The Boracaynon

By Gil deloss Santos It's just WRONG to hear or read narratives conveying that Boracay's first inhabitants are the ATI Tribe nor the Panay Bukidnon.  The only official government document available online that provides information about Boracay IPs is the NCIP's CADT award in favor of BATO (Boracay Ati Tribal Organization).  President Noynoy gave the Boracay Atis dignity by giving them a formal dwelling in 2010. But history tells that they are not the first inhabitants of the island.  They were nomads passing through Boracay finding for sustenance.  Before they first stepped on the island, Boracaynons were already in Boracay.  This account is not only by assumption nor by a theory. They are facts handed down to us, born Boracaynons.  My great grandparents were born in Boracay before the 1900s, my father in 1939.  The Ati’s nomadic lifestyle was disrupted when Boracaynon locals began employing them as laborers. I remember one of my grandfath...

By Gil delos Santos I have been quiet with the issue on increased fees in Boracay because I don't support the idea on making it cheaper in general for Boracay tourists.  If there are Philippine destinations they intend to make it inclusive to all market segments, with Boracay, it contradicts to its identity being recognized as Asia's Leading Luxury Island Destination. We're on top since 2024, awardee for three consecutive years — ironically, the same period Boracay hurdles economic decline.  Luxury travellers and or high spending tourists don't mind the price tag for the right experience. What is the ideal tourism experience for high spenders? No big crowd. Stillness.  Privacy is king. Open spaces is luxury.  If we always give way for the cheapest cost for Boracay travellers, what market segment we do attract? Yun na nga yun! Ito na ang klase ng tourista na in-attract natin for years para sa Boracay. Kaya even how much the volume is, the island still feels empty....

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...