The summer season has
already begun in the Philippines. It is a season of the year where students
take a three-month break from school. For them, this could mean sleeping in
late or waking up late. It is also a great time to have a family adventure. It
could be a vacation in Palawan or Boracay. It could also mean scheduling a
mountain climbing activity to Mt. Apo during the Holy Week.
In summer time me and all of my office mates go to the beach and or to resorts and hang out
there. Summer is a great time to have fun with your family and friends.
Summer is the season of the year to relax, let loose, and have
fun. Every one of us anticipates and
needs the summer months away from school and offices. In the summer, stress levels drop, stop thinking, and live life to the fullest. We all need the
break to get away from school or even at works and its handcuffs limiting us to certain
boundaries
Spending summer vacation in the Philippines is a real treat for
the adventurous traveler. Nobody does summer quite like the Filipinos. Summer begins at the tail end of March and ends at the first week of June. And with temperatures rising to almost boiling hot degrees, most folks would rather head to the numerous malls all over the country to take advantage of the air conditioning. But if you want to make the most out of your summer holiday in the Philippines, then you definitely have to go exploring.
From attractions, beaches, historical sites, shopping
centers, adventure zones and foodie enclaves, the choices are endless in this
country made up of 7,107 islands, each with their own charms - but of course a few will stand out above the rest because of the attractions, views, and various things that one can do in a specific city or province. As choosing where to go first and what to do
next can be quite a head-scratcher, consider a tip from regular visitors: one
can start from Manila, then go North towards Benguet and Baguio, continue
towards the south and pass by major destinations such as Tagaytay, Quezon,
Bicol, Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. If you don’t have the time to visit all the
destinations, you can pick and choose according to your preferences. For
instance, if you want to stay close to Manila, then you’ll do well to go and
experience a gastronomic adventure in Pampanga, then head to the beaches in
Batangas or Puerto Galera, and do some sightseeing in Tagaytay. All three
provinces are roughly about two hours away from Metro Manila.
If you are planning to spend the summer season here in the
Philippines, you should not miss these places:
Baguio is one of the most famous cities in the Philippines and has been celebrated as the Summer Capital of the country for the past 99 years. It was the playground of the Americans who built this city as their vacation spot in the 1900’s. It has since expanded, and now has a population of 30,000.
 |
| Welcome to Baguio City |
 |
| Burham Park in Baguio one of the tourist spot |
.jpg) |
| Mines View Park |
.jpg) |
| Strawberry Farm of Baguio |
Other 15 Great Destinations near Manila
1. Be Blown Away by Mt. Pinatubo.
Figuratively, of course! Take a bus to
Tarlac, ride a 4×4 jeep, and trek to the crater of Mt. Pinatubo! It’s a long
way but the view is definitely worth the time and effort. See the rim of the
crater slope up from a lakeful of rainwater, accumulated over the years! You
can even boat across the crater lake and camp overnight.
2. Laze on Volcanic Ash in Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove, Zambales.
One
of the provinces at the base of Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales was terribly buried when
the sleeping volcano awakened two decades ago. But the disaster dumped a good
amount of ash onto its the rocky shores, breathing a new life to its otherwise
ordinary beaches. Today, Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves have risen as popular
tourist destinations for its ashen sand and agoho trees (resembling pine trees)
that foster a unique Baguio-meets-Boracay vibe. Capones and Camara Islands are
also waiting!
3. Trek to the Crater of Taal
Volcano.
If
you love admiring it from afar, you’re gonna love it even more when you’re
actually on the volcano. It only takes two to three hours to get to the jump
off point in Talisay, Batangas. From there, you can rent a small boat to take
you to the volcano island. Prep for a rigorous trek because its slopes, while
not as steep, can still drain all your energy especially when the sun is harsh.
(And unless you’re trekking at night, I’m telling you: clouds or no clouds, the
sun is harsh!) If long treks aren’t on your favorites list, there’s always the
horse option, for a fee of course.
4. Beat the Heat in Tagaytay
City.
If
for whatever reason you don’t want to trek, you can avoid
getting physical and just admire the volcano and the lake from a distance, like
most people do. Tagaytay offers the best views, with a lovely, cool atmosphere
to boot. Visit the newly opened Sky Ranch and get into one of the coaches of
their giant Ferris wheel, overlooking the lake. Not into rotating wheels? Spend
a morning in one of the city’s parks and gardens. The People’s Park in the Sky
has not been maintained well but you might still want to stay a 360-degree view
of the city. Or just enter a coffee shop, order a latte, and just ponder on why
the hell you don’t want to trek to the crater of the volcano you’ve been admiring
from afar!
5. Learn how to Dive in Anilao, Batangas.
Anilao in Mabini, Batangas is just three hours away, making it a
favorite among Manila-based divers and future divers. One-day beginner courses
are available to those who wish to learn how to, well, dive. Batangas waters
host a wide array of marine wildlife that will blow you away.
If diving isn’t your thing, you may also
opt to climb Mt. Gulugod Baboy, an easy climb for professionals (probably the
climb of my life if that were me) or take a boat to Sombrero Island and make
love with the sun while flaunting your brand new bikini!
6. Church-Hop from Lipa to Taal, Batangas.
From the petal shower site at Carmel Church to the sacred
well of Sta. Lucia, from the magnificent Lipa Cathedral to the massive Taal
Basilica, the biggest in Asia — the road from the city of Lipa to the heritage
town of Taal is milestoned by grand churches and miraculous sites. Whether
you’re a believer or not, make a stop at these places and see what the fuss is
about. If you have more time, roll out a bit more of your map and continue your
journey to Calaca and Balayan, which also boast old, majestic churches.
Don’t forget to dig in to some of the most delectable
Batangueno dishes along the way! Missing bulalo, tapang Taal, lomi, and kapeng
barako is a mortal sin!
7. Hit the Beaches of San Juan, Matabungkay (Lian), Nasugbu, and
Calatagan.
San Juan
harbors the province’s most popular beaches today but if it’s too crowded for
you, drive to the other side of Batangas. Matabungkay used to be the “it”
destination decades ago but it might still be a good place for a respite.
Nasugbu is starting to be a great alternative, too, and the sight of Mt.
Batulao is a constant invitation to awaken the dormant mountaineer in you. The
barely touched shores of Calatagan offer front row seats to watch a spectacular
Batangas sunrise. The Punta de Santiago Lighthouse is another point of interest.
8. Camp Overnight in Borawan and
Dampalitan Islands, Quezon.
They say that Borawan is a portmanteau, Boracay and Palawan. The more
believable origin of the name however is bulawan, which means gold. But screw
etymology, just get yourself to this paradise on your next holiday break!
The towering karst cliffs hug the white
shores of Borawan, reminiscent of many islands in El Nido and Coron (but don’t
expect them to match them). Borawan is only four to five hours away. It is one
of the many islands off the coast of Padre Burgos and Pagbilao, Quezon, that
nestle gorgeous white sand beaches! Other places to visit: Dampalitan Island
and Puting Buhangin. There are no resorts here so camping is the way to go!
9. Join a vibrant
festival in Quezon, Batangas, Rizal, or Pampanga.
Mark
your calendars! Here are some of the most energetic and most interesting
festivals near Manila:
- Pahiyas
Festival – May 15 in Lucban, Quezon
- Parada
ng Lechon – June 24 in Balayan, Batangas
- Higantes
Festival – November 23 in Angono, Rizal
- Giant
Lantern Festival – Saturday before Christmas, San Fernando, Pampanga
- Hot
Air Balloon Fiesta – 3rd Week of February, Clark, Pampanga
Pahiyas Festival is my absolute favorite. It is a celebration of the good harvest, in honor of San Isidro de Labrador. A parade roams around town passing by houses that are creatively decorated with vegetables and kiping, a colorful ornament made from rice (and yes, they’re edible)! If you get hungry, there’s always longganisang Lucban and pansit habhab! Traffic can be as dense as your former boss so you might also consider staying overnight in Lucban or neighboring town.
10. Appreciate Art and Get Cultured in Angono, Rizal and Paete, Laguna.
Known as the art capital of the Philippines, Angono is as interesting as
it is accessible. See the Angono-Binangonan petroglyphs, a prehistoric artwork
that is considered the oldest in the country. Pay a visit to the house of
Carlos “Botong” Francisco and get to know the national artist better. For the
adventurous eater, try Soup No. 5 and fried itik in some of the more famous
restaurants in the area!
One of the most underrated destinations
in the country, Laguna holds a number of surprises for those who will take a
step into its overlooked territory. Learn the art of sculpture and witness how
this craft has become the center of the lives of the people of Paete! Go on a
bakya shopping spree in Liliw! Overcome your fears and descend into the
Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan. The province is also dotted with several
historic churches, ancestral houses, and unique restaurants!
11. Chase Waterfalls in Pagsanjan and Pangil, Laguna.
Pagsanjan Falls may be just another waterfall to many but it is the
getting there that makes a visit an unforgettable experience. Board a small
boat and be amazed with how the boatmen masterfully conquer the rapids and the
rocky stream on the way to the waterfall! Buntot Palos Falls is another
best-kept secret of Laguna that may be attractive to the thrill-seeking
adventurer.
12. Go Bird-watching in Freedom Islands.
This one is not near Metro Manila, it is in it! Freedom Island and Long Island, collectively
called Freedom Islands, lie
off the coast of Paranaque and Las Pinas. More formally known as Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism
Area, the Freedom Islands have a huge ecological
role in the area. It is the last remaining mangrove forest and salt marsh
frontier in Metro Manila. These two islands also serve as a sanctuary for
many marine lifeforms and a refuge for more than 80 species of birds, both
local and migratory
14. Retrace the Death March in Bataan.
Sounds
like an emotional torture but this activity can be very enlightening and
rewarding to history buffs! And since you’re already in Bataan, don’t miss the
chance to visit Mt. Samat and some of the province’s beaches.
15. Make a Splash in
Puerto Galera.
A
bus and a ferry ride away, Puerto Galera has been the go-to summer destination
among city-dwellers for beach activities such as swimming and beach bumming. But there’s more to this Mindoro paradise
than what’s on the surface! Puerto Galera is a great diving destination.
Declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973, it is one of the
destinations with the richest marine biodiversity in the world.
Manila itself is blessed with many culturally and historically rich sites.
.jpg)
