Big party marks closure: ‘Mabuhay Boracay!’

Party is over in Boracay…for now. Inquirer Visayas

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan –Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…. Mabuhay Boracay!”

The crowd erupted at the Boomboom bar along the beach at Station 2 on Boracay Island as midnight struck on Thursday officially marking the closure of the island to tourists for six months.

Various bands played at the bar, one of the popular ones at the beachfront, before the crowd, among the remaining tourists on the island.

Earlier, tourists and bar and restaurant workers cheered at a 15-minute fireworks display in front of the D’Mall complex

For many, it would be the last time they would  be on the island after government agencies imposed a ban on tourists to address environmental violations and remove on the island.

“I will miss all of you,” a Mexican restaurant worker told her fellow employees.

The parties along the beach were a far cry in terms of attendance compared to previous years. The  restaurants and bars were almost empty while live bands continued to play.

The beach was almost cleared of people, something unimaginable in a summer night in Boracay.

But for those who came out and partied  probably for the last time until the island would accept tourists again, it was a night to remember and to be thankful for the fun memories on the island.