The island that became too popular

SINCE its discovery by European backpackers in the early 1980s, the tiny island of Boracay has become the most popular beach resort in the Philippines. Last year its white sands, coconut palms and blue waters attracted more than 150,000 tourists, mostly from overseas. Many of them may not be returning. In June, the environment secretary, Victor Ramos, announced that the island's waters were unsafe for swimming due to high levels of coliform bacteria, which is usually associated with human sewage. Mr Ramos said water samples studied by his chemists were so bad they did not even need microscopes. The unsophisticated septic-tank systems on the island are being blamed.