(Two young lovers of foreign nationalities kiss each other with the Boracay sunset as their background. Thousands of foreigners are currently spending their summer vacation at the world renown island of Boracay.)Thousands of local and foreign tourists flocked to Boracay Island during the Holy Week vacation. Concrete data was not immediately available but basing on the horde of people lining up at the Caticlan Jetty port to board the pumpboats going to the white-sand island resort, one can safely say that Boracay is still a destination for vacationers.
Aside from Filipinos there were lots of Europeans, Americans as well as Asian tourists like Koreans and Japanese.
At the Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal, Boracay visitors, except those who are Aklanons, are charged with the so-called Environmental Tax fee of 50 pesos per head. This writer overheard some Filipino tourists complain about the Environmental Tax only to be told by the terminal attendants that it is pursuant to a provincial ordinance.
It is said that the Environmental Tax was implemented as payment to the measures being implemented by the local government to ensure the cleanliness of the island resort.
The Environmental Tax adds to the existing 40 pesos terminal fee and the P19.50 pumpboat fare one pays before setting foot to Boracay.
Unlike before when pumpboats dock right at the shores where people are swimming, all pumpboats now dock at the island's jetty port in Brgy. Cagban in compliance with the newly-implemented "one entry one exit" policy. This makes the beachfront free of pumpboats creating a wide swimming area and a good view for photographers.
It was learned, however, that the resort owners have expressed strong opposition to the "one entry one exit" policy. They claim that the scheme is inconvenient to their guests.
From the Cagban jetty port guests have to take the multicab or tricycle to go to their respective resorts or hotels, thus paying excessive fare rates. Tricycle drivers normally charge a minimum of 15 pesos per passenger and even higher depending on the distance one has to travel.
Boracay is a common destination for celebrities during the Holy Week break. Among the showbiz personalities seen taking their vacation in the island were Katrina Halili, Gwen Garci, Andrea Del Rosario and Wendell Ramos.
Other prominent persons who took their vacation in Boracay this Holy Week were Senator Bong Revilla and senatorial candidate John Osmeña.
It seems, however, that politics is not that popular in Boracay. This writer has seen only a few campaign posters of senatorial candidates. In fact, only that of Senator Ralph Recto is very visible as his campaign posters and streamers were placed in various commercial establishments.
On Black Saturday, a mayoralty candidate in Malay, Aklan and his group were seen campaigning in Boracay by going from stall to stall meeting people presumably voters in said town.
Meanwhile, uniformed policemen were seen almost everywhere to protect the visiting tourists. There were even pairs of cops joining the crowd walking along the beach.
Interestingly, the Holy Week which is commonly observed with solemnity and silence, could not be felt in Boracay. As early as the sun rises people are already on the beach enjoying the cool waters. Ladies, young and old alike, in bikini and other sexy suits roam around not minding the people watching them.
At night, the beach line turns into a long stretch of party place as the resorts offer various sorts of gimmicks to attract people.
Even the heavy rains on the night of Holy Thursday and Good Friday did not dampen the party happening in almost every corner of the beach.
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