What is your favorite summer destination in the Philippines? Why?

RUDY TAGIMACRUZ, MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON: My favorite summer destination in the Philippines is still Malaybalay, because it’s a city within a forest.  

CHRISTIAN ALBERT CATAJAN, BULACAN: Good ol’ Olongapo. The place is accessible and I have the best memories of it. 

Beautiful Boracay

Francisco Macasanto III, Iligan City: I like Boracay because of the white sand, beautiful ladies, and fire dancing.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Aside from Baguio, which is an ideal summer getaway, we have plans to go to Boracay next month. It will be my first time to see this tropical paradise described by many tourists as the most ideal beach resort with pure white sand. 

Summer capital

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Although it’s up north, my perennial favorite is Baguio. Though the city has had a facelift due to technological advancement, it still retains the usual pleasurable climate, which has made it the summer capital of the Philippines. The constant cool air alone would always drive you to come back to Baguio again and again during the summer.

Felix Ramento, USA: Baguio City, my birthplace, tops all other summer destinations in the Philippines. Though gone are the open fields where we used to gambol, the greenery and cool breeze up there still make Baguio City the perfect place to be during the summer time.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: My favorite summer destination is Baguio. Why, I love its cool summer breeze. 

Headed for the beach

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Cagbalete Island of my hometown Mauban, Quezon, is a beautiful paradise in the Pacific endowed with clear waters and pristine white sandy shores.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: I love the Lingayen Beach, which was arduously transformed by the provincial government into a booming destination. It offers free entrance and cottages, and 24-hour police security.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I would say Boracay because of women all over the place, parties and easy-to-meet people. Why go for a vacation where you can’t find beautiful women in nice swimsuits, right? So, if you like wine, women, and song, go to Boracay. If you want to bring your family with you, Tagaytay is just around the corner or Baguio. But if you want to torture yourself, go visit your in-laws in the province. For sure it’s going to be one long vacation.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: My family and I will settle in the comforts of our home this summer. A visit to the beach on the shorelines of Ilocos Sur is also an exciting destination for us.

Nescel P. Panes, Passi City, Iloilo: Boracay and Dakak are my favorite summer destinations. Boracay is indeed a paradise island ideal for fun and leisure trip. The beautiful and perfect sunset in Boracay is captivating. Dakak, on the other hand, is the right destination for comfort and convenience. Its beach water is clear and white sand all over is best for relaxation. Both beaches are world-class and provide quality services for its guests.

Louie Vallo, Pangasinan: Due to budgetary constraints, even if I love to go to my favorite dream summer destination, which is Boracay, I just confine and content myself to our province’s Hundred Islands and its other beautiful beaches. But, mind you, Hundred Islands may also be the favorite dream summer destination of many.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: The heat is on. Pack up your beach swimwear and other paraphernalia and go farther South of Luzon. And don’t forget to bring cash or credit cards for sure. I love to visit Dakak Beach Resort in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte because of its world-class beach resort amenities with 100 per cent summer vacation satisfaction. Let’s get away from the crowds this summer, and let’s have some fun and a once-in-a-lifetime beach experience with the family in this exotic place in the Southern Philippines. 

Cool and windy

June Deoferio, Cavite: My favorite summer destination is Tagaytay because of its natural beauty. It’s not crowded, it’s cool and windy, and it’s near my place here in Bacoor. 

I prefer the comforts of home

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: It’s no other place but inside my house, where I am most comfortable. To go to other places is just a waste of money. It’s for those who are not thinking of a wise investment for their hard-earned money. On second thought, that is the Filipino way, but I am one of the exceptions.

Pitts Hizon, Pampanga: Back in the ’70s, nothing could beat the cool breeze and the refreshing scent of the pine trees in Baguio City. It is indeed such a beautiful sight to behold! Today, it has become a sorry sight where city dwellers have mushroomed everywhere. I’d rather stay and spend my summer vacation in our home in Pampanga, where there are almost country-old fruit-bearing trees of all kinds.

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: None. I prefer staying at home only, caring for my plants and animals, plus the fact that my money is allotted to The Philippine STAR only. 

Brings back old memories

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It’s been more than 50 years since I took my last vacation in my favorite destination, in two rustic barrios in Dasol, Pangasinan, the place of my relatives on my father’s side. As I have been going places due to my work, I neglected visiting the place for a long time. I heard that the boat port at the foot of the bridge along the highway had already progressed into a commercial center, but I wonder how the condition of the two barrios is now. Potable water then came from deep wells that were difficult to dig as the underground was rocky. There was no electricity then even in the town proper. My late uncle Julian used to catch at night their pride - big crabs that commanded a high price in urban market. Aside from farming, their other sources of livelihood were fishing and raising chicken that we had fresh fish and native chicken and eggs every day. God willing I will take a vacation this summer in those barrios, Malacapas and Dapliw, not for abundant fresh food, but to renew my bond with the good people there who are mostly my relatives.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Away from the place of birth for several years, the level of happiness cannot be measured once mingling again with childhood friends, relatives, and town mates. There is no place like home, thus, my favorite summer destination is my town. 

Home is where the heart is

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Iloilo is where my home is, and that’s where I’m going.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I still find my home region, Leyte-Samar, as my favorite summer destination in the Philippines, because I can go to many cheap but beautiful beaches within the region, the pollution is much lower compared to big cities, many local fruits are cheap but delicious, and there’s a lot of seafood. 

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Our town, Don Salvador Benedicto, was declared the summer capital of Negros Occidental. Why go far? Please come and visit us. 

Places to explore

Evangeline Tan, Cagayan de Oro: Bukidnon, where there are so many places to explore.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I can now boast of my birthplace, Aparri, and my province, Cagayan, as a summer destination. In this once queen town of the north, its shoreline facing the Babuyan Channel, a part of the South China Sea, is buttressed by a long concrete dike built during the first term of my cousin Mayor and tocayo, Dr. Ismael Tumaru, to keep it safe from the sea, as the town is below sea level. Between that and the sea is a beach where those who love the sun can bask in it all day. For avid readers like me, one may stay in one of those cottages lined up along the dike and enjoy reading, or surfing the Internet with a laptop, the sea breeze blowing, then doze off after a seafood repast. In the afternoon, one may go to the rampiola along the eastern lip of the mouth of the majestic Cagayan River and watch a breathtaking sunset that rivals that of Manila Bay. Once in a while, one can go to other places in the province, like the famous Cal-lao Caves near Tuguegarao. Going east from Aparri is the now well-known Port Irene in Sta. Ana, a bustling town, which is now the big source of second-hand cars from other countries. In Aparri, one enjoys a variety of unique foods: Aparri miki, Aparri longganisa, a local okoy, fresh-water crabs, seaweed, and shellfish. Oh, I want to go there in May for the fiesta that runs May 1 to 12. 

Wonder of nature

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: My favorite is Puerto Princesa’s Subterrannean River National Park in Palawan, because of its grandeur and magnificent landscape and pristine natural habitat. I vote for it as the World’s Newest Seven Wonders of Nature. 

Adventure tourism

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: White-water rafting is 45 minutes away from home. For that quaint adrenalin rush, come to the City of Golden Friendship and turn your summer into one unforgettable memory. 

Island-hopping

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: Why not take a trip along the Maharlika Highway and see, gawk, marvel at the beauty of the countryside. The ferries will take you island-hopping from Luzon to Mindanao. The trip in itself is an eye-popping adventure you’ll want to make again and again.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Of course naman it’s our very own Hundred Islands. It’s so beautiful, with its pristine waters, very clear that you can see the white sand under water on a clear day while the motorized bancas take you from one island to the next. 

Country living

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The good ambience in the countryside: How the simmering waves by the sea bring kisses to the shoreline. The breathtaking scenery while looking down the peak of mountain ranges is so amazing. Can urban pollution and noise match the tranquil and unpolluted surroundings in the countryside? These are the destinations I like most. It is pure and from God’s treasure bounty.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Ang paboritong bakasyunan sa panahon ng tag-init ay ang tumana ni Anda na may malinis na sapa, may balong na kusa, at nalilimliman na malalagong mangga. 

A piece of heritage and nature

Louella Brown, Baguio City: My favorite summer destination in the Philippines is the Ilocos region. Centuries-old churches there are worth revisiting. Moreover, beautiful beaches are aplenty from La Union to Ilocos Norte.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: So far, it’s Boracay, but due to limited funds and resources, I’ll just exploit the beauty of Vigan City’s antiquity and nearby beaches, particularly Pug-os or Pagudpud beaches of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur and Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, respectively.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: If I had the money, why not Brazil, where exotic girls abound for me to salivate over? But since I am practically penniless, why not my hometown Vigan instead? It’s not because of the local beauties that are there, but the beauties of varied races that come in droves to our place. The only big difference is that the exotic Brazilians are in two-piece, while those that come to our place have their skins covered with second skin almost all over. Come to Vigan this summer for you to authenticate what your friend, Elpidio Que, says about his place. 

They exist only in my memory

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Nawala na ang kaugaliang Pilipino at pinalitan ng kanluraning pamumuhay. Sina Inang at Tatang ay Mommy at Daddy; ang mga kalesa at kariton ay naging jeepney at tricycle; ang mga wag-wag, raminad at makan ay pinalitan ng bigas na nilikha ng IRRI; pati mga likas na gulay, bungangkahoy, isda, manok, at karne na ngayon ay salat na sa likas na yaman at lasa. Ang mga pinagandang mga bakasyunan ngayon ay malayo na sa likas na Pilipinas na nilikha ng Diyos bilang kaloob sa mga Pilipino, kaya ang bakasyunan ko ngayon ay ang pagbalik gunita na lamang sa nagdaang makulay na kahapon.

Janet Lopez, Manila: The beaches of my hometown, 200 km north of Metro Manila, but retirement income is tight. So, just reminisce. 

Spiritual recharging

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Baguio, for its cool weather, the Ilocos region for refreshing beaches, and Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine for spiritual blessing.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: My family and I take time out by spending even just a night in one of Tagaytay’s several retreat houses to recharge and reconcile with God. 

Low-budget

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Sorry, the question, being as selective as it is, is appropriate only for the affluent in life to answer.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: To us who are on a hand-to-mouth existence, the nearby creek is enough of a hangout during the summer heat. Mababaw lang ang kaligayahan namin.

Rene Poder, Manila: Visiting my favorite beaches is now tough because my budget is as skimpy as the bikinis.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: As a retired Calambeño, mababaw lang ang kaligayahan ko, Pansol. Malapit na, mainit pa. 

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit. 

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