Read on as some personalities share with us their ideas of a perfect summer getaway.
ATO ALVAREZ, businessman
My perfect summer getaway would still be the nearby islands of Cebu with family and friends. It’s fun to explore these small islands off Mactan Island and still not be far from home.
JUAN ELIZALDE, Manila Broadcasting Company president
My perfect summer getaway would be a farm in the hills on the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain, surrounded by nature and, best of all, with no phones and cell phone service!
OUDINE SANTOS, entrepreneur
Somewhere beautiful, exotic and soothing for my frazzled nerves. This island getaway should be a child-friendly place that allows me to take long walks the beach with my daughter, Olivia, and enjoy my time with her.
BETTINA ABOITIZ, Office of the President social secretary
I cannot pick one perfect summer getaway as there is so much to choose from, but definitely traveling, whether it is to Europe, the US, Asia, etc. or even just lying on the beach, is perfect as long as I’m with my family and some friends.
MARZO SAMSON, president, Mano Network Resources
A place where my office won’t be able to call me.
DONITA ROSE, MTV VJ and TV personality
If it’s in the metropolis, I’d take my hubby for a nice meal and a couple of hours in a spa in a couple’s room. If it were out of town, I would love to take him to a wonderful beach resort for a long weekend of nothing but sun, sea and scrumptious food.
POPS FERNANDEZ, celebrity
Most preferably the beach with my two boys. I’ve always found sun, sea and sky to be so calming.
TATS MANAHAN, surface designer/writer
My idea of a summer getaway is not necessarily in the summer, and it’s not a quick getaway either. When I make a getaway, I go for months. I like nesting in a place while doing something productive, like being back in school in Venice or Florence for decoration and restoration, or taking up flamenco classes in Granada, Seville or Jerez, or just being Mom to my daughter who is studying in London. There’s nothing more laid back than having a cup of coffee and reading the paper in the neighborhood cafe after doing the weekly groceries, then going home to the flat to prepare lunch, and no maids.
MARILEN CONCEPCION, Pilates instructor
The beach is the perfect getaway for me, whether it be during the summer or the cooler months of the year. Luckily, there are many places to choose from for this getaway. The Philippines is blessed with the whitest sand and bluest waters.
REPRESENTATIVE JACK R. DUAVIT, First District of Rizal
My perfect summer getaway would be a week in one of our Philippine island beach resorts with my wife, Margie, and our two little girls. My wife and I had the opportunity to visit resorts within the region, as well as some of the best resorts in Hawaii, and to be frank, they cannot compare with our own pockets of paradise. Between Aklan, Palawan, Bohol and Davao alone, there’s a wealth of choices for any traveler whether budget-conscious or out for no-holds-barred luxury. Many factors make vacations in our resorts far more rewarding. Among these would be the laidback non-commercial atmosphere, familiar architecture and familiar cuisine. In a way, I’d say it is my perfect summer getaway or just plain perfect getaway regardless of the season, because in a very real way, you can momentarily escape from the stresses and rigors of your daily grind but still have the sense of being home.
MARGARITA L. DELGADO, Sa Aklat Sisikat president
All through the year, I find myself constantly challenged with the need to balance my professional life, family time, my friends and Sa Aklat Sisikat, the literacy foundation, which Lizzie Zobel and I are totally committed to. It’s a 24/7 tightrope. As always, there is so much to do within such limited time. So, the summer break is something I really look forward to.
For me, perfection in a summer getaway has more to do with the luxury of do-nothing schedules and lots of family privacy. I put a high premium on downtime during the summer break.
What bliss to be able to enjoy a good book uninterrupted! To wake up each morning with no schedule to look at! To grab your walking shoes and stroll to the Starbucks around the corner to chill with the kids. To be able to chat with friends and laugh endlessly about silly stuff, without your eye on the clock! To just flow… Anywhere I can do all these is a perfect summer getaway!