The Boracaynon

By Gil delos Santos 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 (that's how we traditionally call Manocmanoc proper), in my childhood, Manocmanoc Beach was our playground. We used to catch and play with 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 is formed near Cagban Beach which we call "Recudo". After the monsoon season t...

By Gil delos Santos 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 (that's how we traditionally call Manocmanoc proper), in my childhood, Manocmanoc Beach was our playground. We used to catch and play with 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 that time "Lambiyong" or "Balangawan" costs 5 pesos per caltex (1 liter tub). During the monsoon season, a sandbar is formed near Cagban Beach which we call "Recudo". After the monsoon season the ...

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...

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...