(List as of November 7, 2016)
BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The world’s most beautiful island, as per the magazine Condé Nast, is in deep, deep trouble.
Its most famous sand castle built in the middle of the long stretch of White Beach is about to come down for good, thanks to the persistence of environmentalists and advocates against illegal construction on public land.
The sand castle, which bears the words, ” I love Boracay,” along with the month, day and year updated on a daily basis, is one of the island’s icons. No one who visits Boracay goes away without a selfie in front of the sand structure.
This is not the first illegal construction demolished in Boracay. Years ago, government agencies demolished illegal structures of a posh resort for encroaching on a no-build zone among various other alleged violations of local and environmental laws. That resort, the West Cove, is rumored to be owned by Filipino champion boxer and now Senator Manny Pacquiao.
So, while “it’s more fun in the Philippines,” you never know when the axe falls on you especially if you do not have the needed permits to build on public or zoned land.
Tomorrow, December 10, a final tribute to the sand castle will be held by residents and tourists alike. There will be music, fire dancing, buffets and free San Mig light beer to all who will attend the “burial.”
Unlike the remains of the late Ferdinand E. Marcos in the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, it will be impossible to exhume the sand after it is demolished. That means, there can be no protests or rallies.
HOLLYWOOD, California (The Adobo Chronicles, Los Angeles Bureau) – In accepting the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the ‘Master of None’ episode ‘Parents,’ writer Alan Yang urged Asian parents to give their kids cameras instead of violins. That didn’t sit well with ‘Tiger Mom’ Amy Chua. She demanded an apology from Yang.
Chua is the author of the controversial book, ‘Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,’ in which she narrates her insistence on piano and violin lessons for her two daughters. For years, Chua fought pitched battles with her kids about practicing — putting Lulu, age 3, outside in the cold because she wouldn’t take instruction. She also threatened to burn her kids’ stuffed animals, and denying dinner until a piece was perfected.
“Who is to say that the camera makes one a better person than the violin,” Chua said.
The moral of the story: Hollywood can’t pick a fight with the Tiger mom. It’s a losing proposition.
The Adobo Chronicles 
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