Revenge travel is peaking in many tourist magnets in the Philippines, and this could not be truer than in the island paradise of Boracay —- tagged the "Top Island in Asia" in the 35th edition of Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. November tourism data have shown that over 90 percent of travelers to Boracay in 2022 are locals, but the men, women and kids who make their living off the island's travel sector are ecstatic.

"The foreigners are starting to trickle in, but we're more than happy to help realize the dream vacations of our countrymen who come here," Jun Ambito said in Filipino as he drove us from Crimson Spa and Resort in Station Zero to D'Mall. He then profusely thanked former President Rodrigo Duterte, the local government of Aklan and the many private-sector samaritans who helped them survive through "ayudas" during the 2018 cleanup closure and 2020-2021 Covid travel restrictions.