BORACAY, Philippines (Reuters) - Volunteers combed near-empty beaches and workers boarded up shops on the island of Boracay on Thursday, as the Philippines' top tourist spot closed for a six-month makeover aimed at rescuing it from ruin.
For the first time in years, Boracay's most famous beach was almost deserted. Gone were the lines of umbrellas and sun loungers, as well as hordes of tourists and vendors, that characterised the explosive, unchecked growth of what was once a quiet paradise island.
