COMMUNITY

By Julianna Patricia Varga 📸 Ekogram Salt has been a kitchen staple worldwide for thousands of years. It enhances flavor, preserves food, and most importantly, helps the body function properly. Yet despite its essential role, salt often gets a bad reputation. So how much do we actually need, and when does it become a problem? Table salt is made up of sodium and chloride. Sodium is an essential mineral that helps regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling and muscle contraction

By Freida Dario-Santiago With the rainy season upon us, be vigilant about dengue prevention. Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which thrive in tropical climates and breed in stagnant water. Cases typically rise during the rainy months, when frequent rainfall creates more breeding sites around homes and communities. There is still no specific antiviral cure for dengue, so early consultation, proper hydration, and close monitoring

Emergency response incident prompts review of Boracay's response system By Rica Velasco An emergency involving an 11-month-old infant has prompted discussions about Boracay's emergency response system. This includes response times at the scene and the transfer of patients to hospitals on the island and the mainland. The issue started as a complaint from Boracay resident Cris Cahilig. It has since grown into a wider discussion involving the Municipal Government of Malay, the M

By Freida Dario-Santiago The annual Boracay Veterinary Mission is set to return for its fifth consecutive year, bringing together veterinary professionals and local government partners in a continuing effort to promote responsible pet ownership and keep Boracay rabies-free. The initiative is organized by the Vet Mission Boracay team in partnership with the LGU Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of Malay. Participating organizations include the Office of the Provincial Vete

Should the Philippines set a legal age for social media and AI before technology shapes our children more than we do? By Pauline Reitzer 📸 CookCenter.org When Austria announced plans to ban social media for children under 14 in March 2026, it joined a growing number of countries trying to better protect young people online. Australia had already made headlines by becoming the first country to ban social media for children under 16. France now requires parental consent for ch

By Pauline Reitzer Boracay has long been known for its powdery white beaches, water sports and active outdoor lifestyle. Now, another sport is quickly finding its place on the island: pickleball. News anchor and TV host Cheryl Cosim and movie director Avel Sunpongco joined the author (leftmost) for a fun but intense morning in Masey. 📸 Abegail Clarino Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the worl

By Freida Dario-Santiago Road Rehab, Drainage Project Set for 2027 Residents of Sitio Diniwid may finally see relief from a flooding problem that has plagued the community for decades. Funding has been secured for the rehabilitation of Diniwid Road and the construction of a drainage system designed to address the area's long-standing flooding issues, according to an update from Malay Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Hope Pagsuguiron. The announcement followed a June 10 coordinat

From Musical Bingo to Solar-Lit Road How the Bulabog Lighting Brigade Brought Light to Bulabog Beach Road What began as a simple conversation among residents has resulted in a brighter and safer Bulabog Beach Road. Frustrated by the lack of lighting in the area, members of the community launched the Bulabog Lighting Brigade (BULB), a grassroots initiative aimed at raising funds for solar-powered street lamps. Leading the effort was restaurateur and community advocate Ronaldo

Eala’s her-storic Wimbledon run is just the beginning. By Freida Dario-Santiago ROAR. The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala after winning her first-round match against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. 📸 Jaimi Joy, Reuters “In my mind, I always knew that this was what I wanted to do.” That simple statement from Alexandra “Alex” Eala perhaps explains everything. Long before she became the pride of Philippine tennis, before Centre Court applauded her, befo

The Department of Tourism’s refreshed campaign, Discover More to Love, encourages travelers to find their own reasons to fall in love with the Philippines. Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay recently explained that the campaign is evolving into something more relatable and personal, less about telling people what to love and more about allowing them to discover it for themselves. Which got us thinking: brilliant, and as it should be. Especially when it comes to Boracay. Thi

“Cheers” to island heroes and moments that matter Making the Message Stick By Dominic Napat Editor’s note: The "No to Boracay Bridge" campaign is gaining tangible traction across the island. A grassroots initiative by Humble Islands PH is distributing custom-designed stickers to oppose the unsolicited bridge project contract awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to San Miguel Corporation (SMC). Special stickers designed by Humble Islands are circulat

“Cheers” to island heroes and moments that matter By Freida Dario-Santiago D’Talipapa Reopens as Boracay's Ultimate “Paluto” Center D’Talipapa has officially reopened its doors, reclaiming its title as the premier paluto destination on Boracay Island. 📸 Jack Jarilla Following its soft opening on March 18, 2026, the market celebrated its grand opening on May 1, 2026, with welcome remarks delivered by Federico Elizalde Jr., Vice President for Operations of Sunshine Inns, Inc.

BSN chit chats with some of the community’s pillars and the folks you all want to get to know a little better. By Freida Dario-Santiago Arnold Fernandez Yap Schmidt Boracay businessman Arnold Schmidt is the visionary behind Smooth Café & Restaurant (2023), Smooth Attic (2023), Pawikan Apartments (2022), and the soon-to-open IslandVault Collectables & Café. A Boracay resident since 2021, the entrepreneur shares his connection to the island and what inspired him to build a life

How these scams work and how to avoid them By Rica Velasco Over the past few years, a growing number of Boracay resorts have had to deal with fake social media accounts using their names, photos and promotional materials to scam unsuspecting guests. At first glance, these pages often appear legitimate. They use real images, copy branding, and respond quickly to inquiries. Many offer heavily discounted rates or limited-time promos, then request deposits through bank transfer o

By Gene Loves Acosta Boracay is easy to love as a pet owner, until you realize you have no idea where anything is: the nearest vet, a decent pet shop, or even a proper walking route that isn’t crowded. Options are limited, honestly. But they do exist, and if you’re new here, these are the ones worth knowing. Where to Walk The beachfront itself is a bit of a grey area for pets. Stick to the path along the establishment side, parallel to White Beach. Early mornings near Angol o

The True Meaning of Supporting Local in Boracay By Gene Loves Acosta The Philippine Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector makes up about 40% of the national economy. That’s a big number, but it becomes clearer when you realize that nine out of 10 businesses in the country fall into the micro category. These are ventures with assets of up to three million pesos, surviving on lean budgets and long hours. Beneath them lies an even wider base of nano-entrepreneurs: r

By Azenith Resurreccion Solar panels are becoming a prime commodity amid unprecedented demand driven by the global oil crisis, including the Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East, which continue to fuel economic uncertainty. In recent months, fears over fuel shortages and rising petroleum prices have affected everything from major industries to ordinary households, increasing the cost of necessities such as food, transportation and electricity. Residents across Panay I

Malay Council Bolsters Disaster Response After Yapak Lifeguard’s Heroism By Jun N. Aguirre In the wake of a tragedy that stirred both grief and pride across the municipality, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay is pushing for a comprehensive plan to strengthen the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). The legislative push comes as a direct response to the death of Rex Pablo Aguirre, a dedicated MDRRMO lifeguard who died during a rescue operation of

As we reach the halfway mark of 2026 or the year’s “hump month,” we thought it fitting to fill this issue with sunshine, perspective and good vibes. June also marks the tail end of summer, and here in Boracay, that means longer sunsets, calmer waters and that unmistakable island energy that reminds us why this place continues to captivate people from all over the world. In a world increasingly dominated by noise, conflict and uncertainty, paradise offers something rare: clari

SMC says proposal not abandoned, may still be revisited in the future By Freida Dario-Santiago San Miguel Corporation (SMC) issued a formal clarification on May 29 after reports and social media posts widely circulated claims that the company had withdrawn its controversial Boracay bridge proposal following mounting opposition from Aklan leaders and local stakeholders. The company stopped short of declaring a formal withdrawal of the proposal, saying instead that the project