The Boracaynon

By Gil delos Santos In the vastness of the universe we live in, it is ironic how Filipino culture often treats life as a cookie-cutter. We aspire to replicate “success paths” without first engaging in deep self-awareness or checking for self-applicability. We sell the idea that success can be copied wholesale—that entrepreneurship is the highway to prosperity. This is a miss. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. Yet there is very little discourse about who should not start a business—or when one is actually ready. Having worked for successful personalities and some of the world’s wealthiest individuals during my 20-year professional stint abroad, I’ve seen where success truly thrives. Across industries and cultures, it is consistently shaped by three deeply self-aware masters: 1. THE INVENTOR  Inventors are either born with gifts destined for breakthroughs, or they are disciplined goal-getters who reinvent themselves by starting at the bottom to acquire real-life skill...

By Gil delos Santos The Philippines is one of the most culturally diversed countries. Filipinos are the most adaptive. The spaniards introduced christianity. Japan taught norm conformity. The Americans brought competitiveness. Colonization has supposed to bring great influences. However the Philippines today is a broken society. Behind christianity, corruption was co-introduced. Behind norm confirmity, greed grew. Behind competitiveness, it bred dependency.  With all influences, the most common Filipino trait is its hospitality. This is rooted in the practice of christianity, conformity, and the sense of competitiveness. This embedded culture of hospitality now manifests negative impact on society more than how it was intended to work.  Over hospitality has produced lazy parents, greedy politicians, and self-entitled generation. Lazy parents are too hospitable that find convenience in providing a mobile phone or tablet rather than to discipline children in tantrums. Most polit...

By Gil delos Santos Michelin restaurant ratings first got conceived for marketing purposes in 1900. It's a free guide book given to motorists containing: Maps and mechanics’ listings, Gas stations, Hotels and restaurants along routes. Michelin, being a tire company first published it to encourage road travel — and of course, tire sales.  Today, it is celebrated as a status that adds business value to restaurant operators and chefs. They succeeded to serve its purpose outside the business of selling tires. It is now a renowned restaurant recognition body. I've personally been to Michelin restaurants in Europe. It would cost you a bit to be able to experience the celebrated restaurants and chefs. After realizing that homestyle carinderia food is still my favorite, I thought that Michelin ratings are not for everyone. It's just a status symbol.  The principle is comparable to Johnnie Walker Blue Label versus Gin bilog. Common people would enjoy and get drunk with a...

By Gil delos Santos While the western world now combats against over tourism, the Philippines in other hand struggles to get a good share on foreign arrivals. The latest Seasia stats report placed the Philippines at the bottom with 3m arrivals from January to August 2025 versus the top: Malaysia and Thailand with over 20m respectively, Vietnam with 13m.  Pre-pandemic — in 2019, Thailand records 30m+, Vietnam 18m, The Philippines with 8m. It has always been a struggle for the Philippines. But 2025 is looking the worst so far.  We always read reports on statistics but we don't often see the reasons why we're too behind — except for the usual complains how bad our Department of Tourism is being run. I've been following the tourist arrival stats and trends in the past years. I research, collect tourist impressions, and make my own evaluation. Now I want to share a bit of it.  FACTORS AFFECTING LOW FOREIGN ARRIVAL 1) Geographical Isolation — This is the top reason ...

There's a brewing war against over tourism around the world right now. Recently, Spain marched to the streets to protest against Airbnb operators who overfill the country. Protesters even spray water guns to tourists because it disables the locals' privilige to enjoy its local serenity. Over tourism robs social benefits from locals seen in the increased rental fees and commodities caused by high demand. France temporarily closes some landmarks for tourists as local workers protest for over crowd. Mexico went violent in protest destroying restaurants and boutique shops in tourist places. Australia rushes to create policies to counter over tourism. Other European country residents have become too vocal on protest against over tourism. COMMON CAUSE OF MOVEMENT AGAINST OVER TOURISM  1) Overcrowding in Popular Destinations 2) Rising Housing and living Costs 3) Environmental Impact 4) Loss of Local Identity and Culture 5) Strain on Infrastructure 6) Unbalanced Economy CAUSE OF OVER T...

 By: Gil delos Santos A long journey took me to this point now where matters that matter are only the ones that I want — choose to do what I only want to do in the beat of my heart and do not do what I don't want to do without reservations. Disengaging my strings from my old world does not mean I lose the heart for what I used to do. It's just that we outgrow a lot of things when we start to value to achieve own peace and space in our own pace. We outgrew (1) backpacking as we deserve a bit of luxury already after getting through decades of hardwork to make dreams come true. We outgrew (2) giving a shit to pity gossips about us. We outgrew (3) validation seeking through social media — bragging rights. We outgrew (4) liking public display of love stories in social media as manifestation of battling insecurities. We outgrew (5) screams for public attention and recognition. We outgrew (6) working on the hand level as critiquing and overseeing become our level of capabi...

By: Gil delos Santos Reading through the latest issue of Boracay Sun (August–September 2025), I cannot help but reflect on how diverse Boracay has become in terms of demographics. Yet, this diversity feels alienating at times. On crucial issues that shape the island’s future, I ask myself: where are the voices of my fellow Boracaynon community members? Who represents us? Who speaks for our sentiments? Now, in an island where true Boracaynons have become a minority—outnumbered and often overshadowed in representation and decision-making—I cannot help but wonder: tunay nga Boracaynons sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa, diin ron kamo? I may be labeled conservative, even a hopeless romantic, for longing for the old Boracay. But if you have not truly lived and breathed how this island once was, you may never understand the depth of our yearning for its lost soul. I hold the highest respect for every industry player in Boracay and am grateful for the contributions that have shaped t...