I just came from a 4 day 3-night work/vacation weekend in Boracay. So much has changed from when I was there last about 8 years ago, then last year, then now. Some good some bad - - - but all essentially will make you want to go back.
There are 4 things I watch out for there whenever I visit this little island: 1) the sun & the sand; 2) the sea; 3) interesting people and : 4) interesting events. All four I enjoyed immensely.
THE SUN and SAND- The sun was brightly shining, and even if I could not stay out and burn myself (had a small operation on my face which I have to take care of) it was still good to see its jolly rays reflecting on the sand, the people and streaming through ripples of leaves amidst coconut trees. It was also fun to see i reflecting on the different colored beads on the sidewalk and on the color of people’s different skin tones. What a delight! The sands were as fine as ever, never have I really enjoyed burying my feet in the cool, fine powder like sand but in Boracay!
THE SEA - Although it had a lot of algae, the sea was blue and clear. Nothing brought me more joy than just looking at it and seeing the horizon…enough said.
THE PEOPLE - Now this is THE most interesting part. Because I had so much time by myself, watching, walking and observing that I met so many interesting people. I met society and fashion a-listers there because of work. I call them the "flair squad" - the likes of Robbie Carmona,Rajo Laurel, Jenni Epperson and Tim Yap. These people are larger than life - they embody fun, fun, and fun. they usually are invited to Bora for free because wherever they are the party is happening. They can’t help but stand out even in a long stretch of beach because they’re burtsing with energy, charisma and character. They are the ones who get to swim in the morning and party till the wee hours in the morning at night. They are not afraid to get a tan because its fun, and they will remember your name once they’ve been introduced to you.
There are the some who I like to call "waterproofs " they who have matching, color coordinated outifts from head to toe. Airport palang they will dress up na and wear their best slip-ons or havaianas but will daintily take-them off when they have to wade the water. They are the ones who need to pay extra 300 P beccause their luggage is overweight. They have the best bikinis & boardshoarts in the beach but will NEVER EVER MAKE their outfits WET. They will only probably get wet and dirty in their worst bikini and change to something else right after. They are fashion savants - highly fashionable but impractical. Madaming ganito sa Boracay and most of them will leave the island without a tan. Hehe, cute.
There are some water-babies naman from Manila who never left the island na. I forget what you call them, but to a certain effect they are "imported natives." Bartenders in Plazo Leta are all from Manila who never went home. They have very tan skin but there is still something in their gait or perhaps tagalog-english accents that give them away. These people are friendly fun and very laid back & most probably will never go back home. Bora is their home…
These three groups are the ones I found most interesting, the rest I just passed by.
INTERESTING EVENTS - I also learned something new in Boracay - how to play the Bonggos. One evening, a writer who I just had met called me over as she was interviewing "apoy dancers." Funnily it was like zips pero mas low-tech. Island version nila iyon. Their contraption was two heavy metal chains and a squarish flammable weight which they twirl to the sound of drums.
I met Cisco, a balikbayan who opted to stay in Boracay for the last 3-years, Sean a Canadian native and Ate Ching (a Bacolodian who also never left) who partly comprise of ths group. We started listening to them play, and a tiny crowd gathered - later they taught me how to play drums which I had to sit on. Some people started to dance and we played on until it became too dark to see. It was pure magic* with the sunset and the sea lapping behind me and the beats of the drum as bass.
They invited me back the following day and I found a more interesting sight. I was invited to play the drums with Ate Ching and a Manila chorale group couldnt resist and started to sing accapella. Sean started to do a fire dance and in classic bohemian fashion started to pass a money bowl around after (he didnt share the money with me though, hehe).
Only in Boracay. Now Im nursing a bad flu and fever, probably from all the walking and the cold sea air. But I’ll be back, definitely.
