One thing that I’ve been liking about Boracay is the food offered in the different establishments. In my last visit, Cyma was a revelation and loved their large servings of seafood and pasta while I indulged in gelato in Aria Gelato and dessert at Cafe del Sol.

Rugged, wild and raw. Vertical rock faces, cliffs, natural rock arches, caves, cavities and rocky outcrops and assemblages. It was the side of Boracay Island off Caticlan that I wasn’t familiar with.

Smart’s discarded billboard and banner tarpaulin advertisements around the country shipped to Iloilo and stored in two huge warehouses. With the trainings select GK Sooc inhabitants got and the guidance given by PJ, they have transformed these into fashionalable evening bags, purses, knapsacks, pouches, and small handbags. All under PJ’s Nautilus line.

Is this still Boracay? I couldn’t believe my eyes. What beach is this? Where is this place? I asked my companions with bewilderment. PUKA BEACH was the answer.

I confess, six days in West Panay is not enough. There’s so much to see, places to go to and experience and food to taste. It’s never enough but despite my time constraint, I was able to visit different places in Aklan, Antique and Iloilo.

Aklan is proud of its piña (pineapple) fiber. So much so that products derived from processing these fibers into fabrics is one, if not its top industry.

It’s white and slimy, its elongated form, worm like, makes others squirm but dip it in spicy vinegar and its one hell of a tasty (raw) fare! Better than oysters.

Visiting Kalibo’s Bakhawan Eco Park was one of the best places that I’ve visited during this trip. Walking along its elevated bamboo walkway amidst lush mangroves and to the sound of birds and the distant waves of the sea was just calming. For one who is Manila based, it was a very welcome respite from the concrete environment and pollution.

As the name suggests, its an apartelle and the ground and second floors are actually inhabited. Room at the third floor on the other hand are still available and are being rented out per day.

After having seen so much cooked mud crabs, shrimps, fish and grilled chicken used as decor during the Ati-ati Festival in Ibajay, both procession and the street dancing, I was craving for seafood!

A quaint old church built in 1889 and a beautiful beachside landscape of undulating rock formations and layers that reminds one of puff pastry. Only in Tangalan, Aklan.

It’s just a small festival, colors are more subdued and less contingents than Sinulog but the Ibajaynons surely takes centerstage and knows how to have fun!

Boracay is not just a sun worshiper’s paradise, with its fine, powdery white sand and azure waters, but for thrill seekers, its also one of the best places for windsurfing.

It was rather weird. People were holding skewered and grilled chicken or parts of it. Some with steamed crabs, fish, and, even strange, raw meat stuck to a man’s body or raised up on wooden sticks, waved and being agitated to the loud shouts of Viva! Senor Sto. Nino!

A day’s trip to Barangay Naisud’s Mangrove Eco Park didn’t push through and erratic wind at Bulabog Beach in Boracay made this day trip disappointing.