The Boracaynon

By Gil delos Santos A reaction to some Boracaynons' complain about the Barangay ID requirement at the port   I personally have a Barangay ID from Manocmanoc, my home residence, but I only carry my driver's license with me which I also use for Boracay entry. One time, I was asked of Barangay ID after presenting my driver's licence. I calmly responded and apologized that I don't have it in my possession that particular time and just pointed my Boracay address that's indicated in the driver's license. As calm and polite as I react, the port personnel returned the same energy and allowed my entry smoothly. While on Facebook, there is a rant circulating from Boracay based fellows complaining that port personnel are being hard ass on them. Are they really difficult or they're just performing a job? Let's avoid acting like dick heads for self-convenience. It is for us residents, why they have to be strict. It is for our own protection. Just comply i...

By Gil delos Santos In response to the public's reaction on DOT's intention to accept tourists from countries with low covid cases Few weeks ago, I have personally declared disagreement to the Province of Aklan's early move to open Boracay for Western Visayas tourists with obvious reason fearing for the virus infection.  Today is a different story. In fairness to the good DOT secretary, we need to get the economy ball rolling. We cannot wait for the uncertain time for the vaccine before we start dribbling again. People's livelihood has to live again so the economy could kick off slowly. We cannot do that with borders sealed off. That's why there is a "new normal". We just need to adopt and comply. We all die in time. Know how to protect yourself, that's all we need to do. There's a lot other contagious and deadly diseases out there that claim more lives everyday. Why live in fear? Life is short, shorter than you know it esp when you die...

By Gil delos Santos IGBARAS is a third class municipality in the South-western part of Iloilo province known to be one of the hiker's favorite destinations as they are blessed with waterfalls, caves, climbing rocks, beautiful mountain ridges which the popular Mount Napulak belongs to, and locals with notable genuine hospitality. We initiated the hike from Barangay Igcabugao which we had to pass through a community of mountain residents as we ascend to our first Mountain, Napulak. I had absorbed a good load of happy innocent vibe connecting to the children before starting the proper mountain journey. These kids have physically grown from the time I last saw them in my previous visits. At the same time, the reconnection naturally streamed down and effortlessly grown too. That's a good "pabaon" - their innocent smiles and timid but genuine thank you for the little present I have for them. Getting to Mount Napulak once again is a mix of happy and little concer...

By Gil delos Santos Is Western Visayas covid free yet?  I haven't seen a published guideline on how to accept WV tourist yet but I can assume that our government cannot afford to hold and have every single guest tested, wait for the result before they could be allowed in the island in realtime. This is the only measure I see that could work to avoid virus infection spread out in response to opening Boracay at this stage of the pandemic.  Learn the lesson of the "Balik Probinsya" Program. Let's not copy the "Balik Probinsya, hatid covid" junk. The intention was good but the measures are inefficiently carried out. We understand that the economy has to somehow kick off. My bills even remain unpaid because my livelihood depends on tourism but I don't want to trade that at this point in time with Boracay opening on the 16th. The economy will die harder once infection starts or restarts in the island. It will trigger spread out to delay flattening ...