Photomath

Boracay DO's and DON'Ts in

by: raiza jade fernandez News Editor

Cesspool no more—that’s what Boracay, the Philippines’ top tourist destination, has become after its six-month rehabilitation. Now that the island has been re-opened to tourists since October 26, 2018, the government has implemented some changes to maintain Boracay’s pristine condition. First, the tourists must already be booked with a hotel in the island which has complied with the requirements imposed by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) and accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT), so that they will get through the Caticlan Jetty Port without delay. They might be required to present their hotel reservation slips before entering the island. The move is also to keep track of people, as only 6,405 tourists could stay in the Island at a given day. Smoking and drinking of alcoholic drinks were no longer allowed as well as dining by the beach. Water sports and diving activities, which had been part of a tourist’s Boracay experience, were temporarily prohibited and suspended. Shops and hawkers along the beach were banned. Sand castle-making was regulated. Also, fireworks displays were only allowed until 9 o’clock in the evening. There were no installation of electric lights on the beachfront, and casinos were totally banned in the island. Adventurous tourists who wish to ride the “habal-habal” or single motorcycles can no longer do this, as “habal-habals” were already banned in the island. For islanders, raising of pigs and chicken for livelihood were no longer allowed, and hot-coal roasting of meats, especially at the beachfront, is a no-no. The Boracay opening is our second shot at enjoying the nature’s wonders right in our home country. Whether as tourists, business owners, workers, or residents, let’s do a better job at protecting it—so that we won’t experience another closure again.

Balangiga Bells are now home!

AFTER a score years, the Bells of Balangiga which were taken 117 years ago from its belfry has finally return to its home-Samar, Philippines. Those historical bells were the symbol of the bitter conflict between Filipinos and Americans in the FilipinoAmerican war that led into a tragic event. Balangiga bells are church bells of San Lorenzo de Martir in Balangiga, Eastern Samar taken as war trophies by the US Army. The tolling of the bells signaled the attack of the Filipino guerillas which led to the massacre of 48 US soldiers. As retaliation, US General Jacob Smith ordered to turn Samar into “a howling wilderness” that killed almost 2500 Filipinos. Yet those bells symbolized the patriotism and bravery of the Filipino men. Balangiga town parish priest Serafin Tybaco, Jr. said that those bells are meaningful for the residents because it symbolizes pride for the people of Balangiga. It signifies a lot, in the religious site, it signifies the religiosity of the people of Balangiga and on the civil side, it signifies the bravery of the people there. Sung Kim, US Ambassador announced that returning the bells was the right thing to do. And it took how many years for them to find out the truth. And this is such an important event to renew the debilitating relationship of Philippines and US. H o w e v e r, it is a relief to know that the Balangiga Bells has finally headed back to its original home. It would be an honor for the Balangiga people to once again hear the toll of the bells. T h i s remarkable event could be the start of the renewing relationship between the Philippines and the United States of America. MA. APRIL JOY ENERO f lash break ...those bells symbolized the patriotism and bravery of the Filipino men.