan coz meron daw kami tutuluyan. too bad i can't make coz it's our exam period. newei, i hope i can go to Boracay someday... any more pics?

[kiretoce]

Boracay folk nix Jollibee branch on resort
By Rexcel John Sorza, TODAY Correspondent

ILOILO CITY - Filipino fast-food giant Jollibee is welcomed everywhere in the country and in several parts of the world—except on Boracay Island.

Some 700 “concerned residents, stakeholders and tourists of the island” wrote Malay town Mayor Ciceron Cawaling late last month registering their opposition against the plan of Jollibee to put up a branch on the world-famous resort.

“Our island, Boracay, is well renowned as the tropical island with one of the best beaches in the world. People from all over flock here to experience its beach life, laid-back life style, small family-run restaurants and hotels and all the other things you
expect to find on an island in the tropics.”

“Allowing a fast-food chain like Jollibee to enter the island will immediately kill the charm of Boracay. A fast-food chain is a culture brought in from the West, and is not what a tourist seeks when going for a holiday on a tropical island,” their letter, a copy of which was obtained by Today, read.

Manuel Yap II, Jollibee operations manager for the Visayas, said it is up to the municipal council and the local government to allow them to do business on the island or not. “We are not moving anything. It’s up to them.”

He told Today on Thursday that the company is “not giving a fuss” to the opposition over the planned 55th branch in the Visayas. “If the municipal council says yes, then we proceed. But if it says no, then we go. We won’t push anymore.”

Yap said Jollibee plans to put up a 100-square-meter branch on the island, which would be company-owned. It is smaller than the usual 350-square-meter branches.

Those opposed to the plan said, “Jollibee will gain mileage in advertising, ‘Jollibee is now in Boracay,’ but Boracay only losses prestige if Jollibee is allowed in. Once Jollibee enters, all the other fast-food chains like KFC, MacDonald’s, Starbucks etc., will never be far behind. We do not want fast-food chains here.”

They reasoned that tourists “come back to Boracay because of its charming, warm and friendly people. Many of the people they get exposed to are the friendly staff they meet when they visit restaurants, and every one always has time for a little chat as they enjoy their meals. In fast-food chains, this is not happening.”

Local entrepreneurs seem to fear that they might lose in the competition with the fast-food firm which has branches in China and the United States.

“As you well know, a vast majority of the businesses here are run by native Boracay families. Why deprive them now of much needed business by such unfair competition?

If you want to preserve Boracay as a destination for tourist from all over the world, do not allow a fast-food chain to enter this island.”

They suggested that Jollibee could instead put up a branch in Caticlan, the jumpoff point to Boracay. “Our suggestion is to place Jollibee in Caticlan. In that way the municipality of Malay may still benefit from the revenue and employment it can create.”

Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said, “If the local people think it is something they have to oppose, for valid reasons, I have no objection. But if the reason is competition, then it should be pursued.”

[Dvorak]

15 hours yata ang byahe sa SuperFerry.. mga 3pm kayo aalis then mga 6am ang dating nyo sa Washington ba yun?

ayy.. wala po akong GF.. misis po meron :)

[mhe-ann]

waahhh! 15 hours? antagal!!! :cry:

[amras]

OT: Phuket is almost cleared up now and tourists are starting to move their again. What will happen now to my Boracay??? lol :jk:

ang tagal naman ng 15 hrs! kung lilipad naman, magastos... tsk tsk tsk... but i think the ferry is good for me.

[normandb]

Phuket is very different from Boracay. Boracay is very laid back and not very commercialized like in Phuket. In Phuket it is like Mactan-Cebu City while in Boracay it is really laid back, almost all establishments are locals except those in Boat Station 1 and the other side of the island where large Hotels/Resort are located. Im only talking the White Beach (Boat Station 1, 2, 3) which is just a part of Boracay. I think those tourists who were bound for Phuket at the time of tsunami and diverted to boracay will not consider returning to phuket anymore because once they set foot on the sands of Bora I'm sure they will forget about Phuket. They say that Phuket smells like "Pwet" now because eventhough they clear all the debris of the buildings that brought down by tsunami the smell of a rotten body is still a problem. If I am a tourist in that Island I will not swim in a beach where a dead body was found..no way..Boracay is a very small island and it doesnt need millions of tourist flocking in the tiny island while Phuket is a very large island like Cebu. You can google it or yahoo and search the map of Boracay island. Boracay Island only received 150000 to 300,000 tourist annually but these tourist gave 5.5 billion pesos to the local economy of the island.

[Edmundtanso]

omg i hope jolibee wont get to open a barch in boracay!

[Edmundtanso]

omg i hope jolibee wont get to open a barch in boracay! it's so commercialized already, soon we will see a lot of people moving and living in the island... :bash:

[normandb]

Jolibee will be better in Port of Caticlan area where it is less than ten minutes away by boat from boracay. Or they can put it in Boracay but not along the beach because the surroundings will change if they put a fast food on the beach. But i dont think people and tourist in boracay will be needing a fast food because in that place you can get any type of food that fits your interest. You can choose from european, asian, or american but no african food, maybe there is no tourist coming from africa. Again I must reiterate that Fast Food Chain is not ideal on the beach of Boracay.....if that happen I will go there and join the people saying....."Ibagsak ang imperialistang Jolibee".....he he he...I think it is better if they will put a zoning in the island, so that investors will know what type of business is appropriate in any particular part of the island....Boracay is a Tourist Eco-Zone, so all business must be related to tourism.

[tyronne]

as much as i love jollibee, i also wouldn't want to have a fast-food chain on the beach. it's so... out of place.

[normandb]

Jollibee will be better in PHUKET and not in Boracay.....ha ha ha.. :bowtie: pa pa ra pa pa love' ko to.....teke parang mc do ang kanta ko ah...

[jbkayaker12]

--

[normandb]

Ill take note of that "The Orchid", but station 3 is very from the night life. all bars are located in station 2 and station 1.

[jbkayaker12]

If you consider walking 5 minutes to station 2 far, then it is far. There are other hangouts on station 3 as well.



Jon

[Dvorak]

we stayed in Villa De Oro (station 2).. beach front, rates are reasonable.. we had a family villa for 3,000.00, which has 2 bedrooms, dining, and living area plus a veranda (facing the beach), good for 6 to 8 persons.

[apiong]

news source (http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=25010)

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines -- (3RD UPDATE) A large fire has razed the flea market of Boracay Island and is threatening to burn down nearby resorts and restaurants on the renowned island resort area.

"It's so big! Please call for help. Hindi namin kaya ito [We can't handle this]," PO1 Charlie Blanza of the Boracay Special Protection Unit (BSPU) told the INQUIRER in a telephone interview.
No casualties have been reported so far.

Blanza said they have asked for help from the Mactan Airbase in Cebu for helicopters that can help put out the fire, but he said it would take at least an hour for the helicopters to arrive.

The island has only one fire truck.

He said the fire started around 6:30 p.m. from the exit of the flea market leading to the access road 200 meters from the beachfront.

The flea market is near Boat Station 3 in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, one of three villages of Boracay and near the southern end of the island nearest to the Aklan mainland.

As of 7:30 p.m. the fire has already reached the beachfront area, said Blanza.

There are around 150 stores in the flea market, known as the Talipapa. It is a popular destination for tourists for souvenirs, beachwear, eateries, and grocery stores. It is ringed by at least 15 popular resorts and restaurants.

Lara Salaver, president of the Boracay Foundation Inc. said the fire could not be contained because of strong winds.

Salaver said restaurant and resort owners and their workers have started dousing structures with water to prevent the fire from spreading.

Originally posted at 6:49 PM

-----------

hope& pray it doesn't spread even more...

[jbkayaker12]

--

[Virtute]

So I guess no Jollibee in Boracay eh? I'm glad there wont be.

http://boracay.com/news.asp?id=144

[Edmundtanso]

i hope the fire that happened will give lessons to the public and politicians that this island is not capable of any big developments, i beleive as of right now, it is over populated and developed...

[mhe-ann]

listen to @edmund (ganyan na talaga kamahal ang nature) :)

[berlin]

I say we go over there and protest.

[ThisFire]

I say we go over there and protest.


Yes, and then we'll all go for a swim.

[normandb]

uy maganda yan. anong klaseng protest, uso pa naman ngayon yong mga nude protest. he he he.

[mhe-ann]

bwahaha!!! nude protest? un ba ung ginawa ata ng...ano bang group un? "D Bodies"??? :lol: ang ganda nga ng katwiran nila...at art daw un. :dizzy:

[Edmundtanso]

thanks mhe-ann :) dont you love the nature too?

[kiretoce]

uy maganda yan. anong klaseng protest, uso pa naman ngayon yong mga nude protest. he he he.

Nude protest? What are they protesting against that they need to strip down to their birthday suits? Are they with PETA? :lol:

[mhe-ann]

thanks mhe-ann :) dont you love the nature too?
nature lover din kahit paano. :D

[amras]

uy maganda yan. anong klaseng protest, uso pa naman ngayon yong mga nude protest. he he he.

yan ang tinatawag na "human nature" hahaha :jk: :bash: :dance2:

[mhe-ann]

mga luko-luko...hahaha. :jk: peace po.

[berlin]

Peta's overrated. It's just a current hollywood trend just like Free Tibet was in the late 90's. They'll soon get over it and move to the next coolest thing. What a bunch of highschoolers. Donating millions to the Tsunami victims should be the coolest thing right now, but noooooooo! Peta is cooler 'coz P Diddy and John Kerry decided not to wear fur yesterday. But F Peta. I'll wear fur if I want to and I'll take that squirrel to the SBC Packers so they can pack it good.

[KulasKusgan]

Yehey! nude protest.

May nude beach ba sa Boracay?

[normandb]

Yehey! nude protest.

May nude beach ba sa Boracay?

sa boracay wala pero sa may bandang palawan meron but i forgot the name of the beach.

[KulasKusgan]

cguro mga foreigners lang mahilig maligo sa nude beach... d kaya ata ng mga pinoy mag nude in public...

[Dvorak]

hehehehhe.. pag nasa nude beach ka daw.. madaling makilala kung pinoy or hindi! hahahhaha

[KulasKusgan]

i know wat u mean. anyway, its not the size... nasa performance yan. hehehe.

[renell]

:lol:

maybe its a move to attact more visitors in Palawan, nude beaches:D I can see quite an uproad if there was one in Boracay.. but being nude in Boracay in say in their normal beaches is that banned by their rules?

[Francis20]

guys, if you are coming from manila, what is the best way to go to Boracay? assuming you will drop by at Kalibo, Aklan? Im planning to go there this March. Via sea to and via air from there.

[KulasKusgan]

You can drive ur car all the way from Manila to Aklan via RO-RO nautical highway; or small airlines operating - Sea air & Asian Spirit to Caticlan or bigger airlines to Iloilo, then ride a bus to Aklan.

Asian Spirit - u take off as Asian, u land as Spirit.

[amras]

Asian Spirit - u take off as Asian, u land as Spirit.

hahaha.. natawa ako dun..

[KulasKusgan]

another corny joke:

Cebu Pacific... u take off from Cebu, u land in the pacific.

[Francis20]

hahaha...i dunno those jokes.
tho one time, during a stormy day...an Asian Spirit flight bound to my very own town Cauayan crashed off the mountains of Sierra Madre.
so to be safe, id better take Ilo-ilo trips. But it says in the ads that there are PAL and Cebu Pacific Flights to Kalibo? Promo rates will be lifted on March 15. So i got to go there before that date. :D Thanks sleepwalker.
I'm not gonna drive. Because first, i don't have a car....second, I dun wanna take ro-ro. Parang takot ako dun sa sinakyan namin nun papuntang Mindoro eh. hehehe...

[KulasKusgan]

so enjoy ur boracay!!!... regards mo lang ako sa mga tao dun.

[mhe-ann]

have a nice and safe trip. enjoy! :cheers:

[berlin]

another corny joke:

Cebu Pacific... u take off from Cebu, u land in the pacific.


Bwekeke. LOL

[wecky]

guys, if you are coming from manila, what is the best way to go to Boracay? assuming you will drop by at Kalibo, Aklan? Im planning to go there this March. Via sea to and via air from there.


as said earlier, better take Iloilo route if you want to go to Boracay .. it is much safer though but you'll be travelling at least 4-5 hours more from Iloilo to Boracay ... so it's really up to you. Anyway, enjoy Boracay to the max ... and don't forget to do snorkelling .. really fun, indeed !

[Francis20]

thanks po. kung matuloy man baka yun na nga gawin ko. pero parang malabo na ngayong makapunta pa ako this march. kasi my boss will be away at ako ang ttake over sa pwesto niya. wahhh...ayaw ko ng ganito. pero wala ako magagawa. i changed my plans...magpapa babaguio na lang kami ng family ko sa April. treat ko sa mga siblings kong twins kung me honor sila pag closing ng Grade 1. haha...:D

[mhe-ann]

off-topic, pero speaking of twins..un classmates kong twins nun college, lagi nagkokopyahan (seatmates pa sila). kaya top 2 and 3 (0.06 difference ata) sila nun grumaduate kami. ang daya kc. :lol:

[Edmundtanso]

I've posted this before but want to share it with everyone again. Taken in 2002 during my visit to Philippines.

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/1362246-S.jpg

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/6338384-S.jpg

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/6338385-S.jpg

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/6338382-M.jpg

[KulasKusgan]

^^^parang heaven & hell on earth. nagliliyab ata ang boracay. very nice sunset. same with the sunset on header.

[normandb]

and nakita ko lang na napakapangit sa boracay noong huling punta ko last december ay ang mga naglipana sa gilid ng dagat ng mga bangka "boat". Pangit na sa paningin at napakadelikado pa para sa mga naliligo sa beach.

Sana naman magkaroon lang sana ng lugar sa Boracay White beach kung saan lang pwede ibalandra ang mga bangka na yan. Meron nga silang station 1, 2 and 3 pero ang nangyayari kahit wala na sa tapat ng mga boat station na ito ay may mga bangka pa rin na nakaparada. Minsan limited na lang ang portion na kung saan pwede kang maligo kasi puro bangka sa kaliwa't kana and sasalpukan mo.

Yong picture sa baba, hindi sya peak season kaya konti lang ang bangka pero pag peak season yan sigurado ako nandyan na naman sila. para silang squatter sa dagat.

[jbkayaker12]

I've posted this before but want to share it with everyone again. Taken in 2002 during my visit to Philippines.

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/1362246-S.jpg

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/6338384-S.jpg

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/6338385-S.jpg

http://edmundtanso.smugmug.com/photos/6338382-M.jpg

Very nice pictures of Boracay, during my visit the water was not as blue and the sand not as white. Not sunny at all but overcast, still I find the place beautiful. I like Puka Beach and the other deserted beaches in the island.

Jon

[sandrin]

Clean Cities project eyes Boracay
Inquirer News Service

WITH its pristine beaches and lush forests, Boracay is now being considered by the US Department of Energy and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as a pilot area for their Clean Cities Program.

The Clean Cities Program aims to improve air quality in certain areas through the use of alternative fuels for transport.

Cities currently included in the Clean Cities Program include San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver in the United States and Santiago in Chile.

Aside from Boracay Island, other areas in the country being considered as possible pilot sites are Baguio, Davao and two cities in Metro Manila.

The Philippine Department of Energy is urging Boracay residents and hotel and resort owners to use coconut methyl ester (CME)-blended diesel to fuel their vehicles and back-up power sources.

Energy Secretary Vincent Perez said CME-blended diesel use would not only boost Boracay's bid to become one of the pilot cities for the USDOE-USAID Clean Cities Program, but would also improve air quality in the tourist haven and help preserve its pristine environment.

City officials, including Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling and Vice Mayor Frolibar Bautista, expressed full support for the DOE's CME use program.

Representatives from the Boracay Foundation, Malay Aklan Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association and Boracay Land Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative also backed the DOE project.

"We are very happy that the local government of Malay as well as the civil society and transportation groups in Boracay recognize the importance of addressing Boracay's air quality through the use of clean alternative fuels. We sincerely hope Boracay will become a member of the Clean Cities Program," Perez said.

At present, more than 300 tricycles ply the streets of Boracay Island. All of these use synthetic-based 2T oil.

Perez has urged all tricycle drivers and operators on the island to start replacing the synthetic-based 2T oil that they currently use with CME-based 2T oil.

President Macapagal-Arroyo in April last year launched the CME program to boost the country's bid to become 60-percent energy self-sufficient by 2010.

The CME program also aims to improve air quality and enhance the lives of 3.5 million coconut farmers by giving them a new revenue source.

[Dvorak]

i'm planning to go there again this April..

[absent-minded]

wow...! those are amazing pictures of Boracay!! I don't think I've seen them before... nice work edmund...!!

[sandrin]

Foreigners flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan as tourist season reaches it’s peak during summer time.

http://www.thenewstoday.info/20050315/boracay%20foreigners.jpg

[Edmundtanso]

Foreigners flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan as tourist season reaches it’s peak during summer time.

http://www.thenewstoday.info/20050315/boracay%20foreigners.jpg

are those algae that i see by the water? that's not a good sight

[Edmundtanso]

wow...! those are amazing pictures of Boracay!! I don't think I've seen them before... nice work edmund...!!

thanks! :)

[mhe-ann]

sige po @Dvorak, punta ka ulit tapos post mo ulit un pics mo..pero dapat hindi un edited. :D

[Kiel]

ooh, who's going to Boracay this Holy Week? :) Lol

-- nice pictures down there; I'm a bit late but just wanting to compliment the excellent shots ;)

[rmb]

me, after Holy Week. :)

[ThisFire]

I have to go there someday. I love this thread. *sigh*

[absent-minded]

I wanna go to Boracay too... like this summer when I get to go back to Manila. doubt it's gonna happen though... hehe...

anyways, something I found on the ATO website:

http://www.ato.gov.ph/Images/caticTerm2.jpg

http://www.ato.gov.ph/Images/caticPP.jpg

it's a P40-M project that PGMA initiated in 2002 to renovate and improve the Caticlan airport and terminal building to international standards and help tourism in Boracay. according to the ATO site, it's currently ongoing and already 78.72% completed. it looks pretty good...!

[Thunderflip]

Clean Cities project eyes Boracay
Inquirer News Service

WITH its pristine beaches and lush forests, Boracay is now being considered by the US Department of Energy and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as a pilot area for their Clean Cities Program.

The Clean Cities Program aims to improve air quality in certain areas through the use of alternative fuels for transport.

Cities currently included in the Clean Cities Program include San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver in the United States and Santiago in Chile.

Aside from Boracay Island, other areas in the country being considered as possible pilot sites are Baguio, Davao and two cities in Metro Manila.



Nice for Boracay, it is a pilot are...but it isn't a city at all. Weird. And the complaints about these green, black and even brown weeds that get drifted ashore in Boracay, I've heard so many times by foreigners. Can't they do anything about this?

In an article long ago in the philippine forums in the Baguio thread, it said that Baguio is one of the dirtiest in the country and now they they say it has the possibility to become a pilot city. Weird media we have there. And which two cities in Metro Manila would pass as a pilot site? Makati and...Marikina or Muntinlupa??? Is Manila a very clean city?

[wecky]

here comes Boracay na naman ako by end week of July ... my family and relatives went their last June nang umuwi ako ng Iloilo ... really lovely place .. i love Boracay .. since college days pa til now ... :)

[wecky]

This month of March or April will be the "Bikini Open" contest in Boracay ... my friends told me that the pageant/search is really gorgeous ... fly na to Boracay ! yeho !

[Edmundtanso]

i've seen those green algae also the last time i was in boracay, i am not sure whether it's a natural thing or is it caused by pollution...it's just sad

[jbkayaker12]

i've seen those green algae also the last time i was in boracay, i am not sure whether it's a natural thing or is it caused by pollution...it's just sad

If it is pollution how come it is not there 24/7/365 but only 2-3 months out of the year.

Here in Vegas we have the same scenario only during the colder months around 3 months where the water at the man made Lake Mead has green algae. If you dip your finger under the water you wont see it but during the rest of the year it is crystal clear water and blue.

Just a pic of Lake Mead. I'll post more pics of Boracay later.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/k.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/k1.jpg

Jon

[wecky]

I wanna go to Boracay too... like this summer when I get to go back to Manila. doubt it's gonna happen though... hehe...

anyways, something I found on the ATO website:

http://www.ato.gov.ph/Images/caticTerm2.jpg

http://www.ato.gov.ph/Images/caticPP.jpg

it's a P40-M project that PGMA initiated in 2002 to renovate and improve the Caticlan airport and terminal building to international standards and help tourism in Boracay. according to the ATO site, it's currently ongoing and already 78.72% completed. it looks pretty good...!

Hoping this will be realised soon ... as a Premiere Holiday destination of the Philippines, Boracay or Kalibo needs an upgraded infrastructure such as this airport.

[kiretoce]

What province is Caticlan in? :? And how far is that from Boracay?

[wecky]

Caticlan belongs to the province of Aklan ... being Kalibo as their capital.

Caticlan is very near to Boracay .. probably 30 mins or so ... it is the gateway to Boracay Island as well ...

here's a link for you, kiretoce:

http://www.ati-atihan.net/aklan.htm

[tyronne]

...so, Caticlan is a municipality that has jurisdiction over boracay island? is that it? thanks :)

edit: i just checked the link wecky gave and it says boracay is situated in the municipality of Malay. so is caticlan a barangay then?

[jbkayaker12]

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/b.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor1.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor2.jpg

I went to Boracay January of 2002. It was a nice place not crowded at all during that time but I still prefer the eastern side of Boracay. As you can see from the pictures the sun was not really shining its brightest and when it does the beach is blindingly white.

[thomasian]

Nice pictures but I specially like the fourth one. :okay:

[jbkayaker12]

Ako rin I like that shot, and the beaches deserted ako lang magisa at isang bangka na nagfishing offshore. How sweet. Walang tao doon, naglakad ako sa medyo magubat hanggang nakarating ako sa beach. Hahahaha what a sweet reward indeed.

Jon

[jbkayaker12]

httP://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor4.jpg
Boracay of years past. Courtesy of G.Deichman

[wecky]

brilliant pictures of Boracay ... I guess that was way back then ... last year when I visited Boracay, it was so different ... presently, it is teeming with hotels, shops, etc ... the once serene and grandeur Boracay back in my college days (1991-1995) is bewildered by different disco sounds and lights at night time today ... how i wish they'll regulate the entry of too many buildings within the area as well ... in due time, it will really be polluted.

[amras]

and how about those green thingies floating near the coastline? seaweeds? kasi parang kadiri? are they naturally occuring?

[jbkayaker12]

brilliant pictures of Boracay ... I guess that was way back then ... last year when I visited Boracay, it was so different ... presently, it is teeming with hotels, shops, etc ... the once serene and grandeur Boracay back in my college days (1991-1995) is bewildered by different disco sounds and lights at night time today ... how i wish they'll regulate the entry of too many buildings within the area as well ... in due time, it will really be polluted.\

Authorities doesn't allow construction of structures taller than a coconut tree so you wont be seeing any skyscrapers in Boracay. Great!!! Over at Puka Beach they dont allow any contruction at all. The last time I was there only one restaurant on the whole stretch of the beach. Sweet! I dont know how it is now though.

[chymera00]

and how about those green thingies floating near the coastline? seaweeds? kasi parang kadiri? are they naturally occuring?

Yes they are seaweeds ... I have been going to Boracay every year from 1993 up until 2003 so, I know this when I say it's not so bad (except if you heppen to step on a sea urchin down below or unconsciously swim past a jellyfish, ouch :runaway: ) ... They naturally occur during the summer months (March-May) and they sprout everywhere on the island, so if you want to avoid them I suggest going there another time, which I think is not at all advisable

[rmb]

SEEWEEDS - > I thought It was due to the pollution.

[rmb]

http://www.geocities.com/rmb_com/Boracay/1.jpg

The picturesque Boracay. Taken last March 29 from our island tour that cost P 1,000 for one trip.

You can see the greeny seeweeds at the coastline :)

[amras]

Yes they are seaweeds ... I have been going to Boracay every year from 1993 up until 2003 so, I know this when I say it's not so bad (except if you heppen to step on a sea urchin down below or unconsciously swim past a jellyfish, ouch :runaway: ) ... They naturally occur during the summer months (March-May) and they sprout everywhere on the island, so if you want to avoid them I suggest going there another time, which I think is not at all advisable

ic.. thanks! :)

[Edmundtanso]

i am not sure wether those sea weed are normal for boracay, i always thought is is due to pollution

[normandb]

i am not sure wether those sea weed are normal for boracay, i always thought is is due to pollution

sea weeds is not from pollution. I think it is the coliform that came from pollution. Although they both look green they are different once you look at it in close up. See weeds is a plant while coliform is an algae I think and it looks like "Lumot"

[jbkayaker12]

I have heard they are starting to phase out the boat stations. Good news indeed if it happens. This way the whole stretch of main beach will be free of moored bancas. I heard they are almost done or done with the jetty in Barrio Manoc Manoc.

[rustyboi]

SEEWEEDS - > I thought It was due to the pollution.

yeah, it was an issue before but i cant remember the exact word. but i think it was cauliflower. or, cauliform? hehe. yup, the term was COLIFORM. im afraid i cannot elaborate this. hehe

[wecky]

I have heard they are starting to phase out the boat stations. Good news indeed if it happens. This way the whole stretch of main beach will be free of moored bancas. I heard they are almost done or done with the jetty in Barrio Manoc Manoc.

it is true, jbkayaker12 ... when our family and relatives went there last year, the jetty port is on its half way finished na ... hopefully it will be utilised soon. It will be a big change in terms of travelling around the pristine island but it will be of good change indeed.

Boracay is undoubtedly the haven of tourist in the Philippines and we have to protect its natural beauty if we want tourists to stay and visit our country. It draws more foreigners / holiday makers to siff and enjoy this island-paradise for their vacation. I hope the Department of Tourism will help more in terms of promotional and environmental concerns of Boracay.

[rustyboi]

Yes they are seaweeds ... I have been going to Boracay every year from 1993 up until 2003 so, I know this when I say it's not so bad (except if you heppen to step on a sea urchin down below or unconsciously swim past a jellyfish, ouch :runaway: ) ... They naturally occur during the summer months (March-May) and they sprout everywhere on the island, so if you want to avoid them I suggest going there another time, which I think is not at all advisable

im excited about our upcoming trip to boracay. hopefully there wont be much of sea urchin and seeweed adventures throughout the vacation. hehe

OT:
Isn't it Cebu the Queen City of the South? just wonderin' :)

[Virtute]

I'll be back in PI in October will sure be going to Boracay. Can't wait to see some changes.

[ryanr]

I have heard they are starting to phase out the boat stations. Good news indeed if it happens. This way the whole stretch of main beach will be free of moored bancas. I heard they are almost done or done with the jetty in Barrio Manoc Manoc.

Thats great news because the anchors of those boats damage the coral reef below. I'm glad they are changing the system into the use of a proper jetty.

Awesome pics in this thread, btw:okay:

[tyronne]

last semana santa tv patrol has been showing what's happening in boracay and oh my... :eek: ang daming tao, locals and foreigners alike.

[wecky]

I'll be back in PI in October will sure be going to Boracay. Can't wait to see some changes.


Please do, Virtute .. I'm sure you and your family will love it. Goodluck !

[wecky]

last semana santa tv patrol has been showing what's happening in boracay and oh my... :eek: ang daming tao, locals and foreigners alike.

you bet it is, tyronne .... grabe daw ang temperature sa Philippines that's why most of the locals visited nearby beaches, etc .... hoping more and more foreigners will continue to visit Boracay as well .. in one time or the other, they can infuse " a little bit" to our economy.

[ThisFire]

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/b.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor1.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/bor2.jpg

I went to Boracay January of 2002. It was a nice place not crowded at all during that time but I still prefer the eastern side of Boracay. As you can see from the pictures the sun was not really shining its brightest and when it does the beach is blindingly white.


I want to jump into these pictures.

[Skyblade]

I want to jump into these pictures.
Who wouldn't? ;)

[wecky]

such lovely pictures ... very enticing though ...!

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to fly to Boracay on Thursday for an overnight trip to inaugurate a new Mirant power plant, in anticipation of the big boys' joining the hotel boom in the world-famous resort island.

Unless she changes her mind, given the sensitivities of the still festering issue on pre-need firm College Assurance Plan, the President is also scheduled to grace the groundbreaking for Fil-Estate's Fairways and Bluewater 270-room "villatel" venture with McDonald's George Yang and MC Home Depot's Jose Chung. The Sobrepeña family controls both the pre-need company and Fil-Estate.



Demand for 24/7 power on Boracay is expected to shoot up, given that Shangri-La, with Four Seasons tipped to follow, has also announced a 170-room and 50-villa hotel to open by mid-2007.

Also scheduled to fly in is Prudentialife Plans chairman Francisco Alba, with his unnamed group of foreign investors, who wants to develop the 430-hectare beachfront property he has accumulated through the years in Nabas town, directly opposite the famed island.

The Nabas stretch reportedly has the same powdery white sand as Boracay's, in addition to directly bordering the Caticlan airport.

Despite his Vatican misadventure, the short-lived diplomat alba has offered to donate whatever is needed by the government to extend the runway -- Boracay's tipping point -- so it could finally accommodate jumbo jets and directly connect with the international tourism grid.

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

IF NOEL Cariño backslaps people nowadays like he had actually won the Pasig congressional election, it is most likely because he can finally finish his baby, Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club in the country's hottest tourist destination, Boracay Island.

Like its parent, the Fil-Estate Group, the 126-hectare project, which covers a tenth of the world-famous island, fell victim to the regional currency crisis. Half-finished shells of villas overgrown with vegetation -- called, much like the bombed-out barracks of Corregidor, the "Boracay ruins" -- line the 18-hole hilly golf course, the latter luckily finished.



But all the Failed-Estate jokes should be history very soon, as Fairways has partnered with a deep-pocketed consortium that would finish, in 16 months, the 21 low-rise "villas" that it had originally promised to deliver in 2001 had not the financial tsunami swamped the region.

In all, a total of P1 billion would be pumped in to finish the project by Thai and Chinese funders, whose chief local partners include George Yang of McDonald's and Jose Chung of MC Home Depot. Strangely, Chung did not wish to be identified, and even jokingly told a nosy columnist that his name was "George Yang."

To shield itself from whatever financial entanglements Fil-Estate and its related College Assurance Plan may have, Fairways devolved a new corporation, MC New Coast Resort and Villatel Corp., for the joint venture, whose counsel, Miguelito Ocampo, used to be a chief private lawyer, along with his elder brother Antonio, of tycoon Lucio Tan, until his "kuya" had a hard falling-out with the "Kapitan." But we are digressing.

Already, Chinese engineers from the China State Construction, which built the new Hong Kong airport passenger terminal building, have committed to finish the first nine, three-story buildings, 270 hotel rooms in all plus a number of two-three bedroom suites, in one year.

The consortium plans to sell the 55-square-meter and 70-square-meter all-suite rooms, all with balconies overlooking the fairway, at P4.2 million and P5.3 million each, respectively, to local and foreign buyers.

The buyer will have to agree to lease the unit back to the Fairways hotel for the first 15 years, in return for a 90-percent share of the room tariff and the equivalent of one-month free use of the unit for every year.

Fairways, in turn, plans to let the rooms at $100 to $120 a night, about the going rate in the island now, when the first 100 units of the condotel get delivered by December.

In all, Boracay has about 2,500 hotel rooms now, of which Fairways currently has 90. Fairways' partners should add 580 more rooms by 2006, about the same time that telecom heir Choy Cojuangco shall have finished his 25-room apartment-hotel.

The Discovery Group of the Tiu family is also joining the action with an 80-room hotel now in the drawing boards.

At the top tier, Rockwell and Shangri-La are both in the midst of negotiations with the locals, according to the grapevine, to acquire their respective sites. Shangri-La, which has secured 12 hectares and is adding eight more, plans to push the envelope further with a rumored $350/night room rate and, hold your breath, $500/night villas.

(Tip: Those seeking a secluded Boracay place should check out the two still undeveloped coves of Fairways. Except for a grazing cow and three bleating goats, the two adjoining coves are empty of beachcombers and swimmers.)

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

thats great news, boracay, ones shangri-la and four seasons set in the island, other luxury resorts hotels will come in and can rival some of our neighbours luxurious resort destinations like the bali islands in indonesia, lankawi island in malaysia and the koh samui islands in thailand

[jbkayaker12]

Like its parent, the Fil-Estate Group, the 126-hectare project, which covers a tenth of the world-famous island, fell victim to the regional currency crisis. Half-finished shells of villas overgrown with vegetation -- called, much like the bombed-out barracks of Corregidor, the "Boracay ruins" -- line the 18-hole hilly golf course, the latter luckily finished.

(Tip: Those seeking a secluded Boracay place should check out the two still undeveloped coves of Fairways. Except for a grazing cow and three bleating goats, the two adjoining coves are empty of beachcombers and swimmers.)

I have been inside the golf course after enjoying the 2 secluded beach coves you've mentioned. The beach was really nice and being alone in those coves without the hordes of people felt like its an island paradise. I managed to get in the vacant villa from the beach and unto the golf course. The skeleton of those unfinished villas were an eye sore but the golf course itself was beautiful. I walked from the secluded beach to the main entrance of Fairways to hail a ride back to station 3.

[absent-minded]

cool... so Shangri-la's plans for a new resort in Boracay are already confirmed. wow!

anyways, about the new jetty port... I read something about in this article.

...starting April 1, access to Boracay would be limited to the newly constructed Cagbang jetty port at the southern end of the 1,083-hectare island.

Currently, motorized outriggers carrying passengers and cargo, and other vessels, dock in three boat stations along the five-kilometer white beach. Vessels could also dock on the other side of the island.
...

I wonder if they shut down the boat stations just for that week or forever already...

[absent-minded]

$60-M Shangri-La resort to rise on Boracay island
INQ7Money | April 14, 2005

LUXURY hotel group Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts will construct a 60 million dollar resort on the island of Boracay, in the central Philippines, the government announced.

President Gloria Arroyo will attend the ground-breaking rites on Friday for the 170-room and 50-villa beach-front resort project, a statement from the presidential palace said.

The statement said the Shangri-La Resort and Spa Boracay was scheduled to be opened in mid-2007.

It is the first major foreign investment in the 80-hectare Boracay Eco-Village Resort owned by Boracay Property Holdings Inc., which Arroyo has declared a tourism economic zone, the palace added.

"The construction of the new hotel in Boracay, considered as one of the world's best ideal tropical vacation destinations, is expected to further boost the Philippines' tourism industry," it said.

Shangri-La's existing properties in the country include the Makati Shangri-La, the Edsa Shangri-La and the Traders Hotel in Metro Manila, and the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa in the central province of Cebu.

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

thats nice , next hopefully the ultra luxurious four seasons, that will really put boracay in the jet set map

[wecky]

$60-M Shangri-La resort to rise on Boracay island
INQ7Money | April 14, 2005

LUXURY hotel group Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts will construct a 60 million dollar resort on the island of Boracay, in the central Philippines, the government announced.

President Gloria Arroyo will attend the ground-breaking rites on Friday for the 170-room and 50-villa beach-front resort project, a statement from the presidential palace said.

The statement said the Shangri-La Resort and Spa Boracay was scheduled to be opened in mid-2007.

It is the first major foreign investment in the 80-hectare Boracay Eco-Village Resort owned by Boracay Property Holdings Inc., which Arroyo has declared a tourism economic zone, the palace added.

"The construction of the new hotel in Boracay, considered as one of the world's best ideal tropical vacation destinations, is expected to further boost the Philippines' tourism industry," it said.

Shangri-La's existing properties in the country include the Makati Shangri-La, the Edsa Shangri-La and the Traders Hotel in Metro Manila, and the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa in the central province of Cebu.


a big welcome indeed for everyone in Boracay!....such a humongous investment ... Cheers!

[ThisFire]

$60-M Shangri-La resort to rise on Boracay island
INQ7Money | April 14, 2005

LUXURY hotel group Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts will construct a 60 million dollar resort on the island of Boracay, in the central Philippines, the government announced.

President Gloria Arroyo will attend the ground-breaking rites on Friday for the 170-room and 50-villa beach-front resort project, a statement from the presidential palace said.

The statement said the Shangri-La Resort and Spa Boracay was scheduled to be opened in mid-2007.

It is the first major foreign investment in the 80-hectare Boracay Eco-Village Resort owned by Boracay Property Holdings Inc., which Arroyo has declared a tourism economic zone, the palace added.

"The construction of the new hotel in Boracay, considered as one of the world's best ideal tropical vacation destinations, is expected to further boost the Philippines' tourism industry," it said.

Shangri-La's existing properties in the country include the Makati Shangri-La, the Edsa Shangri-La and the Traders Hotel in Metro Manila, and the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa in the central province of Cebu.


This is wonderful news but they must remain on guard and not get carried away with developments/projects such as this one.

Preservation is a key, and with a place like Boracay, this is so crucial. Preservation is not just preservation but it is the key towards many issues.

Another thing is environment, this links with preservation. Enough said.

Security. In any form and purpose.

Maintenance. They need to maintain the island, the tourism and the quality of it. They need to avoid Boracay (or any other place in the Philippines) from becoming overdone, they need to make sure the right people come to the places doing the right things, they need to keep Boracay away from becoming another Thailand (Pattaya, Phuket) with all those trashy people and disgusting bald, old men coming from Europe and the west or other parts who only have the intention of going there for prostitution. They need to maintain the filipino culture and values into the industries.

ThisFire

[tyronne]

ito lang nahanap ko so far. i can't open shangri-la's web site, don't know why. tiis muna tayo dito hehe!

http://internet.ggu.edu/~tragudo/shangrila_boracay.jpg
http://www.wspgroup.com/pdf/announcement/Attachment%2813%29.pdf#search='shangrila%20boracay'

[Edmundtanso]

wow very nice, hopefully this big resorts would put the required sewer system and make boracay cleaner and nicer

[amras]

i think developments these days are more environmentally concerned compared to several years ago. so this project must be good...

[thomasian]

I think they will be very environmentally concerned because that resort is a very big investment that's why they would want to protect the quality of the Boracay waters at all cost.

[Skyblade]

I have heard they are starting to phase out the boat stations. Good news indeed if it happens. This way the whole stretch of main beach will be free of moored bancas. I heard they are almost done or done with the jetty in Barrio Manoc Manoc.

Finally, now White Beach can be free of obstructions! And they're building a jetty in Manoc Manoc? Sounds like news to me! :D When I was there in 2000, they were still working on the one at Caticlan. Can't wait to see what it looks like right now! :)

[wecky]

GMA wants Boracay to be like Bali or Phuket


BORACAY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created a group that would oversee the sustainable development of Boracay Island, the country's premiere island resort and tourists’ paradise.

She envisions Boracay to be like Phuket in Thailand and Bali in Indonesia, both world-class tourist destinations, through sustainable development.

The group, called Eminent Persons Group, is composed of private persons who love Boracay. It includes businessmen Enrico Zobel and Vicvic Villavicencio.

"We got together people who love Boracay to address the environmental concerns of the island ," the President said.

The group's recommendations will be executed by government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), she added.

"We have to make sure that tourism here is sutainable," the President stressed.

The group will review the masterplan for Boracay, particularly initiatives aimed to solve the sewerage and waste disposable problem in the island.

"It is going to happen because of the people's love for the beach. With proper facilities, it can happen," the President said.

She added she also wants that the economic benefits drawn from tourism in Boracay will spread out in the whole Panay island through the "One Product One Town " project.
"The different little towns in Panay will showcase their products in shops in Boracay," the Chief Executive explained.

(from Panay News Online)

[absent-minded]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For digitised pictures of the group's hotels, please go to http://www.shangri-la.com/imagelibrary
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this is the official press release on Shangri-la's website dated January 20, 2005. I tried to look up renderings at WATG's site and there's none as of now. (I found a couple of shots of the Fairways and Bluewater Boracay resort of Fil-Estate though, as I guess WATG was also the designer. I think they were shots from when the resort was first partially completed before the Asian financial crisis.)

I think they already broke ground (or at least laid down the time capsule thing) two days ago with GMA present. that CHI spa thing sounds like it'll be pretty cool! haha! the way it's on it's own little island and everything...

I really hope they will be able to sustain the natural environment of Boracay while at the same time allowing development of better infrastructure and a couple new resorts to promote tourism... seems like quite a number of foreigners are really visiting the country now. I just came across asia-hotels.com and there is a surprisingly large number (!!) of comments and reviews posted by tourists who visited just very recently... wow!

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

why is shangri-la investing so much in the phils, im jst wondering if mr kwok has a ultra rich secret partner in the phils i have a guess

[ryanr]

It doesnt matter...they are investing, so thats good:okay:

I dont think Boracay can rival Bali or Phuket. It is too small and there arent enough activities and sights to offer. Bali not only has beaches, but also has hindu culture, river rapids, nightlife, art work, shopping, etc... Bohol would be a better rival to develop since it has historical landmarks, white sand beaches, chocolate hills, tarsiers, etc... But good on GMA and Shangri-la to promote Boracay!:)

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

i believe cebu could rival phuket or bali in the same way that penang and langkawi in malaysia

[Christerdom]

hmmm, Bohol, Palawan and Cebu are the first places that comes to our mind to rival SEA tourism spots. I believe another one would be the Polillo Islands from Quezon Province is one of the untapped tourism spot in the Philippines, considering that it is ideally located in the Pacific and as big as Singapore or perhaps bigger. You bet that you'll be receiving the full glory of the pacific heat. Just that the government need to make Quezon province more accessible to foreigners and local tourist, set aside left wing insurgents, it will be a breeze to realize this.

http://mampam.50megs.com/polillo/2001/index.htm

http://www.travelsmart.net/ph/resorts/Quezon/Balesin_Resort/set1.jpg

http://mampam.50megs.com/polillo/2001/welcometitles.gif

[Skyblade]

Aw man Shangri-la in Boracay...that'd be something to get used to... :runaway:

[thomasian]

I think Palawan could rival Bali or Phuket.

[Virtute]

Boracay pic 2yrs ago. I've forgotten what resort this was but we sat watching the sunset drinking san miguel beer. I remember it was buy one/get one free night.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay_beer.jpg

[normandb]

I think Palawan could rival Bali or Phuket.

When it comes to Eco-tourism for me Palawan rivals Australia while Puerto Galera in Mindoro could rival Bali and Phuket. Palawan is a marine sanctuary IMO it should not be promoted as a tourist destination for commercial purposes because it is our last frontier...... :)

[wecky]

[QUOTE=GreyX]It doesnt matter...they are investing, so thats good:okay:
.... (on Shangrila ) QUOTE]


that's true, Grey X ... any investment to beutify the place (eco-tourism) and make jobs for all Filipinos are good !

[kiretoce]

Kalibo, not Caticlan
By Victor Agustin | Inquirer News Service | Apr. 22, 2005

It looks like the town of Kalibo in Aklan province, not Caticlan village nor Carabao Island, will be the international gateway for the world-famous resort island of Boracay. And Kalibo has to thank the national government's budget deficit, no kidding, for making its airport the de facto choice.

According to Aklan Representative Florencio Miraflores, because of the multibillion-peso funding needed to expand Caticlan or build an entirely new airport on Carabao Island, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has agreed to a simple, straightforward, cost-efficient solution. For only P38 million and landing lights that the Davao International Airport no longer needs, Kalibo can extend its runway to international length and have nighttime facilities for 24/7 operations as well.

The President's loose change would be needed to expropriate the adjoining pieces of property for the runway expansion and relocate the settlers. The landing lights, on the other hand, are no longer needed by the Davao airport after it acquired a new set with its recent expansion.

According to the grapevine, Senate President Franklin Drilon, who hails from the region that includes Aklan, has promised to bring about his literal and figurative hefty weight upon the Davao airport authorities to agree to the donation.

To complete the equation, the concreting of the coastal Aklan-Caticlan highway would be finished by July.

Miraflores, a former provincial governor, said the provincial government and the local officials should now ensure that the highway remain billboard-free and sidewalk-uncluttered, if Boracay and Aklan want to remain on top of the tourism game and keep the coastal route as scenic and as pleasant to drive through as, say, the Pacific Coastal Route of California.

Unfortunately, the highway has been transformed into a pitched battleground of the cell phone companies, with every tree and garbage bin becoming the province's version of Metro Manila's ad-choked EDSA highway.

Even without the billboards, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular should still benefit from the expected foreign tourism boom through their respective roaming agreements with foreign providers.

On the macroeconomic level, the P38-million-and-landing-lights solution should translate into a multibillion-peso windfall for Kalibo because of the expected upswing in real estate, retail and service sales should the dreamed-about jet-loads of free-spending international tourists materialize.

Should that finally happen, even Fil "Failed" Estate could rebuild its air force and finally acquire that Gulfstream 1 that American trader Stephen Voorhies has been trying to sell them to serve Fil-Estate's golf course and hotel project on Boracay.

And if that really happens, then you can resume calling Fil-Estate's Robert Sobrepeña "Sobra Pera" again.

[ThisFire]

Boracay pic 2yrs ago. I've forgotten what resort this was but we sat watching the sunset drinking san miguel beer. I remember it was buy one/get one free night.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay_beer.jpg


PARADISE

[Juan1111]

Finally, now White Beach can be free of obstructions! And they're building a jetty in Manoc Manoc? Sounds like news to me! :D When I was there in 2000, they were still working on the one at Caticlan. Can't wait to see what it looks like right now! :)

The Caticlan pier structure was nice when I visited in 2003, dont know how it is now. The pier should be utilized so that the beach can be free of those bancas but anyway I really prefer the quieter Boracay side.

[chymera00]

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

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

[Edmundtanso]

yeah i remembered when i went to club paradise in Palawan a year ago, almost 98% of the tourists in that resort were koreans. again the more tourists the better for the country. again, i just hope that the gov't and resort owners would maintain the environment and ofcourse be nice to the tourists so they would come back again

[612bv3]

That's great news, Shangri La will definetly help Boracay compete with Bali and Phuket.

[absent-minded]

woah... that's crazy! haha! I've heard that there were lots of Koreans visiting the Philippines but I never knew there were that many... they're almost 10 times the Americans in Boracay! haha. wow, thank you to all those Korean tourists and visitors! I wonder how they like the country and if any of them regularly go back...

@chymera - what do the Korean tourists usually do in Iloilo?

[OtAkAw]

WOW! A Shangri-la in Boracay? That is really good. But I'm hoping (perhaps dreaming) that Ritz-Carlton or even Atlantis Hotel will be the one to open resorts in Boracay. I've read that The Atlantis Resort in Bahamas offers the most expensive room in the world. I sense that Boracay is quite small, it would be hard to rival bali and Phuket.

[amras]

yup Koreans really are flocking the country... my teacher in high school is currently doing english lessons to some koreans and he says the pay is quite good.

[wecky]

woah... that's crazy! haha! I've heard that there were lots of Koreans visiting the Philippines but I never knew there were that many... they're almost 10 times the Americans in Boracay! haha. wow, thank you to all those Korean tourists and visitors! I wonder how they like the country and if any of them regularly go back...

@chymera - what do the Korean tourists usually do in Iloilo?

absent-minded .. can I answer in behalf of Chymera?

Most of young Koreans in Iloilo are into schooling ... they enrolled themselves in almost all universities in the city ... and hopefully gain English proficiency. Some Korenas especially the older ones do business/es while the rest is just touring the city and the province.

[rico]

I sense that Boracay is quite small, it would be hard to rival bali and Phuket.
Yeah. I've been to both Boracay and Phuket and though Boracay's beaches are arguably superior to Phuket's, Phuket is big with malls, big resorts, an amusement park and a relatively big airport.

I think Cebu, or maybe Bohol would offer a better challenge to Phuket.

[kiretoce]

/\ You can count Palawan to rise up to the challenge too! :)

[Balikbayan]

Re reply 36 / Amras - are U comparing Talaan (BayWatch) with Boracay? Anyway, I hope that Ilo-Ilo will remain the main gateway, too many tourists will spoil Boracay. Friday's resort is sooo wonderful, it was even featured in a BBC World Service tourism program.

[rico]

/\ You can count Palawan to rise up to the challenge too! :)
Hahaha. Palawan is overkill. Palawan is much much much bigger than Phuket. :)

[612bv3]

^ The bigger the better. :)

[chymera00]

absent-minded .. can I answer in behalf of Chymera?

Most of young Koreans in Iloilo are into schooling ... they enrolled themselves in almost all universities in the city ... and hopefully gain English proficiency. Some Korenas especially the older ones do business/es while the rest is just touring the city and the province.

Thanks for answering that for me :) Another statistic I'd like to know is, what % of Koreans have actually gone to the Philippines ...

This is weird but there are actually some Koreans who go to the Philippines to teach english to other Koreans ...

[absent-minded]

absent-minded .. can I answer in behalf of Chymera?

Most of young Koreans in Iloilo are into schooling ... they enrolled themselves in almost all universities in the city ... and hopefully gain English proficiency. Some Korenas especially the older ones do business/es while the rest is just touring the city and the province.

oh!! i see... thanks for the info! I wonder how long each student has to stay there...

This is weird but there are actually some Koreans who go to the Philippines to teach english to other Koreans ...

are you serious? hahaha! that is pretty weird... why would they do that... lol

[ThisFire]

I don't know if it's true but I think I also read somewhere that some Indians have taken to schooling in the Philippines again because of the lack of room (and they they'd have to wait by waiting list) in their schools back in India.

[Peksman]

Thanks for answering that for me :) Another statistic I'd like to know is, what % of Koreans have actually gone to the Philippines ...

This is weird but there are actually some Koreans who go to the Philippines to teach english to other Koreans ...

Koreans who are fluent in English can do lots of things in this country, the Sandara Park phenomenon excluded. For one thing, they can work as interpreters-tour guides ot the thousands of honeymooners that come here. Note that Korean honeymooners don't travel in pairs, they travel in groups of three --> couple + tour guide. These tour guides have such a great life, spending most every day of their lives in Mactan Shangrila, Pearl Farm, Boracay, etc. I guess it is these 'tour guides' that teach English on the side.

The Filipino-Korean connection is so strong that a Korean colleague of mine told me that he had never heard of Bali (he thought it was part of the Philippines) yet his dream was to honeymoon in Mactan!!

[Peksman]

I don't know if it's true but I think I also read somewhere that some Indians have taken to schooling in the Philippines again because of the lack of room (and they they'd have to wait by waiting list) in their schools back in India.

This is certainly true for certain schools such as the Asian Institute of Management.

[chymera00]

‘Boracay boat traffic dangerous to tourists’

By ULYSSES V. ESPARTERO

BORACAY – It took an international water sports competition to notice that this island’s unruly boat traffic makes its pristine waters “extremely dangerous” to tourists.

The huge number of boats recklessly navigating Boracay’s waters make the island paradise’s waters hazardous to tourists, complained a water sports enthusiast.

Jacqueline Malbrunot, president of the Boracay Island Paddlers Association, complained to the maritime police here that boat traffic rules of Boracay are blatantly being violated, exposing swimmers and the boats themselves to danger.

In a letter to Gary Molo of the island’s maritime police, Malbrunot said local authorities must be strict in implementing boat traffic rules the way they do every time President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visits Boracay.

Last May 5-7, an international water sports event was held in Boracay – the First International Dragon Boat Race. Days before this event,

Malbrunot had to request the maritime command here to clear the waters along white beach because of the chaotic boat traffic.

Malbrunot said it was impossible for the participants to even practice because of the dangers posed by unruly boatmen.

“Many of the guest teams were arriving. We wished to practice for the race but we’re sad that boat operators continue to violate a municipal ordinance,” Malbrunot stressed.

A municipal ordinance says boats should be parked 500 meters offshore. Malbrunot said this local law is frequently being breached.

“We find it important that our island is safe and secure to give our visiting teams a good experience and our island a good reputation,” Malbrunot said.

The Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative is the biggest operator of ferry boats in Boracay. Its officers could not be reached for comment as of press time.

The cooperative operates almost a hundred boats and employs some 300 boatmen.

Last month, the cooperative warned its employees to observe “the highest standards of service” to tourists.

Aside from its unspoiled environment, Boracay is also selling itself as a good venue of sports events on and off the beach.

When she visited Boracay last April, President Arroyo created a group that would oversee the sustainable development of Boracay, the country's premiere island resort and tourists’ paradise.

She envisioned Boracay to be like Phuket in Thailand and Bali in Indonesia, both world-class tourist destinations, through sustainable development.

She created an Eminent Persons Group composed of private persons who love Boracay. The group's recommendations will be executed by government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), she said.

"We have to make sure that tourism here is sutainable," the President stressed.

The group will review the masterplan for Boracay, particularly initiatives aimed to solve the sewerage and waste disposable problem in the island.
"It is going to happen because of the people's love for the beach. With proper facilities, it can happen," the President said.

[Edmundtanso]

thanks for that article chymera
yeah, i really dont understand why they still have the boats on the nice side of the island, 5 years ago when i went there, i thought they were building piers on the other side of the islands for the boats? i remember when i went there the last time, these boats have their anchor down on the sand, imagine how dangerous it is when people step on this anchors. i also noticed that more than half on the whiet sand is filled with boats on it's shores, how could tourists enjoy the water? and they want boracay to compete with bali and phueket? hmmm....these gove't officials better get their acts together

[amras]

another bad news for Boracay guys...

Boracay in critical condition--Durano

Posted 10:27pm (Mla time) May 16, 2005
By Donna Pazzibugan
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A17 of the May 17, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

BORACAY, the country's top tourist spot, is now in "critical" condition due to undisciplined development that has been going on for years, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano.

The island's famed crystal-clear waters and unique white sand beaches are in danger of being lost unless problems on sewerage, garbage disposal and proper construction are addressed now, said Durano.

"The problem of the island is overpopulation. The problem is sustainable development," Durano said in an interview in Boracay Saturday.

"It's at its critical level," he added.

Boracay's beach front has been overcrowded with all sorts of commercial establishments, including hotels and cottages.

Covered creek

A freshwater creek along the beach has been illegally covered and on it were built more establishments.

A number of establishments close to the beach do not have proper sewerage systems.

And Boracay's garbage are thrown into an open dump out of sight of the tourists.

Durano, who was in Boracay for an exercise of the naval task group Stingray, convened for the first time the Boracay Eminent Persons Group that the President formed last April 15.

The others in that meeting were major resort owners I¤igo Zobel and Juan Elizalde representing his father Fred, and secretariat head Connie Padilla.

The other members, Sen. Richard Gordon and Orlando Sacay, external vice president of the Boracay Foundation Inc., a group of major resort owners, were not present.

Put on hold

Durano said there would be no further development on the island, but did not say when the moratorium would start.

Zobel said the moratorium should be a priority. The other priorities, he said, should be to draw up a proper zoning plan and install a sewerage system and garbage disposal system.

"If they can't put up a proper sewerage system, they should not build," he said.

The Environment Department has postponed to June the closure of establishments found to have no proper sewerage systems.

Inspectors said 60 out of the 500 establishments did not have proper sewerage facilities.

"The island's a ticking time bomb," said resort owner Jeff Panlaqui. He fears that Boracay may go the way of other tourist spots that were lost to congestion and pollution.

"It's uncontrolled development. We have to do something," he added.

Last year, tourist arrivals reached 428,755, up from the 339,434 recorded in 2003, according to the Department of Tourism.

[mhe-ann]

that's bad news. hope that all the concerned persons will act immediately.

[Skyblade]

Here's some interesting pics of Boracay. Looks like the AFP is practicing it's anti-terrorism skills esp. w/ the kidnappings:

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20050514/capt.xpr10305141058.philippines_anti_terrorism_exercise_xpr103.jpg?x=380&y=280&sig=Hd6rbkvbMnuPdDzqAsNn6A--

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20050513/i/r3268240605.jpg?x=380&y=240&sig=SE6lPyudxWXZ8NAlHqOoHA--

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20050513/i/r1193344414.jpg?x=380&y=240&sig=Y41yIl2eYOsODaLy7bCTMA--

"A member of the Philippine Navy's anti-terrorism elite force conducts training along a beach of Boracay in central Philippines May 13, 2005. The Philippine government is testing their counter terror skills to protect foreign and local tourists in beach resorts against kidnapping by al Qaeda linked Muslim militants, similar to previous incidents in May 2001. REUTERS/Erik de Castro"

[Edmundtanso]

hmmm........that's not good.......=(

[tinkypot]

another bad news for Boracay guys...

Boracay in critical condition--Durano

Posted 10:27pm (Mla time) May 16, 2005
By Donna Pazzibugan
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A17 of the May 17, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

BORACAY, the country's top tourist spot, is now in "critical" condition due to undisciplined development that has been going on for years, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano.

The island's famed crystal-clear waters and unique white sand beaches are in danger of being lost unless problems on sewerage, garbage disposal and proper construction are addressed now, said Durano.

"The problem of the island is overpopulation. The problem is sustainable development," Durano said in an interview in Boracay Saturday.

"It's at its critical level," he added.

Boracay's beach front has been overcrowded with all sorts of commercial establishments, including hotels and cottages.

Covered creek

A freshwater creek along the beach has been illegally covered and on it were built more establishments.

A number of establishments close to the beach do not have proper sewerage systems.

And Boracay's garbage are thrown into an open dump out of sight of the tourists.

Durano, who was in Boracay for an exercise of the naval task group Stingray, convened for the first time the Boracay Eminent Persons Group that the President formed last April 15.

The others in that meeting were major resort owners I¤igo Zobel and Juan Elizalde representing his father Fred, and secretariat head Connie Padilla.

The other members, Sen. Richard Gordon and Orlando Sacay, external vice president of the Boracay Foundation Inc., a group of major resort owners, were not present.

Put on hold

Durano said there would be no further development on the island, but did not say when the moratorium would start.

Zobel said the moratorium should be a priority. The other priorities, he said, should be to draw up a proper zoning plan and install a sewerage system and garbage disposal system.

"If they can't put up a proper sewerage system, they should not build," he said.

The Environment Department has postponed to June the closure of establishments found to have no proper sewerage systems.

Inspectors said 60 out of the 500 establishments did not have proper sewerage facilities.

"The island's a ticking time bomb," said resort owner Jeff Panlaqui. He fears that Boracay may go the way of other tourist spots that were lost to congestion and pollution.

"It's uncontrolled development. We have to do something," he added.

Last year, tourist arrivals reached 428,755, up from the 339,434 recorded in 2003, according to the Department of Tourism.
That is really sad to hear. When I was in the PI I did notice that the was so much trash just lying about. People would just throw trash out of their car windows with no regard or respect for their own surroundings. I really hope they do some thing about this before the that beautiful island becomes just another trash pile.

[Virtute]

Some pics I took when I was in Boracay 2yrs ago.


http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay1.jpg
The water is so nice.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay2.jpg
Same on this pic.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay4.jpg
The famous leaning coconut tree you see in the old postcard. It's no longer, but I guess other trees will take its place.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay5.jpg
El Centro (owned by Terol Family of Iloilo).

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay6.jpg
Walkway in White Beach: near El Centro, located in the center of White Beach.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay7.jpg
This pic taken right after the rain stopped.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay8.jpg
Stitched several photos together of White Beach.

http://www.montinola.org/pics/skyscrapers/boracay3.jpg
Going back to Caticlan

[chymera00]

Awesome pics, I especially like the one where you "Stitched several photos together of White Beach"

[kiretoce]

:applause: Boracay still looks beautiful, doesn't look too over-developed judging from the photos posted; love the crystal clear waters! :okay:

[Skyblade]

Great pics you got there, Virtute! :D

[612bv3]

Virtute, wonderful pictures, thank you for sharing. :okay: :applause: :bow:

[Edmundtanso]

virtute
very nice pictures, thanks for sharing. it's just so sad how a beautiful place like boracay is going to waste due to pollution problems. i wish that the articles above would get to the gov't, resort owners, and the local people in the island and hopefully something could be done before it's too late =(

[absent-minded]

awesome pictures, vitute!! I love the stitched one...!! great work!

Boracay looks amazing... the water is just.. wow! but yeah, it is really bad news to see that the country's premier tourist destination is already dying. those pics are from two years ago... i hope Boracay is still as nice today. I haven't even been able to go there...

hopefully, the groups that have been formed recently will work with the local governments in Boracay to do something about the pollution problem that should've been dealt with long ago. I hope big developers that are now coming in - like Shangri-la - as well as each of the small resorts will do their part in helping out...

[bagel]

Wow Virtute--- great stuff. Is it me or is that stitched picture ready-made for an SSC banner?

We're going banner crazy these days!

[absent-minded]

Wow Virtute--- great stuff. Is it me or is that stitched picture ready-made for an SSC banner?

We're going banner crazy these days!

haha!! great idea...!! haha! that would be an awesome banner! let's see if vitute wants to...

[Virtute]

Sure guys, use the stitched as a banner if you like.

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping to go back to PI this October and would like to stay for at least 2 months. I'm going to make sure I'll get back to Boracay once again around that time.

Yeah, hopefully they get this polution problem straightened out. More and more people around the world is finding out about Boracay. It would be a shame if it becomes the #1 tourist spot and at the same time the luster and beauty is already gone.

[wecky]

:applause: Boracay still looks beautiful, doesn't look too over-developed judging from the photos posted; love the crystal clear waters! :okay:

I agree Kiretoce ... nothing compares to the crystal water and white sand beach of Boracay ... still the best beach in the Philippines and the premiere tourist destination.

I just love Boracay ... it really feels closer to my heart ( :) )

[wecky]

Sure guys, use the stitched as a banner if you like.

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping to go back to PI this October and would like to stay for at least 2 months. I'm going to make sure I'll get back to Boracay once again around that time.

Yeah, hopefully they get this polution problem straightened out. More and more people around the world is finding out about Boracay. It would be a shame if it becomes the #1 tourist spot and at the same time the luster and beauty is already gone.


great Virtute ... probably we are of the same league when it comes to Boracay ... it is becoming a hotter item here as well in UK ... many Britons are asking about Boracay since they've heard it already. Luckily enough, Filipinos here in London and the rest of United Kingdom loves Boracay, too and promoting it as well .. making it as the "premiere tourist destination in the Philippines". And to tell you frankly, most balikbayans go to Boracay when they go home ... crowded, polluted as it is ... but the charm of Boracay is simply irresistible.

I know that there are other good beaches in the Philippines ... but Boracay is one of its kind ... it's just simply is ... The Paradise Island.

[Peksman]

Gokongweis to run new Boracay airport?
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star 05/16/2005

They are getting tired of waiting for government to expand the Caticlan airport to accommodate larger aircraft. A top Cebu Pacific executive confirmed to us that they are considering getting involved in managing a proposed new airport in place of Caticlan that would be close enough to Boracay so as to also get tourists there in 20 minutes by boat. But the private sector proponents who approached them will have to build the facilities first and the Gokongweis may consider running it on an open skies basis.

The proposed new airport will not be in Aklan province but in Romblon, more specifically, one of the smaller islands in the Tablas group. The Cebu Pacific executive confirmed early reports we received that the proposed airport would be built to accommodate aircraft as large as 747s flying the international routes. Unless they are stalled by government red tape, which is likely, they hope to get the airport ready for the opening of new world class resorts in Boracay by Shangri-La among other chains.

Marketing executives of Cebu Pacific told me it would not be difficult to fly in a significant number of tourists from Korea, Japan and China directly to Boracay via this new airport. I agree with their view that bringing in the tourists directly to the beaches of Boracay and Palawan is the only way we can bring in more legitimate foreign tourists, not just balikbayans. Flying in through Manila is a turn off for potential tourists for a number of valid reasons, like the metro area’s filth and crime.

[chymera00]

Good news ..good news

[Edmundtanso]

gosh....what's the future of boracay? with the current problems of over populated, pollution, garbage to name a few and then a planned international airport? hmmm....something is not right here, i beleive they better get act first on cleaning up boracay and then they could talk about building an international airport.

the island could just handle so many tourists....

[amras]

wah.. baka di na makahinga ang Boracay nyan... hinay hinay lang

[wecky]

good news for Boracay and the rest of region 6 ... soon we'll have 3 international airports in our region.

GO BORACAY GO ... GO BORACAY GO !

[bagel]

What's appealing about Boracay is the fact that it isn't overdeveloped.

I don't think they should do this airport yet. I think they need to make sure they have the infrastructure on the island first before they introduce more tourists. Boracay is on a precipitous journey to ruin.

[ThisFire]

I'm sick and tired and disgusted of all those who just want to cash in on something without having either the slightest knowledge on how things work like environmental issues, cultural issues and other things, not to mention those who don't even have the right to cash in in the first place.

[chymera00]

good news for Boracay and the rest of region 6 ... soon we'll have 3 international airports in our region.

GO BORACAY GO ... GO BORACAY GO !


The airport will be built in Romblon not Aklan ...

[Edmundtanso]

i agree with the others, solved the problems with boracay first, maek sure it's sustainable and them bring in more tourists, the poor island will be trashed in the comming years to come id nothing is being done to solve the garbage, pollution, sewer and etc...

[Peksman]

The Discovery Suites of Manila and Tagaytay fame will be opening its own version of the Discovery Suites, called Discovery Shores on Boracay. This will be the first Manila-based hotelier to set up on Boracay. Estimated opening date: Feb 14, 2006.

Man, Boracay must really be booming. I just saw the Seair website and they now fly to Caticlan every 30 minutes. Wow!

[wecky]

wow ... that's nice to hear Peksman ... more flights to Boracay means more tourists ... undisputed holiday (beach) site for sure .. simply love Boracay. It's my number 1 vacation spot in the list. Guimaras' the next ...

[wecky]

The airport will be built in Romblon not Aklan ...

if GMA's plan will push through, Romblon and Palawan will be included in Western Visayas region soon ... but really whether it will be in Romblon (for Gokongwei) and Aklan (for Phil Government) ... it's really okay. We need to have a better accessibility infras for Boracay if we wanted it to be known worldwide and visited by international tourists.

[wecky]

GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Malay gov’t seeks P1-M assistance

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL


BORACAY – Top officials of the province and the municipality of Malay are getting their acts together to solve the garbage disposal problem of this famed resort island.

Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling requested for P1-million assistance from Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano criticized the island’s uncontrolled development that has resulted to overcrowding of resorts, establishments, poor sewerage system, overpopulation and mounting garbage.

The local government of Malay has been using the open dumpsite near Mt. Luho located at Sitio Lapuz-Lapuz, Brgy. Balabag since the 1990s for Boracay’s garbage. Cawaling said they are now looking for a controlled dumpsite in mainland Malay.

Early on, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has set-up a satellite office here to closely monitor the compliance of resorts and establishments on its solid waste management regulations.

Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino told Panay News that “the assistance from the provincial government will help address the garbage disposal in the island. The fund is expected to improve the garbage disposal system there”.

Under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the local government of Malay must undertake the implementation of the project as early as possible and advise the provincial government on the time frame of the project.

Malay is also obliged to submit a report containing the pertinent information and a financial report of all expenditures duly supported by receipts.


(from PanayNews Online0

[wecky]

Re reply 36 / Amras - are U comparing Talaan (BayWatch) with Boracay? Anyway, I hope that Ilo-Ilo will remain the main gateway, too many tourists will spoil Boracay. Friday's resort is sooo wonderful, it was even featured in a BBC World Service tourism program.

Iloilo City is the gateway to all provinces of Western Visayas ... but Boracay needs its own international airport, I guess. There are two existing airports in Aklan now... the Kalibo (main island) and Caticlan in Boracay ... it will still be a big boost for their own tourism industry if they can have their own international airport. Preferably in Kalibo, not in Boracay island itself.

Right now, Iloilo plays very important role already when it comes to aviation traffic to almost 3 other provinces in Panay Island namely- Capiz, Antique and Guimaras - and partly of Kalibo as well due to Boracay. Once the international airport in Sta Barbara will open, surely, the rest of Panay Island and of Guimaras will all benefit from it.

[Edmundtanso]

The Discovery Suites of Manila and Tagaytay fame will be opening its own version of the Discovery Suites, called Discovery Shores on Boracay. This will be the first Manila-based hotelier to set up on Boracay. Estimated opening date: Feb 14, 2006.

Man, Boracay must really be booming. I just saw the Seair website and they now fly to Caticlan every 30 minutes. Wow!

nge....another hotel to be built in boracay? where are they building all this hotels? the last time i was there it was so crowded already.....no urban planning :bash:

[Virtute]

I once went in to where the locals lived and away from the resorts and I could see garbage dumps and flooded areas everywhere. Not really a sightly place for a tourist to end up although its not were a usual tourist would go to. But all these problems if added together is a huge problem. It's time to have a good garbage disposal system, sewage systems, etc. It's the lack of regulations where people just do whatever they please hence things go out of control.

[berlin]

Aussie woman sentenced to 20 yrs in prison in Bali. I just got back from Hawaii yesterday and I've noticed that there more and more Aussie tourists... Could this verdict benefit Boracay or Hawaii?
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/05/27/corby.appeal/index.html

[612bv3]

^ that crazy! :eek: 20 years!

[Edmundtanso]

I once went in to where the locals lived and away from the resorts and I could see garbage dumps and flooded areas everywhere. Not really a sightly place for a tourist to end up although its not were a usual tourist would go to. But all these problems if added together is a huge problem. It's time to have a good garbage disposal system, sewage systems, etc. It's the lack of regulations where people just do whatever they please hence things go out of control.

i've seen the same thing in boracay, the gov't should do recycling and segregation of garbage, by doing very little is actually becomes dump.

they should also control the poeple living in the island, the main dirt road that runs trough the island looks like something one will see in the metropolis, dusty, no sidewalks and etc.

if the gov't want to make boracay as a world class destination for tourists, then they should get their act first before promoting it.

sorry guys just want to preserve boracay and other beautiful areas in the country

[wecky]

Aussie woman sentenced to 20 yrs in Bali. I just got back from Hawaii yesterday and I've noticed that there more and more Aussie tourists... Could this verdict benefit Boracay or Hawaii?
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/05/27/corby.appeal/index.html


Boracay and Hawaii, I guess Berlin ... who knows .. but Australia is nearer to the Philippines .. I guess, they'll choos Boracay over Hawaii (I wish ... hehehe).

[wecky]

Aklan SP defers Boracay’s ‘one-entry,
one-exit’ scheme
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan deferred the “one-entry one-exit” scheme here. It wanted the local government of Malay to make a thorough study of its implementation first.

The scheme would have utilized the multi-million Sitio Cagban Jetty port and terminal in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc here as sole gateway to the island.

The main objective of the scheme is to tighten the security of Boracay to protect tourists and residents alike.

“The facilities at the Cagban jetty port and the road system going to the port must also be in placed before we could adopt this scheme,” said Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino.

The deferment was agreed by the local government of Malay and SP members during their joint session at Casa Pilar Beach Resort a week ago.

Malay Vice Mayor Floribar Bautista lamented the failure of the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) to cement the remaining roads in Brgy. Balabag and the lack of adequate railings along the roads.

“The question is, are we ready for its (one-entry one-exit) implementation despite the lack of necessary facilities in the jetty port and the unsafe roads from the Cagban jetty port to several points of destinations,” Bautista stressed.

Last April 1, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the provincial government started implementing the “one-entry one-exit”.

But on April 11, Malay mayor Ceciron Cawaling ordered the local police to resume the embarking and unloading of passengers in boat stations at the beachfront pending the adoption of a municipal ordinance for a single entry.

The one-entry one-exit scheme also aims to clean the beachfront of motorized pump boats.



(from Panay News Online)

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

nge....another hotel to be built in boracay? where are they building all this hotels? the last time i was there it was so crowded already.....no urban planning :bash:

World-class resort hotel project in Boracay may be deferred due to DENR ruling

HSAI-Raintree International, a major foreign property development and management group, may put off plans to build a world-class resort hotel in Boracay due to the uncertainty over the government’s statement declaring portions of the island as alienable and disposable (A&D).

Annabel Wisniewski, president and chief executive officer of HSAI-Raintree, said her company and other private groups with plans to put up establishments in Boracay are extremely disappointed about the plan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

HSAI-Raintree manages the deluxe serviced apartments Discovery Suites at the central business district of Ortigas and the Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay.

The company had been preparing to begin construction of its third property project in the Philippines, the Discovery Shores in Boracay, but as a result of DENR’s move, its management is now re-evaluating its plans.

"Even if we are ready to kick off the construction of Discovery Shores, we are being forced to seriously re-think the project," said Wisniewski.

"This could very well be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back in terms of investment in the Philippines. Although property titling is a positive step towards encouraging the private sector to step up their contribution in Boracay, offering currently owned properties to open bidding discourages investors like our group to push through with any further investment and development plans in the island. At this stage, only fools would put in more money in a potentially explosive situation, let alone expose themselves to a financial disaster," she pointed out

Wisniewski noted that rather than supporting and encouraging investors to pour money into the local economy, the government is creating obstacles to progress.

"This is the general sentiment of many private individuals like us who have returned to try to give back to the community. They (government) certainly make it very difficult and discouraging," said Wisniewski.

DENR Secretary Michael T. Defensor said earlier the government will push through with its plans to declare portions of Boracay as A&D lands and subsequently, opening these up for public bidding.

This would make 579.295 hectares of Boracay land as A&D. The area comprises 56.13 percent of the entire 1,032-hectare island-resort. Also, 259.6 hectares or 25.155 percent of the island, will be declared as forest land to be used for plantations and fishponds. A smaller area, 118.6 hectares (or 11.49 percent of the island) will be categorized as protected areas. These will cover parks, buffer zones, and a conservation area for the endangered bat species on the island.

Currently, 98 percent of the lands in Boracay are untitled and most property holdings are substantiated only by tax declarations. These make the operators of hotels and other establishments in the island vulnerable because tax declarations, while recognized as evidence of ownership by government, could be subjected to direct and collateral attack by other parties claiming ownership of said properties.

Defensor said the plan to reclassify certain lands in Boracay as A&D, will enable the government to implement the Boracay Island Master Development Plan. He insisted the titling of the lands will encourage further development and bring in more investments to Boracay.

However, resort owners are also resisting the DENR scheme and are planning to intensify their pitch to prevent the plan from pushing through.

Already, a signature campaign opposing the plan is being led by the Boracay Foundation Inc.(BFI) and a rally will be held next week to bring attention to the resort owners’ plight.

Orlando Sacay, BFI vice-president and owner of Waling-Waling Hotel, said their rights as owners of the land are protected by the Marcos-era Proclamation 1801 which declared Boracay as a tourism zone and marine reserve in 1978.

[_zner_]

yeah. this island is so crowded as if you are in the mall sale. amanpulo in palawan is much better. but no great nightlife anyways... lol

[OtAkAw]

Amanpulo is very much expensive than Boracay.

[wecky]

Too many hotels in a small island is too much already ... i hope they'll regulate the entrance of new businesses in Boracay .. it's too crowded now.

Hope to see Boracay in good state still when my friends and I will visit this coming August. Last year, my family enjoyed a lot of snorkeling, island boating, and swimming (including the drink till you drop ... hahaha). I just love the nightlife in Boracay ... not too much like of Ibiza here in Europe but not too laid back either. It's just a regular one.

I still love to see greeneries around the island, and of course drink potable water and swim in its clean seashore.

[ThisFire]

Gross! Ibiza is so overrated and ugly.

[ThisFire]

Boracay tourists soon to pay P50 environmental fee
By Marichu Villanueva
The Philippine Star 06/06/2005

Boracay Island — Local and foreign tourists in this world-famous destination would have to pay a P50 environmental fee soon after the Aklan provincial board approves on second reading an ordinance imposing it to raise funds for a sanitary landfill.

Rep. Joeben Miraflores, of the lone congressional district of Aklan, told The STAR the other day that the P50 environmental fee may take effect probably this August.

Miraflores said the Aklan provincial government will generate around P28 million based on the 428,000 local and foreign tourists who came to Boracay last year.

In the first quarter of this year alone, Miraflores said tourist arrivals in Boracay reached 201,378 or 47 percent of last year’s total.

"So we expect the tourist arrivals to reach more than the half-million mark by the end of this year," he said.

He said the proceeds of the environmental fee will be more than enough to put up a sanitary landfill in Caticlan where solid wastes and other refuse from Boracay will be transported in barges.

At present, garbage is disposed of in an open dumpsite at the back of the island.

"It is a very expensive solid waste disposal system, but (the proceeds of the environmental fee) will be more than enough to operate it," Miraflores said.

The sight of open garbage and the lack of an efficient waste disposal system have been a bane to the tourist destination, aside from a power shortage which causes occasional 24-hour outages.

While increased tourist arrivals are more than welcome, Miraflores, however, admitted that they have also become a major problem for Boracay, especially those whom resort owners tag as "kaldero" tourists.

The term "kaldero" refers to the pots and pans which vacationing families going to Boracay via roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) ships from Batangas and other Southern Tagalog provinces, use when they camp out on the beaches here instead of staying in resorts.

This is why Boracay resort owners, Miraflores said, charge prohibitive or expensive lodging rates to discourage "poor quality" tourists.

The cheapest rooms on the island cost as much as P250 per night and the most expensive, $250 per night.

Miraflores said the P50 environmental fee would not be much for the tourists if they can afford such lodging rates.

Miraflores thought of imposing an environmental fee when he served as Aklan governor for three consecutive terms.

Boracay is one of the three barangays of the Aklan town of Malay.


GOOD

[wecky]

Gross! Ibiza is so overrated and ugly.

It depends on what you want, ThisFire ... if you went there for a day or two and enjoyed the party, then you'll not say that it is ugly at all ... sometimes we need to explore other things in life and Ibiza can rundown some of it. The place is all party, party, party .. Europe loves Ibiza ... even if they say it's a place of sex, drugs and party.

I've been to several cities of Europe and each of them offered and catered different things to all sort of tourist. We can't say how ugly the place is if we are not living there 24 hours a day, 7days a week and 30 days a month ... a mere experience and reading about certain place can caution us for impending danger but to state that one place is great and beautiful while others are ugly is but a nonsense comment. If that will be the case then there will be no people to reside on it. We tourists just drop by for a visit .. we barely seen the real charm and likelihood of it.

I have good experiences in Ibiza .. and all I can say is that, the place is lovely and wild .. just what i looked for "sometimes".

[wecky]

Boracay tourists soon to pay P50 environmental fee



[B]another fundraising drive ... hehehe ... but why not, if it will be of great help to Boracay? Most tourists can definitely afford 50 pesos anyway ... at least, that 50 pesos can help and use for environment protection (unless they'll corrupt it, too). We'll just be positive then. And an additional of fifty pesos will not dampen tourist's enthusiasm in visiting the place, I guess.

[Jefferyi]

Does anybody know when this algal bloom in Boracay usually start and end every year? Having visited it a couple months ago it was quiet a little disappointing seeing these algae ruining the otherwise perfect White Beach. The other side of the island seem to not have this problem though.

[OtAkAw]

I hate seeing those kaldero tourists. Yung mga tipong BARYOTIC!
Anyways, pangit nga tignan ang kulay blue na tubig sa shore tapos may lulutang lutang na berdeng kung anu man yun...

[ThisFire]

It depends on what you want, ThisFire ... if you went there for a day or two and enjoyed the party, then you'll not say that it is ugly at all ... sometimes we need to explore other things in life and Ibiza can rundown some of it. The place is all party, party, party .. Europe loves Ibiza ... even if they say it's a place of sex, drugs and party.

I've been to several cities of Europe and each of them offered and catered different things to all sort of tourist. We can't say how ugly the place is if we are not living there 24 hours a day, 7days a week and 30 days a month ... a mere experience and reading about certain place can caution us for impending danger but to state that one place is great and beautiful while others are ugly is but a nonsense comment. If that will be the case then there will be no people to reside on it. We tourists just drop by for a visit .. we barely seen the real charm and likelihood of it.

I have good experiences in Ibiza .. and all I can say is that, the place is lovely and wild .. just what i looked for "sometimes".

Like I said, it's overrated and ugly.

[Mango]

BOI okays P560-M Boracay resort hotel proj
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 07/08/2005

The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the tourism project of Southern Visayas Property Holdings Inc. (SVPHI) in Boracay.

SVPHI is investing P560 million to put up a resort hotel in Boracay that will be named Discovery Shores Boracay. SVPHI is wholly owned by the Discovery Leisure Company Inc.

The resort hotel will be built on a 7,920 square meter beachfront lot in a prime portion of Boracay island.

Discovery Shores will have five accommodation clusters that will each house 88 hotel rooms. Each unit has connecting doors that open to the adjacent unit affording large group access to each other.

A standard feature that will set the Discovery Shores apart will be the full length glass partitions in the toilets and baths fronting individual rock gardens giving guests the ultimate feel of a resort hotel.

Discovery will hire 105 workers to run the resort. "Boracay is one of the most beautiful and sought after beach in the world. By putting in place accommodation facilities, we increase the marketability of our scenic and vacation spots," Trade and Industry Secretary Juan Santos said.

The BOI approved the project, which then entitles it for fiscal perks such as income tax holiday, because government recognizes tourism as a major dollar earner.

The BOI strongly promotes private investments in much needed tourism infrastructure.

The BOI had previously approved another resort in Boracay as a tourism economic zone (TEZ).

Boracay Eco-Village Resort had been approved a TEZ during the term of Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar V. Purisima.

The Department of Tourism has reported that beach resort destinations in the country have increased tourist bookings as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that affected Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, India and Sri Lanka six months ago.

The eco-village project is located in Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.

It has a land area of 79.21 hectares and is being developed and operated by Boracay Property Holdings, Inc. (BPHI), a 100-percent Filipino-owned corporation based in Eastgate Center, Mandaluyong City.

BPHI was formerly owned by Ayala Hotels Inc., however, in June 2003, BPHI was acquired by Equinox Land Corp., Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc. and other investors.

Boracay Eco-Village Resort’s current locator, the Boracay Beachfront Properties Inc. has already invested $6 million for the world-class amenities and accommodations in the area.

Areas declared as TEZs provide all tourism-oriented facilities and activities such as sports and recreation centers, accommodation, convention and cultural facilities, food and beverage outlets, commercial establishments and other special interest and attraction activities/establishments, and provided with roads, water supply facilities, power distribution facilities, drainage and sewage systems and other necessary infrastructure and public utilities.

Developers/operators and locator-enterprises engaged in tourism-oriented activities and who are registered with the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) will enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

[Edmundtanso]

another resort for boracay and they havent even settle the waste problem, ano ba yan =(

[JoeyIncali]

another resort for boracay and they havent even settle the waste problem, ano ba yan =(
Dat is sad.
They need to stop being so greedy b/c someday they will ruin it for everyone.

[Edmundtanso]

i dont get it joeyincali....makes me so upset...

[JoeyIncali]

i dont get it joeyincali....makes me so upset...
Just flat out greed. They're just there to make a quick profit and might leave the place ruined for everyone years from now.
You build a major hotel there means more untreated seawage going to the ocean.
If some corporation is building an 88-room hotel there, they better have a ferry boat to haul their trash weekly. They better have seawage treatment facility.
Thank God nobody has built any major hotels down in Mati, Davao Oriental. At least, only the locals enjoy the fine beaches there.
Boracay is too commercialized already. They need to stop advertising Boracays to the Koreans, Japanese and Europeans already.

[chymera00]

Satellite pic of Boracay
Beaches on all corners!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/boracay.jpg

[Edmundtanso]

cool...really too bad on the waste problems there