The Boracaynon

By Gil delos Santos  In great percentage, our circle defines our own persona. It's a classic that you "tell me who your friends are, I'll tell who you are". When we make friends with alcoholics for instance, we draw ourself closer to alcoholism. If we enjoy feasting on gossips with friends, we end up like them—marites who finds happiness and entertainment on other people's misfortunes or controversies. If we allow to take corrupt favors in exchange of convenience and friendship, we let ourselves become part of the system.  We inevitably absorb their mantra. We react from their energy. We react from their influence. We react from their mindset. Subconsciously, we become them in time...without knowing it.  This presents a level of great significance to filter who we engage with and which environment we place our selves in. Our peace and growth are dictated by the energy that surrounds us.  In another dimention, when we are surrounded by mentors that seek no validati...

By Gil delos Santos Face on the posters is not the main issue where hate is hyped and directed. Results should be the gauge of key performance and the appropriate subject for criticism.  Optics is just one aspect of Marketing. Marketing is just one aspect of the whole tourism operation. I could have applauded the face campaign if it did deliver great results—mainly in foreign arrivals for instance. Unang una, she's got a pleasing face. Pangalawa, she's got personality; lawyer, intellectual, at eloquent with great communication skills.  In otherhand, with the secretary's data presentation highlighting success in different areas of tourism: accolade, tourism receipts, gdp contributions; and the claimed advantage over other asian neighbors, there's big irony unmatching the realities of 34 travel alerts disfavored the Philippines. One thing I'm convinced though is that the secretary is a hardworking cabinet member. She just happen to come from a political background wit...

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: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Q44TeFswV/ 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 behind—except for the usual complains how bad our Department of Tourism is being run. I have followed the tourist arrival stats and trends in the past years. I research and collect tourist impressions over time. Here's what I found out: FACTORS AFFECTING LOW FOREIGN ARRIVAL 1) 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶...

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...