The Boracaynon

By Gil delos Santos Today is a wind down day on the last leg of a spontaneous 40-day escape across various tourism locations in the country.  It’s a privilege to slow travel and discover the unique characteristics of every destination we’ve visited. More than the face of every location, we have actual experienced nature, people, systems, food, facilities, amenities, and everything in between.  After 40 days on the road, here are some observations I’d like to share: 𝟭) 𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘀. For instance, Coron personally ranked among my least favorite destinations in terms of expectation versus reality. My reference point was the heavily promoted lagoons and white beaches. The actual experience felt different from what I had imagined.  Send me a private message if ...

By Gil delos Santos Photo: "Tuyo" (dried fish) as one of the highlights in a five star hotel breakfast COMMON NARRATIVE  Tuyo is a poor family's cheapest sustenance. VALUE FOCUS NARRATIVE  Tuyo is a Filipino comfort food enjoyed by families brought by abundance of the Philippine sea. As Philippine tourism ambassadors, each one of us contributes how we shape our country's perception.  When we go around, even luxury travellers could encounter mishaps along the way. It's the universe' nature of balance.  As storytellers, we must choose to take pride in sharing the value over inconvenience.  This is a responsibility not realized when summoned by the feeling of entitlement and arrogance.  It's just convenient to be arrogant than be goodwill ambassadors. It's what divides high value travellers over tryhard status seekers. In order to target intentional travellers, the Philippines must have a conscious effort how we tell stories, how we depict our...

By: Gil delos Santos Decades back — the time when my profession demanded how to make my bosses and clients happy, I made a promise to myself that once I reach 50, I should be on that same position. Not necessarily to employ people to work for me, but just a simple personal time I must reward myself for my own sanity: slow travels, immersive experiences, being anonymous.  That time is now. It's a golden era for all the hardwork I have contributed to the world I care about.  40s is just a prelude to a more serious life beginnings in the 50s.  I've noticed that protein alone just don't grow muscles in your 50s without lifting weights unlike in the younger years where daily activities are quite enough to make you look fit to feel great. In a significant side, what we gain in the 50s are not just 6-packs muscles if we work for it, but brain muscles and wisdom accordingly. That's sexier than the 6-packs in the view of people on a higher frequency.  I am in the ...

By Gil delos Santos OVER-DEVELOPMENT STRIPS BORACAY'S CULTURAL IDENTITY For us local Boracaynons, taking over or giving away our cultural spaces to mega corporations and government projects disable us to conduct traditional activites on public spaces that belonged to the community.  That's how Boracay's cultural identity is lost due to over-development.  Sa Baryo or Punda (that's how we traditionally call Manocmanoc proper), in my childhood, Manocmanoc Beach was our playground. We used to catch and play with "guyokoy", hermit crabs or "bungog" and "mawik" all day. Swim in the water everyday like it's our own paradise—unbothered, undisturbed.  In the afternoon, our oldies gather at the shore to wait for Nong Musing and Nong Rudy, our local fisherfolks, to bring fish to the community which at that time "Lambiyong" or "Balangawan" costs 5 pesos per caltex (1 liter tub).  During the monsoon season, a sandbar ...

By Gil delos Santos Recognized as the World's Leading Luxury Island Destination again in 2025, Boracay can take advantage to gain in solidifying its share in the "luxury" market. Marketing efforts must target the niche luxury slow travellers.  Boracay does need Tiktok vloggers in contrast to most people's exaggerated regard for influencers. Here's why: 1) Vloggers are not spenders (in general). They always demand xdeals and sponsorships if not paid. 2) The viewing Tiktok community are mostly validation seeking which the influencers take advantage of in giving affirmations and "pa-inggit" through their contents focused to trigger emotions. 3) The wealthy and the professionals don't have time and interest on Tiktok. They have life standards most people can't afford. They don't seek approval nor validation. These are the people we want to attract to come to Boracay. They are spenders that don't care about the price tags—people with value and...

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 our seniors with nothing left...

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...