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

Globetrotting, one warm flatbread at a time By Jaz Mara From savory wraps to flaky parathas, whether stuffed with vegetables or wrapped around grilled meat, flatbreads have long been a staple across continents and cultures. It is fascinating to think that something as simple as flour and water can become the foundation of so many beloved dishes. By adding a few ingredients and changing the technique, entirely different types of flatbreads emerge. Fortunately, Boracay locals

INDULGE is independently curated by the BSN editorial team and presented in no particular order. Featured establishments are selected through editorial and community recommendations, then sampled and reviewed by our writers and editors. Jaz Mara is a Boracay-based restaurateur and food enthusiast. Top 10 Comfort Dishes Rain or shine, these top picks will hit the spot and lift your spirits! By Freida Dario-Santiago There’s something about the sound of raindrops that stirs the

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

What to do if you encounter a stranded marine mammal By Freida Dario-Santiago 📸 Screenshot from Malaynon Ajah: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1205896178251124 Many Boracay residents and tourists were initially delighted when a false killer whale (a species of oceanic dolphin) was spotted swimming near Cagban Port on June 8. Witnesses described the animal as appearing healthy as it circled the waters, drawing curious onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the rare visitor. Wha

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 Gene Loves Acosta Somewhere between the third sunburn and the fourth sudden downpour, every visitor to Boracay realizes the beach isn't an all-day activity. Whether you're escaping the midday heat, riding out a Habagat shower, or simply looking for a break from the sand, the island offers plenty of indoor hideaways worth discovering. The 19th Hole Corner Diniwid Road, Brgy. Balabag, Mobile: (0945) 106 2711 Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates: ₱700/hour (solo); ₱1,100/hour (2 pla

By Pauline Reitzer Miriam Quiambao-Roberto with husband Ardy and their children Joshua, Elijah and Ziki For many Filipinos, Miriam Quiambao-Roberto will always be remembered on the Miss Universe stage in 1999, representing the Philippines with grace and confidence and finishing as first runner-up. It was a moment that propelled her into the national spotlight and opened doors to a successful career in television, hosting and public speaking. But more than two decades later,

By Freida Dario-Santiago 📸 Marta Lebek/Stocksy Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) serve as important reminders that not all struggles are visible. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) multi-year theme, “Changing the Narrative,” is a call to action to shift from a culture of silence, shame and misunderstanding to one of open discussion, empathy and support. It aims to inspire communities, governments, and individuals to challenge stigma

By Gene Loves Acosta There’s a specific kind of panic that hits when you zoom into a beach selfie under the sun and spot a line that wasn’t there last season. For years, the assumed fix was a plane ticket away, in some glossy Makati clinic. Dr. Marion Salaver-Bassig wants you to know that's no longer true. She's an ENT facial plastic surgeon and the medical director of Salaver Clinics in Boracay, which means she looks beyond the skin to the underlying facial structure. Ask h

Healthy habits for adults 50 and above By Freida Dario-Santiago Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source image Alex Tihonov, Getty Images) Growing older doesn't mean slowing down. In fact, many find that their later years bring greater perspective and freedom to enjoy life. In many ways, it can be the most rewarding stage of life. The key is maintaining habits that help you stay active and support physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond, thes

As previously promised by Caticlan-Boracay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), effective July 1, Boracay-Caticlan and vice versa boat fares have been reverted back to ₱50. A provisional fare increase matrix took effect last April 16, triggered by rising diesel prices and operational expenses affecting motorized banca operations servicing Boracay, due to the Middle East oil crisis. For those with valid IDs, discounted fares can also be availed. Discount Cards for Boracay worke

By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 Malay-Boracay Tourism Office The first-ever Boracay Fishing Festival attracted about 310 anglers from Boracay and provinces across the Philippines, turning White Beach into a showcase of fishing skill, sportsmanship and community pride. Held on June 7, the jigging tournament was organized by the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) and the Boracay Fishing Festival organizers in partnership with the Local Government Unit of

By Jun N. Aguirre PLt. Col. Orlando Carag pays a courtesy call to Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores 📸 Jose Enrique "Joen" Miraflores (Facebook) The Philippine National Police (PNP) has officially deployed Police Lieutenant Colonel Orlando A. Carag Jr. as the new chief of the Malay Municipal Police Station (MPS). Since assuming command, PLt. Col. Carag has intensified police visibility through regular foot and mobile patrols and public safety initiatives in key areas of Malay and

By Jun N. Aguirre Councilor Aguirre-Salem commends Tabon Port management for its efforts in the ongoing development of the facility. 📸 SB Vicky Aguirre-Salem The ongoing development of the Tabon Port in Barangay Tabon, Malay, is expected to strengthen the municipality’s maritime transport network as Boracay continues to grapple with transportation challenges brought by the southwest monsoon or Habagat. According to a series of Facebook posts by Malay Councilor Maria Victoria

By Jun N. Aguirre The Boracay Business Administration of Scuba Shops (BBASS) and its member dive operators have sought reconsideration from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) after the anti-trust agency imposed a total fine of ₱2.17 million for violating the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) through alleged price-fixing arrangements. The PCC recently ruled that BBASS and its 39 member dive shops coordinated minimum prices for scuba diving services, including introduct

By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 Senior Health Tips PH (Facebook) As the Philippines observes National Senior Citizens Day on August 21, the Municipal Government of Malay is encouraging senior citizens and their families to take advantage of the benefits and privileges provided under national laws, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of the town’s elderly population. National Senior Citizens Day honors the contributions of older Filipinos to their families, c

By Jun N. Aguirre The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has admitted that electricity supply in the Visayas will remain tight for the rest of 2026 due to rising demand and limited available reserves. Over the past several weeks, the NGCP has placed the Visayas Grid under Red Alert on multiple occasions after operating reserves fell below the minimum level required to maintain a stable power system. The alerts were triggered by a combination of forced power p