Here in Manoc-Manoc exists a story of growth. It’s a story etched in the very land and the lives of its people. Manoc-Manoc is a barangay in Malay Aklan. Imagine this place thirty years ago.
In 1990 Manoc-Manoc had a population of just 2794. Fast forward to 2020. The census revealed a population of 20504. That’s an increase of 17710 people. It shows incredible growth. In 2020 Manoc-Manoc’s population represented over a third of Malay’s total. Specifically it accounted for 34.13 percent.
Let’s rewind to 2015. The age group with the most residents was 25 to 29. There were 1717 individuals in that bracket. The smallest group was those 80 and over. They numbered only 41.
Consider the households of Manoc-Manoc. In 2015 there were 3298 households. These housed 14569 people. On average each household had about 4.42 members. This tells a story of families. Families are the heart of this community.
Manoc-Manoc is found on Boracay Island. It sits at approximately 11.9488 degrees North and 121.9395 degrees East. The estimated elevation is about 21.5 meters above sea level. That’s roughly 70.5 feet.
The island of Boracay where Manoc-Manoc nestles is small. It has an area of just over 10 square kilometers. Boracay is known for its stunning beaches. Manoc-Manoc benefits from this island paradise. Boracay is a resort island in the Western Visayas region. It lies just off the northwest coast of Panay Island.
Boracay’s history stretches back long before resorts. Originally the island was home to the Panay Bukidnon and Ati people. Commercial development has marginalized these groups since the 1970s. Manoc-Manoc has been part of this story. Boracay was once part of Capiz province. Later it fell under the town of Buruanga. In 1949 Malay was established. Then in 1956 Aklan became an independent province. Both Malay and Boracay became part of Aklan.
The name Boracay has several possible origins. Some say it comes from the Ati words “bora” and “bocay.” “Bora” means bubbles and “bocay” means white. Others believe it’s from the local word “borac.” That means white cotton. It refers to the sand’s color and texture. Still another version connects it to “sagay” a shell and “boray” a seed.
Boracay faced a crisis in 2018. The Philippine government closed the island for six months. This was to allow for major renovations. The sewage system was a particular concern. The island reopened in October 2018. New rules were put in place to address various issues. These rules aimed to control tourist growth. The beachfront was cleared. Buildings were set back. The aim was to create a buffer zone from the waterline.
Today Manoc-Manoc continues to grow. It balances development and preservation. It strives to honor its history. It embraces its future on the beautiful island of Boracay.