Party Boracay!BY RITCHE T. SALGADO
When backpackers started to spread the word on Boracay in the early 70s, everybody started flocking to the island, transforming it from a place of seclusion and exclusivity to a noisy paradise for extroverts who love to party all day long – and half naked, at that!
The Boracay Island of today may not be what many remember 10, 20, or even 30 years ago. From the original Ati settlers, many mainlanders from neighboring islands, provinces, towns and cities have migrated to this 10.32 square kilometer island to cash in on its booming tourism industry.
Concrete paradise
And so today, concrete is but another face of paradise. Unfortunately, this is a cause of grief for the newly installed environment office in this vacation paradise as it is now faced with the challenge of controlling the island’s development frenzy.
OIC CENRO officer Merlene Aborka said that now they are facing counter complaints for being vigilant on the island’s environmental health. One of these counter-complaints, she revealed, is from a Cebu-based chain of hotels who, two years ago, the department accused of irresponsibly insisting on developing a reclaimed wetland. Somehow, according to Aborka, the company was able to get documents that classify the property as alienable and disposable. She, however, maintains that it was a wetland before the development.
Environmental controversies aside, the island amazingly was able to isolate its concrete jungle from its natural beauty highlighted by its beautiful powdery white sand beaches, lush forests and disappearing wildlife-rich wetlands.
My first visit to the island could not have been any better. Expectations were on check, but what I was not prepared for was the fact that Boracay has become just like any other concrete jungle in the country, with the nearly permanent sight of constructions and renovations, the constant barrage of engine noise as tricycles and motorcycles compete for attention, and the smell of smog that lingers in your lungs. That is, if you enter the center of the island where development seems to flourish.
Once you pass through the large buildings that fence off the beautiful beach front, everything is island bliss.
The island’s seasons
Many travelers come to Boracay, not just for its divine white sand beaches but also for the party life that extends to the twilight hours, especially during peak season.
I was told that the island has three seasons: off peak, peak and super peak. The first would be from October to June and when summer vacation sets in, peak season starts. Special days like Christmas, Holy Week, and New Year (including Chinese New Year) would be considered super peak, the white beach filled with people to the brim with a crowd comparable to that of the Sinulog – equally religious but of the carnal kind.
Island activities
All throughout the year, a visitor to the island would not have trouble finding things to do, which could range from simply enjoying your room, the beautiful garden of your hotel (like that of the hidden Gran Prix Boracay Hideaway or the secret garden atmosphere of Sitio Boracay), or the gentle warmth of the sun as it caresses your skin while you laze in the blissfully powdery white sand beach to the countless water sports and activities that can be had, including those that have been simply created out of the enterprising imagination of the islanders.
There are also nature trips and other inland activities that would include going around the island onboard an ATV, or climbing the island’s highest peak to have a 360-degree view of the whole paradise. And for those who wish to be pampered, the island is home to the country’s best spas and wellness centers.
The first Boracay
Despite the invasion of insatiable businessmen (the Modern Age’s version of the Middle Ages conquerors), many places remain to be in its virginal state with only a few people strolling on its shores, not much structures by the sea or on the sea, lesser number of fancy establishments that carry designer and unknown brands, and virtually no commercial buildings erected.
One such place is Puka Beach in Barangay Yapak, which I would like to consider as the original Boracay.
Locals claim that it was the discovery of Puka Beach and its puka shells (thus the name) that led to the influx of vacationers to the island. Up until today, the place remains to be an important source of the precious puka shells which artisans make into fashion accessories, probably exported to Japan.
One of the reasons why Puka Beach does not attract much tourists is because it does not have any of those Boracay white sand, rather what it has are white pebbles. But the virginity of the place, its isolation, and the virtual lack of people would undoubtedly bring those who thirst for blissful seclusion at come swimming to its shores.
Diverse island culture
During times of isolation, I tried to find things that are inherently and endemically Boracay, but to my disappointment there were none. As if to compensate, the diversity of visitors in the island turns it into a melting pot of cultures.
Here it is easy to find different cuisines from different regions (Kapampangan, Bicolano, Aklanon, Cebuano, etc.) and countries (Russian, German, Continental, Japanese, Chinese, etc). Even home-cooked meals can be found everywhere with the many carenderias catering to the growing number of workers in the island.
Island culture is also prevalent. Somehow, the word “tropical” paints a picture of people with dreadlocks (or braids, at least), tattoo-filled skin (henna to the minimum) and beautiful sun-kissed bodies.
This, one would see plenty of while strolling along White Beach or even up to the evening in one of its many bars and clubs. The first two can be had for a whooping price; the last, one has to earn with months of religious visits to the gym.
Semi-naked shopping
Perhaps the best description that I could get of the island and the people flocking to the island would be that given by WRock’s Billy Sienes (billysienes.blogspot.com), where he said “…it was like you’re in a mall semi-naked window-shopping with the sea just several feet away from you.”
Exactly, that is the Boracay of today. Its charm of old mere remnants, as people have found a new reason to crowd every square inch of the island paradise. Let’s party, Boracay!
The Boracay Island of today may not be what many remember 10, 20, or even 30 years ago. From the original Ati settlers, many mainlanders from neighboring islands, provinces, towns and cities have migrated to this 10.32 square kilometer island to cash in on its booming tourism industry.
Concrete paradise
And so today, concrete is but another face of paradise. Unfortunately, this is a cause of grief for the newly installed environment office in this vacation paradise as it is now faced with the challenge of controlling the island’s development frenzy.
OIC CENRO officer Merlene Aborka said that now they are facing counter complaints for being vigilant on the island’s environmental health. One of these counter-complaints, she revealed, is from a Cebu-based chain of hotels who, two years ago, the department accused of irresponsibly insisting on developing a reclaimed wetland. Somehow, according to Aborka, the company was able to get documents that classify the property as alienable and disposable. She, however, maintains that it was a wetland before the development.
Environmental controversies aside, the island amazingly was able to isolate its concrete jungle from its natural beauty highlighted by its beautiful powdery white sand beaches, lush forests and disappearing wildlife-rich wetlands.
My first visit to the island could not have been any better. Expectations were on check, but what I was not prepared for was the fact that Boracay has become just like any other concrete jungle in the country, with the nearly permanent sight of constructions and renovations, the constant barrage of engine noise as tricycles and motorcycles compete for attention, and the smell of smog that lingers in your lungs. That is, if you enter the center of the island where development seems to flourish.
Once you pass through the large buildings that fence off the beautiful beach front, everything is island bliss.
The island’s seasons
Many travelers come to Boracay, not just for its divine white sand beaches but also for the party life that extends to the twilight hours, especially during peak season.
I was told that the island has three seasons: off peak, peak and super peak. The first would be from October to June and when summer vacation sets in, peak season starts. Special days like Christmas, Holy Week, and New Year (including Chinese New Year) would be considered super peak, the white beach filled with people to the brim with a crowd comparable to that of the Sinulog – equally religious but of the carnal kind.
Island activities
All throughout the year, a visitor to the island would not have trouble finding things to do, which could range from simply enjoying your room, the beautiful garden of your hotel (like that of the hidden Gran Prix Boracay Hideaway or the secret garden atmosphere of Sitio Boracay), or the gentle warmth of the sun as it caresses your skin while you laze in the blissfully powdery white sand beach to the countless water sports and activities that can be had, including those that have been simply created out of the enterprising imagination of the islanders.
There are also nature trips and other inland activities that would include going around the island onboard an ATV, or climbing the island’s highest peak to have a 360-degree view of the whole paradise. And for those who wish to be pampered, the island is home to the country’s best spas and wellness centers.
The first Boracay
Despite the invasion of insatiable businessmen (the Modern Age’s version of the Middle Ages conquerors), many places remain to be in its virginal state with only a few people strolling on its shores, not much structures by the sea or on the sea, lesser number of fancy establishments that carry designer and unknown brands, and virtually no commercial buildings erected.
One such place is Puka Beach in Barangay Yapak, which I would like to consider as the original Boracay.
Locals claim that it was the discovery of Puka Beach and its puka shells (thus the name) that led to the influx of vacationers to the island. Up until today, the place remains to be an important source of the precious puka shells which artisans make into fashion accessories, probably exported to Japan.
One of the reasons why Puka Beach does not attract much tourists is because it does not have any of those Boracay white sand, rather what it has are white pebbles. But the virginity of the place, its isolation, and the virtual lack of people would undoubtedly bring those who thirst for blissful seclusion at come swimming to its shores.
Diverse island culture
During times of isolation, I tried to find things that are inherently and endemically Boracay, but to my disappointment there were none. As if to compensate, the diversity of visitors in the island turns it into a melting pot of cultures.
Here it is easy to find different cuisines from different regions (Kapampangan, Bicolano, Aklanon, Cebuano, etc.) and countries (Russian, German, Continental, Japanese, Chinese, etc). Even home-cooked meals can be found everywhere with the many carenderias catering to the growing number of workers in the island.
Island culture is also prevalent. Somehow, the word “tropical” paints a picture of people with dreadlocks (or braids, at least), tattoo-filled skin (henna to the minimum) and beautiful sun-kissed bodies.
This, one would see plenty of while strolling along White Beach or even up to the evening in one of its many bars and clubs. The first two can be had for a whooping price; the last, one has to earn with months of religious visits to the gym.
Semi-naked shopping
Perhaps the best description that I could get of the island and the people flocking to the island would be that given by WRock’s Billy Sienes (billysienes.blogspot.com), where he said “…it was like you’re in a mall semi-naked window-shopping with the sea just several feet away from you.”
Exactly, that is the Boracay of today. Its charm of old mere remnants, as people have found a new reason to crowd every square inch of the island paradise. Let’s party, Boracay!
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