Life’s a Beach!
BY AMIEL MARTIN CABANLIG

BORACAY - For many, the summertime is seen as a time to rest, relax and recharge. Island paradises become lugu­briously lazy locales for those who’d rather shy away from more radical sabbaticals. While this serene disposition might suit the less adventurous vaca­tioner, this prowler views the beach in a whole different kind of light! Action, adventure and fun in the sun are what the sandy beaches like Boracay are made for!
Celebrated for its extraordinary summer events, the beautiful island of Boracay still maintains its crowning laurels as the Philippines’ official “summer gimmick capital,” particularly since it once again played host to what is undoubtedly summer’s biggest star-studded event—NESTEA Beach 2007.
The four-day event marks the 11th year of NESTEA Beach, which gets hotter and tougher with each staging. The event was graced by the country’s finest beach volley athletes, the most beautiful faces and bodies and top honchos from the corporate world.
One of the many highlights of NESTEA Beach 2007 was the celebrity matches, which were played over the course of two scorching yet utterly exciting days. It featured stirring action from the country’s hottest personalities who played their hearts out under Boracay’s sweltering yet splendid sunshine.
The Celebrity Challenge
Exhibiting superior beach volley skills were TV personalities Geoff Rodriguez and Tisha Silang, Nestlé’s Andrew Neri and Publicis Manila’s Mondo Armedilla as they outplayed TV personalities Sam Oh and Iya Villania, JR Isaac, Philip Cu-Unjieng to clinch the NESTEA Beach 2007 Celebrity Match Championship.
Other celebrities who took part in the beach volley celebrity matches were TV personalities Brad Turvey, Nancy Castig­lione, Karel Marquez, Luis Manzano and Reema Chanco as well as the team of models Bubbles Paraiso, Robby Mananquil, Valerie de los Santos and your very own controversial media-man Amiel Martin Cabanlig.
To welcome everyone to the summer hotspot were Nestlé executives led by Nestlé SVP and business executive manager Eugene David, Nestlé AVP and NESTEA consumer marketing manager Tina Samaco, Nestlé AVP and head of group brand activation Raymond Villaflor, NESTEA assistant brand activation manager Gabby Posadas, NESTEA brand activation specialist Ronald Chuacokiong and NESTEA ca­tegory manager Pyrus de la Cruz.
Also on hand were Philippine Volleyball Federation secretary general and beach volley commission chairman Otie Cama­ngian, Villa de Oro Boracay Beach Resort Hotel VP for administration Pablo Siwa-Belar­do, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel general manager Rick Lopez, Publicis Manila business unit director Charmaine Cam­paner and executive vice president Ronald Barreiro.
The Boracay event attracted droves of holidaymakers and beach volley fans alike. From 48 teams from 34 colleges and universities nationwide that competed in the eliminations at La Salle Green Hills, 27 teams from 17 schools made it to the semis and final rounds in sunny Boracay.
Nestea Party Rules
The final party was held at Crystal Sand, where the Nestea’s victory party pounded its way through the shores of Boracay until the wee hours of the morning. Hosted by TV personalities Brad Turvey, Nancy Castiglione and Karel Marquez, the event was deluged by throngs of people who arrived earlier than scheduled, all of them eager to enjoy another lively and wacky performance from Parokya ni Edgar. And yes, Edgar’s music rocks!
Even though the Nestea Party went head on alongside dozens of different revelries that eve­ning (even flanking the high-brow bash of Makati’s fabulous free-loaders, as one columnist would put it), the events rocking performance ruled over the shores of Bora! And of course the merriment became even more delightful with the fabulous intoxicating nectars served every night by the Sun Village Hotel courtesy of our generous host, Edd Fuentes.
Clean-up drive in Bora
NESTEA also knows that parties are more fun if it is done responsibly, which is why it also embarked on a beach clean-up campaign in Boracay’s stations 1 and 2. Celebrities like Brad Turvey, Nancy Castiglione and Sam Oh were generous with their time as they joined in the clean-up efforts that was also participated in by divers, island residents, resort owners and tourists, who enthusiastically picked up pieces of trash that, if left uncollected, could ruin Boracay’s pristine coastline.
Without doubt, NESTEA again proved that it knows how to throw a party that’s fun, exciting and memorable as NESTEA consistently sets the benchmark for all summer parties. Looking ahead, one can’t help but be excited at what the official drink of summer has in store for everyone. Whatever it is, it’s surely going to be one heady summer mix of excitement, entertainment and fulfill­ment!