The island became an international hit during the 90s and instantly wiped out all other destinations in the white sand beach market. Tourists came flocking in and Boracay became a sensational party paradise for foreigners and locals, turning the once sleepy town of Malay, Aklan into a first-class municipality. Now, exposure under the limelight changes people in certain ways. You either use your fame to influence discourse on important issues, like what Tom Hanks has done for the environmental movement; or you inflate your popularity to the extent that the resulting mass begins to implode under its own weight. Apparently, Boracay took the bad pill and started down the path to an inevitable train wreck.

Arguelles, R. C. (2018, October 19). Boracay 2: Back from rehab. The Daily Guardian, p. 4.