The New York Times recently wrote a travel article on the Philippines’ once best kept secret, Boracay, which is apparently on its way (or already there) to becoming the next Phuket.

I’m happy for the Philippines if this turns out to be true. For years now, I’ve been wondering what it is about Thailand that has made it become such a world-renowned tourism spot , while the Philippines – close enough to Thailand geographically and culturally – is all but forgotten in the hearts and minds of tourists. Granted, having been to Thailand just a couple of years ago, Bangkok appeared to be a lot cleaner and more developed than Manila — but still. Philippines has just as many gorgeous beaches and islands as Thailand, if not more. It puzzled me why people weren’t flocking to Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu like they were to Thailand’s famous beach spots?

Well, apparently, now tourists are going to Boracay and I kind of wish they weren’t. The first time I visited Boracay was ten years ago, around this time of year. It was pretty empty, White Beach seemed huge and never-ending, and there was something to do at all times of the day, thanks to the bars that could be found right on White Beach itself. Since then, I’ve gone back to Boracay twice, and with each subsequent visit, the ugly head of commercial development becoming more and more visible. White Beach got smaller and smaller, with hotels and resorts creeping ever so quickly upon the shoreline; roads have been built, with scooters and cars passing by where just a few years prior, very few could be seen. White Beach, which once appeared to me like an expansive paradise, started to look more and more like Manila – except on a beach.

I’m torn about how to feel about Boracay’s increasing popularity amongst tourists and its development. I’m glad tourism is picking up, and I’m glad the locals in Boracay now have more jobs available to them. But at the same time, Boracay seems like it has lost its care-free, untouched image. It makes me sad to think of how small White Beach has gotten because of all the hotels that have sprung up in a matter of years. I can’t even begin to imagine what environmental impact all this rapid development has had in this little island. Feels a little like paradise lost.

I suppose that’s the price to pay for development, right? And as long as Filipinos can at least keep Palawan a secret, we’ll still have a relatively untouched and unknown beach paradise to go to. Better enjoy it while it lasts!