The sound of laughter and music rose above the waves as Boracay Newcoast opened its month-long Oktoberfest celebration beside the island’s eastern shore. The ceremonial tapping of the keg took place at the seashore beside the resort’s beachwalk, where the glow of string lights met the surf, and cold beer flowed under a sky streaked pink and gold.

It marked the beginning of a new kind of island tradition, a celebration rooted in the familiar rhythm of Boracay yet framed by the modern energy of its newest enclave.

From Oct. 6 to 8, guests were invited to experience the first in a series of festivities designed to mark the season. The itinerary blended leisure and discovery, from a scenic transfer from Caticlan to Newcoast to an ATV ride at the Keyhole lookout. There were poi-dancing lessons at sunset and slow mornings filled with beachfront yoga, coffee, and island air.

Set within Megaworld’s 150-hectare integrated township, the celebration unfolded along the Newcoast Beachwalk, a lively promenade lined with pop-up stalls, alfresco bars, and views of the Sibuyan Sea. By dusk, tables filled with seafood, sausages, and freshly grilled fare turned the beachfront into a relaxed beer garden.

At Savoy Hotel Boracay, one of the enclave’s signature properties, the energy carried into the evening with a dinner that captured the flavor of the island itself.

The weekend marked only the start. The Oktoberfest series continues through October with themed parties and performances: the Island Flames Show on Oct. 11, 18, and 31; the Beer-lympic and Saturday Beach Parties on Oct. 11, 18, and 25; the all-month Grill Fest Weekends and Liquid Alchemy Fridays; and the grand Moonlit Mayhem Halloween Party on Oct. 31.

Each event adds a different note to the experience, with fire shows, live bands, and craft brews set against the turquoise horizon. It is Oktoberfest in the language of Boracay, free-spirited, social, and unhurried.

Among the weekend’s highlights was an unexpected meeting with Vincent Yves Cabahug, Savoy Hotel Boracay’s resident chef whose quiet confidence reflects years spent in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants abroad. Back home, Vincent has turned his attention to local flavors, cooking with precision and purpose while honoring the food he grew up with.

Lunch at Savoy was both comforting and surprising. Vincent presented a spread that felt rooted in memory but refined by technique, each course unfolding like a quiet homage to Filipino home cooking. The meal opened with a refreshing Alugbati Salad topped with crispy danggit and a rustic Barrio Salad that paired earthy greens with tart dressing. From there came plates of Barbecue Croquettes, small bites of smoky meat wrapped in crisp breading, and Crispy Pork Lumpia fried to a golden crackle.

“Every dish I make is a way of reconnecting with where I came from while using everything I’ve learned from kitchens around the world,” shared Vincent.

For the mains, the Stuffed Squid arrived perfectly grilled and filled with herbed rice, while the Grilled Salmon carried the scent of charcoal and citrus. The Pork Bagnet in Mung Beans was a crowd favorite, the rich crunch of pork belly meeting the earthiness of slow-cooked munggo. Inubarang Manok sa Gata, a Visayan stew of native chicken simmered in coconut milk and pounded banana pith, offered quiet comfort beside a platter of Pancit Guisado and warm rice. Dessert was a playful twist on nostalgia — a Hot Pandesal Pudding, soft and buttery with just enough sweetness to linger with the memory of breakfast.

Boracay Newcoast continues to redefine what the island can offer. With its landscaped promenades, dedicated coves, and growing network of hotels including Savoy, Belmont, and the soon-to-open Chancellor, the township is carving out a new space where luxury meets community. The beachwalk, with its casual dining spots and live entertainment, has quickly become a gathering point for both visitors and locals who see the promise of a more sustainable and organized Boracay.

As the first keg was tapped beside the sea, laughter carried long into the night, mingling with the sound of the waves — a toast to new beginnings and the island’s enduring spirit.