EarthOne’s New Eco‑Section Makes the Planet Feel Like a VIP
AsiaOne’s fresh EarthOne launch isn’t just another newsletter. It’s a whole ribbon of green content for anyone who loves the Earth—or at least wants to see more of it.
Our Feature Story: Boracay’s Make‑Over
Meet Samuel Garilao, a 23‑year‑old tour guide who grew up on the islands of Boracay. He’s seen it all: the flurry of tourists, the trash overflow, and the embarrassment when President Duterte shut the island down in 2018 and called it a “sewer pool.”
Then the pandemic hit. People stopped travelling. “We got a free seat‑up in the behind‑the‑scenes cleaning crew,” Samuel says, with a grin. The locals used the pause to pick up litter, and the beaches haven’t looked this pristine since the 2000s.
Remember the six‑month closure? It didn’t whip the island into shape right away. Yet that quiet period turned out to be a golden chance for the sea life to start moving back into the water.
Marine Life’s Comeback Show
- Whale sharks sliding into the waves again.
- Baby sharks and sea turtles appearing in the water.
- Sea turtles starting to nest on the north‑side sands.
Natividad Bernardino, the head of Boracay’s rehabilitation plan, remarks that the lockdown “caused nature to do its own repair work.” The fewer cars on the narrow streets meant less smog and more clean air for all.
Tourism: Back In, But With a Pause
Local tourism finally resumed in October when the virus cases fell. Still, the hot spot hasn’t seen the money rush back the way it used to. The government even pulled back on the “ready for international visitors” plan, citing the risk of Omicron.
So What’s Next?
With EarthOne rolling out, readers can dive deeper into stories like Philippines divers cleaning up coral reefs for World Cleanup Day. Get ready for more green tales that keep the planet on trend—and lean with humor and emotional flair so it feels like a chat you’d have over coffee.
