DOT Boracay, readies for arrival of more than 200 Filipino-Canadians today

Written by: Jay-ar Arante

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Boracay readies for the arrival of more than 200 Filipino-Canadians in the island of Boracay today.

According to DOT Boracay Officer-in-Charge Tim Ticar, the mentioned tourists will visit the Western Visayas, particularly the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz and Aklan.

Mayor John Yap will lead the welcoming party through a short program to be held in a resort in the island.

Expected to arrive at noontime from Manila, the group of tourist will fly to Kalibo International Airport to witness the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival before traveling to Boracay.

Ticar added, before going to Roxas City on Monday, the Filipino-Canadians are to have a trip around the beautiful spots in Boracay and will try island hopping.

Among the group of tourists are said to be prominent people in Canada and Ambassadors for the mentioned tour.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Mayor John Yap, extends gratitude to BPI Globe BanKo’s support on LGU’s E-trike Program

Written by: Gloria Villas

Malay Mayor John P. Yap thanked the BPI Globe BanKo for its support to LGU-Malay’s E-trike Program.

During the launching of new e-trikes yesterday, the mayor said that the program will sooner be implemented because of the Bank’s support and funding.

Mayor Yap however said that the e-trike program's implementation won’t be that easy as it could take around two years because of the needed unit testing.

Nonetheless, he added, the local government is determined that by 2015 the island will be using e-trikes already.

He also encouraged the cooperation of stakeholders and residents on the island to support the E-trike Program.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Launching of new E-trikes in the island, today

Written by Christy Dela Torre

The public will be seeing 15 new E-trikes in the island of Boracay today.

This is as the launching of the said units is conducted today at the Barangay Balabag Plaza along with the presentation of certificates to 15 new e-trike operators.

According to former SB Member and now LGU E-trike program In Charge Dante Pagsugiron, a number of cooperative members have earlier applied for the unit and are looking forward to its operation.

This is because the e-trike will give the operators a huge advantage compared to the conventional tricycle, Pagsugiron said.

Aside from lessening noise and air pollution, drivers and operators can also save more.

The E-trike program In Charge added that even the stakeholders are eager to have e-trikes operating in the island, the reason that he pushes for it even more.

With the help of the municipal council and of the Mayor its implementation is slowly taking place.

Pagsugiron also said that their e-trikes is being supplied by the Gerweiss Motors Corporation.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Tourist arrivals in the previews year, released by the Department of Tourism”

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Department of Tourism or DOT Boracay gave information on the island’s tourist arrivals and total income in 2013.

Based on the Tourist Arrivals 2013 Advisory of the DOT, the tourism of Boracay Island increased compared to the year 2012 despite the presence of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) which affected Boracay in November in the previews year.

It was learned that the total income of Boracay for 2013 is P25 Billion compared to P22.1 Billion in 2012.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

KASAFI, expects influx of people for “Higante Parade” today

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Kalibo Sto. Niño Festival Incorporated or KASAFI expects the influx of thousands of people to witness the “Higante parade” or giants’ parade later this afternoon in Kalibo.

This is in line with the weeklong celebration of the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-atihan Festival which kicked off Friday and will last until Sunday.

According to KASAFI’s website included in the said Higante Parade are the Disney Themed characters wherein Kalibo will showcase Minnie Mouse, Balete with Pocahontas, Nabas with Daisy Duck, Banga with Rapunzel, Tangalan’s Ariel the little Mermaid and Malinao with Princess Merida.

The parade will start at one o’clock this afternoon together with the government employees of the Province.

KASAFI added that the Municipalities will be competing for a 40,000 peso prize for the grand champion, 35,000 for second place, and 30,000 pesos for the third place.

The said prizes are from the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Sanitation problem at the Caticlan Public Market, talked about again at the session of the town council of Malay

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The problem on sanitation at the Malay Public Market at Caticlan Village was again the topic at the Town Council session on Tuesday, January 14.

Town Council Member Manuel Delos Reyes said in the previews session that he was not pleased with the situation of the mentioned Public Market because of scattered garbage, and the market had broken tables and roof.

Due to this, the matter was again talked about at the session yesterday wherein Environmental Management Specialist, Engr. Tresha Lyn Lozanes and Station Inspector, Ma. Lyn Fernandez were in attendance.

The purpose of the talk was to answer the question of the Town Council on why such problem exists at the Malay Public Market especially that the town of Malay is the first class municipality in the whole province of Aklan.

Meanwhile, even if there is a plan to renovate the Caticlan Public Market, Town Council Member Jupiter Gallenero insisted that its sanitation should still be at par since it is the foremost place where food is bought daily.

Fernandez promised that a solution will be made for the problem brought up by Town Council Member Manuel Delos Reyes regarding the sanitation of the Caticlan Public Market. 

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Malay’s Fiesta de Obreros, Street Dancing grand champion in Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival

Written by Jay-ar Arante

Malay’s Fiesta de Obreros bagged the grand champion award on street dancing and ground presentation in Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival.

With this, the LGU Malay through SB Member Rowen Aguirre congratulates all Malaynons who took part in the competition.

The Street Dancing and Ground Presentation, also known as “One Town One Festival,” are among the many activities in Kalibo Ati-atihan that shows colorful displays and cultural diversity of the feasts in different towns of Aklan.

On the Street Dancing Category, the first runner-up received Php7, 000.00 which was bagged by Buruanga’s “Panagat Festival,” the Second runner-up with 5,000 peso prize went to “Bariw Festival” of Nabas, and Malay’s “Fiesta de Obreros” as champion received 10,000 pesos.

Malay also took home 15,000 pesos for winning the Ground Presentation, followed by Banga’s “Saguibin Festival” with 10,000 peso prize and third place with 7,000 pesos went to “Pascua sa Malinao” Festival.

Ibajay’s Ati-at- Festival, Numancia’s Liston Festival and Balete’s Enchanting also joined the festivals’ contest and each received a 2,500 pesos consolation prizes.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

SB Malay, to study ordinance to amend regulation on Reef Walking/Helmet Diving

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Municipal Council of Malay will look into an ordinance that will amend the operation of Reef Walking or Helmet Diving in Malay and Boracay.

This is based on the order of business tackled during the Malay SB Session yesterday morning, particularly on their incoming and referrals.

The ordinance sets an area of operation for the said activity and states that a penalty shall be imposed to violators.

To further study the ordinance Malay Vice Mayor Wilbec Gelito opted to pass it to Committee on Laws Chairman SB Member Rowen Aguirre.

Meanwhile, next Tuesday the ordinance which is knows as Municipal Ordinance No. 314 Series of 2012 will be discussed again on the session.

Helmet Diving or Reef Walking is one of most popular water sports activities in Malay and the island of Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Metals, concrete, and rocks, from demolished and buried seawall at Station 1 Beachfront- Stuck out

Written by Bert Dalida

Metals, concrete and rocks from demolished and buried seawall at station 1 beach front stuck out Monday night, January 13.

According to some establishments at the area, this occurred after high tide and strong waves washed away Monday night, the sand that was used to bury the demolished seawall in the previews week.

The incident made passersby, especially tourists, dismayed on what they saw.

One tourist told a commissioner at the area that allegedly the tourist’s leg got wounded because of a protruding metal from a concrete.

Nevertheless, the demolition quickly took action in order not to cause accidents to the public by fixing the area using a backhoe.

The Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF) previously insisted that the demolished seawall be buried so that sand could not be carried back to sea.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

AKELCO’s Board of Director’s District Election 2014, to be carried out in March

Written by Bert Dalida

AKLECO or the Aklan Electric Cooperative is to hold its Board of Director’s District Election 2014this coming March.

In line with this, AKELCO released its schedule of activities for the 4 districts which consists of Kalibo and Numancia for District 5, New Washington and Batan for District 7, Ibajay and Nabas for District 3 and Boracay for District 10.

Based on AKELCO’s press release, included on the list of activities are as follows:

Posting of Notice for District Election, posting of Master List, filing of Certificate of Candidacy, Prelim and Final Screening of Candidates, Posting of List of Candidates and the Election Day.

The said election will be conducted in different dates. March 8 for District 5, March 15 District 7, March 22 District 3, and March 29 for District 10 in the island of Boracay.

Meanwhile, AKLECO said it is open for those who wish to join the candidacy for Board of Director in their respective districts.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Commercialized celebration of the 2014 Boracay Ati-atihan – Successful

Written by Mackie Pajarillo

The celebration of the commercialized 2014 Boracay Ati-atihan on Sunday, January 12 was successful.

Malay Tourism Officer Felix De Los Santos said the just concluded celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño, was an answered prayer considering that it’s the first time that the celebration was held in such form.

De Los Santos added that with the warm support of stakeholders, the public and villages in Boracay, the celebration was 101 percent successful.

Meanwhile, the street dancing at the front beach was peaceful and more organized compared to the previous year’s celebration.

Local and international tourists seemed to be delighted and surprised with the costumes of each tribe in the parade.

De Los Santos added that the aim of the commercialized celebration of the Ati-atihan in the island, aside from the visit of devotees, is for Boracay to create its own version of Ati-atihan to draw more tourists.

On the other hand, the Boracay Holy Rosary Parish headed by Fr. Arnold Crisostomo expressed gratitude to the devotees of the Sr. Sto. Niño and those who extended their support.

Likewise, the Village Council of Balabag, in the leadership of Hon. Lilibeth Sacapaño and the Municipal Tourism Office, headed by Mr. Felix De Los Santos and especially the Local Government of Malay Hon. John Yap expressed appreciation.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

2014 Boracay Ati-atihan Celebration winners, named

Written by Mackie Pajarillo

Winners of the 2014 Boracay Ati-atihan Celeberation have been announced.

The data from the Municipal Tourism Office led by MTO Chief Operation Officer Felix Delos Santos are as follows:

For the Individual Category, the named champion was the “Earth Warrior,” followed by “The Hope Butterfly” at first runner up, “Ilaya’s Dragon” at second, “Black Butterfly” at third, fourth runner up was the “Fairy Butterfly,” “Red butterfly” at fifth and the “Ita Queen” at the sixth place.

For the Balik Ati Category, “Tribu Mabuhaynon” was declared champion, first runner up “Tribu Hagdan,” “Tribu Pinaungon (Idaeom)” or lower Pinaungon at second place, “Tribu Yapak” at third, the “Dumaan Tribe’ was at fourth, “Martin Village” at fifth and the sixth place went to “Tribu Din-iwid.”

The Lamberto H. Tirol National High School championed the Tribal Category, followed by Boracay National High School Manoc-manoc Extension and Boracay National High School respectively.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Balabg Plaza at 8 o’clock last night.

Translated by Shelah Casiano