Boracay is still the best!

For the final stretch of the summer season, I was privileged to have attended an exquisite and exotic beach wedding in Boracay. Before my trip to this paradise destination, I read a nasty article from a Los Angeles Times writer of which many reacted to. I even found myself quite skeptical about the present condition of Boracay since my last trip was almost four years ago.

I first went to Boracay in 1993 when there was nothing except for Club Panoli and small huts converted into inns. Then there was no electricity and food was scarce in the island. Buying a bottle of coca-cola was like buying Evian mineral water. From 1997 onwards we saw more resorts opening and restaurants as well. The commercial feel of the island resurrected, thus, Boracay became a destination for many foreigners and locals alike.

From year 2000 onwards, we saw how the island deteriorated over time and became so dirty. The streets, the shoreline and the water seemed to have some E. Coli problems due to garbage and sewerage problems.  Local and international groups started working on saving the island with its pristine waters and soft sand.

I returned to Boracay twice in 2007 and in 2010. By this time I could no longer swim in the beach. Just looking at the waters made me sick.  I saw how filthy it was with too much algae. When I scooped a bit of the sand, I saw microscopic wrigglers and I said, that’s it – Boracay has lost it!

I never returned to Boracay until an opportunity knocked which is why I went there over the weekend.  It was my cousin Miko’s wedding. Upon arriving in the island I saw the majestic colors of the sea, the powdery white sand and the swaying coconut trees all around. Yes, it’s quite sad that even the small hills are crowded with resorts but at the end of the day, I think Boracay has restored its glory.

The local government in Boracay has set guidelines for the island including the use of motorized boats in the beach area. The resorts have embraced their duty of cleaning the shorelines and the sand making it look very clean. There are areas assigned for the different services the island can offer (pedicabs, massage, water sports, henna tattoo, hair braiding, etc.). And the local folk are doing a pretty good job in protecting their abode (both land and sea).

I was surprised that after all these years I was able to swim from Station 2 to Station 1 in the clean crystal blue waters with my kids. And while I was doing so, I thought of other beaches around the world that I have gone to like Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand; Langkawi, Malaysia; Venice and Newport Beach, California; Florida, USA; Ipanema and Copacabana, Brazil; Costa Esmeralda, Italy, etc. But nothing compares to our precious pearl Boracay. Nothing!

So for sure, Boracay has a fighting chance to be in the list of top beaches around the world. And to those who say it has lost its beauty, I tell you now, it hasn’t. And if you happen to be there during a beach wedding all the more you will feel the romantic charm and splendor of the island. Congratulations! Miko and Mimi Quiogue.

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School Year 2013 – 2014 in public elementary and high schools begin today. Close to 21 million students are expected to go back to some 46,000 public elementary and high schools. The Department of Education (DepEd) is expecting around 23.8 million students in both public and private elementary and high schools nationwide.

With the K-12 now signed into law, parents have become more conscious of enrolling their children in the proper grade levels.  Of course, this adjustment has added a financial burden on the parents and it is no joke but we all know that more years in school should give our children a fighting chance in the professional world out there. The problem is that even with the added years laid out, are the teachers trained to impart the right information to the children?  Are the teachers qualified to bring the students to that higher desired level of competence?  This should be the greatest challenge DepEd must strive to achieve.

P-Noy said that the K-12 law lays the foundations for a better future for every Filipino child. Such noble intentions should be carried down the line in government services so that each Filipino child is given the right support. If we address the development of every Filipino and recondition them to be good and responsible citizens, then our country will definitely move forward.

I just hope that the next president and those who will come after will not change this law. If a crazy president decides to remove two years of basic education like what happened in the nineties when the Grade 7 level was removed in the public schools, we are doomed.  Leaders can shape and reshape (deform) our country with their ‘bright’ ideas just to gain popularity vote.  Little do they know that this is truly detrimental to our country’s development. Susmariosep!

The Department of Education set into motion Operation Balik Eskwela (OBE) last May 27-31, as well as the Public Assistance Station (PAS) on June 1-8 to ensure the smooth opening of classes for school year 2013-2014. Earlier, it has also set a five-day Maintenance Week named “Brigada Eskwela Week” from May 20-24 to allow communities and private organizations to clean up classrooms in preparation for the opening of classes. I hope they also cleaned up public school teachers who are inefficient and unqualified.

The Oplan Balik-Eskwela Inter Agency Task Force is participated in by several government agencies like the Department of Trade & Industry, the Department of National Defense, Interior & Local Government, Public Works & Highways, Department of Health, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the Metro Manila Development Authority. Here is hoping that they relieve us of the roadblocks, potholes in the streets, traffic jams and street crimes; protect us from toxic and expensive, poor quality school supplies; and maintain the over-all safety of every Filipino child.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deployed 1,000 traffic enforcers to help manage traffic flow around schools and universities in the metro. I hope those MMDA enforcers don’t use their cell phones in the middle of the intersections while directing traffic. Sanamagan! What a country.