Who says Boracay is only for the young?

MANILA, Philippines - Boracay has always been associated with youth partly because of the rockin’ night life, and partly because, well, one should have a lithe, well-toned body to look good in bikinis, the costume de rigueur thereabouts. Although deep in my heart and soul, I feel I am young, and even if my dermatologist Dr. Isabel Nazal has taken extreme pains the past two decades to take good care of my skin, my kids, Jon and Mika, who are the most brutally honest beings on earth, to my eternal consternation, always remind me that I am not. (“You’re old Mama. Accept it. You’re old, old, OLD.” Okay, already!) But does my being in the 40 and above age bracket mean I will not fit in nor enjoy Boracay? Definitely not, and this I was able to prove with my recent trip to this “piece-of-heaven-on-earth” with my husband Paul for the latest conference on Rotary concerns hosted by the Philippine College of Rotary Governors.

It was a pleasant trip through Zest Air especially with its recession-appropriate rates and, of course, its offer of my favorite Zesto juice drink during the flight (the owners of the two being the same; I am sure most of you did not know that, huh?). Of course, we were appropriately dressed: Shorts and comfy tops matched with cute rubber slippers. Scared of another dressing down from Dr. Nazal, I piled up inches of sunblock on my face until I looked like a ghost (to scare all the wrinkles away) before disembarking. Boracay Regency, which was the convention venue, made it very convenient for us, making all arrangements for the necessary transfers. Our suite turned out to be comparable to or even better than those we have tried in other Asian beach resorts. The amenities were complete, and best of all, the staff, being truly Filipino, was absolutely friendly, attentive and helpful.

So what was there to do in Boracay for a middle-aged woman who enjoys life like a teenager? Plenty! Booked in a perfectly situated place, one need to walk just a few meters and be at the D’ Mall where there are lots of good restaurants to choose from. (I was surprised to find a new Shakey’s outlet, filled to the brim with both locals and tourists that must have sprouted after my last visit.) My favorite, of course, is Cyma with its delectable Greek food and Jammers (for burgers). For our lunch on arrival day, we went for the famous ribs in Gasthof with Past District Gov. (PDG) Danny Espinosa. After a full meal of my choice of pusit and kangkong, and my husband’s favorite fish and ribs, we did a must-do, which is to have coffee and blueberry cheesecake in one of the quaint cafés that dot Boracay to go with the post-prandial conversation.

As Paul and Gov. Dan were such slow coffee drinkers, I took the opportunity to survey the D’ Mall to find something I felt I needed or interesting enough to bring home. Mindful of the state of the world economy but still with my dermatologist in mind, I settled on a P200 wide brimmed hat after, of course, haggling for about an hour. (Please blame this on my Ilocano roots.) Fighting off every temptation to go on another swimwear-and-sarong-buying-binge (a mistake I totally regretted the last time I visited Boracay), I rushed an article at the business center of the Boracay Regency on Rachel Alejandro (and former beau Dingdong Avanzado) which turned out to be more interesting than all the swimwear and sarongs combined (Hahaha!). With long drink in hand, I spent the rest of the afternoon just people-watching. I was amazed by a local artist who drew a very beautiful painting of the white beach with its powdery sand and swaying pine trees. I marveled at exquisitely made sandcastles. Later, during happy hour at the Club Paraw, I almost wept at the awesome sight of the best art only God can make and experienced what was, for me, the most magnificent sunset. Dinner was a mouth-watering meal of Filipino food, care of PDG Toto Locsin, with huge lobsters and shrimps that made me grow one inch wider at the tummy. After the sumptuous dinner, we were treated to a wonderful massage in the first class spa of Boracay Regency by The Optical Shop owner and PDG Gil Divinagracia. (Thank God for good friends who are willing to sponsor us on luxuries we would rather forego.) I said all my ooohs and aahhs while the expert masseuse skillfully kneaded my body this way and that, went back to the suite, and slept through the night.

The following day was spent lazing around the beach, taking a peek at natural and south sea pearls and puka shells on sale. I was so tempted to have my hair braided and skin tattooed, but then the scolding voices of my kids prevented me from doing so (Hmmphhh!). In the evening, we were treated to a Hawaiian beach party in Hawaiian attire complete with a band care of Rotarian, PAGCOR president and personal friend Butch Francisco. Nightcap was spent drinking with the younger Rotary crowd of presidents with pulutan of yummy oysters and balut accompanied by San Mig Light. As we walked about two kilometers to and from the venue, we were able to join the dancing in the streets by the younger set to the tune of eardrum-breaking music at Hey Jude.

The day before we departed for Manila was the most eventful of all, with interesting guest speakers that included Presidential candidate in the 2010 elections Bayani Fernando, and the amazingly never-aging female counterpart of Benjamin Button (her commitment is to look and feel one year younger every year), Cory Quirino, who invited us to the launching of her new wellness boutique with beautifying giveaways and free snacks. The last night was spent partying in all white with a retro band. On the day of departure, Past PDG Lady Mel Divinagracia and I escaped from our husbands for a last-minute panic-shopping at D’ Talipapa where your peso can definitely buy more. I found Ging-ging, a Muslim who offered me spaghetti strapped floral dresses and Boracay T-shirts with very good quality at extremely low prices.

As I strapped myself into my seat before take-off, I began to review all the reasons why a 40 something like me would enjoy a stay in Boracay, and here they are, not necessarily in order: The pure white sand, the crystal blue waters, the spa, the gastronomic delights, watching great local artists at work, a Hawaiian Beach party, an all-white retro party, a wellness Cory Quirino boutique, great bargains at D’ Talipapa, great finds at D’ Mall, pulsating music at Hey Jude and Club Paraw... the list seems never-ending. Surely, I have more than proven to everyone, including my children, how Boracay is not just for the young but also for the young-at-heart.

(E-mail me at [email protected] or text 0927-5000833. Help build houses for the poor through the Gawad Kalinga by calling 718-1738 to 41 or text 0917-5239777).