A Fairways new year

BORACAY, PHILIPPINES – This writer experienced New Year in this teeming, crowded island for the first time, and it was an eye-opener. The beaches and streets were crowded with visitors, almost evenly distributed between locals and foreigners, and the fireworks were eye-popping and seemingly endless, greeting 2010 in a raucous manner.

Luckily, we had a choice whether or not to face the overwhelming bustle, having made our residence the peaceful Fairways and Bluewater, at the end of the island, away from the noise.

“The place has lost its quaintness,” says Ike Guanio, chief operating officer of Fairways and Bluewater. “There’s a lot going on. Magulo. That’s good for some people, and bad for some people. It’s probably just a matter of time before the big fastfood companies make their presence felt, too.”

Fairways and Bluewater itself has undergone much transformation over the years. When it first opened amid the real estate boom in the 1990’s, there was some furor, as golf courses sometimes draw them, from a short-lived Senate investigation to concerns about the use of large amounts of fresh water, and possible danger to the environment. But the esteemed vacation spot has outlived all of them, and in fact was a major factor in improving the fresh-water facilities of the island, and creating a haven for more species of birds to flourish, since they are protected by the golf course’s environment, which is surrounded by three private beaches. Fil-Estate was even able to bring in more trees, adding to the diversity of flora and fauna.

The last four years, Fairways has been a model of growth and success. The unfinished villas have been remodeled and are almost all in full use, many of them opening up onto a calming vista of the fairway itself. Just weeks ago, the resort was host to the prestigious Miss Earth pageant, with its many stunning backdrops competing with the participants for attention.

More importantly, the stable ownership of the property now lends itself to a new direction: making it even more accessible to the public. The management can maintain its direction, and was not affected by the problems with ownership that other properties on the island faced. The number of service staff, now 300, will definitely increase.

“We used to be the victim of misconception,” Guanio continues. “People used to think we were exclusive, that other golfers couldn’t come in. They thought we were expensive, which is not the case. And they thought we were isolated. But we have 24-hour shuttle service. We are making everything more accessible to the public.”

The 10-year master plan includes the finishing of 70 buildings for use of members and guests. As of now, the vast complex has 12 buildings, and about 200 rooms. By the end of the year, that number will jump to 350. They are, in fact, planning a self-contained leisure complex of shops and hotels similar to major developments in Metro Manila.

On top of all that, Fairways and Bluewater will also become a sports hub, with the golf course as its centerpiece. Bigger golf tournaments are in various stages of planning, with more and more clients coming back, realizing that the fairways were actually underused in the first place. Management has already tested their beaches for beach football and beach volleyball, and are looking at organizing multi-sport events to lure in more crowds. The question will basically be balancing the members’ desire for privacy with the demands of a public looking for the same thing.

“The visitors will bring revenue, which will allow us to not increase our membership dues,” Guanio explains. “And the shuttle service will make sure there’s nobody wandering around lost. Everybody will be where they prefer to be. In the end , everyone’s needs will be satisfied.”

And it still sits serenely above the crowded beaches and lone avenue traversing Boracay, away from the growing masses of tourists, sportsmen, retirees and other throngs of humanity seeking a haven, but often find what the stresses were trying to leave behind in the first place. Fairways and Bluewater will remain Boracay’s jewel, an oasis that will not be diluted, but remain calming, and welcoming.