early morning scenes at Boracay

Boracay definitely deserves its reputation as a happening place, where one wants to see and be seen. Its night life is renowned for wild parties. Always with its share of socialites, movie actors, models and wannabes, Boracay makes star-spotting an easy sport.










Early in the morning, Boracay turns a different leaf. The crowd is almost altogether absent and the din is gone. Sunrise is no less beautiful though and for those who’d make the effort, the scenes can be rewarding. Maybe this was Boracay that a lot swore to love many decades ago… if only for a few hours.

soaking in the sun at Boracay

There could never be a dull moment in Boracay. Every summer, and even after that, the island teems with people, with local tourists hobnobbing with foreigners seeking fun and solace in the sun.

Here is a partial list of what one can do in the most happening beach in the Philippines:

1. Sunbathe. Most Filipinos probably would want to be fair and white like Caucasians but for the few who love the color brown, the wide white beach is open to all.




2. Lounge under the shade. A definite alternative for those who don’t want #1.




3. Go boating. Explore the neighboring isles and coves of Boracay. One can even opt to go snorkeling or swim in beaches that are in the itinerary. Routs and rates are pretty much standardized.




4. Sail. Local boats called the parao spill all over White Beach waiting for visitors to enjoy the deep blue sea. For a few hours, you can feel oneness with the ocean.




5. Go diving. Premier dive spots abound in Boracay. Spot a manta or explore the wild world of the reef. SCUBA is for all ages.




6. Cavort. OK, so this is totally for the immodest. But as they say, what happens in Boracay, stayes in Boracay.

off to Tigwatian (Crystal Cove), Boracay

Crystal Cove. The name sounds commercial and it is. It is the popular name of the resort which occupies Laurel island which just 30 minutes by boat from Boracay. Blessed with the same sugar-fine white sand which makes Boracay a byword in world-class tourism, it is famous for its two caves, as well as its prime takeoff location for diving and snorkeling.


approaching Tigwatian or Crystal Cove



the paraw- Boracay’s local outrigger boat





In our island hopping in Boracay last May, we only stayed in the island momentarily. Laurel island is formerly known as Tigwatian, an onomatopoeia of the sing-song chirp of an exotic bird. There’s another tale that the island is the home of the fairies too. Either way, and by any other name, the islet is enchanting.


behind the boat is Caticlan, Aklan

the Cacing Diaries #43

at Boracay, Aklan, the Philippines

It’s Cacing time!

I’ve made a resolution to post a Cacing entry once a week to clear my backlog of Cacing pictures. The photos here are only a couple of months old but Cacing is growing so fast that she may look quite differently today already.


smiling inside our Cebu Pacific flight



posing inside the plane



Cacing with her mom at Station 3, Boracay island, Aklan



mother and daughter


When we went to Boracay last May, Cacing was just learning how to walk solo but now she zips and breezes too quick for us already. Her awareness of the world around her increases by the day. The games she learns and invents by herself take us constantly by surprise.


my Mom at Boracay



it’s Cacing with her Yaya Jinjin



that’s my wife, Dia



it’s Cacing’s early morning look


And lovable as she is, Cacing keenly knows what she wants and tries to get it. If she were an adult she’d be manipulative. For today, she is just plain endearing.


foray at the church grounds of Balabag’s Holy Rosary Parish



my Mom during a Boracay sunset (she’s 68!)



my daughter enjoying a boat trip around the island



my mother-in-law, my wife and my Mom, with Cacing, after their massage session at the Mandala Spa, the Discovery Shores (talk about real splurge!)



stroll time with her Mom

the Cacing Diaries #41

at Friday’s, Boracay, Aklan, the Philippines

The pictures here were taken only 6 weeks ago yet time seems to have stopped in slow motion. Cacing could just barely walk on her own and would only sprint short distances. Of course now, she is more confident in her abilities and is more like to insist on doing things her own way.


playing in the sand



backview


She recently went through a rough patch. She’s teething, growing a pair of incisors which are notoriously painful. Her appetite suffered for awhile and her bowels were loose. She even ran a temperature but only for a few days.


sitting in a red dress



playing waitress


She’s fine now. Every now and then she gets cranky. It was not easy giving her the necessary medicines as they were almost foul to the taste but she’s over the hump.


bringing the menu



studying the menu


Meantime, weather is stormy in the Philippines now. Not much sunshine. I bet she’s missing the beach as she smiles broadly every time she sees pictures of her in Boracay. We all miss the sun too.


digging sand

Boracay and Willy’s Rock

It’s strange, incongruous and you have to admit it, almost downright ugly. But for the fact that the rock is just the only mass dotting the almost 4 kilometer world famous White Beach, Willy’s Rock is instantly recognizable.


a blue silhouette of Willy’s Rock at late afternoon






north face of Willy’s Rock


Obviously, it has to be the most photographed natural landmark in Boracay. By default let me add. Still, it is curious how the elements sculpted the volcanic outcrop in odd and mismatched forms. Today, it has a Marian grotto at one end.


sunset rendezvous by the Willy’s Rock is popular


To go: Willy’s Rock is right across Station 1 of White Beach, Boracay Island. It is accessible by foot during low tide.


a classical Willy’s Rock postcard shot

5 things I learned about skimboarding

I don’t skimboard. Let me get that straight.


a sunset panorama with skimboarding boys in the background at Station 1, White Beach, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, the Philippines


A long time ago, way back when I was stationed in Bali, I fancy myself that I’d learn to surf or at the very least, to skim, but I never did create the time to study it. Today, my body simply might not just hold up to the rigors of the sport.


boys with skimboards at White Beach, Boracay


I’m more now of a spectator, or better still, of a photographer of people who can. There are several things about skimboarding though that I found interesting. Learning trivia never hurts.




1. A skimboarding is sort of little surfboard that is used to ride on an incoming wave.

2. Surfing begins in the waters, often in the deep right where the surf breaks, but skimboarding starts on the beach, by “skimming” out to breaking waves and then riding them back to shore.




3. Skimboards, whether of the oval or teardrop shape, are basically shorter than surfboards, and when stood on end, can reach only up to the midchest.




4. Skimboarding is not limited in beaches as it can be done in lakes, rivers, puddles, or even wet grass.




5. Skimboarding can be done even in shark-infested beaches as skimmers can ride waves near the sand where waters are too shallow for sharks to enter.

same old, same old Puka Beach

Obviously, I’ve stayed away from Boracay for far too long. The last time I was there was in the mid 90s and by the power of commerce, how Boracay has changed! Overrun, crowded, noisy, White Beach is unrecognizable. This is not to say that it is all for the worse.


geometries of Puka Beach


In particular, the three and a half kilometer stretch of White Beach, is a different world far removed from the typical Filipino experience, as if this were some island that operates outside of the country’s borders. Boring, no. Captivating, totally and sinfully so.


Puka beach lies in Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan


But up north, things can be calmer, quieter, saner. Somehow, by a twist of its distance and relative inaccessibility, the beach called Puka remains frozen in time. Gone are the high rise villas, the fastfood outlets and the water sport centers. There stands just one eatery, a few stalls selling seashell souvenirs – the name Puka is derived from the single-holed shell pieces strung together as necklaces that were the rage in the hippie 60s – and surprisingly, only a handful and less intrusive hawkers.


outrigger leaving the beach


Sure, you may still have to hire a boat (about P1,500-1,800 for 3-4 hours tour around the island) or rent a bike or trike to get there. The sand is also not as white nor as powdery. The waters may also be more tricky for the surf is rougher and the reef shallows are narrower.


boats docking on Puka


But the stillness and emptiness must be what White Beach was before, way back when tropical paradise needs no marketing. And Puka Beach remains that: blindingly clean sand, crystal blue waters, hot sun and little else.


the view southwards


To go: Boracay is easily reached from Manila or Cebu by air via the airports of Aklan or Caticlan (Malay, Aklan). Boat services from Caticlan to the Cagban port in Boracay are frequent, even in the evening.