Boracay bids for massage world record

BORACAY – The local government of Malay, Aklan wants this island paradise to land in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “longest massage chain.”
The current record for the longest massage chain, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is 1,223. This was achieved by Thailand on April 28, 2010.
Two Thailand-based companies – Have A Good Dream Co. Ltd. and Thai Beverage Marketing Co. Ltd. – teamed up to create a massage chain at the Rama IX Park in Bangkok.
All participants were seated in three circles behind one another, with each circle measuring 611.5 meters.
The following massages were performed: temporal lobe, neck, shoulders, arms and back (chopped style).
Boracay wants to break this world record on May 16 which has been declared by the municipal government of Malay as “Boracay Day.”
Felix De Los Santos, tourism officer of the municipality of Malay where Boracay geopolitically belongs, said they will be needing at least 1,500 massage therapists to break Thailand’s record.
Massages are one of more popular indulgences in Boracay such that the local government of Malay has decided to regulate its practice.
Municipal Ordinance No. 2000-132 regulates activities along the White Beach area offered by “vendors” or people in exchange for money. They include masseurs, manicurists, boatmen and sailboat operators engaged in island hopping, operators of motorbike for hire and ambulant and stationary vendors selling fruits, shell craft, garments, sunglasses and other souvenir items, etc.
Under the ordinance, vendors, including masseurs, are required to wear prescribed uniforms and identification cards.
Section 3 of the ordinance strictly prohibits these vendors to approach and/or disturb tourists to offer their goods or services.
“Vendors engaged in selling and promoting services like massage, island hopping and boat trips shall be required to transact their business in all boat stations or in places identified and sanctioned by the Municipality. They may put up a signboard indicating their services being offered,” part of Municipal Ordinance No. 2000-132 read.
While manicure and pedicure shall be strictly prohibited along the White Beach, massage shall be allowed at the vegetation area only, stated the ordinance.
Under Section 4 of the ordinance, any person or group of persons found guilty violating it shall be fined not more than P500 plus the confiscation of goods and accessories and/or imprisonment of not more than three days.