A Glimpse of Boracay's Future by Megaworld Global-Estate Inc.

It is for me an outrage! Plans are underway for the future of Boracay Island as seen on Megaworld Global-Estate Inc.'  Facebook Page! The Philippines' best tourist destination will soon be mutilated to pave way for the  Boracay NewCoast Village!  So please, I beg you NOT TO LIKE their page!

If that opening salvo has not gotten your attention, here are some photos of Boracay's future...

Boracay Island... which includes our music, food, rhythm, dance and essentially our warm and captivating personality as Filipino people is as central as the sun, sea and sand to our tourism... a fact that separates us from the rest of the world.

There are so many people from all over including us Filipinos who would love to be able to talk, walk, run, dance and generally have a simple lifestyle at the vacation spot we all love. However, it is just sad that not most of us fully appreciate and understand the value of what treasures we have in our country.

Although I understand that our beautiful islands in the Philippines like Boracay adapts to modernization over the years, I can't seem to accept that one day soon, it will be flooded with vehicles, more modern structures, etc. like what Megaworld Global-Estate Inc. plans...

 

I can't help not think about conservation. Conservation means protecting something from change or destruction while permitting its wise use. It thus involves managing our use of natural resources so that we can benefit from them now without damaging the possible benefits they can provide in the future. On islands, conservation of nature is protecting the little forests, animals, birds, plants, fishes and marine life that are bound to be further extinct when new developments come. Conservation of species is so important for Filipinos... so that they will always be there for our future generations to use and enjoy.

I am really concerned with this particular development. It is possible that Megaworld Global-Estate Inc.'s plans for the "future of Boracay" may overlook some long-term costs associated with it... such as a land-clearing project that damages a water supply, or new establishments that may further pollute parts of the island and kills fish used by local fishermen.

This leads me to ask... would the short-term benefit of some people from this development be more worth than the long-term loss of the water supply or fishery as well the total destruction of Boracay's remaining simplicity and charm?

I must visit Boracay soon to see for one last time the remaining glory of what it was when I was a kid for I simply refuse to book a flight in future from anywhere just to see Bonificio High Street, Eastwood Libis, Burgos Circle The Fort in the once beautiful and precious Boracay Island.

I call this entire project of Megaworld Global-Estate Inc... as the RAPE OF BORACAY ISLAND!

Sorry... this is my opinion, my blog spot and I say what I want... My words will live forever!

Photo Credits of the beautiful Boracay from David's Travelogue

JAY SERVER & THE DONSOL WHALE SHARKS

This is Jay Server... my good friend and boss who recently had a great time with the world's largest fish in the ocean, the whale sharks.

And that is Jay's "Butanding"... Pinoy's term for the whale sharks. The following are some photos Jay took on what he calls a "fantabulous" Whale Shark experience. Awesome creatures, awesome adventure!

Anyways, this happened in Donsol located in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. Yes.. Donsol and its' local community thrived after embracing whale shark tourism. I somehow believe, Marina (the local telenovela mermaid was Jay's ex in real life lol but true!!!) had something to do with this though as the number of whale sharks have increased as have local income levels which is just great. Donsol was once a sleepy fishing village and the community once thought of these creatures as "mga salot" or pests.

The community's attitude towards these gentle creatures changed when Dave Duran came in Donsol. According to CNN's write up about him, Dave is a charismatic, passionate cameraman turned diver. Twelve years ago he shot footage of the whale sharks and brought it to international spotlight. His footage caught the attention of the World Wildlife Fund, the marine biologists and scientists. Suddenly Donsol became a major research destination.

Little is known about whale sharks, a major part of preserving the species is understanding their migratory routes and breeding habits. Within three months of Dave going public with his footage the Philippine government issued a ban on fishing whale sharks.

Dave said to CNN, "If we were just late for about a month or so the story would have been different".Maybe now we would be seeing whale sharks being slaughtered here, right on this beach." (As per World Wildlife Fund, whale sharks are coveted in many countries. Their meat can sell for up to $17 per kilo, their fins a staggering $800).

Eco Solutions have covered many great stories in the ongoing battle of preservation vs. destruction. Here the balance shifted in favor of nature. It's just a matter of luck," Dave says. "We gave [the people of Donsol] some sort of hope that eco-tourism could work in Donsol and they believed it."

Thanks to Dave Duran, a great Filipino with a passionate concern for these majestic marine animals, the world-famous Donsol Whale Sharks are now coveted for it's ability to attract tourists and definitely not for its' fins. Dave Duran saved the whale sharks. Mabuhay ka, Dave Duran... salamat!