Taiwanese woman fined for wearing string bikini in Boracay

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — For wearing a bikini that was described as “literally a string“ while strolling on a beach in Boracay, a Taiwanese tourist has been fined P2,500.

Personnel of the Malay police said they brought the woman and her boyfriend to the police station a day after photos of her and her boyfriend, also a Taiwanese, on Puka beach went viral on social media.

“What she did was more of a public indecency. We issued her a citation ticket,” Maj. Jess Baylon, Malay police chief, said.


Baylon said the woman violated Section 5 of Municipal Ordinance 203. However, what the provision prohibits is “taking lewd or excessively erotic pictures.”

The ordinance regulates the activities of photographers in Malay.


Baylon said the Taiwanese couple claimed they were models. “She said she was just expressing herself. She didn’t know she was violating something,” he said.

 “I’m confident about myself. It’s just normal for us,” Baylon quoted the woman as saying.

It was learned that the couple arrived in Boracay on Tuesday and left yesterday.

source: philstar.com

Zero-tolerance vs litterbugs in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against litterbugs in Boracay after trash was found on the beaches during the first day of the dry run of the island’s reopening, an official said yesterday.

Photos of discarded trash along Boracay’s famous White Beach went viral on social media hours after the island was reopened to local tourists for a test run ahead of its scheduled reopening on Oct. 26.

DENR Undersecretary for solid waste management and local government unit Benny Antiporda said they would strictly enforce the guidelines against littering on the island.


Antiporda said they held a dialogue with the Compliant Association of Boracay (CAB) whose members include owners of hotels, resorts, retail shops and restaurants.

He said the DENR and other government agencies in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation support the CAB’s proposal to designate its pollution officers as marshals to go after litterbugs.

He asked CAB members to use social media to remind Boracay visitors to dispose of their trash properly.

The DENR also recommended citizen’s arrest against litterbugs, Antiporda said.

The CAB earlier asked Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to deputize its members as Boracay marshals to police public areas on the island.

As marshals, the CAB said their pollution officers would be on the lookout for litterbugs.

The DENR said littering is a criminal offense and violators may face a fine or be made to render community service from eight to 16 hours.

Under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, establishments are required to designate a pollution control officer who would ensure compliance with the law, among others.

source: philstar.com

SC asked to stop Boracay shutdown

MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of the six-month closure of Boracay Island, the Supreme Court (SC) was asked yesterday to halt the government-mandated shutdown aimed at cleaning up the world-renowned tourist destination.

In a 29-page petition, three residents of the island – Mark Anthony Zabal, Thiting Estoso Jacosalem and Odeon Bandiola – sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the closure.

The petitioners questioned the authority of President Duterte to close the island to tourists and non-residents, accusing him of violating constitutional rights to travel and due process, and arguing that only Congress can shut down the island.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said only a court TRO can stop the shutdown of Boracay. But the SC is in recess and may not be able to issue a TRO today even if the petition might have merit.

Through lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-Panay chapter, the petitioners argued that the order violated the separation of powers under the 1987 Constitution since the executive branch has no authority to close down the island based on its supposed police power.

“Police power is exercised through legislative bodies. It is the plenary power vested in the legislature to make statutes and ordinances to promote the health, morals, peace, education, good order or safety and general welfare of the people,” the petitioners argued.

They alleged that Duterte stepped on the power of Congress in issuing the closure order.

“Despite having the highest position in the land, President Duterte simply cannot, under our system of law, arrogate unto himself a power which the Constitution does not give him,” they stressed.

They further argued the order is unconstitutional insofar as it restricts the movement of the people within the country in violation of their right to travel under Article III Section 6 of the Charter.

“In this case, the ground for the restriction (of right to travel) has not been shown to exist. There is no national security, public safety or public health situation calling for the curtailment of the right to travel,” read the petition.

The petitioners also claimed violation of their right to due process under Article III Section 1 of the Constitution, which they said includes their “property rights and right to work and earn a living.”

“The petitioners and all those who work, do business or earn living on the island are deprived of their livelihood,” they pointed out, adding the closure order is “unreasonable, arbitrary and excessive,” especially since the government has not provided a clear alternative to the 17,000  registered workers affected by the measure.

The petition named President Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-incharge Eduardo Año as respondents.

Guillen explained the implementation of today’s closure order would not make their prayer for issuance of TRO moot since the SC could still issue a status quo ante order upon hearing the petition.

Inherent power

The government is preparing to shut down Boracay starting today to rehabilitate the world-famous island resort.

President Duterte has ordered the holiday destination off-limits to tourists, saying the tiny island has become a “cesspool” tainted by sewage.

“Unless a TRO is issued, the planned closure of Boracay to tourists shall proceed,” Roque said.

Roque shrugged off the petition, saying the government can impose the closure since the island is owned by the state. He added the stay of private persons in the area was just allowed by the government.

“While the President respects the Court, we see absolutely no merit for any private party to restrain the closure of Boracay to tourists given that SC itself has previously ruled that Boracay is owned primarily by the state,” Roque said.

“We see no reason how private persons can allege and prove irreparable injuries, a prerequisite for TRO, given that their stay on the island is by mere tolerance of the state,” he said.

Roque invoked the government’s inherent police powers for the closure. He said the government has the “inherent police power of the state to protect the environment in Boracay.”

In a speech last March, Duterte warned courts against issuing TROs in the cleanup while he geared up for the declaration of a state of calamity in Boracay due to sewage and environmental concerns.

Duterte invoked public safety, interest and health issues in ordering the closure of the world famous island resort.  

Boracay was known as the crown jewel of Philippine tourism with its world-famous powdery white sand, but unchecked tourism and environmental degradation made it far from the tropical paradise it was decades ago.

Authorities said some of the hundreds of hotels and restaurants use the island’s drainage system to send untreated sewage into its surrounding turquoise waters.

The closure threatens the livelihood of 17,000 hotel, restaurant and other tourism workers, plus about 11,000 construction workers.

The island saw some two million visitors last year, pumping roughly $1 billion in revenue into the Philippine economy.

The government has promised to release P2 billion to help the estimated 35,000 workers affected by the island’s closure. 

On the eve of the closure, restaurants and bars had put up signs offering discounts, with most items on the menu already unavailable. 

Vendors slashed 50 percent off sunglasses and selfie sticks while tourists scrambled to get hold of Boracay souvenir shirts sold at half price.

“We call it the closure sale. We used to sell key chains in a buy one, get one promo. But now we sell ‘Buy one, get 10’,” said vendor Jenie Dagunan.

“We can’t eat these bracelets, might as well turn them into money,” she said.

Oversight

Malacañang said the President has not issued the proclamation placing the island under state of calamity as of yesterday, a day before the temporary closure of the tourist destination. 

Officials, however, claimed the funds for the rehabilitation of Boracay can be released pending the issuance of a proclamation.

Roque said the document can be released even after the island has been closed for rehabilitation. 

“They know that it (proclamation) will come out. So it’s a matter of issuing the document. So there is no problem with that. Before the implementation of the closure, it will come out. Even after the closure, it can still be issued because the closure will serve as the legal basis to fast track all the projects in Boracay. 

Otherwise, they will be subjected to regular processes of government procurement,” Roque told GMA News. 

“These projects will not start at once. My point is they know what will happen and anytime, the President would issue the proclamation,” he added. 

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said they would push through with the order to close Boracay today.

While acknowledging that the closure would adversely affect the tourism industry, Albayalde stressed it would just be temporary.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, for his part, said they have started implementing the emergency employment assistance to displaced workers in Boracay.

He added some 2,500 workers on the island were given emergency livelihood assistance.

Lawmakers, on the other hand, said they will closely watch the rehabilitation work on Boracay to make sure the closure will not be wasted.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said they will exercise oversight functions, especially as the closure comes at huge costs, particularly the loss of revenues and jobs.

“We will conduct oversight if the government really kept its promise,” Pimentel said.

He said the closure, which is viewed by many as a step backwards for tourism, could turn out to be “two steps forward.”

“We need to do this – if that is cleaned and we open and reintroduce the brilliant Boracay, then it will become precious again,” Pimentel said.

While Congress may come up with new legislation to prevent a similar degradation of the country’s other tourist attractions, Pimentel stressed the responsibility lies primarily with the concerned local government units (LGUs).

“That’s why we want to find out why despite the many complaints from Boracay, the LGU did not act,” he said.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said the closure order on Boracay was just a “knee-jerk” reaction on the part of the government.

Alejano claimed the government had no concrete plans on how to address the problem on environment and congestion in Boracay.

Alejano said if a certain place is closed for the purpose of rehabilitation, there must be activities in that area from day one to six months.

“There must be daily activities but to them, there is none,” Alejano said. “What would they do? What’s the purpose?”

Alejano stressed the closure of Boracay should have been done in phases because thousands will be affected by a complete closure.

Overkill

Alejano added the closure should not be implemented all at the same time.

“This is like overkill. There are military, police and coast guard in the sea. It’s like martial law in Boracay. It’s really overkill,” he said.

The police preparing to implement the closure of Boracay staged drills in riot gear yesterday, startling the laid-back beach community as workers mounted a last-ditch effort to halt the six-month closure.

“The capability demonstration exercises were done to ensure that we have the appropriate and well-crafted response to any contingency that may arise as a result of the temporary closure of the world-renowned island,” Western Visayas regional police director Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag said.

Some residents in the island, however, were not enthusiastic.

“I think it’s too much. We don’t think that any resident of Boracay would be swayed to go into protest or conduct violent actions against the closure,” said Elvira, a Boracay resident.

Facebook user Bill McGrath said, “This can’t happen in reality.”

Another netizen, Martina Sacapaño, said the police and military exercises might show that Boracay island is preparing for war.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao agreed the security measures the administration has taken in Boracay were an overkill.

“The Navy, Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines should deploy their ships and personnel to patrol the West Philippine Sea, not Boracay,” he said.

He said state agencies were imposing “overacting” security measures.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said Duterte is imposing “virtual martial law” in Boracay.

He said restricting the entry of residents, businessmen and workers and requiring identification cards for them “violate their constitutional rights.”

Zarate added journalists are limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. coverage, and are required to be escorted at all times and to get out of the island before darkness sets in.  – With  Alexis Romero, Christina Mendez, Jennifer Rendon, Paolo Romero, Eva Visperas, Artemio Dumlao, Jess Diaz, Rainier Allan Ronda, Sheila Crisostomo, AFP

source: philstar.com

Boracay named top winter escape destination

MANILA, Philippines — Boracay continues to gain global recognition as it was named the top winter escape destination in the world by an international travel magazine.

Conde Nast Traveler recently ranked the 30 “Most Beautiful Winter Escapes in the World,” which included Boracay.

“Voted the world’s top island in our 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards, this itty-bitty speck (just under four square miles) in the western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and Instagram-worthy sunsets,” Conde Nast Traveler said.

The international travel magazine also lauded Boracay for its thriving night scene, making it another attraction for tourists.

Among the other world destinations joining Boracay in the top 30 list are Baja California Sur in Mexico, Cape Town in South Africa and Hawaii.

Last October, Boracay, along with Cebu and Palawan, were voted as the top three best islands in the world outside of the United States by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Boracay’s powdery white sand and shallow azure water ideal for swimming and snorkeling were identified as among the main draws of the island.

Meanwhile, Cebu and the Visayan islands were recognized for the more personal vibe they gives off and the many up-and-coming restaurants and shopping options.

In contrast, the magazine highlighted that Palawan is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

“Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system. Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone loom in every direction,” the magazine said.

Last July, Boracay and Palawan were voted by readers of the international Travel+Leisure magazine as the third and first best island in the world, respectively.

Palawan received a score of 93.15, while Boracay scored 89.67.

source: beta.philstar.com

Boracay named top 'hookie' destination for Chrismas

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from the clear waters and white sand that Boracay has to offer, the island is also famous for its vibrant nightlife, which is why travel dating site MissTravel.com has ranked it as the top destination for people who want to skip family gatherings during the holidays.

A recent study showed that many youngsters are opting for romantic getaways, rather than dealing with the stress and anxiety brought on by the awkward family encounters during Christmas season.

“Family get togethers can be a source of anxiety for many people, especially those who have a hard time answering questions about their personal lives,” said Brandon Wade, founder and
CEO of MissTravel.com.

According to a recent poll conducted by the Las Vegas-based site, out of the 6,036 trips planned by its users between December 20 and 27, most are going to Boracay.

Top December Hookie Destinations (6,036 Trips Planned Between December 20 and 27)

1. Boracay Island, Philippines ­ 689
2. New York, NY ­ 488
3. Las Vegas, NV ­ 187


"The Philippines is famous for its festive celebration of Christmas, making Boracay Island a traveler favorite," the website said.

Boracay has consistently been part of the list of the best beaches in the world. Early this year, it has been declared as the "Favorite Beach Destination 2015" by the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents for its annual MATTA Fair. Moreover, TripAdvisor listed Boracay as seventh best beach in the world for 2015.

source: philstar.com

On top of minimum wage, regional wage board mulls productivity base pay for Boracay workers

ILOILO CITY - The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) is thinking of issuing an advisory on the productivity base pay for workers in Boracay Island.

RTWPB Secretary Nesa S. Nolido said it will be done through the Industry Tripartite Council of Boracay in response to the request of labor seeking additional support based on productivity.

Nolido explained that the productivity standards that fall under the two-tier wage system will provide bases for increases on top of the minimum wage.

The productivity standard can be implemented per industry or establishment through a request for a time and motion study.

“The board will issue a job order for specific establishment or industry,” she added.

Currently, only the sugar industry has its own productivity base pay for its workers.

To recall, business groups in Western Visayas called on the labor department and the RTWPB to come up with a productivity standard for every sector prior to the implementation of the Minimum Wage Order 21.

The order, however, already took effect May 2 following its publication in major publications.

The new minimum wage for workers in non-agriculture/industrial and commercial with more than 10 workers is now P298.50, and P256.50 for those with less than 10 employees.

For the agriculture industry, those working in plantation earn P266.50 a day and P256.50 for those working in non-plantation.

“The minimum wage is for the protection of skilled and new entrants to the labor force,” Nolido emphasized.

Meanwhile, a series of seminars and trainings is being conducted in Boracay Island for the proposed productivity base pay.

source: interaksyon.com

Beauty and the beach

The hashtag #LaBoracay2014 has gotten much attention on social media this week, with mixed reactions from all sectors — some are amused and excited, others are disgusted at the conspicuous display of bodies and bikinis this side of “thin-seltown.”

It’s  the peak of summer, if you haven’t noticed, ladies and gents, time to brighten up, get that Belo sunblock, take off your clothes (not all of them)) head over to our 7,107 beautiful islands and Instagram away. And don’t forget to hashtag.

Last week’s hottest beach shebang? #CenturySuperbods2014 drew a stellar mix of the country’s biggest stars, a standout selection of the best bodies and nonstop workouts to make sure we get to maintain that “transformation.” The T-word was the big buzz for the season, as everyone awaited the unveiling of a shirtless John Lloyd Cruz in Boracay.

Leading to that grand unveil was a Zumba-thon in the morning, with participants doing nonstop workouts. The BNO Boys hosted while everyone got possessed with the heat and sweat of the morning sun. I must compliment the transformation of the BNO Boys, who underwent the Century challenge and really showed great results! Credit for all the transformation goes to fitness coach Jim Saret and nutritionist Nadine Tengco, who I promise, will be my new best friends. Hello, Century!

I had promised everyone I was going to Zumba with them as soon as I woke up from the past night’s festivities, but I preferred to Zumba in bed — in my dreams. Must remind myself to be more disciplined, to think like a Superbod!

The best Superbods batch 

The White Party the night before was equally eventful. The #CenturySuperbods contestants were formally introduced by host Gelli Victor to the sizable media delegation present. It was not easy to have favorites since almost everyone looked like a winner — a truly spectacular and very international Superbods batch — half Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, American and pure Pinoy, too! From the point of view of someone who’s been judging this competition for a few years now, this is, indeed, the best #CenturySuperbods batch ever.

Joey Mead King, that rock star of a supermodel mentor and Asia’s top, top model herself, started the ball rolling as soon as she rocked that ramp and grabbed that mic. I am amazed each time she does her runway-slash-hosting duties — how she commands the floor and makes you sit up and take notice. She also coached the contestants with their walk and how to carry themselves best. The smooth styling of the show, directed by Robby Carmona, another stalwart in his field, was more than evident in how fast-paced it was. Never a dull moment, each segment was a highlight! Standouts in the audience were Nanette Medved-Po, forever a vision in pristine style, and Marielle Santos-Po, wearing Rajo Laurel’s Palawan summer collection.



Then came Anne Curtis, and the world stopped. She put one leg out in her flowing Charina Sarte lapis lazuli beach dress and owned the stage like no one else can. This was the perfect lead-up to the night’s transformatory unveil. A cleanly unshaven John Lloyd Cruz walked onto the center of the stage. Everyone went wild. He then took his floral buttoned shirt off, waved it to the crowd, to reveal him wearing a sando — a leaner, meaner John Lloyd Cruz, “macho” dancing in front of the audience. “From Superbad, I’m now a Superbod!” Even in these “heated” circumstances, JLC’s sense of humor shines through.

“Why didn’t John Lloyd take his shirt off?” ranted some of my followers on social media. Because he didn’t have to. Transformation doesn’t mean abs. It means a change in mindset and lifestyle. It is both internal and external. He went on a strict diet, lost close to 20 lbs. and looks happier and healthier. In the end, that should be the goal — to be happy and healthy. Abs optional.

Postscript to the announcement of winners after a few months of intense training and grueling challenges — Mario Lumba and Sara Polverini emerged as this year’s #CenturySuperbods. The runners-up and the special awards went to the other early favorites, who, I must say, made judging this year extra difficult but extra pleasurable.

And then fun times at the after party at The District with DJ Mars Miranda. Time to take a dip in this Labor Day weekend sun. But I won’t take my shirt off.

source: philstar.com

Boracay, Guimaras raise number of rabies-free islands to 14

MANILA, Philippines -- World famous Boracay in Aklan and Guimaras province were declared “rabies-free” by the Departments of Health and of Agriculture, raising the number of islands that have registered zero incidence of the fatal disease for at least three consecutive years to 14.

The declaration was made Friday, "World Rabies Day."

The other islands previously declared rabies-free are Siquijor, Batanes, Biliran, Camiguin, Marinduque, Limasawa, Camotes, Olimpia in Bais City and Apo, both in Negro Oriental, and Palawan’s Coron, Culion and Busuanga.

All these places effectively eliminated human and animal rabies, primarily by vaccinating 70 percent of the dog population and impounding strays.

"Rabies is considered as a neglected disease. That is because even if it is 100 percent fatal, it is also 100 percent preventable," Health Secretary Enrique Ona noted.

The disease " continues to be a significant public health problem that is responsible for 200 to 250 deaths annually,” he added. “In 2012, a total of 213 rabies cases and 414,553 animal bites were reported to the DOH."

For decades, said Ona, "effective and safe vaccines to prevent the disease in humans and animals have been available."

"Therefore, none of these deaths need have occurred if we had only made use of the tools necessary to prevent rabies from infecting and killing both humans and animals," he stressed.

He acknowledged that poverty and ignorance are the main obstacles to rabies prevention and elimination.

The Philippines hopes to eliminate rabies by 2020.

Rabies naturally affects only mammals and is transmitted to humans and between animals through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. In the Philippines, dog bites are responsible for 87 percent of human transmission.

Its initial symptoms include fever, pain or unusual or unexplained tingling and burning sensations or pricking at the site of the wound. When the virus spreads to the central nervous system, it could lead to the fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cords.

Region 4-A reported the most number of human rabies cases (37); followed by Region 1 (22); Region 3 (20); Region 2 (19) and Region 12 and Region 9 (18 cases each).

"The key to successful rabies elimination rests on combined efforts of effective dog vaccination program as part of responsible pet ownership and human vaccination after rabies exposure from rabid dog bites," Ona said.

Dog vaccination is mandatory under Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies  Act of 2007.

Ona said immunizing a dog ever year costs only P20 compared to P1,500 for vaccinating a person bitten by a dog.

source: interaksyon.com

Palawan, Boracay top World’s Best Islands list

MANILA, Philippines - Palawan has dislodged Boracay as the best island for international travelers, based on a recent survey conducted by New York-based Travel+Leisure magazine.

This is the first time that Palawan became part of the international travel magazine’s list, even pushing Boracay, which previously ruled the rankings, to second place.

In the survey dubbed “2013 World’s Best” conducted from December 2012 to April 2013, Travel+Leisure magazine readers gave Palawan a score of 95.04 points as against Boracay’s 93.58.




The respondents selected for the survey rated the islands based on their natural attractions and beaches as well as their activities, food and people.

Palawan and Boracay beat other world-famous islands in the list, even those that are in Travel+Leisure’s hall of fame.

The island of Maui in Hawaii ranked third this year, followed by Santorini in Greece and Prince Edward Island in Canada.



Other islands in the top 10 list were Bali in Indonesia, Kauai in Hawaii, Sicily in Italy, Koh Samui in Thailand and the Galapagos in Ecuador.

Last year, Palawan hogged the limelight after its famous tourist attraction, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, was named one of the new seven wonders of nature.


source: philstar.com

The age of Discovery

MANILA, Philippines - How do you top paradise?

How do you make “the best” even better?

That’s the challenge for any beach resort on the Philippines’ most famous beach island of Boracay. But only Discovery Shores has a winning formula that’s been singled out by Travel + Leisure magazine, which named it the “Top Hotel Spa in Asia” in its 2012 survey, and included it on its World’s Best Hotels list for three years running.

We were there for a special media event during Earth Hour — Discovery Shores was awarding its annual “Top Producers,” those travel agencies that had generated the most bookings for the resort paradise. Awardees were flown in to the island (by sponsor Seair) and pampered with a two-night stay. As Discovery Shores sales and marketing director Joy Anne C. Denoga told us, it was a night to showcase “the best of the best.” Toward that end, we enjoyed an excellent beachside menu of Alaskan gindara and grilled Palawan lobster prepared by a two-Michelin star chef, Anthony Raymond. We watched, during the lights-out Earth Hour, as the Manila Boys and Girls Black Light Theater lit up the shoreline with a fluorescent spectacle (set to Katy Perry’s Fireworks, Black Eyed Peas’ Time of My Life, et al) that trumpeted the resort’s special place in the pantheon of Bora beach getaways.

Again, how does Discovery Shores excel at something that’s practically perfect already? Boracay is regarded as one of the top beach destinations in the world. Not to take anything away from the proud awardees (Hana Tours, which does a brisk business in selling Korean honeymoon and wedding packages to Discovery Shores, won the top honors), but how hard can it be to sell tickets to paradise? Well, it turns out it’s this extra effort that makes the resort such a memorable experience. While agreeing that write-ups in Travel + Leisure, The New York Times and even the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World guide are “a great help, a boost in our popularity,” Denoga said that maintaining Discovery Shore’s excellence becomes even more important: “We need to make sure that we do deliver, because people have high expectations. We want to deliver because, honestly, it’s good for the Philippines. It’s really about local pride.”

So how do they go the extra mile? Well, it’s worth noting that, in Discovery Shores, your enjoyment is meant to be seamless: from the moment you enter the wooden platform and check in until you check out. Your initial view of the beachfront is mesmerizing. “It’s like entering a dream,” Therese remarked, gazing at the serene blue waters, the perfect sky, the paddle boarders lazily drifting by, the trademark white globes and cocktail tables dotting the sand. And from the moment you arrive, your experience is meant to be effortless. Yet, as with most effortless things, it’s not surprising to learn that lots of people are working behind the scenes to make yours a memorable stay. We noticed first, upon entering our room, a banner welcoming us for our stay; then we spotted a dessert dish with chocolates and a cupcake topped by the Philippine STAR logo. Other little touches — the iPod dock, the wooden tic-tac-toe game, the bedside rack of classic Western novels (The Great Gatsby, Sense and Sensibility, etc.) — remind you this is a place that’s always seeking to win you over.


Well, they had us at the incredible junior suite (one of 88 available rooms), with its raised bed and personal foot-bathing area; the balcony that’s perfect for gazing out across the Boracay treeline and swimming  pool below; they continued to raise the bar as we sauntered past the lobby desk (with its glass jar of Easter cookies for guests to nibble), its billiards table and children’s recreation room and library with computers for Internet use; then it was a stroll down to the (still) perfect white-powder sand to a couple of sprawling beach chairs, where we were quickly attended to by Discovery Shores’ staff (beachfront butlers) who presented beach towels and a cool carafe of pandan water. Later, if you need a ride to D’Mall or other Bora locations, just ask: Discovery Shores provides free shuttle service.



 Then there was the jar of Choconut candies discreetly placed at our table as we waited for our al fresco lunch to arrive. Not a moment passed when our needs went unattended.



So: just imagine you’ve arrived at the Pearly Gates, and you see Saint Peter standing there. And you sheepishly ask, “Do you have anything up here that’s… just a little bit more special?”

That’s Discovery Shores.

Located at Station 1’s White Beach, set back comfortably from its commanding beachfront, this resort still offers the bluest waters, the nicest sand to squash between your toes, and that extra bit of seclusion that’s getting harder to come by in Station 2’s summer party zone. Yet you’re still a barefooted beach walk away from the action, if that’s what you crave.

Food is something else that sets Discovery Shores apart. With chef Raymond as the executive chef of Discovery properties (previously he was with Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills, preparing for a flurry of very particular Hollywood stars), the food at Indigo is awesome enough to earn it two features in Philippine Tatler’s Best Restaurants List, as well as being shortlisted in the 2010/2011 Miele Guide to Asia’s Best Restaurants.

Resident manager Leeds Trompeta pointed out that Discovery Shores has a loyal following of repeat guests, people who book their next three or four stays in advance, sometimes even the same rooms. And let’s not forget weddings: Discovery Shores arranges about 15-20 a year, from elaborate to simple, all of them memorable — like the American/Filipina couple who held a full-scale nuptial on the beachfront just a day before our arrival, complete with a seven-foot wedding cake. The staff works with wedding planners and guests to get every detail right. The wedding and honeymoon market is particularly strong among Korean guests, notes Trompeta.

Another highlight was a visit to Discovery Shore’s award-winning Terra Spa. The 90-minute Terra’s Touch signature treatment is thoroughly relaxing: choose from four oil blends — Alaga with rosemary and ginger (soothing), Sigla with lemongrass and peppermint (energizing), Gayuma with ylang ylang and palmarosa essential oils (for romance) or Hulay with ylang ylang and lavender oils (for relaxing). Let Scott describe his experience: “Being a Gemini, I’m attuned to a certain symmetry in most things: my left and right side should be equally balanced, especially during a massage. At Terra, I was pleased to find that the series of signature strokes was delivered with exactly the same pressure and in the same sequence to both my right and left sides.” (Yes, that’s a little OCD, but Geminis do notice such things.)

Therese, always on the lookout for the best ways to take the hurting from her flamenco-abused feet, also tried the one-hour Dagdagay, a native treatment in which two sticks are used to massage the feet to stimulate blood circulation. “Though the therapist scratching your feet with the sticks takes some getting used to (I was trying not to laugh, actually), the rolling motions were really soothing. I can’t wait to do this again in Manila!”

Discovery Shores is the kind of place where people like to nestle and feel at home. Seeing those colored globes and tables lighting up the beach at night, wandering its tranquil wooden walkways, curling up with a book or a drink on its shaded lounge chairs and sofas — surrounded by the pacifying sound of waves crashing into the shore — you feel something akin to being home. This is the experience that Discovery Shores has raised to a level as fine as the white sands.


 To book your stay at Discovery Shores this summer, contact 719-8888 in Manila, e-mail inquiry@discovery.com.ph  or dsbrsvn@discovery.com.ph, or visit their website (www.discoveryshoresboracay.com).

source: philstar.com

Boracay, Puerto Galera resort projects bag tax perks from BOI

MANILA - Two projects in two of the country's most popular tourist destinations bagged tax and other perks from the Board of Investments (BOI).

In a statement, the BOI on Monday said it approved fiscal incentives for a P2-billion five-star resort hotel that Boracay Seascapes Resort Inc will put up in the world-class island resort. Called the Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, the project qualified for incentives under the 2012 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP).



Boracay Seascapes Resport is a unit of FDC Hotel Corp, which in turn is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp.

Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay will rise on a 2.9-hectare tract of land in Barangay Yapak. The resort hotel will have up to 200 guest rooms as well as banquet facilities, a chapel, food and beverage outlets, a game room, a gym, a kid’s club, a salon, a spa, a swimming pool and water sports facilities.

Groundbreaking for the resort hotel is scheduled within the first quarter of this year while commercial operations would start in December 2017. The project will generate 285 jobs.

The second project costing P419.3-million is called the Talipanan Infinity Paradise Resort, which the company of the same name will build in Talipanan, Poblacion, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

The resort will have 70 rooms. Operations will begin in December, and 88 workers will be hired.

The BOI said these projects would help hit the government’s targets of over seven million tourism jobs and 10 million tourist arrivals by 2016 under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP).

Launched last year, NTDP calls for tourism investments worth P265 billion and the construction of more than 50,000 hotel and resort rooms between 2012 and 2016.

source: interaksyon.com

Boracay’s Famed White Sands Protected

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) --- Persons caught carting off Boracay Island’s powdery white sand will be imposed stricter penalties with the recent amendment of a Malay, Aklan ordinance banning extraction and collection of white sand and pebbles from the country’s premier holiday destination’s beach.

The Malay Sangguniang Bayan implemented amendments in Municipal Ordinance 310 recently run in a local newspaper with an aim to stop the blatant extraction of white sand from the island.

“Boracay Island, a masterpiece of nature endowed by the Almighty with powdery white sand, is being gradually dissipated by man’s selfish interests without due regard to consequences,” the ordinance stated.

The imposition of stricter penalties provided in the ordinance was also anchored on the provision of the Constitution to protect and advance the people’s right to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature and on the Local Government Code’s mandate for the protection of the environment and the imposition of appropriate penalties for acts endangering the environment.

With said amendments in place, first offenders caught extracting Boracay Island’s white sand will be fined P2,500 or imprisoned for a month or not more than three month, or both, at the court’s discretion.

For subsequent offenses, the ordinance imposes imprisonment of not less than three months or not more than six months.

The amended ordinance also said juridical persons, hotels, resorts, or business establishments violating the ordinance will be fined P2,500, imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months or both, to be imposed on the establishment’s president, manager, administrator, owner or proprietor.

If warranted, the offending establishments’ business permit may also be revoked.

Aside from the imposition of said stricter penalties, the offenders will also have to return to the beach the white sand and pebbles they extracted and collected.

source: mb.com.ph

No. 1 island prepares for Boracay Newcoast

MANILA, Philippines - It was only a matter of time. From No. 4 last year, Boracay Island has surged to No. 1 island in the world, according to British magazine Travel + Leisure.





With an aggregate score of 93.10, Boracay bested runner-up Bali and the previous year’s champion, Santorini, which was relegated to sixth place. Boracay was also named Asia’s Best Island, topping perennial favorites Bali and Phuket. The 2012 poll was conducted among the magazine’s jet-setting subscribers and the awards were held last July 19 at the Conrad Flagship Hotel in New York City.

It is likely that majority of the 700,000 foreign tourists who visited Boracay in the first half of the year — a 41 percent rise over the same period in 2011 — thoroughly enjoyed their stay and had a lasting impression of the island, that is why Boracay achieved such lofty status.

Such acclaim and the continued influx of tourists will only mean two things. First, Boracay will become a more popular destination worldwide with all the goodwill from top publications like Travel + Leisure plus good word-of-mouth from millions of past visitors. Second, more hotels must be built over the next few years to accommodate the rising number of tourists and delight them with the best of Filipino hospitality.

One expansive project within Boracay will help the island reach its true tourism potential. Boracay Newcoast on the island’s eastern side will rise as its first fully master-planned tourist hub. Covering 140 hectares and an estimated 14 percent of the island’s total area, Boracay Newcoast boasts its own private beach coves with a one-km. white sand beachfront.





According to Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI) vice president for marketing and project head Abraham Mercado, “Boracay Newcoast has been master planned to raise the bar of tourist experience.” GERI is the developer behind Boracay Newcoast and is the tourism arm of Filipino tycoon Andrew Tan.

Five international and local hotels are set to be built within Boracay Newcoast and add 1,500 hotel suites to Boracay’s room inventory. More rooms will be added once investors start to operate their lodging offerings at Boracay Newcoast’s Boutique Hotel district. Their guests will also enjoy access to a private beach cove.

One of Boracay Newcoast’s hotels is set to transform Boracay into the Ibiza of Asia. Home to Boracay’s first and only pool concert arena, Savoy Hotel will host various electronic dance music festivals and concerts. Overlooking the pool and bar area is a 400-square-meter dance roof deck capping a row of commercial establishments.

Oceanway Residences, the first residential condominium cluster in Boracay, enjoys a prime location tucked between two greens of Fairways & Bluewater — the only championship golf course on the island — with resplendent views of the private white beach coves and Sibuyan Sea.

Over at the Shophouse District, tourists can stock up on Boracay souvenirs, dine on the freshest seafood, or schedule a dive to check out the island’s marine treasures, among others.

Guests who fall in love with the Boracay experience may opt for a permanent home at Newcoast Village, Boracay Newcoast’s first and only exclusive gated village. Mercado recommended that lot buyers take inspiration from the ocean villas in Bali, Phuket and Santorini to design their homes.

He added that with a capital-intensive and highly marketable project like Boracay Newcoast, Boracay’s long-term viability and tourism appeal are ensured for the long term.

And just as Boracay’s standing has surged within the global tourism industry, so does GERI, as the company reported an increase in reservation sales to P3 billion for the first five months of the year during its annual stockholders meeting last June 28. This means that investors have warmed up to the potential of integrated tourism projects like Boracay Newcoast, Mercado concluded.

source: philstar.com

Travel Writer-Director Gabby Malvar Campaigns For ‘Responsible’ Traveling

MANILA, Philippines – If it were up to travel writer-director Gabby Malvar, he would much rather have Boracay, the country’s prime beach destination, closed-down for at least ten years.

During an exclusive interview with Bulletin Entertainment at the press screening of his travel documentary show “Islands Insider” at Greenbelt 3 cinema on May 21, Malvar good-naturedly explained that Boracay desperately needs rehabilitation, whether a lot of people agree with it or not.

Malvar insisted that the island has greatly depreciated over the years after its has openly accommodated multitudes of visitors, a fact proven by the disturbing algae deposit and trash that have now littered the once-pristine white sandy beaches of Boracay.

Malvar appealed to other travel junkies like him as well as to vacationers to explore other sites in the country instead of going to overly-visited spots like Boracay, Bohol and the underground river of Puerto Princesa in Palawan. He believes that aside from giving the aforementioned destinations ample time to regenerate its resources by reducing the the number of tourists populating the areas, opting for less-explored places could also help spread out the boost to the local tourism industry, which is something that the country has been targeting for the longest time.

“Please consider not going to Boracay first. Consider not going to Bohol, surely the people from Bohol and Boracay would hate me, but please, try other places,” he urged.

According to him, while it’s greatly overwhelming that foreigners have started noticing the country’s inherent beauty, on a local level, we Filipinos are yet to fully-recognize our country’s potential by supporting and promoting less-marketed yet equally beholding destinations like Mt. Pulag in Benguet and the Batad Rice Terraces in the Cordilleras.

As someone who have seen these places first-hand, Malvar stressed that, in truth, the duty of promoting the country isn’t and will never be the government’s job alone. Instead, he pointed out that it is also the travelers' responsibility to spread the word about it.

“You cannot be travelers and just say that, ‘Okay I’ve been there done that, I’m off to my next destination.’ You have a responsibility and that is to tell people, to educate,” said Malvar.

More, he also added that, at the very least, these self-styled travel junkies who put up travel blogs and post photos of their experiences in one place also need to recognize that they have accountability, too.

“You have some responsibility to the next person to be able to preserve it—the heritage,” he enthused.

On ‘Islands Insider’

After talking about traveling and the responsibilities it involves, Malvar then tackled his latest work that he actually considers to be the “visual version” of his upcoming book.

Malvar, prior to becoming the show’s director, is actually a travel columnist (Viajero Chronicles) who dreams of having to tell travel stories in a certain “experiential” way.

“Ginggay [Hontiveros, the show’s host] and I have just talked about it. Because I write, I was really writing a book and then as I was finishing… I thought maybe I can do not just [the] book, [but do something] not just in written words but, you know, with more visuals. I thought it would be something better,” he related as to how he came to make “Islands Insider.”

According to him, he picked the word “Insider” because it connotes “a point of truth that an outsider would not know”

“Parang there seems to be more insight. Insiders, they know something that other people wouldn’t know. We called it ‘Islands Insiders’ because the stories are told by people who actually live there; by the Ifugaos, the Ibaloys, by a Shaman in Siquijor. [The stories all] told by the locals,” he shared, adding that as locals to those places, “they can best tell the story rather than us.”

During the event, they screened the first two episodes of the show: “Batad Rice Terraces” and “Coron,” respectively. The show, apart from showcasing the breathtaking sceneries of a location, notably digresses from typical travel shows by giving attention to the dilemmas currently faced by the natives of a certain province.

To this, Malvar noted that the said aspect—the fact that every area has problems that need to be addressed—was actually part of their requirements in picking a place to feature.

“I think we’ve always been aware. Maybe it’s the way we approach things, the way we look at things, there’s always something that can always be improved. There’s always something that’s needed to preserve a place. And maybe we also gravitate towards stories like that,” he shared.

“Islands Insider” will feature six episodes that seek to reveal the cultural and historical bases of some of the most compelling sites in the country. Hosted by Ginggay Hontiveros, the show will premiere this June on the National Geographic Channel.

source: mb.com.ph

Rafael Rosell goes 'green'

BORACAY, Aklan – Seeing how dire the environment’s situation has become, Rafael Rosell believes that every effort—great and small—to save Mother Nature matters.

Rosell, who is in Boracay for the 15th Nestea Beach Volleyball event, joined the shore clean up activity on April 20 and lamented how much beach-goers have been negligent in putting away trash properly.

“I’m not saying that [for any other reason], but I’m a nature person talaga eh. I love surfing eh tapos lagi kami sa dagat so alam namin ‘yung consequences kapag sobrang dami ng basura sa dagat.” Rosell told Bulletin Entertainment and select members of the press who were flown in for the Nestea event Friday.

Rosell hopes even more people would get involved in maintaining the beaches in the country, especially Boracay, which he describes as the “pinakamagandang isla sa buong mundo.”

According to Rosell, it's not only Mother Nature that has been suffering from people's irresponsibility. In fact, he underscored that people are more likely to feel its effect as “hindi na masayang mag-swimming" as beaches become more polluted.

The 30-year-old model-actor, who's been to Boracay countless time before, enthused that a lot of things have changed in Boracay from the first time he visited the island. For one, there are more resorts that have sprung like mushrooms along the shores.

In turn, “Now there’s more people. From the first time na pumunta ako dito ngayon may lumot na, na I think it’s done by us din kasi if you pollute the water namamatay ‘yung algae tsaka nawa-wash sa shore,” he said.

Then, of course, when there are more people, it follows that more trash is being produced, and it worries Rosell.

“Honestly para siyang city na may beach. And if people prefer that then tara, let’s continue what we’re doing [throwing trash everywhere]. But if we still want nature, tara linisin natin kahit konti man lang ‘di ba?” he encouraged.

Green living

Before judging him as being “pretentiously green” for the sake of the event, Rosell proudly shared that he practices green at home in Manila. His green lifestyle doesn’t solely include the “no throwing of trash outside the car window” rule.

He admits to being strict about observing such a rule even encouraging his peers to take his cue.

“I tell my friends not to throw garbage out of the car. Kasi ang dali dali nalang eh. Just put it in your bag or put it in your pocket, ‘di ba? Mas malaki ang magagawa no’n kesa itapos mo lang sa labas,” Rosell pointed out.

Using those increasingly becoming popular eco-friendly bags is also part of Rosell’s environmental efforts.

“I have this grocery shop na lagi akong pumupunta, I bring that tela na bag. I guess that’s my little contribution,” states Rosell.

He also participates in Earth Hour, the worldwide initiative encouraging households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change. More, whenever he’s at home, he tries not to use the aircon in as much as to save electricity and do his share in lessening carbon monoxide emissions.

In terms of food choices, the actor opts for greens as well. Apart from being fond of leafy salads, Rosell revealed that he’s been a pescetarian for over two years now.

“I’m a pescetarian. I don’t eat meat, pork and chicken. I did research kasi on how they process everything and I told myself, ‘yeah I’ll stick to fish na lang,’” he shared.

However, he quickly stressed that shunning meats is a “personal choice” and that he’s not “preaching” to convert people.

Rosell said the switch to becoming a no-meat person melded pretty well with his lifestyle because “‘Pag kinakain mo naman ‘yung gusto mo, there’s really no challenge in anything, ‘di ba, because you love what you’re doing.”

Rosell together with Matteo Guidicelli, Jake Cuenca, Bianca Manalo, Karylle, Erich Gonzales and Derek Ramsay are the celebrity guests in the 15th Nestea Beach Volleyball event in Boracay from April 19-21.

source: mb.com.ph

Boracay Island All Set To Host Major International Sports Event

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan (PNA) - All roads lead to this world-famous resort island, reputedly the country’s premier holiday beach destination, for the Boracay Island Paddlers Association (BIPA)- hosted 6th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival to be held April 26-28.

The BIPA said around a thousand paddlers from Australia, mainland China, Canada, United States, Singapore, The Netherlands and Hong Kong have already confirmed their participation in the event.

The local sports association said it has also invited Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez to grace the event. Officials and members of the Philippine Kanoe Kayak Federation are expected to also come to the Boracay Island for the three-day sports hoopla.

For several years now, the BIPA, which is a group comprised of local boat paddlers based in Boracay with some 300 members, has successfully held and hosted the annual dragon boat festival on the island, contributing substantially to Boracay’s reputation as the Mecca for water sports in the country.

Aside from the Dragon Boat fest, Boracay, mainly through the initiative of champion Philippine female windsurfer, Boracay native Ms. Nenet Graf has, for the past 22 years, been hosting an international windsurf and kiteboard competition, now officially known as the Neil Pryde Boracay International Funboard Cup.

source: mb.com.ph

Police warn about fake bills in Boracay

Iloilo City — Police have raised an alert about a criminal group using fake peso bills after nine alleged gang members were arrested in a series of operations in Boracay and Caticlan over the weekend.

The nine suspects, mostly from Iloilo and Negros Occidental, were arrested in three operations by the Boracay and Malay police from the evening of March 16 until the next morning.

All the suspects were detained at the Malay police station and would face various criminal charges including violation of Articles 164 (Mutilation of Coins) and 168 (Possession of Fake/Counterfeit Money) of the Revised Penal Code.

Senior Supt. Cornelio Defensor, Aklan police director said seized from the suspects were “around P92,000 in fake and genuine money.”

The peso bills will be examined by Central Bank representatives to determine which are fake and genuine. Several of the confiscated peso bills had the same serial numbers, according to the police report.

The Central Bank representatives would also file charges against the suspects, Defensor said.

Three other members of the group were believed to have eluded arrest and were being hunted.

Defensor said charges would be filed against the suspects with the Aklan provincial prosecutor’s office Tuesday.

He said the suspects were believed to be part of a syndicate operating in Western Visayas and Mindoro and Romblon Islands.

Investigators were still determining the source and manufacturer of the fake peso bills.

He said the group members, who arrived in Boracay on March 16, could be anticipating the influx of tourists on the island for the summer vacation. /INQUIRER

source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/164883/police-warn-about-fake-bills-in-boracay