Boracay Sun | May 2017 Issue

MAY 2017 ISSUE | VOL. VII NO. 04 | BORACAY’S MONTHLY NEWS ON RECYCLED PAPER

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SUMMER HIGH KAREN BERMEJO

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he northeast monsoon has ended, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Thus, it’s officially summertime in the Philippines.

While it feels like it’s always summer in Boracay, the month of May, which is likely the peak of summer in the country, signifies exciting times. The month begins with the much-hyped Laboracay, a festive celebration to pay tribute to our working men and women.

Going four years now, Laboracay is considered the busiest time in this world-famed island, loaded with series of beach activities and parties. This year, over 60,000 tourists are expected to flock here again.

Summertime in this resort island is not complete, as well, without the yearly Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival. Now on its 11th year, the international event gathered over 1,000 paddlers from all over the Philippines and the world.

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COMPLETE LIST WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE...

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IN THE NEWS EXPAT FILES 7107 ISLANDS HEALTH CENTERFOLD LIFESTYLE ENVIRONMENT

The annual event held on April 20 to 22 this year is considered as the one of the biggest water sports event in the Philippines which also draws more tourists to the island. It was organized by the Boracay Island Paddlers Association (BIPA) in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Malay and is supported by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines.

As the heat index rises, the influx of tourists in Boracay is likewise expected to go up; a proof that Boracay remains a favorite summer destination.

7107 ISLANDS

PUKA Beach: A Boracay Haven

11th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival

Pros & Cons of Living and Working Remotely In Boracay

Mangrove planting, beach run mark Earth Day in Boracay

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The Flashpacker’s Guide To Moalboal

LIFESTYLE

ENVIRONMENT

EXPAT FILES

OF GENDER EQUALITY AND GIRL POWER

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It is heartwarming to know men are active on the initiatives against discrimination and violence against women and children, and that the police force sees, acknowledges and acts on the dangers women and girls face daily be it physical or verbal abuse or discrimination for being the “weaker sex”.

We applaud the Philippine government’s initiatives on the protection of our sex (yes, we are mostly women in Boracay Sun).

In QC for example, we see posters and billboards saying “Mahal ang Mambastos sa Quezon City”, protecting women and girls. And do you know that the Philippines is No. 1 in gender equality in Asia?

In the 2016 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines remain the highest ranked country in the Asia-Pacific region, and kept its 7th spot in the most gender-equal society among 144 economies in the world.

Indeed, we are acknowledged and protected, ladies. We only have to assert our rights and call on that girl power. And do feel free to wear that bikini in Boracay beaches. Our island is known as a safe haven for lone women travelers.

Alas, summer is not just the time for beaches and bikinis though. It is also the time when tropical illnesses and diseases abound. The Department of Health warns of the so-called Summer 6S - sunburn, sore eyes, heat stroke, skin diseases, sunburn and stomach ailments.

It is important to hydrate. Go buy that fruitshake or rumcoke but be sure to follow-up with water. As always, water is our friend. And it’s ever fun to wash of our hands with soap and water while singing the nursery rhyme, I Have Two hands. We can never be too careful. After all, summer is THAT time of the year – we just can’t miss it.

COVER

YOUR BORACAY SUN FAMILY

By Alva Alvarez

WWW.BORACAYSUN.COM Managing Editor KAREN BERMEJO Guest Editors BLANCHE BASCO & BETH JALEA Art Director ALVA ALVAREZ

MA. TERESA FAJILAN

…the truth of LIFE is… all DIE so... enjoy life; give your best (kindness, love, smile); stay happy always (except if you are happy experiencing the other emotions) LIVE… you are LOVED! ~ MTFB Life is about balance. Be kind, but don’t let people abuse you. Trust, but don’t be deceived. Be content, but never stop improving… ~Wings of Encouragement KARMA What goes around comes around. Keep your circle POSITIVE. Speak good words. Think good thoughts. Do good deeds. ~ Positive Outlooks A Strong woman loves, forgives, walks away, lets go, tries again, perseveres… no matter what life throws at her. ~ WomenWorking.com

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Columnists JOEL JAMES CUBILLAS, KLAUS DORING, HOLLY GOLIGHTLY, SPO1 CHRISTOPHER DEL ROSARIO MENDOZA Contributors JUN ARIOLO AGUIRRE, PAUL DRECKSLER, MARIAN CASTRO - ORDILLO Contributing Photographers PAUL DRECKSLER, ISLA GRAPIKA, PAULO VIOLAS Publisher THE BORACAY WALLSTREET INC. President & CEO MA. TERESA FAJILAN Sales and Marketing Manager MICHELLE ELIZON Operations Manager JOANN “AJ” BARRIOS Boracay Sun Office

Monaco Crossing Tulubhan, Manoc Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5608 editor@boracaywallstreet.com

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Telephone: (+63 36) 288 2582 Mobile: (+63 917) 850 1271 Email: ads.boracaysun@boracaywallstreet.com

Copyright © April 2014 Boracay Sun. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines.

Except as permitted by law, no part of the Boracay Sun may be used, reproduced or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Boracay Sun. The publisher accepts no liability for the content correctness of any advertisement and reserves the right for editorial freedom of the press under the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines Article III (Bill of Rights) Section 4.

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Malay drafts cultural heritage map

IN THE NEWS requires local government units to make an inventory of their cultural properties and document and preserve their traditional and contemporary arts.

Part of the project also is the creation of a book that will contain all the significant historical treasures of the town.

Meanwhile, a graduation activity was held to recognize the contribution of the people involved on April 7. The activity was attended by the local officials of Malay and representatives from CCP, UST, Department of Education of Aklan and Provincial Government of Aklan.

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Cultural tourism

The cultural heritage mapping project is initiated by the Malay Municipal Tourism Office in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Salvador likewise highlighted the importance of having a cultural map in every municipality in the country saying that it is an asset for an LGU.

ut of the 17 municipalities of Aklan, Malay is the first and only in the province that now boasts of its own cultural heritage map. The cultural map is eyed to further promote heritage conservation and bring more tourists to mainland Malay.

As part of the project, 51 public elementary and secondary school teachers and councilors were tasked to conduct the barangay-level survey of heritage resources, covering 17 barangays from November 2016 to March this year.

“This will serve as basis in the creation of cultural tourism activities in mainland Malay as well as in Boracay,” said Rex Aguirre, in-charge of the Culture and the Arts and Events of Malay Municipal Tourism Council.

The project is in line with the Republic Act 10066 also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which

While Boracay enjoys its popularity for its white-sand beaches, Eva Mari Salvador, department manager of CCP Arts Education said, the mainland could also get a share of the island’s tourists for its culture.

“Culture mapping research is not simply an academic endeavor, but it is a journey of discovering the culture,” Salvador stressed.

She said the cultural map can likewise serve as basis to produce new content that can be used in the indigenization of the academic curriculum, new contents to develop and express through performing arts and even new policies which can be considered in the governance of Malay.

Citing Japan as an example, Salvador said more tourists now prefer culture-based tourism that is more interactive and personal. “Cultural tourism is the new trend,” she added.

BFI CORNER

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Improved electric power supply in Boracay assured JUN ARIOLO AGUIRRE

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he National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has assured the member-consumers of Aklan Electric Cooperative in Boracay that there will be an improved transmission of electricity from here on.

Engr. Dante Colpano, NGCP Project Head Visayas Project Division, said that they had completed the 138 KV Transmission in Panit-an, Nabas, which connects Boracay to the grid.

“Some of our electrical poles have been devastated by the super typhoon Yolanda in 2013. We had to restore it. Memberconsumers especially in Boracay have been complaining of the series of power interruptions in the previous months.

The three-year project was completed last March 26,” he said in a recent stakeholders’ forum.

Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay released a position paper against the series of power interruptions experienced in this resort island.

Despite these series of power interruptions, the NGCP maintained that they did not receive any complaints or reports regarding electrical appliance damages due to power failures.

Engr. Joel Martinez, chief of the AKELCO Operations Division, however, said that Boracay may still experience incidents of power failures due to upgrades in the distribution facilities in the island.

“Boracay consumers have been complaining of frequent brownouts.

Among the causes are flying kites that touch the electrical wires, lizards, birds and snakes; strong winds and climate change also contribute to these. To address this problem, we are starting this year with the upgrade of our major system in Boracay,” Martinez said.

Boracay Foundation President, Mr. Dionisio Salme and SKY Cable executives during the exchange of plaque of appreciation for the successful advocacy partnership for the BFI’s REEFurbishment program during the SKYathon 2017 on April 22. Part of the proceeds of the annual run is donated to the BFI for the continuity of its environmental projects.

The AKELCO is initially allocating P19 million for the system upgrade. They had already submitted the intent to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the CAPEX project.

“We hope to finish the upgrading this year,” he said.

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POLICE DESK

IN THE NEWS

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SPO1 CHRISTOPHER DEL ROSARIO MENDOZA

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M.O.V.E. is an organization of principled men whose members have dedicated themselves to be actively involved in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women particularly violence against women and children (VAWC).

This organization seeks to: speak out against VAW; examine, propose and formulate total male involvement and actions in the elimination of VAW; form partnerships and linkages with similar groups working on VAW, locally and internationally; organize and conduct researches, studies and forums in recognition of the social effects of VAW for policy and program development; and establish resource network on VAW. PSSUPT Christopher E Tambungan, Deputy Regional Director for Operation of Police Regional Office 6 graced the conference. present

MAY 2017

4th PNP M.O.V.E. National Conference

he PNP M.O.V.E. or the Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere conducted the 4th PNP M.O.V.E. National Conference at Aklan PPO Multipurpose Hall on March 30 which was attended by the national, regional, and provincial officers of different MOVE organizations nationwide.

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PSUPT

Elmar

Sillador of Police Regional Office 8, National President of PNP MOVE; PSUPT Michael R Tuscano, VP for Luzon; PSUPT Lope Macauba, VP for Visayas; PSUPT Eric Dampal, VP for Mindanao; PSUPT Frande Echaluce, National Secretary; PSUPT Enrique Belcina, Executive Vice President; SPO1 Michael Pontoy of Aklan PPO, Asst National Treasurer and SPO2 Michael Mendones, National Coordinator.

MOVE Regional Officers from PRO6 and Aklan PPO MOVE Provincial Officers led by SPO4 Franklin Salazar, Acting President also attended.

The conference talked on the accomplishments of the different MOVE regional offices, the incoming Training of Trainers on MOVE Orientation and the activities for the 5th PNP MOVE Summit which will be held on November 2017 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Paul Adrian Pelayo, President of Provincial Government of Aklan Employees Association and Jesebel Vidal, GAD Provincial Coordinator presented the GAD Programs and Best Practices in Aklan Province.

The Province of Aklan was recognized as GAD Learninghub Province as declared by the Philippine Council of Women.

New police assistance desk at City Mall-Boracay installed SPO1 CHRISTOPHER DEL ROSARIO MENDOZA

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he Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) established another Police Assistance Desk located at the vicinity of City Mall-Boracay.

The establishment of said assistance desk was sponsored by City MallBoracay thru the initiative of RAdmiral Leonard Tirol, adviser/consultant of Boracay Action Group and member of Boracay PNP advisory council.

A simple blessing and ceremonial turn-over was conducted which was officiated

by Fr Tudd Belandres of Holy Rosary Parish Church-Boracay on April 11, and attended by PSSUPT Lope Manlapaz, Aklan Police Provincial Office OIC; BTAC Chief PSINSP Jess P Baylon, other BTAC personnel, Arch Nieven Maquirang, Administrator of Caticlan Jetty Port and members of Boracay Action Group.

The activity is part of the security preparation for the holy week and summer vacation which is expected to draw significant tourist numbers in the island.

Records show that a total of 54, 887 including local celebrities flocked and observed this holy week which is 23 percent higher compared to last year.

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EXPAT FILES

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MAY 2017

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Somebody needs our advice because he or she is facing a difficult decision or homelessness or living alone or losing the job. Sure, why not?

Somebody suffers overwhelming prejudice, provocation and loss of reputation and needs badly the involvement of another helping hand. Sure, why not?

Because of indifference, we keep on destroying our good nature and the whole globe by unintentional or international contamination of the environment.

Indifference allows war instead of looking for peace.

Indifference allows man to hide behind stupid excuses.

Indifference goes so far that the employees of a company do not care about their work and jobs by wasting time and money of the company. They must not be surprised if inevitable bankruptcy results.

BAHALA NA! KLAUS DORING

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rom the sheer goodness of one’s heart - are we really doing even small things for our fellow creatures? Hey, don’t you see it? We are becoming more and more uninterested.

We live without concern. We are not making the difference. We even don’t try or think about it. We have no influence or weight - neither good nor bad.

Is that really what we want?

The taxi driver has learned his way and makes a detour without his conscience pricking him in taking my purse: “Nong, asa ka?” “Diretso lang!” ... “Sorry Sir!” As an expatriate living in the Philippines now for more than 18 years, I do experience this wherever I go and wherever I stay in this wonderful country.

Philippines - my second and last home. Yes, I do have my grave here already!

On the other hand, while walking later a short distance somewhere downtown in Davao City, I don’t care about the (blind?) beggar, who might really need any single centavo. Many other “business beggars” or swindlers have dulled so much my usually open handed character. Bahala na - suddenly, I don’tcare!

Bahala na? I don’t care? Another human scourge...!

Several years ago, while riding a jeepney (yes, I always loved to do so!), I listened to two passengers.

“You know, our neighbor suffers from lung cancer. He asked me a loan because he needs to be hospitalized.”

“And, what did you do?” - ‘Wala, nothing, bahala siya.

Why did he never quit smoking as I have told him already long time ago!”

Well, here we are! Why should I help other people around me, if, on the other side, my cries of help or urgent appeals have been rejected, as intentionally unanswered? Indifference or egoism? It seems to be a privilege for us to close our eyes, ears, and mouth in such an indifferent and shameful way, that we hurt those, who seek our attention.

Somebody tries to become our friend. Sure, why not?

Somebody was hired as a leader and needs the support of his or her staff. Sure, why not?

Somebody is ill and is suffering from persecution and needs us. Sure, why not?

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

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The Flashpacker’s Guide To

Moalboal HOLLY GOLIGHTLY

PHOTOS BY PAULO VIOLAS

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anagsama Beach, a short drive from the bustling Moalboal proper, is a sleepy little town with a lot of hidden gems.

Located at the south-west edge of Cebu, a long, finger-shaped island lying in the Central Visayas, the island was recently voted Number Five Best Island in the World by Conde Nast Traveler.

Landing at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, we chose to take a taxi down to Panagsama. Costing us 2,200php, this is certainly the more expensive way to travel, however it’s much quicker than taking the five-hour bus – we were excited to reach our destination early!

After a pleasant two-and-a-half-hour drive through the mountains, coastal roads and along the charmingly named ‘Vegetable Highway’, we arrived at Panagsama Beach. Don’t be fooled by the name; Panagsama Beach itself is not a destination for avid beach-lovers; the beach is small, with dark sand and rocks, but it’s clean, and spectacular snorkelling is just a few meters away off a magnificent drop-off. The little town is tiny, but jam-packed with a fantastic range of international eateries and plenty of places to stay, for all budgets.

We were, however, very surprised to find that a lot of the town’s most popular accommodations were booked up for weeks in advance. As a backpacker, I prefer to rock up somewhere, assess the place, prices and details, and then decide. Normally this works, however, this is one spot in Asia I’d recommend planning and booking in advance if you want the accommodation and dive shop of your choice.

We initially wanted to stay in the huts at Maya’s, but they were booked a month ahead. Happily though, we were pointed in the direction of Pacita’s by the friendly foreign locals. Set in a lush, colorful garden, the large, clean rooms were cool and affordable at 1,000php per night, but booking for a week saw the price come down to 800php. Next, there were the many, many dive shops to choose from…

The Underwater World Diving is the main draw to Panagsama.

The area offers some of the most spectacular diving in the Philippines, if not Asia; whale sharks and thresher sharks have been spotted in local waters, there are turtles, too and incredible macro-life just off the house reefs and Pescador Island. And, of course, the jaw-dropping sardine run. This alone, is a reason to visit – you don’t have to be a diver either, as the massive shoal of tiny fish hangs out just beyond the drop-off, which is metres from the shore.

It’s a freediver and snorkeler’s heaven!

There are many dive shops to choose from and with that, many price points.

As always, don’t necessarily just go for the cheapest, make sure you do your research. One of the most popular is Cebu Divers, run by a friendly Brit, Cameron. His shop offers professional diving for some of the best prices in the Philippines, but you MUST book in advance if you want to dive here.

We dived with Neptune Diving Adventure as Cameron was fully booked and we had a great experience- wellpriced dives, good equipment and a

pleasant dive shop with a great upstairs bar/resto boasting a stunning view over the water. Our guide was friendly and relaxed, but note that you may only dive for up to 60 minutes.

Diving with the sardine run on the house drop-off was incredible and an absolute must-do – we were also lucky enough to spot a fluorescent Mandarin Fish on the same dive.

Pescador Island is also worth a look, but it’s very popular and can become crowded. You’ll see why though, as this dive offers spectacular, colorful coral gardens and cathedral-like walls – much like the famous Apo Reef in the Mindoro Strait. Also look out for the electrifying electric clams at Tongo Point – they’re almost alien-like…

Eat, Drink and Adventure!

There are so many places to eat at in this little town and the food was of good standard in most of the places we visited. Maya’s does a spectacular pre-adventure breakfast: try the huge breakfast burrito or the American breakfast, the bacon is to die for (they also have very good Wi-Fi if you have to connect!).

For dinner, we discovered The Last Filling Station at Tipolo’s just over the road from Maya’s, for really good thincrust pizzas. Very affordable, they start at just 195php. Best of all, their wine was a snip at 90php a glass, some of the cheapest we’ve seen on our travels – and it was drinkable, too! This is also the place to book your Kawasan Falls Canyoning through their adventure

company, Planet Action – a trip that is certainly not to be missed! The friendly owner talked us through the day’s adventuring and we couldn’t wait to sign up. We booked to go the following day and had the time of our lives. You can also rent decent mountain bikes, go caving, horse riding, trekking and more.

If seafood is your thing, then the place to head to is The Pleasure Principle. A friendly, buzzy restaurant, they give you a free appetizer to whet your palette.

For sunset drinks, we’d head down to the little bar on the Pacita’s beachfront.

Rhumcokes were 60php (and strong!), and you could sit on beanbags to watch the sun go down on another day.

A week in Panagsama goes by very quickly. There is so much to do and so many places to discover despite it being so tiny. The great thing is it doesn’t feel crowded or overly ‘touristy’; quite the opposite. You can easily walk everywhere, but can rent scooters if you wish to head out of Panagsama itself to explore the rest of the area’s charms.

Why go? For incredible diving and snorkelling, and to experience the unearthly blue Kawasan Falls canyoning adventure Top tips: Research and book your dive shop and accommodation in advance, it’s a popular place What to bring? For canyoning you must bring trainers/sneakers. A waterproof bag for adventuring and going on the boats is useful, too. Don’t forget your licence if you want to rent motorbikes.

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7107 ISLANDS

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Puro Island:

A place perfect for retirement JOEL JAMES CUBILLAS

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uro Island, Tablas, Romblon is virtually an uncharted territory.

To my knowledge, the place is yet to be featured by Jessica Soho, Balitang K, Byahe ni Drew or any other shows that showcase amazing travels and destinations.

The diminutive island has all the makings of a great travelogue: fine, yellowish, Boracay-esque sand, deep blue waters that gradients to its crimson shallows and its green, calm surroundings are a delight to tourists and locals alike.

This seemingly remote island is only a 15-minute boat ride away from mainland Tablas. Electric service is also present, add in the inexpensive Romblomanon lifestyle and top it with vast hectare of lands with promising qualities for agriculture and livestock, then one would have a self-sustaining haven.

Now, one may say that retiring in such an island is a stretch: that the absence of an immediate neighborhood, the inexistence of a quick access to modern amenities, or basically a life of independency is only for the rich and famous.

Again, in Romblon, especially in Puro, lifestyle is

This small parcel of land south of Sta. Fe also boasts of an ample shoreline and an equally winding streak of coconut trees. It is ideal for retirees, partners and families who’d like to waste their time away.

Puro is a hidden gem to say the least.

There were only a few residents when we visited the place last April. There were actually only the three of us, myself and my two friends along with local boatmen and farm/resort tenants.

This place is so alluring that it makes one wish to retire at this minute coastal community.

and should be cheap. The place, in some points, is the complete opposite of party island Boracay and Metropolis Manila.

Here, one need not be a millionaire to exist and survive.

It is a place where one is obliged to live like the locals: to sustain life in simplistic ways and to appreciate the raw beauty of the lands and the seas and its gifts; aren’t those the true essence of a happy retired life?

Now, please hold my buko juice while I save up for my future retirement home.

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7107 ISLANDS

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PUKA Beach: A Boracay Haven MARIAN CASTRO-ORDILLO

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he Island of Boracay is known internationally for its fine stretches of white sand beaches, the vibrant nightlife and a wide variety of fun water sports and activities. Aside from enjoying the perfect sunset and a pleasurable beach experience that caters to visitors of all ages, not a minute will you feel abandoned at all because of tons of great establishments to hang out. The abundance of convenience stores, restaurants, ATMs and budget-friendly hotels everywhere is another reason we could credit for the stress-free and profound tourism on the island.

However, not all tourists are crowd-loving creatures. There are still others who would rather have some peace and quiet, while savoring the beauty of this part of the globe. If you ask the local Aklanons where to go, they would tell you right away that the best place to enjoy Boracay at its finest would be, the Puka Beach.

Yapak Beach or more popularly known as Puka Shell Beach or simply, Puka Beach is an 800-meter long beach haven located at Boracay’s northern tip in Malay, Aklan. The name, Puka Beach, originated from the abundance of export-quality puka shells within the coast, which has been one of the local industry resource aside from fishing and tourism.

For as low as P1500 (6 pax), we were able to rent this boat for a 3-hour -island hopping and snorkeling.

You can bring your own snorkeling gear, but you can also rent out, each for P100, at the spot where the boats were docked.

You can easily reach it thru riding a tricycle, by renting an all-terrain vehicle or maybe a motorcycle, perhaps, if you are a thrill-seeker. The best way I could recommend, though, is by taking a boat ride (ours took only half an hour from Station 2), so you might as well enjoy sightseeing, island hopping and snorkeling on the side before reaching the lovely Puka Beach.

The first time I set foot on this place, I was like, “I want to live here forever!”.

I fell in love with the view right there and then. The sand on this part of the island may not be as white and as fine as that of the infamous White Beach of

The coarse mixture of white sand and puka shells feels so good to dig your feet in.

Boracay, but the water is as clear and is as equally stunning. Literally, it is like looking at a post card in the flesh. No wonder, Puka Beach has been listed in CNN’s ‘World’s 100 Best Beaches’ in 2013.

This is the first time I have done snorkeling. It is a big leap for me for I have a big fear of the water since I cannot swim. The beauty of Boracay totally took out all my inhibitions. Thanks to my life vest, too.

Unlike in any other parts of the island, this spot is totally unspoiled and unconsumed; hence, you will not see many establishments around--the more reason to enjoy the beach, instead. If you are planning to spend the rest of the day at Puka Beach but you are at a budget, it would be better to grab some pack lunch and some snack beforehand. Food and drinks are available here but it is a bit pricey since there is only a handful of sellers around. You can probably bring a beach roundie or towel as well, if you want to save a few bucks rather than buy or rent from the stalls.

The waves at Puka Beach are a bit stronger than the White Beach but is still swimmable. The best time to take a dip would be from early morning to late afternoon during clear weathers, but night swimming would not be a bad idea, though. The waters of Puka Beach are one of the best dive sites around the island, too. Hence, you can have an undersea adventure and explore the beautiful and amazing corals and sea creatures beneath the waves.

The beach is lined up with small shabby shops, where you can grab some bites and drinks if you have none on tow. There are also lounge chairs where you can rest to probably get some tan, read a book or simply relax and enjoy the serene surroundings, but of course, nothing beats getting all messy in the sand!

That’s me in my LA Laker cheerleading uniform (Lol!), rather, my purple and yellow rashguard, together with my high school BFFs, making memories at the beautiful Puka Beach. Do not forget to find this spot where you can take your obligatory photo by the shore, in bold letters, literally.

Indeed, like what our boat driver said, you have not really been to Boracay, if you have never visited the Puka Beach. Hanging out here is one of my favorite Boracay memories and for sure, this will be among the few places that I would always come back to.

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HEALTH

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MAY 2017

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KAREN BERMEJO

DOH issues warning against summer diseases JUN ARIOLO AGUIRRE

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he Department of Health in Western Visayas warned beachgoers in this resort island to be vigilant against the so-called “6S of summer”.

protection and a bottle of water. One must also wear colored shirts so that it would be cool to our eyes,” she said.

This is in line with the recent announcement of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that summer has officially started in the Philippines.

Convocar said tourists and residents must also avoid long exposure to the sun as it may cause problems to their health in the long run.

The 6S of summer includes sunburn, sore eyes, heat stroke, skin diseases, sunburn and stomach ailments, according to Dr. Marilyn Convocar, DOH regional director.

“Tourists who are visiting the beaches like that of Boracay should bring for themselves sunblock

She also stressed the importance of drinking enough water in a day, which is eight to 12 glasses of water apart from other fluids.

“It’s very important to hydrate. Drink clean water even if you are not thirsty, and that’s outside of other fluids. Drinking fruit juice and similar liquids are not

counted as a glass of water,” she added.

Proper and frequent hand washing should also be observed to avoid sore eyes or conjunctivitis, a condition which may lead to blindness.

Cough, colds and flu also easily spread during the summer, which is why the DOH –Western Visayas reminded the elderly to get their flu vaccine shots before the onset of the flu season in June.

She also warned against swimming in dirty water or unmaintained public swimming pools.

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CENTERFOLD

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Over 1,000 paddlers join 11th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival KAREN BERMEJO

PHOTOS BY ISLA GRAPIKA

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ver 1,000 local and international paddlers from 33 teams compete in the 11th Boracay Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival tournament held last April 20 to 22.

The annual event organized by Boracay Island Paddlers Association (BIPA) in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Malay and supported by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines gathered teams from all over the country and international squads from Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar and United Stated, among others, to compete in the event which was held along the shores of the White Beach.

This year’s tournament is considered as the biggest as dragon boat teams race in five lanes instead of four.

Another exciting year will also be ahead of the paddlers as next year’s tournament is already pushing through as announced during the awarding ceremony held at Henann Regency.

Among the victorious teams this year are the following: 250M Race Women’s Small Boat 1st – Philippine Titans 2nd – Singapore Barbarians C 3rd – DBS Asia Dragons 4th – Gruppo Habagat 5th – Boracay Dragonflies Women’s Standard Boat 1st – Filipino Dragons Singapore 2nd – Singapore Barbarians 3rd – Team DNA 4th – Boracay Bumbshells Women’s Masters Small Boat 1st – Boracay Bumbshells 2nd – Team DNA A 3rd – Team DNA B 4th – Team DPW Mixed Small Boat 1st – Onslaught Racing Qatar 2nd – Boracay Sea Dragons 3rd – Pyros 4th – Philippine Titans B 5th – UAE United DB Team Mixed Masters Small Boat 1st – Gruppo Habagat 2nd – Boracay Dragonforce 3rd – Filipino Dragons Singapore 4th – Team DNA A 5th – Kiyah Sands Singapore Mixed Standard 250 1st – Philippine Titans 2nd – Pyros 3rd – Gruppo Habagat 4th – Boracay Dragonforce 5th – R. Lapids Amnsinaya

Men’s Standard Boat 1st – Boracay Air Force 2nd – Philippine Titans 3rd – Boracay Sea Dragons 4th – Philippine Tiger Sharks 5th – Cebu Dragons

Mixed Small Boat 1st – Shangri La Flying Foxes 2nd – Team Hilera 3rd – DBS Asia Dragons 4th – Seahawks 5th – BGC Stormy Dragons

500M Race

Women’s Standard Boat 1st – Singapore Barbarians-A 2nd – Filipino Dragons Singapore 3rd – Boracay Bumbshells 4th – Team DNA

Men’s Standard Finals 1st – Boracay Airforce 2nd – Philippine Titans 3rd – Shangri La Flying Foxes 4th – Boracay Sea Dragons 5th – Pyros Mixed Masters Small Boat 1st – Gruppo Habagat 2nd – Boracay Dragonflies 3rd – Team DNA-A 4th – Kiyah Sands Singapore Men’s Small Boat 1st – PNP Maritime 2nd – Boracay Airforce-B 3rd – Philippine Titans-A 4th – Gruppo Habagat 5th – Boracay Dragonforce Mixed Standard Boat 1st – Philippine Titans 2nd – Pyros 3rd – Boracay Dragonforce 4th – Shangri La Flying Foxes 5th – Gruppo Habagat Women’s Small Boat 1st – Philippine Titans 2nd – Team DPW USA 3rd – Boracay Dragonflies 4th – DBS Asia Dragons 5th – Filipino Dragons Singapore

Men’s Standard 1st – Boracay Airforce 2nd – Philippine Titans 3rd – Shangri La Flying Foxes 4th – Boracay Sea Dragons 5th – Pyros Mixed Masters Small Boat 1st – Gruppo Habagat 2nd – Boracay Dragonflies 3rd –Team DNA-A 4th – Kiyah sands Singapore Men’s Small Boat 1st – PNP Maritime 2nd – Boracay Airforce-B 3rd – Philippine Titans-A 4th – Gruppo Habagat 5th – Boracay Dragonforce Mixed Standard 1st – Philippine Titans 2nd – Pyros 3rd – Boracay Dragonforce 4th – Shangri La Flying Foxes 5th – Gruppo Habagat

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Pros & Cons of Living and Working Remotely In Boracay PAUL DRECKSLER

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ike all digital nomads, I’m in search of paradise. Constantly looking for the next place to call home for a few months that offers a perfect mix of beauty, culture, comfort, and most importantly… fast WiFi! In my pursuit of digital nomadic paradise, I journeyed to Boracay, Philippines. If you’ve researched Philippines for more than five minutes, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Boracay, the playground for Filipinos and tourists alike. But popular tourist destinations aren’t always the most productive places for nomads. As I write this, I’ve been in Boracay for twenty five days, which I feel is long enough to offer some perspective on the island for other nomads who are considering setting up shop here. This article isn’t meant to sell you on a destination or steer you in any direction, but rather present one nomad’s viewpoint from two different perspectives.

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THE PROS •

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The People. I can speak highly of the people I’ve met in the Philippines so far and that extends to Boracay as well. Everyone I’ve met here, has been friendly and hospitable. At other tourist beaches I’ve been to around the world, I felt like the locals glared at tourists and sized us up, but I don’t feel that vibe here. Most people seem… happy.

The Beaches. White sand that never gets hot on your feet. Crystal clear ocean waters. Bright blue sunny skies. Incredible views. It’s no wonder that Boracay is voted one of the top ten best islands in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine year after year. Aside from the famous White Sand Beach that you’ve probably read about, Boracay has almost 20 other secluded beaches around the island, each with their own vibe. There’s Bulabog Beach that’s filled with kite and wind surfers from sunup to sunset, Diniwid Beach for straight up peace and quiet and relaxation, and Puka Shell Beach for a true island vibe. And that’s just to name a few. Regardless of whether you’re into partying, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, adventuring, sunbathing, or relaxing, there seems to be a beach for everyone in Boracay.

The Sunsets. My absolute favorite part of being here so far has been the sunsets. I watch the sunset almost every night and they are spectacular and always different. People often compare the uniqueness of something to a snowflake, but I’m

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going to start comparing it to a Boracay sunset.

My favorite spot on the island to watch sunset is on Willie’s Rock in Station 1. I spend a lot of time indoors working on my laptop, even though I’m living on a gorgeous beach. Sunset has proven to be a great break in the day to get some fresh air and be outside.

The Weather. I’ll preface this by saying I love warm weather. My dad makes fun of me for being in Asheville, NC in the fall and complaining that I’m cold! I definitely love living in warm climates, so forgive my bias, but the weather has been great here. Please note however that I’ve been living here during the month of March, which averages between 24-29°C (75-84°F). And the rainfall in February and March is significantly lower than any other time of year. So your experience with weather may be different than mine depending on when you get here. I picked a great time of year to be here, possibly the best.

Walkability. From the northern most point on the island to the southernmost point is only 9km by road, or less if you walk along the beach. And at some points in the middle of the island along Stations 1, 2, and 3, Boracay is less than 1km wide, so you can walk from one side of the island to the other in less than 10 minutes. The whole island is only 10.32 square kilometers, which is less than 10% of the size of San Francisco.

City Infrastructure. Boracay has turned into a little city on an island with over 30,000 residents, plus more seasonal commuters who come here just to work. The benefit to digital nomads is that along with that quantity of people comes the type of infrastructure not found in typical small islands like doctors, dentists, grocery stores, a small hospital, electronic shops, etc. Since Boracay needs to also cater to 30,000 local residents, you’ll find plenty of non-touristy restaurants, bars, markets, and stores for your day to day needs.

You can even replace your cell phone and buy a new laptop here. Infrastructure like that has its perks when you’re here for longer than a vacation.

Tourism. A tourist destination can be a blessing and a curse for digital nomads. And as you’ll see later, I’ve included it in this post twice, once here and again on the cons list. On the positive side, there’s always something to do when you want to be a tourist in Boracay. Since I’ve been here, I’ve taken a few mini vacations for a day or two at a time to enjoy the area. I made some tourist

friends and did group activities together like island hopping, cliff diving, and parasailing. Part of the fun of being a digital nomad is that you can spend your days off from work being a tourist in different parts of the world. And there’s plenty to do here in Boracay on your days off.

THE CONS Now that we’ve seen the pros of living and working remotely in Boracay, it’s time to look at the cons.

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The Drivers. The tricycle and moto taxi drivers are the worst part of this island and I have no problem saying that to any of their faces. The taxi drivers are giving this island a reputation of ripping off tourists, when outside of that industry, it’s not that bad as foreigner here. So know the rates so you’ll avoid being overly charged.

Food. Maybe I’ve been eating at the wrong places, but I can’t seem to find a decent salad or vegetable dish in this town. I’m no self-proclaimed foodie but the cuisine here in Boracay definitely hasn’t blown me away or even impressed me.

That unfortunately also applies to the food in any city in the Philippines that I’ve been. Where are all the vegetables in this country? Because so far I haven’t found any on my plate.

The Internet. Every nomad wants to know about the internet speed of a location. It’s the first question you get in any discussion of a destination. Well, it’s absolutely terrible on the island. I’ve been lucky to find a 3 Mbs connection. You shouldn’t believe everything you read on the Internet, but if you’ve ever read that the Internet is terrible in the Philippines, you should believe that; because it actually is terrible.

The reason is that there are way too many people and way too few towers and hubs. On average around the world, there are around 300-400 people sharing one tower. In the Philippines, there are between 3000-4000 people per tower. Aside from sheer quantity of people overloading the towers, there are also bureaucratic factors at play that are inhibiting proper technological growth and infrastructure in the Philippines, but we won’t get into that today. And of course, the Philippines is comprised of over seven thousand islands, so geographic constraints are at play too.

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Availability of Monthly Furnished Rentals. I’ve found that the options of furnished monthly rentals in Boracay are pricey for what you get. In other parts of the Philippines and southeast Asia, I’ve found 1-2 bedroom houses for $400-$500/month.

Here in Boracay I’ve found studio apartments for $1000. To be fair, I was searching for rentals during the summer which is the busy season.

It might be easier to find short term furnished rentals during other times of the year.

The Green Algae. It’s pretty abundant, especially on White Sand Beach. Personally it’s not a deal breaker for me, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s hard to miss.

Customer Service. While I told you earlier that the locals here are very nice, it’s also true that customer service lacks greatly in most establishments. I’m not here on vacation, but even in day to day life you run into plenty of scenarios that leave you wanting more. Most people are SUPER polite, but that doesn’t mean you should expect a drink refill anytime soon.

Bathrooms. Sometimes I wonder if local Filipinos here use their own bathrooms. Or maybe they have secret bathrooms that only they know about.

Or maybe Filipinos don’t poop. (I can’t prove they do.) There is never any soap in the bathrooms, rarely any toilet paper, and often times not even a toilet seat. And the bathroom floors are always soaking wet. It’s not uncommon if you’re out for

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the night and you have to poop, just to walk home and go to the bathroom there. We’ve all done it here because bathrooms in most establishments are a hot mess.

The Drinking. The alcohol culture can be a bit much because it never stops. There’s a pub crawl and a beachwide party every night of the week.

You can definitely escape it by hanging out at different parts of the beach (away from Station 2) but you’re also never far from it. Don’t get me wrong, I drink, but once a week is more than enough for me. Walking to the convenience store and passing drunk tourists can get tiring after a while.

Tourism. There are LOTS of tourists. It’s definitely a distraction if you’re trying to work in Boracay because everyone around you is on vacation. It’s also a challenge making friends that last more than a few days because people come and go. I’ve been lucky that I’ve made friends that live here.

It’s Loud. Now of course, if you’re at a club or a bar, it’ll be loud. But many places in Boracay feel unnaturally and unnecessarily loud, even the spots that are supposed to be chill and relaxed.

I feel that it’s sacrilegious to play Bob Marley past a certain volume, but it’s done here. I think what’s happened is that the volume has slowly gotten louder night after night in restaurants and bars to compete with their neighbors. It’s a loud

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island in general. Since there’s pretty much one main road that takes you from one side of the island to the other, the tricycle traffic makes it a very noisy walk down the main road, which is why I usually take the beach path.

Leaving. Boracay is an island without an airport.

So no matter what, you have to take a boat or ferry to Malay to go anywhere. But to be fair, that’s the same for many places in the Philippines.

It’s not the easiest country to get around.

So what’s the consensus on Boracay? Personally, I’m a pretty happy guy who’s easy to please, and I make the best of every living situation. It’s all part of the adventure. I absolutely love a 2-minute walk to the beach and swimming almost every day. I hope this list helps you make an informed decision about whether or not Boracay, Philippines is your next digital nomadic paradise.

About the author: Drecksler is an entrepreneur and world traveler who runs his companies from a laptop and mobile phone. He founded TravelisLife.org in 2015 to combine his passion for travel and business into an online shop and problem solving resource for travelers. Got traveler problems? We’ve got travel solutions. Learn more at TravelisLife.org.

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will be setup at their office in Ambulong Road, Manocmanoc. The blood collection/station facility aims to cater to thousands of locals and tourists in the island, and is expected to ensure blood supply in Malay and nearby provinces. Recently, the chapter has received over PhP2 Million worth of blood collection/ station equipment from the Rotary Club of Boracay and Rotary Club of Jindo, Korea. (KVB/BS)

Red Cross gets PhP50K for blood collection unit/blood station construction

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n a night of fun and laughter, the Philippine Red Cross – Boracay Malay Chapter was able to raise Php50,000 as additional funding for the construction of the blood collection unit/blood station in the island.

Alex Calleja, who was first runner-up in the recent Funniest Person in the World competition, and Michelle O’Bombshell and Ryan Rems who gained fame in the television show, Showtime. They were joined by Royce, SuperPao, Manny Pokyaw and Humpy Dumpy.

The event dubbed as Comedy Riot was held last April 7 at the Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center. It gathered over 160 guests who were treated to a buffet dinner and an entertaining show afterwards.

The event was sponsored by Manila Airport Hotel, Skyjet, Boracay Paradise Hotel, Jin Da Heng Shooting Range and Crown Regency Resorts and Convention Center.

The show featured stand-up comedians headed by

Meanwhile, the chapter is aiming to raise PhP386,000 to finish the blood collection/station facility which

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Jollibee opens 998th store in Boracay KAREN BERMEJO

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ast food chain, Jollibee, has opened its first stand-alone store in this tourist island. Joined by representatives from the Local Government Unit of Malay and island stakeholders, Jollibee Food Corporation unveiled its 998th store in the country during on April 6.

The new branch located at the mainroad in Station 2 of Boracay is part of Jollibee’s branch countdown to 1000th milestone store this year. The store is also their 142nd branch in the Visayas region and their second in Boracay; the first is in CityMall.

To mark the opening day, a special program was

held wherein exciting prices were given to selected customers. Jollibee also offered free tricycle rides to locals and tourists for three days.

As a world-famed brand, the Boracay store aims to promote the Filipino brand especially to foreign travelers, said Winston Sia, Regional Business Unit Head for Visayas of Jollibee Food Corporation.

“It is not just our brand that we are promoting; we are promoting Jollibee as a Filipino brand,” Sia said in an interview with the media.

The Balabag branch is owned by Boracay-based

businessman Robert and Lily Po. The branch, with 365-seating capacity is one of the biggest in the Visayas.

When asked about their commitment on the island’s fragile environment, the Jollibee management assured that they will abide with local regulations and will utilize more environment- friendly initiatives to protect the island such as using reusable wares and paper packages.

Sia said proper garbage disposal will be followed.

The new Jollibee branch has also opened more jobs to Aklanons. The branch has hired at least 70 personnel already mostly from Aklan.

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Mangrove planting, beach run mark Earth Day in Boracay

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t least 450 mangroves were planted in the island as part of this year’s Earth Day celebration.

Meanwhile, over 600 runners composed of island residents and tourists joined this year’s SKYathon Boracay Beach Run to mark Earth Day.

Over 100 volunteers from the local government unit of Malay, barangay officials of Manoc-manoc and some locals planted 450 mangrove propagules provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Boracay Office last April 22.

The yearly running event, with this year’s theme “Be a hero for Boracay”, was held to raise fund for the environmental programs of the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI)

The mangrove planting held in Sitio Lugutan aimed to raise awareness for the protection of the environment in the island, according to Jonne Adaniel of DENR-Boracay.

‘Lumot battle’ held to show green algae is safe for swimming KAREN BERMEJO

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ocals play on the algae-covered portions of the famous White Beach of Boracay last April 22 to prove among tourists that the algal bloom that recurs at this time of the year is indeed safe.

The “Lumot Battle”, which coincides with the Earth Day celebration this year aims to educate tourists, especially first timers that there is nothing to worry about the presence of the green algae at the famed Boracay beach.

According to Boracay Island Administrator Rowen Aguirre, the event was held in order to to inform visitors that there is nothing to be afraid about the green algae.

“There is no evidence that these green algae are causing any health risks,” he said.

Aguirre also mentioned that thousands of tourists are expected by end of April due to the long Labor Day celebration and the additional special

Proceeds of the events would be used to purchase reef nurseries for the coral REEFurbishment project of BFI. The project aims to rehabilitate the coral reef ecosystem of the island which is affected by its tourism industry. (Philippine News Agency)

holidays in Manila due to the meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Meanwhile, Lumot Battle proponent, Malay Councilor Datu Yap-Sumndad, said activity said the activity also aims to show to tourists how locals value green algae. Sumndad explained that the Lumot Battle is a depiction of how locals enjoy playing with algae, even before the boom of tourism in the island.

As usually seen during the summer season, the presence of green algae at the White Beach is considered a natural phenomenon by Boracay locals.

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