Taking back Boracay Island or is it “Paradise Lost”?

News of Boracay’s shutdown brought made me sad. My initial reaction was how to get back to the island before the April 26-shutdown date. I wanted to experience Boracay before it is off-limits to tourists like me. It is forever etched in my memory as a real paradise.

But that was more than a decade ago. It was then a pristine hideaway with a postcard-perfect white sand known as White Beach.

_{White Beach, Boracay Island 2007}
Back then I was working for a business processing outsourcing firm, working at odd hours against my own circadian rhythm, talking to furious people over the phone on a regular basis, and driven by a sales target that needed to be met. I needed a real break from my BPO world.

It was in Boracay that I found the space, silence, and peace that I was looking for. My team and I explored the five-kilometer beach with tenacity, only twenty-something could have had. It was a joy playing in clear waters, with fine white sand in between my toes, and only the sound of thrashing waves on its shores to disrupt my thoughts. Blissful.

_{White Beach, Boracay Island 2007}
But my last year’s visit unveiled that tiny Boracay has totally changed. Gone was the simplicity of making sand castles, professionals took over and came up with complex sand structures, really feats of sand art, was not the comforting homey bucket and trowel outcome. It is now the happening place.

White Beach’s is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, dive and curio shops. Large groups of package tourists were everywhere. There are so many attractions. Water adventure now means the ocean is also full. Paraws, kayaks, and boats including parasailing and kite surfing.

The sunsets are still perfect. But now you really have to find a spot to have your shot as the crowd is unforgiving, each tourist whipping out a phone ready to capture her own perfect shot. I now had to share the beach with a youthful and thick crowd, like more than a hundred or so who were entertained by fire dancers twirling their batons and loud live music
inspiring dance and drinking. The party goes on all night. Singles get drunk and hook up.

_{Phuka Beach Sunset, Boracay Island 2008}
Indeed, years of partying and unregulated commerce had taken its toll on the small island.

For the next six months, the island’s entire commerce is dead as no local or foreign visitors will be allowed to enter the island. I know it means a real sacrifice for locals. I just hope the government has enough safety nets in place to help locals survive the next six months. But I believe it is better to sacrifice now as we can still make reversible changes. What is scary is when we can no longer bring back what was lost. The island looming six months of environmental rehabilitation is timely.

The environment needs taking care of. I believe as humans we are the stewards of Mother Earth. Hopefully, April 26 marked the day Boracay is set for taking back to its old glory. I expect nothing less. Let us learn from Boracay.

_{White Beach, Boracay Island 2008}

I may not be able to help save Boracay, but in my own small way, I can surely help the environment heal. While I admit these are too small for any dramatic and immediate changes, I believe if each and everyone will take ownership of our own personal carbon footprint and actively ensure to make it less and less, then we have a better chance of passing to future generations, an Earth that is not abused.

Be mindful of what items you accept

Take only those freebies that you can use and re-use. This goes for all: free table napkins, a glass of water, chopsticks, toothpicks and especially plastic spoons and forks. The extra napkins I use in my kitchen I no longer but kitchen paper towels, as I make do with the pile I manage to accumulate. Nowadays, I only allow waiters to pour me drinking water if I am really thirsty and will drink the water that is served. If I am not thirsty, I refuse the free water because for sure the remaining water in the glass will just be tossed down the drain. I refuse plastic utensils, as I always have a pair of stainless steel spoon, fork and straw in my bag.

Say no to bottled water

Why buy bottled water? Bring your own jug of water. Each plastic bottle you don’t buy helps in reducing plastic waste. After seeing videos of these islands of floating plastic just off the coast of Bali made me sit up and strengthened my resolve to never buy bottled water.

Bring empty food container

I allow myself to “take-out” food only if I have a food container. This also goes for when I buy bread, veggies, eggs and even drinks. If more people practice using re-usable food containers as opposed to disposables, we can all ensure less demand, less production of plastic waste.

Re-use shopping bags

As stores and malls use brown paper bags and eco-friendly shopping bags, I keep a nifty shopping bag in my purse. I re-use brown and paper bags.

Purging of stuff

I only keep things that I need and buy only what I really will use. What does not give me joy, I pass on to others so that they can have better use for it. Before making any purchases I ask myself several times if I really need it. If it can be borrowed or bought second-hand, then that is better so that I don’t have to add to the demand by purchasing something brand new. If I won’t regularly need it, then I borrow.

_{Algae clean up. Boracay Island 2018 Image Source}

To choose to stride on a green path, I keep myself going with the thought that if I don’t try to save my Mother Earth, who else will. It is a collective effort.

I pray that will soon be an all hands on deck.

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@cocoland

xxoo

_{Finding the strength to forgive those who have wronged and took advantage of you?
Here are some thoughts I’d like to share that made the difference for me to take that leap of forgiveness.
Read on: Steemit.com: Choose to let go and forgive. Choose not to let hatred rule you.}