COMMUNITY

The scheduled 12-hour power interruptions are over By Jun N. Aguirre The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has reported completing its rehabilitation project for its Unidos–Caticlan 69-kiloVolt (kV) Line last February 13, 2026. The project entailed the replacement of damaged underground cables in Boracay, requiring several 12-hour scheduled power interruptions, spread across the first quarter. Reagan Alcantara, lead specialist of the Public Relations Departm

By Jun N. Aguirre Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores announced that the province is constructing an ₱810-million cruise sheltered port in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). The facility is designed to boost tourism by luring cruise ship companies through seamless travel. Currently, cruise ships must anchor several miles off the coast of Boracay, requiring tender boats to ferry passengers to and from the island. Of the total project budget, ₱300 millio

by Rica Velasco Following the inauguration of its new emergency wing on March 13, 2026, Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (CSTH) continues to enhance its role as Boracay’s only public healthcare facility. Medical Director Dr. Karl Lachica led us on a private tour of the hospital, offering a closer look at how this Level 1 facility is expanding its services within its current limits. A graduate of West Visayas State University, Dr. Lachica brought a wealth of experience to CSTH in 202

“Cheers” to island heroes and moments that matter By Freida Dario-Santiago 📸 Alvin Casitas courtesy of CSTH Congratulations to Medical Director Dr. Karl Lachica and his team on the successful inauguration of the new emergency wing at the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (CSTH) on March 13, 2026. A Vision RealizedThe ceremony was graced by Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores and his father, Congressman Florencio Miraflores. Both have been instrumental in modernizing the Level 1 h

By Pauline Reitzer Summer in Boracay is more than just sandcastles and swimming. The island offers many opportunities for kids to learn new skills, express creativity and build confidence while having fun. From cooking and swimming to art, music and playful learning, families can find meaningful activities for children of all ages. 1. Cook Your Own Meal at Indila Café At Indila Café, tucked behind Hennan Lagoon in Station 2, kids can trade their swimsuits for aprons. Under th

A Spiritual Oasis in Boracay By Freida Dario-Santiago 📸 Jack Jarilla Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church in Boracay, often referred to as the Balabag Church is a beloved Catholic landmark in the heart of Boracay and a popular choice for island destination weddings in Paradise. Before its establishment, Catholics worshipped in smaller chapels or traveled to the mainland of Malay. However, the rapid growth in population and tourism in the early 90s made a dedicate

Boracay Sun News (BSN) conducted an informal online community pulse survey to gauge public sentiment on the unsolicited proposal by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to construct a bridge connecting Caticlan (Malay, Aklan) to Boracay Island. (For more information, read the headline on page 1.) The proposed bridge remains one of the most widely discussed issues in local chat groups and everyday conversations. While public opinion is not a legal basis for determining the project’s a

Will 2026 prove to be a promising year for the Boracay tourism sector? In my humble opinion, shaped by 23 years of calling Boracay home, the answer depends on whether we can finally address a set of long-standing, make-or-break issues, challenges that are not new, but have grown more urgent with time. Encouragingly, both the government and the private sector are beginning to confront these concerns more openly and collaboratively. Doing so will require political will from nat

By Seema Manohar Boracay’s thriving wellness and self-care scene has no shortage of establishments with a range of services offering the latest trends and technology. These unique, boutique-style businesses are run by fabulous female entrepreneurs and are definitely worth squeezing into your vacation itinerary. Janeth Meneses Dungo Jandi Skincare Clinic is run by the enterprising Janeth Meneses Dungo, a.k.a. Jandi. Inspired by her passion for genuine self-care, Jandi wante

Boracay is both a tourism hub and a permanent community, hosting millions of visitors who engage in land and water activities daily. This reality demands a healthcare system that can respond quickly and competently to emergencies. The Municipal Health Office (MHO) has outlined a medical emergency referral protocol for Boracay and has shared that plans are underway to improve facilities and services. These are encouraging signals. What residents and visitors need is confiden

by Jun N. Aguirre NGCP linemen erecting poles to ensure continuous power supply. 📸 NGCP Various stakeholder groups have urged the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to fast-track efforts to stabilize Boracay Island’s electricity supply ahead of its hosting of the ASEAN meet in March 2026. At a press conference held last December at Casa Pilar Beach Resort, NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza said the target completion of the rehabilitation of the Unid

Tribal leaders from various communities in Panay Island showed a united front at a two-day conference in Boracay. Source: Facebook by Jun N. Aguirre Tribal leaders and elders from various Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities across Panay Island gathered for the first time at the Paradise Garden Resort in Boracay on December 5-6, 2025, to craft a shared, region-wide IP code. The consultative summit was convened by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), the National Commis

Philippine Flying Disc Ultimate Team at the 33 rd SEA Games. 📸 Philippine Flying Disc Association by Jun N. Aguirre Two Boracaynons have brought pride to the island after the Philippines clinched gold at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, held December 16-18, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. This marked the Philippines’ first-ever SEA Games gold medal in Flying Disc Ultimate, achieved after a hard-fought match against a highly competitive Singapore team. Team Pilipinas Ulti

We sought clarity from both the NGCP and AKELCO by Freida Dario-Santiago 📸 Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file Power Advisory from NGCP In a Boracay Sun News exclusive interview with NGCP’s communications team, the grid operator confirmed that rehabilitation works along the 69-kV Unidos–Caticlan transmission line are underway. The project includes replacing damaged underground cables in Boracay and would require a total of six separate 12-hour scheduled power interruption

Boracay Sun News asks business leaders for their top priorities, and what it would take to boost tourism in 2026 while shaping the future of Boracay Island. by Freida Dario-Santiago Last month, we published a fearless forecast: Boracay tourism was set to end the year strong despite low-season challenges, thanks to robust domestic travel and new direct flights. True enough, the Malay-Boracay Tourism Office recorded 227,828 tourist arrivals in December 2025, making it the busi

During a leisurely stroll along White Beach recently, Claire and myself met up with some of the Boracay Sun team heading up to Station 1.

The recent rainy weather found Claire and myself running along the main road towards d*mall where we were going to grab some lunch.

The REEFBUD Project in Boracay Philippines named “CODE BLUE – Boracay” involved the deployment of 5000 artificial reef structures in marine

Discover how an icy cold San Miguel Pilsen embodies relaxation, camaraderie, and a deep appreciation for detail in Boracay.

Many years back, about 16 of them if my memory serves me well; I was living and working between Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Manil