What’s all the hype About Boracay?

Is Boracay truly the best beach in the world? In 2007. Yahoo ranked Boracay Island the no. 1 in its list of Best Beaches in the World. While most of the Philippines rejoiced at this development, some were skeptical about whether or not the island truly deserved this distinction; considering that it bested the best beaches of the Bahamas, Hawaii and Puerto Rico which are considered tourism top draws in the world. What makes for the best beach in the world? Is it the quality of the sand? Boracay has one of the finest and most consistent powder white sand stretching for about 4 km. in length. Is it the clarity of its ocean? Boracay has one of the clearest and calmest waters I know. Neck deep into the water, I can still clearly see my toes. Is it the 300 plus hotels and resorts that make Boracay such a convenient vacation spot? From the snooty Shangri-la to the humble yet popular inns, everyone has a place to stay under the Boracay sun. Maybe it’s the variety of the international cuisine the island offers? The island is teeming with Eat all you can buffets, Fastfoods, and Fine Dining restaurants featuring Filipino, American, Korean, Japanese, Greek, Italian, German, French, to Indian food. Perhaps it’s the dynamic nightlife in the island that begins with Boracay’s dramatic sunset? Wild rave and foam parties and exotic fire poi dancers make for an unforgettable Boracay clubbing experience. Yet, most of these remarkable features can also be found in other beaches as well. Some say Fiji has the best sand quality in the world, others say the waters in the Maldives are equal to none. The Bahamas in the Carribean boast of having more of the world’s finest hotels like The Four Seasons. The beaches of Thailand claim to have a more colorful and exciting nightlife than all the Stations in Boracay combined.

Is Boracay’s ranking as one of the word’s best beaches (if not the best) much deserved? Or is it all just a product of media hype? For a Boracay fan like me, Boracay as a personal experience is more than the sum of its parts. Boracay is not just about its beaches, various hotels, exciting water sports, clear blue waters, and wild parties. It is about experiencing the beauty of an awesome sunset with someone you love. It is about being reduced to tears and thanking God for the pristine splendor of Puka Beach, It is about being able to share this God-given gift with people from all stations in life and allowing yourself to be embraced by the sea of humanity that is for that moment—your community.

For 2008, Yahoo demoted Boracay from no. 1 to no.7 of the world’s best beaches. Askmen.com ranked it at no. 8. Naysayers are quick to point out rampant commercialism, environmental problems, and the country’s economic situation as the cause for the decline. But I am not the least bit worried. Surveys are just numbers. They don’t really mean anything. My Boracay is the best beach for me because its beauty, warmth, and people has touched me and made my life better. So what is your personal Boracay?

Conventions in Boracay

According to the latest report from the Philippine Tourism Authority, the focus of tourism development in Boracay will be geared towards upgrading infrastructures such as airports, roads, bridges, ports, and jetties; as well as ensuring that utilities like power, water, and telecommunications running efficiently while integrating environment-friendly measures for the sustainable development of the municipalities. These heartening developments have encouraged the Philippine Convention and Visitor’s Corporation (PCVC) — a non-stock, non-profit government corporation attached to the Department of Tourism (DOT), to promote Boracay as one of its premier M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exibitions) destinations. Its’ world-class business facilities, globally-oriented business population, and hospitable business climate notwithstanding. Its’ famous white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, vibrant nightlife, and friendly people also add to its advantages for incentive travel.

Annual meetings and conventions can be a lot of hard work to its participants. Reward your delegates with something to look forward to by holding it in Boracay. Boracay’s pristine beauty needs no introduction. With over 300 hotels and resorts to choose from, you would not have any problem finding the venue that suits your needs and budget. Two of the top hotels in the island are lauded for its convention facilities. Boracay Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center spans more than 15,000 square meters, giving more room for cool swimming pools, elaborate and luxurious hotel rooms, and various sizes of function rooms. It’s also located in Barangay Balabag, which is found right at the center of Central Boracay. It also boasts of a huge convention center, which can accommodate more than a thousand guests. Indeed, it’s the most perfect venue for those who want to combine work and leisure. For smaller groups, there’s Regency Beach Resort Hotel equipped with a convention center of 600 person capacity. This center also has five function rooms for smaller groups.

The PCVC is giving incentives to encourage parties to actively bid for international events in Manila and all over the archipelago. In addition, the PCVC offers its experience and expertise to interested parties through this wide range of services, all of which are free: Bid Preparation, Incentive Program Planning, Liaison Services, Site Inspection, Attendance Promotion, and Promotional Material Support. The PCVC’s Conventions and Incentive Travel Unit (CIT), in particular, provides comprehensive information, technical assistance, and guidance to meeting planners, incentive travel and special event organizers who seek an ideal venue for their events and exhibitions.

Go ahead, mix business and pleasure in one unforgettable location! Make it Boracay today!

Buying Properties in Boracay

The island of Boracay was declared as a Tourist Zoning and Marine Reserve of the Philippines in 1978. This puts it under the control of the Philippine Tourism Authority. This simply means that the whole island of Boracay is being developed by the Philippine government as a premier tourist destination, equipping it with infrastructures and facilities to support the growing tourism industry in the island. Over the years, there have been a lot of improvements in terms of making Boracay accessible to tourists. For instance, there are 2 airports in Aklan (Kalibo & Caticlan) and more airlines servicing the Manila-Boracay-Manila or Cebu-Boracay-Cebu routes, and the whole island is wired with internet capabilities from broadband to wi-fi connections linking it to the rest of the world. Because of these positive growth in the Tourism industry of Boracay, land appraisal has gone up, and real estate properties have become highly valued commodities in Boracay. Investing in a piece of property in this island is deemed wise as return of investment is guaranteed.

The whole island is approximately 7 kilometers long, has a dumbbell shape, with a total land area of 10.32 sq. kilometers. Of this, only 2-3% is titled and registered at the Registry of Deeds. This means that the remaining lands in Boracay are not titled lots and claim of ownership is only evidenced by the proof of tax declarations for the occupied land. This can be a complication if you are thinking of having a bank finance the purchase of the property you are buying in Boracay. Banks generally do not accept tax declarations for applying mortgage. However, there are still non-bank institutions that permits mortgage by accepting tax declaration only.

If you are thinking of buying real estate properties, it is best to deal with reputable Real estate agents with accreditations from the Philippine Association of Real Estate Brokers (PAREB) or the Chamber of Real Estate and Builder’s Association. Be wary of ‘fixers” who broker deals that promise speedy processing of your documents as this might only complicate your transactions. There are a number of credible Real Estate Companies who have very helpful websites that not only offer property listings in Boracay but other related services as well. They can provide you with land transfers, architects, property management, Brokerage, Landscaping, construction contractors, rentals and even counsel you with legal advice and investment opportunities.

If the buyer is a foreigner, he/she may encounter some limitations in purchasing real estate properties in the Philippines. In Philippines laws, only natural-born or naturalized Filipino citizens are allowed to own property. Foreigners, who wish to do so, should set up a Philippine corporation that is 60% owned by Filipino shareholders. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule that may be in favor to foreigners with a legal Filipina spouse or children. It is best to study this matter carefully under the guidance of legal counsel.

Who Can Buy Properties in Boracay?

As a rule, only Filipino Citizens and corporations or partnerships of which at least 60% of the capital is owned by Filipinos are entitled to acquire land in the Philippines. Is it possible for a foreigner to buy property in the Philippines? Well, yes and no. For a foreigner to acquire Real property in the Philippines, he must set-up a Philippine corporation which can buy or hold properties. He will need his Filipino partners to gain 60% ownership of the company while the foreigner is entitled to only 40% of the same.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule of not allowing an alien 100% ownership to Real Estate Property in the Philippines. The first is if the property was acquired before the 1935 Constitution when the Philippines was still a Commonwealth government of the United States of America; Secondly, if the Non-Filipino is a legal heir. When for example a Filipino spouse dies, the surviving Non-Filipino spouse as the legal heir may inherit and claim full ownership of the property. Thirdly, if the real property is a condominium project, the foreigner is allowed to purchase not more than 40% of the share. Lastly, if the purchase is made by a former natural-borm Filipino citizens subject to the limitations prescribed by law. This refers to Filipinos born in Philipine soil who have migrated or acquired citizenships abroad thus holding Dual citizenships.

The easiest way for a Foreigner to acquire property is if he/she is married to a Filipino spouse. The Filipino spouse can then acquire the real property under his/her name; but since by virtue of marriage this will be declared as conjugal party, the foreign spouse interests will still be protected. In line with this reasoning, a Filipina who marries an alien will still retain her Philippine citizenship and thus is still able to purchase real property unless she has already renounced her Philippine citizenship.

Although an alien may encounter a lot of restrictions and limitations when purchasing Real Estate Property in Boracay (and elsewhere in the Philippines for that matter), he is free to buy and own a building. This property may be leased up to 25 years with the option of another 25 years, for a total of 50 years.

About Boracay Island

Touted as one of the Philippines’ premier tourist destination, Boracay is a tropical paradise located 1 km. northwest of Panay Island in the Visayas Region. It is about 7 km. long and 1 km. wide at its narrowest point. The island’s largest barangays are Manoc-manoc, Balabag, and Yapak. It is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

It wasn’t until the 1970’s that tourism invaded the island. Word of its pristine beauty was spread by European Backpackers until mainstream tourists started to take notice. In just a span of 10 years, the whole world, it seemed, discovered Boracay. The once, nearly deserted stretch of beach became a swarming vacation and leisure spot for upscale tourists from all over the world. Five-star hotels and resorts soon sprouted along Boracay’s famous “White Beach”– A 4 km. stretch of beach, so called for the fine, sugary white sand along its coast, framed by clear blue waters around the island.

Yet despite its rapid growth and commercialism, Boracay has managed to preserve some of its beaches. A good example of this is Yapak Beach located at the back of the crowded White Beach. There, it is still possible to walk on a deserted beach and enjoy peace and solitude. It is more popularly known as Puka Beach from the shell that was once endemic to this part of the island. Jewelry fashioned from these Puka shells enjoyed tremendous popularity in the 70’s when Hollywood personalities such as Elizabeth Taylor would mix and match them with her trademark diamonds. Sadly, the unrestricted sale of these gleaming white shells that once littered the shores of Puka Beach has made it a rare and endangered species.