The beautiful island of BORACAY is renowned for many things- cerullean clear waters, more than a mile long beachfront of beautiful powder white sand and friendly people. This makes the island an ideal tourist destination. Some say it could very well be one of the BEST beaches in the world. The beautiful island belongs to the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people. We should benefit from this picturesque island paradise hassle free because we own the island.
Lately, I feel that the island is becoming a break-away Republic, governed by a miscellany of ignobleness.
Upon arrival to the beautiful island, all citizens of the Republic and it’s tourists are obligated to pay an environmental fee! I absolutely consent to the scheme as long as the money is audited and checked by the citizenry to make sure that the amounts go to the islands rehabilitation.
I once went snorkling with a cluster of journalists to explore the islands flora and fauna. Before I can even catch a gulp of air and take another plunge, a boatman came up to me and charged me a “snorkling fee”. What the hell! “How can I carry money underwater,” I told the boatman. He told me; “Sorry it’s the mayors orders!” The mayors office also charges up to 150 thousand pesos for any type of event in the PUBLIC beach front. Oh yes dearies, our company paid twice the exorbitant fee. But where does the money go?
A ravenous contruction frenzy has also been going on in the island free of checks and balance.
Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano backed the plans by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to sue Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling for failing to stop the construction frenzy on the island. "With the failure of Mayor Cawaling to stop construction...I have no recourse but to file the necessary charges," Lito Atienza said. Among the construction activities on the island are those by Ambassador Hotel in Paradise Resort, Crown Regency Hotel, Bocaray Regency Lagoon, BTR Hotel, KCI Ariham, Crown Regency Prince Hotel, Teodora Biggiogero KCI, Erus Suite Hotel, and Salic B. Ibrahim Hotel.
What really BROKE MY HEART was when I went to the islands small botanical zoo using an ATV (all terrain vehicle). If there is one thing that I am most proud of in the Philippines is it’s mighty Philippine Eagle (pithecophaga jefferyi). Some scientists argue that the “haring ibon” (king of the birds) is only second largest; but recent studies show that it is indeed the biggest and the definitely fiercest bird in the WORLD (“The term largest can have different meanings. The Harpy Eagle maybe the largest in terms of bulk or weight, but the Philippine Eagle is the largest in terms of wingspan and height.” Dr. Kennedy)
The great Philippine Eagle is a faithful mate and prefers a monogamous existence. It usually builds its nest on towering tropical trees about 80 feet above the ground (sufficient enough for it to have a good view over its territory). When it was discovered in 1896, the natives call the bird “Monkey-Eating Eagle” because it preyed on monkeys that abound then in Philippine forest particularly in the islands Mindanao and Luzon. Its very small population can be traced to the fact that they live a monogamous life and only lays one egg at a time.
Charles Lindbergh, best known for crossing the Atlantic in 1927, was mesmerized by this great bird. As a representative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) he travelled to the Philippines several times between 1969 and 1972, where he helped persuade the government to safeguard the “Bird of Prey” in every way possible.
There are only about 100 - 300 of these majestic Philippine Eagles left in the wild. Unfortunately, I saw three (3) of them in a very small cage in the island of Boracay (photo- the rare Haring Ibon in Bora captured by my cel-camera).
WHY?
WE the Filipinos own Boracay!
Lately, I feel that the island is becoming a break-away Republic, governed by a miscellany of ignobleness.
Upon arrival to the beautiful island, all citizens of the Republic and it’s tourists are obligated to pay an environmental fee! I absolutely consent to the scheme as long as the money is audited and checked by the citizenry to make sure that the amounts go to the islands rehabilitation.
I once went snorkling with a cluster of journalists to explore the islands flora and fauna. Before I can even catch a gulp of air and take another plunge, a boatman came up to me and charged me a “snorkling fee”. What the hell! “How can I carry money underwater,” I told the boatman. He told me; “Sorry it’s the mayors orders!” The mayors office also charges up to 150 thousand pesos for any type of event in the PUBLIC beach front. Oh yes dearies, our company paid twice the exorbitant fee. But where does the money go?
A ravenous contruction frenzy has also been going on in the island free of checks and balance.
Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano backed the plans by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to sue Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling for failing to stop the construction frenzy on the island. "With the failure of Mayor Cawaling to stop construction...I have no recourse but to file the necessary charges," Lito Atienza said. Among the construction activities on the island are those by Ambassador Hotel in Paradise Resort, Crown Regency Hotel, Bocaray Regency Lagoon, BTR Hotel, KCI Ariham, Crown Regency Prince Hotel, Teodora Biggiogero KCI, Erus Suite Hotel, and Salic B. Ibrahim Hotel.
What really BROKE MY HEART was when I went to the islands small botanical zoo using an ATV (all terrain vehicle). If there is one thing that I am most proud of in the Philippines is it’s mighty Philippine Eagle (pithecophaga jefferyi). Some scientists argue that the “haring ibon” (king of the birds) is only second largest; but recent studies show that it is indeed the biggest and the definitely fiercest bird in the WORLD (“The term largest can have different meanings. The Harpy Eagle maybe the largest in terms of bulk or weight, but the Philippine Eagle is the largest in terms of wingspan and height.” Dr. Kennedy)
The great Philippine Eagle is a faithful mate and prefers a monogamous existence. It usually builds its nest on towering tropical trees about 80 feet above the ground (sufficient enough for it to have a good view over its territory). When it was discovered in 1896, the natives call the bird “Monkey-Eating Eagle” because it preyed on monkeys that abound then in Philippine forest particularly in the islands Mindanao and Luzon. Its very small population can be traced to the fact that they live a monogamous life and only lays one egg at a time.
Charles Lindbergh, best known for crossing the Atlantic in 1927, was mesmerized by this great bird. As a representative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) he travelled to the Philippines several times between 1969 and 1972, where he helped persuade the government to safeguard the “Bird of Prey” in every way possible.
There are only about 100 - 300 of these majestic Philippine Eagles left in the wild. Unfortunately, I saw three (3) of them in a very small cage in the island of Boracay (photo- the rare Haring Ibon in Bora captured by my cel-camera).
WHY?
WE the Filipinos own Boracay!
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