This Week in Boracay (January 21 to 27, 2018)

A better road network and drainage system in Boracay can be expected this year. According to news reports, the local government unit of Malay allocated PhP10 million for the improvement of roads in the island. Construction for the Boracay drainage system will also resume this January, a move eyed to prevent flooding in the island. The Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) is allocating an additional PhP400 million for the project. Early this month, officials from the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted an inspection in Boracay.

Streetmarket Boracay is a modern food hall located inside Station X, the commercial space of the newly opened Hue Hotels & Resorts Boracay in Station 3. The food hall has seven main restaurants including Santa Peligrosa, Diavolo, Poketo, Fat Rice, Percy, Winner Winner, and Sugar Cloud. A bar, convenience store, souvenir shop, and other restaurants are also within the vicinity of Streetmarket. The establishment has a spacious area where diners could sit and enjoy their meals. Streetmarket Boracay is open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

Located a few meters away from the shore in Station 1 is Willy's Rock, the most photographed landmark in the island. The grotto has the image of the Virgin Mary and a small chapel where visitors can pray or take photos. The rock formation also has some trees growing on it, making for a more dramatic background during sunset. The grotto was named after the owner of Willy’s Beach Hotel fronting the structure.

A sand-filled vial keychain is one popular souvenir from Boracay which every tourist takes home. Each vial is sold at PhP20. Smaller vials are sold at PhP100 for eight pieces. Since bringing of sand from the island is prohibited, the vial keychain is one good alternative to showcase the fine sand of the island at home. These are sold in different souvenir shops, most of which are found just along the beachfront. Other keychain designs include sea shells and mini surf boards, among others. Shoppers can mix and match at least seven key chains for PhP100.

Party lovers can join Boracay PubCrawl, a bar-hopping tour in the island. The event is held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 PM. The meetup point is at Exit Bar Boracay. Participants get access to five bars and 10 free shooters throughout the night.

Movie buffs can go to CityMall Cinema Boracay where there are two new theater rooms. Each room can accommodate up to 220 people and is equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound systems. Showing today until the 23rd are Insidious: The Last Key, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes.

Tourists going to Boracay can now fly to Caticlan from Clark Airport in Pampanga. Daily flights to this route was opened by AirAsia last December. Flights leave at 1:50 PM from Clark and arrive at 3:05 PM at Caticlan. Passengers will fly on Airbus 320s which can fit up to 180 passengers. More domestic flights are also expected to be opened this year with the expansion of the runway in Caticlan Airport, also known as Boracay Airport.

Stricter implementation of the sandcastle regulation is now being carried out by the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center, the local police force in the island. Building sandcastles to use as a backdrop for photos is now prohibited. It will only be allowed for promotional or special events provided the organizers secure a mayor’s permit. Sandcastle makers without permits will be charged PhP2,500 for the first offense. The ordinance is meant to curb cases of theft at the crowded beach. It also aims to stop the usage of kerosene lamps for sandcastle art due to its harmful impact to the environment.