Building Sand Castles in Boracay

"Building sand castles are like building your dreams. You envision it and then make things work. With patience and perseverance and a little help from God-given talents, the formula for success awaits."

We were looking for sand castles that night at Boracay. And as any travel, we journey to explore and learn new experiences as well as to meet new people along the way. This time it was a young girl that we met named Chin-chin. She is a sand-castle builder at a young age.

I looked at the sand castle that she built and thought that she has made an extraordinary work of art. But her sand castle was not the only thing that touched me. It was her spirit and her enthusiasm in life. Top it up with the innocence in her eyes and her smile, the chat went on and on.

She said she wanted to be an actress. But she was to shy to sing for us. She told us that she has been to the United States, obviously mistaking Manila for the United States. She said they built an airplane prototype from a cartoon model. She said that her uncle is rich who worked as a security guard in a hotel there.

Contradictions?  Maybe yes. Innocence? Yes. Truthfulness? Maybe yes. But the most essential part is that she shared a part of her life to us. She said that she started building castles at age five. That they were 11 children out of them of whom 3 died due to ailments. But she continued that her closest "ate" (sister) who died, did give her one advice and that is to do good to others. Perhaps that is the kindest thought anyone could ever have.

Since it was night time, we wanted to see some light from the sand castle. They usually light them at night time. She set out to get her candle but the candle was lost where she kept it. So we gave her money to buy a new candle and some extras. She came back and lighted the sand castle. It became a little brighter with the single candle at the center of the sand castle. It was a symbol of light in the dark.

She said sand castles although appreciated by many tourists are no longer approved by the locality for many reasons. So if you're going to look for many sand castles there, you might not find one. It is already prohibited.

We said our goodbyes that night to Chin-chin and two other children sand castle builders. Hoping that maybe we'll meet again someday. Knowing that although sand castles are no longer permitted but still the art continues to thrive in the place. But why hinder this work of art to live and give joy to others?

When we parted, we told the three children to study hard. Like the building of sand castles, we believe that their dreams will someday materialize in order to eliminate poverty.

SAnd Castle in the Morning

Lighted Sand Castle at Night