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THAILAND
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Philippines |
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Summer events draw
crowds to Boracay |
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Source: Inquirer |
Author: Alex Y. Vergara |
Date: 1999-05-09 |
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AFTER reeling from a series of natural and man-made disasters,
Boracay is slowly regaining its reputation as one of the
country's premier tourist destinations.
''Business was bad last year,'' said Bebot Gadon. ''PAL cancelled
its flights just when tourism was beginning to pick up after the
coliform scare. Then Cebu Pacific's crash added to the slump.''
But Gadon, GM of Willy's Beach Resort, can now heave a sigh
of relief. Judging from the number of people who flocked to to
Boracay recently, happy days are here again.
Unlike many resort owners, Gadon and her family hail from
Boracay. Willy's is one the first resorts to open in the island. It
reopened two years ago after several months of renovation. The
40-room hotel was reportedly fully booked last week.
So were other competitors such as Mila's, Waling-Waling and
the newly opened Regency. There are reportedly more than
2,000 rooms lining up the famous beach strip.
More Filipino visitors
Discos such as Beachcomber and Bazura were packed with local
and foreign tourists. European backpackers made little-known
Boracay world-famous two decades ago, but Filipinos now
comprise 60 percent of visitors.
A flurry of summer activities helped boost tourist arrivals in
recent weeks. Who says a regatta is only for yacht owners?
With the help of local fishermen, hobbyists also held a paraw
regatta.
A paraw is a traditional sailboat said to be used by ancient
Malays to reach the Philippines. It requires at least three people
to control and balance.
Kids also made miniature paraws from recycled wood and
plastic. But looking at how well-made they were, we wondered if
their fathers did it for them.
''Tourism becomes more meaningful if it involves the local
community,'' said event organizer Marian Aguiluz-Eastwood.
''Not only do they know Boracay well, they have a stake in its
future.''
Several Manila-based companies cooked up related events.
Bank of the Philippine Islands, for instance, held a Paint a Sail
contest. Top winners were Vic Dabao, Samuel Kintana and C.S.
Cortez.
For the young crowd, San Miguel Beer hosted a rave party at
Beachcomber. There were also nightly fashion shows by young
designers Theresa Eastwood, Ian Goldwyn and Brando Umali.
Nestea held the championship round of its volleyball
tournament. College students from leading colleges and
universities vied for top prizes.
Still, many regulars pine for the old Boracay. There was a time,
said Gadon, when only nipa huts, fishing boats and nets lined
up the seashore.
Kids can frolick freely without fear of stepping on
sun-worshipping strangers. Rave parties and karaoke bars were
unheard of. Rapid changes began to occur when electric power
was installed in the early '90s.
''We can't bring back the old, idyllic Boracay,'' said Gadon. ''But
we can preserve its beauty while catering to the market's
changing needs.''
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