Experts study Boracay coastal areas' protection

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- Experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are studying how to protect coastal areas here from further degradation.

Provincial planning and development officer Engr. Roger Esto said Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) commissioned UP to undertake the study.

He also said Aklan's provincial government is assisting the DENR in this undertaking.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) provided funds to the BFI as this foundation requested.

The BFI and Aklan provincial government differ in plans on how Boracay's coastal areas must be managed and protected.

"We don't compete with each other but we'll appreciate the study's results," Esto clarified.

He assured the provincial government's willingness to share such results with the other team of experts.

Results of the study will be used as basis for future public and private action in the area.

Boracay businesswoman denies fraud allegation

A businesswoman, who claims to own real estate properties in the island resort of Boracay in Aklan, has recently came out with a statement on Tuesday clearing her involvement in an alleged fraud involving four foreign expatriates and a Filipino lawyer.

In a statement provided to the Manila Bulletin on November 23, 2010, Dolora “Dolly” Khanna, through her legal counsels, denied accusations thrown against her by Canadians Peter Eckart and Peter Tayler, American couple Spencer and Evelyn Anderson, and Filipino lawyer Lucas Licerio, linking her to an alleged fraudulent transaction involving real estate properties at the Boracay Luxury Homes.

“Mrs. Khanna owns thousands of square meters of Lot 593 by virtue of a series of Deeds and Absolute Sale executed between Atty. Licerio, in his capacity as her and attorney-in-fact of the other remaining heirs, as seller and Mrs. Khanna as buyer,” said the statement provided by Khanna’s legal counsel.

“As owner thereof, Mrs. Khanna has the right to dispose them.”

In a previous story, it was reported that an estafa case was filed by the foreign expatriates and Licerio, alleging Khanna to have sold the properties to the foreigners after claiming ownership of the lots, which were allegedly owned by Licerio.

“After buying the Boracay properties from Atty. Licerio in 2007, Mrs. Khanna, developed the properties, designed and constructed homes and other improvements therein, and marketed them at her sole expense,” Khanna’s cam said.

“The project was referred to as the ‘Cliff Project,’ where the Anderson spouses, Spencer and Evelyn, having fully paid for their homes, was issued a Deed of Absolute Sale. Since then, possession of their homes has been entirely turned over to them.”

The said statement also shed light on the allegations against Khanna concerning her status as a businesswoman in the Philippines and in the United States.

“Mrs. Khanna is a reputable business woman with multiple successful businesses in the United States. She recently returned to the country… and decided to acquire dual citizenship and invest in Boracay as a sign of her confidence to the Philippines,” the statement clarified.

World's kiteboarding star in Boracay for All Chicks Kite Camp

BORACAY ISLAND- World's kiteboarding superstar Susi Mai is expected to come to this resort island on Tuesday for the 10-day All Chicks Kite Camp Philippines to be held in three destinations in the country.

Aside from this resort island, Susi Mai, which hailed from Dominican Republic, will also visiting Pagudpud Ilocos Norte and Seco Island in nearby Antique province. Susi Mai is also known as the 'Queen of Air.'

The tourism sector here welcomes the arrival of Susi Mai as it would continue to spur the tourism growth of this resort island.

Reports reaching this resort island said that Susi Mai had already arrived in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte province and is looking forward for the wind she deserves.

The All Chicks Kite Camp Philippines will kick off in Kingfishers Resort in Pagudpod at 6:30 pm Monday.

After her showdown, she will then visit this resort island Tuesday for another venue of Kite Camp Philippines. The event in this resort island is expected to start at 6:30 pm on Monday.

She will also be visiting Seco Island in Antique and is expected to return to Ilocos for a culmination on December 2.

For several years, Susi Mai has been visiting places around the world to compete for Kiteboarding events.

US-based Filipino creates world's first Apple diagnostic aid software

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan-- A Filipino pediatrician based in Bangor in Maine, USA introduced the world's first Parents Diagnostic Aid application software through Apple.

Dr. Leonardo Leonidas created the application along with a local Information Technology graduate here.

Leonidas said since he launched his application over Apple last November 9, parents from Brazil, Great Britain and Spain already downloaded his software.

His application costs US$ 3.99 and can be downloaded through Apple-made gadgets like Macintosh, Ipad, Itunes and Iphones.

The application can be merely viewed in other platforms like IBM, however.

Although Leonidas is based in the USA, he made the software innovation in his house in Lezo, Aklan.

He's proud his gadget application is increasingly being known as something made in the Philippines.

“I created this mobile machine application to reduce medical errors to our children - in the USA, around 1,062 (American) pediatricians surveyed reported having medical errors which could harm patients once or twice a year,” Leonidas said.

Pediatricians in the USA treat patients who are 21 years old and below.

“In my application, parents can at least see 13 common complaints that are experienced by children. These are fever, chronic cough, wheezing (asthma), abdominal pain, headache, chest pain, fainting spell, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, back joint limb pain, abnormal walking and neck swelling.

When a child experiences one of these symptoms, they can browse through their gadgets and answer five to 17 survey questions related to their complaint,” said Leonidas.

The survey questions cover different symptoms of a certain illness.

“Parents still need to bring their children to pediatrician for medical treatment. If their pediatrician's opinion does not agree with what my software application says, they have reason to ask for a second opinion on the case,” said Leonidas.

Leonidas will be recognized this December 21 as among outstanding alumni from University of the Philippines (UP).

He also gained recognition in 2006 from UP Medical Alumni Society in America for being overseas teacher of the year.

Twenty year-old application programmer Roger Molas said he finished the diagnostic aid application in three months.

“We applied on November 1, 2010. After following requirements asked by Apple store, it was approved nine days after and immediately sold in the market,” said Molas who is part of the Medical Application Developers Team.

Foreign expatriates, lawyer file charges vs Boracay realtor

BORACAY ISLAND, — Four Canadian and American expatriates and a Filipino lawyer have individually filed a case of estafa with the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor's Office Monday against a Filipina who claims to own vast properties in this resort island.

In a press conference, the complainants presented themselves as Canadians Peter Eckart and Peter Tayler-Anderson, Spencer and Evelyn Anderson, and Filipino lawyer, Lucas Licerio, all residents of Boracay Island who said they were “duped” by a certain Dolly Khana who claimed to be the proprietor of Boracay Luxury Homes.

"Khana have duped the foreigners of around P100 million for the past years and they want to get their money back. They are businessmen in the United States wanting to retire for good in the country but the suspect duped them by promising them real property ownership in Boracay," said Atty. Gina Garcia, their lawyer.

Licerio said that in 2007, Khana approached him as agent to sell his lots in Boracay Island. She then turned around and, claiming ownership of Licerio’s lots on the island, sold these to the foreigners.

"We believe Khana has victimized more foreigners who are afraid to come out in the open for certain reasons. We have documents to show that Khana have already been convicted of estafa charges in California, USA," said Garcia.

She said that they presented themselves in a press conference to encourage other victims to come out in the open and, at the same time, warn other would-be investors against dealing with Khana.

The Anderson couple also claimed that they have been harassed by Khana and allegedly made threats against their lives if they pursue plans to press charges against her in court. The Andersons have filed complaints with the police comprised of eight alleged harassment cases they said they experienced with Khana.

The complainants also said that both the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) deemed Khana's Boracay Luxury Homes and other attached companies as unregistered and that Khana is not a taxpayer.

“One of Khana’s schemes is to put out full-page color advertisement in several national magazines and other prominent publications in the country, all promoting her Boracay Luxury Homes. Khana seemed to be an influential person," said Garcia.

One source in Boracay said Khana is a “Fil-American and is presumably a relative of former Secretary Ignacio Bunye.”

Last October 8, a dozen National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents along with a crew from broadcast firm, ABS-CBN Iloilo swooped down on this resort island following reports that a group of children were being held hostage by Licerio. The reports turned out to be false, with Licerio believing that Khana had been behind the false information given to the NBI and the broadcast media outfit.

Khana is believed to be in Boracay, avoiding attempts by the media to get her side of the story.

UK-based performer live in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- A musician-performer based in the United Kingdom (UK) will be performing live at the Jungle Bar along Kingfisher Road here December 4.

RSD also known as Rob Smith before his arrival here will also be performing live in Nagoya, Japan on November 26. Smith is a partner of a respected duo production Smith and (Ray) Mighty in UK.

For two decades, Smith and his partner Mighty have been pushing for bass heavy rhythm. They were also known for their reggae, punk, soul, hiphop, jungle and more recently dubstep.

The pair's early releases on the Three Stripe label were influential in laying the groundwork for both the trip hop and jungle scenes for which Bristol would become renowned.

Aside from their own releases, they take production credit for Massive Attacks first release ’Any Love’ and Fresh Fours top ten hit ’Wishing on a Star’.

Under the moniker RSD, Rob Smith produces fresh, innovative bass music that simultaneously pays dues to his deep sound system roots while pushing things ever forward.

He remains firmly at the forefront of Bristol's endlessly inventive music scene. With a staggering discography and a range of projects encompassing dub, drum and bass, 2-step and dubstep, Rob Smith has his finger squarely on the bass-pulse.

His performance will also feature Manila-based DJs Red-i (B-Side, Dubplate Manila), Salamangkero and Erwin Edralin.

Manila-based tourists would be given a 20 percent discount on selected resorts here if they wanted to see RSD perform live in this resort island.

Vessel to ply direct to Boracay Island

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- The M/V Mary the Queen, owned by the Romblon Shipping Lines, will have its first voyage on November 14 Manila to Caticlan and vice versa.

Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator, said that based on the documents submitted by the company, they are going to stay permanently on their route Manila-Caticlan.

"Tourists bound for Boracay Island will have another alternative route to go to," said Maquirang.

Aside from the airplanes, tourists bound for this resort island can also take the Strong Republic Nautical Highway or the roll on-roll off passenger barges as their medium of transport.

Every summer season, the Negros Navigation also have their scheduled similar voyage Caticlan to Manila and vice versa.

The M/V Mary the Queen is formerly owned by the MBRS Lines.

2012: A milestone for Boracay Tourism

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- The Aklan provincial government considers the year 2012 as a milestone for the Boracay tourism industry.

Karina Quimpo-Ruiz of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office said that they are confident that this resort island will be reaching the one million -targeted tourist arrivals in the year 2012.

"We initially targeted the one million mark on the year 2013 but because of the current positive outlook on tourism industry, we are optimistic that Boracay will reach its goal of having one million tourists in the year 2012," Ruiz said.

Among the factors that the Aklan provincial government had considered is the approval of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for the Aklan Provincial government to push for its much delayed reclamation project at the Caticlan Jetty Port.

The government aims to put up additional tourism infrastructures in the reclamation project such as the MARINA hotel, cable car facility, medical tourism facility, among others.

The new project will be managed by the Aklan provincial government under the Economic Enterprise Development Department.

Equipment for P2-B Polo Club project starts arriving in Aklan

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- Equipment for the construction of the P2-billion Polo Club project in this Western Visayas province have started arriving in the province, says Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez.

The investment of the Alphaland Development Inc. which comprises of a 500-hectare property in Nabas, Aklan is expected not only to boost the tourism lure of Boracay, but also to expand the tourism investment zone in the province.

"The arrival of the equipment means the investors have already started to construct the project which also translates to economic and livelihood employment opportunities for the province," said Marquez.

Because of this development, the province is confident that it could be able to reach its 1.5 million tourist arrivals targeted for 2015.

The Polo and Country Club is an investment tourism hub where tourists can expect to see high breed of horses while enjoying the cowboy-like kind of environment. The planned investment in Boracay is a mixed use of resort complex and water recreational facilities.

"Aside from the Alphaland, expect more new investment opportunities coming to this resort island," said Marquez.

The Alphaland, aside for investing in Boracay, also has already its own investment hubs in Quezon province with its 37-story high-end office building in Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Kiteboarding: Boracay prepares for Kiteboard Tour Asia

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- This resort island prepares for the holding of the Kiteboard Tour Asia (KTA) on March 16 to 20, 2011.

Organizers said that aside from this resort island, other venues for the Kiteboard tour will be on Hainan, China (November 25 to 29); Mui Ne, Vietnam (January 12 to 16); Pranburi, Thailand (February 16 to 20); Philippine tour will be in Boracay and Busan, Korea on April 15 to 19.

"The KTA is open to everyone from anywhere, amateur and pro-riders alike. It is the one and only officially Asian continental tour sanctioned by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), the kite surfing world governing body which in turn is the class representative to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) sanctioning international sailing competitions from world championship to Olympic levels," the organizers said.

The organizers added that they had chosen Boracay to be one of most established kite locations in Asia because of its world reputation for top class wind and kiting conditions and as one of the Philippines' top holiday destinations.

The KTA competitions will be held at the Bulabog beach side of the island where all the kite schools and action takes place during the winter monsoon months.

The kiting here takes place inside a large reef protected bay that means for the most part flat or more or less flat water in al but the strongest of winds, which can be pretty strong during January, so expect chop on those days.

The organizers added that the 2011 event highlights the fully sanctioned continental tour. This means that riders will be awarded world ranking points for winning and being placed within each of the disciplines they compete in.

In turn, riders will then be able to view their overall world ranking position against all other riders in the world on the official International Kiteboarding Association website at any time during the season.

Under the IKA sanction, the KTA is able to run a number of different disciplines under their unified rule and rankings system.

For the 2010/11 tour, the KTA events will concentrate on two of these disciplines. The two KTA tour disciplines are Freestyle and Course racing.

This year, further to the two main IKA points ranking events, the KTA Asian Tour will also include, in the course racing section, a twin-tip sub-class to compliment the race board competitors keeping the entry level to racing open to everyone.

Old Skool will also be making an appearance this year with the KTA Big Air Old Skool continuous cup in association with SPLOCS.

Each tour stop has been designated as a four day event. The first day is allocated as a free ride warm-up day for riders to test out the location and to allow for registration and the competition format, rules and safety briefings to take place.

The following three days are full competition days which will be organized and ran in accordance with the weather conditions on any given day.

The final event, wind-up and prize giving, will then take place at the end of the event party on the final evening of the tour stop.

Private-public partnership boosts Aklan tourism

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- The private-public partnership introduced by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is working well for the Aklan tourism industry says Engr. Roger Esto, the head of the Aklan Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).

Esto said that in the offing right now is the offer of a subdivision magnate based in nearby Roxas City, Capiz to donate a 5,000 square meters lot in Lambingan beach in Kalibo for the use for the development of the tourism industry.

"Because of the offer of the Ong family in Roxas City, the Aklan provincial government has initially allocated for the development of the lot to be implemented next year," said Esto.

Once the plan pushes through the Lambingan Beach will be converted into a seaport. The seaport will then served as another entry point for tourists visiting this resort island.

"What we are planning to do is to possibly bring tourists from the nearby Kalibo International Airport to the Lambingan seaport and they will board a motorized boat which will then carry them to Boracay Island," said Esto.

The planned seaport travel is considered short cut for the tourists who are excited in getting to this resort island the soonest possible time.

Man jailed over bomb joke

BY BAM LUCES

BORACAY – A 50-year-old man was recently arrested by personnel of the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office (BSTPO) over a false bomb threat.

Junny Pahimuyan of Brgy. Igang, Pototan, Iloilo will be charged for violating Presidential Decree 1727, according to BSTPO Investigator PO2 Ariel Naral.

Pahimuyan was nabbed about 4:45 p.m. on November 2.

PO2 Pat Joenard Belermino and SN2 Hope Parreño, members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Boracay on duty at the Passenger Assistance Center in Boracay Cagban Jetty Port, earlier noticed Pahimuyan and a porter carrying two boxes.

The PCG members were suspicious of the boxes which were wrapped by a packing tape.

Without passing the passengers’ area, Pahimuyan and the porter brought the boxes to the MBCA Roselyn boat bound for Caticlan Jetty Port, they said.

Belermino and the boat captain approached Pahimuyan and inquired about the contents of the box.

“Ano na, bomba? (Is that a bomb?)” asked the boat captain. Pahimuyan shouted, “Huo, bomba ini (Yes, it is).”

Pahimuyan’s response caused panic in the area, police said.

The PCG members held and ordered Pahimuyan to put the boxes down for verification.

Pahimuyan was acting arrogantly while the boxes were being opened, according to Belermino and Parreño.

They found nothing but kitchen utensils inside the boxes; there was no bomb.

Belermino and Parreño asked the BSTPO to arrest Pahimuyan.

Pahimuyan was subjected to an inquest the other day in Kalibo, Aklan.

But Pahimuyan, assisted by Atty. Flosemer Chris Gonzales of the Public Attorneys’ Office, executed a waiver of detention pending preliminary investigations.

Pahinuyan later admitted that he was drunk and did not think that his joke would cause a commotion, police said.

Pahimuyan, temporarily residing in Brgy. Yapak here, is currently detained in the lockup cell of the BSTPO./

Filipina joins Top 20 World's Coolest Intern Candidate

BORACAY Island-- A 21-year old Filipina made it as one of the 23 World's Coolest Intern candidate in the world of blogging.

Jonha Revesencio of Kalibo, Aklan was considered by the organizers on her blog entry "Defying Gravity" and is the sole representative of the Philippines in the world competition.

She asked Facebook, Twitter and Youtube fans to like her page so that she could be able to win the event.

The organizers said they received at least 1,900 applications and only 23 of them have been selected for the final competition.

The organizers should have only 20 chosen finalists but were extended to 23 because some of the finalists got tie scores.

JamiQ, the organizers' partner and one of Asia's most established online sentiment analysis and research consultants, has audited and consolidated the top 20 applicants based on their digital footprint from a quantitative perspective.

Revesencio graduated in STI-Kalibo and has been interested in blogging since then. She is now in Iloilo City working as a call center agent.

"We have been overwhelmed with the response from the applicants and the effort they and their supporters have put in which only makes the decision for the Standard Chartered Breeze team even tougher as we search for our latest addition.

So before we introduce our Top 23, we would like to tip our digital hats to all applicants for making the World's Coolest Intern even cooler.

It has been our privilege having you as an applicant and we look forward to staying in touch and the possibility of working with you. A big thanks from all of us and our partners in the Breeze team," the organizers said.

Among others, bloggers from Singapore, India, Australia, USA, Malaysia and Hong Kong are competing in the said event.

Funboard: New features on the 22nd International Funboard Cup

BORACAY ISLAND- Spectators could expect new features on the forthcoming 22nd Neil Pryde Boracay International Funboard Cup slated Jan. 24 to 29, 2011.

Nenette Graf, one of the organizers of the event, said that, originally, the event only consisted of timed slalom races. However, next year's event will feature speed trials, Kiteboarding freestyles, and kiting hangtime.

"The races are free for spectators to watch and are held in the international seaside community of Bulabog beach. The event brings competitors from all over the world to compete for friendship, victory and honor," said Graf.

The pristine white sand, blue smooth waters and hammering Amihan winds of Bulabog beach are said to make funboard competition an ideal venue for this resort island.

Neil Pryde is the title sponsor and has been involved in the creation and running of this event for the past 22 years. Unknown to many, the annual funboard cup has been considered as Asia's longest running international sporting event for windsurfing and kiteboarding.

The CNNgo.com have voted the funboard cup as one of the top 52 Weekend Events Destination in the World in 2010.

Boracay Community Market revived to cater to both locals and foreign tourists

BORACAY ISLAND,- The Boracay Community Market has been revived here once again by its organizers to showcase the organic products, souvenirs, home-baked bread and muffins, farm fresh vegetables and foods, local artists and paintings, as well as local indigenous crafts.

The organizers said that the community market is open to all Boracay residents who want to sell their stuff and is located at the Plazoleta area white beach.

The opening will be staged on November 6.

"As we near Christmas, the market provides an opportunity for the tourists to meet more local offering regionally produced," the organizers said.

The organizers only charge P100 per table on each interested local vendor.

Held every Saturday, the community market has been materialized by the locals as a venue for discussions on gossip about the lifestyles around this resort island, current events while showcasing the local ingenuity of the locals.

The organizers also hope that the local culture of the Boracay residents could be showcased through the said community market.