Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Try taking a bus from Luzon to Mindanao. That’s an experience you surely won’t forget. As they say, it’s the “going” and not the “getting there” that’s good.
L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: For me, what’s more important is not the place, but who I’m with. Any summer getaway will do as long as I’m with my loved ones.
Hit the beach!
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: The beaches, for fun and frolic, and the church for reflections and atonement of sins.
C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: I am a beach guy. There is nothing better than going to any clean beach with friends early Sunday mornings bringing along pork barbecue, chicken, shrimp, fresh oysters and other food to be cooked on sight. Go for a dip, then savor fresh coconut juice and finger food before splurging on seafood at lunch time with friends. Then start imbibing ice-cold San Miguel Beer until the last bottle is empty. Iloilo lies along a long coastline; starting from Oton all the way to San Barbara, the coast is blanketed with clear, blue beaches. For the more adventurous, they can take an hour-long ferry ride and swim or dive in the beaches along Guimaras Island.
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Batangas. There are so many beaches to choose from. The water is perfectly clear. Diving in Anilao, you will have the best view beneath the waves.
Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Any waterfront will be a nice summer getaway. We have lots of these.
June Deoferio, Cavite: I would suggest swimming with loved ones in the beach this summer for bonding and unwinding.
Jose Parco, Aklan: Okay, I will be biased. It’s Boracay, of course. There is nothing like it in the world, even the famous beach of Bali. Nothing can compare to it! You can literally hang around the beach all day and indulge in the natural beauty of the place. An early evening dinner on the beach is so relaxing you forget about life’s problems. An early morning walk on the beach, of course, is recommended as it is the only time of day when you can find peace and solitude.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: My idea of a summer getaway is Ticao island of Bulan, Sorsogon. You can enjoy swimming in its pristine beaches, or horseback riding on the shoreline.
Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Alaminos City where the Hundred Islands can be found. There, you can find pristine seas, friendly people and a very hospitable mayor. Ride ka lang ng Victory Liner.
Nick Ocampo, Angeles City: Boracay is the No. 1 tourist destination today. Boracay is famous for its white sands and emerald waters.
Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: There is a place in Iba, Zambales that my family would go to during summers in the ‘80s and early 90’s. It was perfect for me because the beach is clean.
Jonna Rose Ancheta, Pangasinan: One best summer getaway is the Hundred Islands located in Alaminos, Pangasinan. You get to see beautiful white sand beaches there and try their delicious boneless bangus.
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Many Filipinos go to Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore during Holy Week, Christmas and other long holidays. You would think you’re just in Binondo. But I prefer to go snorkeling at Club Paradise in Busuanga, Dos Palmas in Palawan, and in Boracay and other beaches. There is also the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. Our tourist destinations are incomparable in the world. We also have the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Nature tripping
Rose Leobrera, Manila: I asked the question because I’m looking for a cool getaway and my fellow Inboxers might just want to give me an idea. I would also like to suggest a place for others who might just want to discover something different I know. For nature trippers, try Luisiana, Laguna and Lucban, Quezon. Luisiana is a town on top of a mountain. It’s quiet, serene and tranquil, and you can only hear the sounds of birds and the beasts and see the beauty of the lush mountains in a rural environment. Moving forward is the town of Lucban, where the famous Lucban longganisa and habhab comes from. It’s here where you can find the cold waterfall from Mt. Banahaw. You will just love the natural water massage and the Dilitiwan Rivera. You can also find a church built atop the mountain called Kamay ni Hesus.
Danilo Ysmael, Canlubang: Go nature tripping! It’s a way of cleansing oneself from the radicals of life. Man is part of nature, and sharing precious moments with it will surely develop one’s natural good being.
Rey Onate, Palayan City: Isang tumana na dinadaluyan na malinis na sapa ang aking kanlungan sa init ng tag-araw sa saliw ng amihan at huni ng kilyawan sa may kawayanan, at nagpapahiwatig: “Ang kapanatagan ng pagal na isip at katawan” ay masusumpungan sa pinagmulang payak na paligid na sadlakan ng luha at tuwa.”
Antonio Aguas, Quezon City: If you are the adventurous type, I suggest the Ambon Ambon Falls of Pangil, Laguna. It’s hidden and very few people have seen it.
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Eden Mountain Resort in Davao City. You get the freshest of mountain air while seeing a fantastic panoramic view of Davao City. You get to eat delicious prepared organic vegetables. And, spending nights in a hut, you can sleep soundly to the melancholic songs of birds. You will be at peace and one with nature. It’s also very safe. It will be my pleasure to take you there myself, Rose. And yes, Lydia and Sahlee too!
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Summer getaways are better spent on hilly areas, such the La Mesa Ecopark, Camp John Hay or Monte Maria Sanctuary for a healthy commune with nature.
Stay home for the summer
Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Home is the best getaway. Tipid sa pera ang dahilan kaya ayoko gumastos.
Leonard Villa, Batac City: In order to cope with hard times, I’ll just stay at home and go swimming in resorts once in a while. Let’s not make summer expensive.
Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: Because of the recession, I’ll just stay under a mango tree or even an aratiles tree with a glass of halo-halo or a cone of a dirty ice cream.
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: If only I could turn back the to the 50s and 60s, I’d suggest to go to Baguer, Libungan, Cotabato, and tie a duyan under the guava and caimito trees. Since I don’t have the budget for an outing to beat the summer heat, I’ll just stay home read Phil. Star and make do with ice cold water. For those with US visas, I’d recommend San Francisco and San Diego due to the cool weather; for local scenery, I’d suggest beaches from Pangasinan to Ilocos Norte.
Ed Alawi, Davao City: To beat the summer heat, my favorite getaway is our bathroom. Taking two to three showers a day is safer than going out to the expensive resorts.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: For me, the only place where one can find happiness and enjoy life, not only during summer but the whole year round, is home as long as there is love, respect and understanding. If in your home you develop greatness and goodness you will earn respect and love. There will be no need to look for outside summer getaways to relax the troubled mind and body. This is only temporary and superficial.
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: After 50 years of absence, I am back in my old city. Though it is no longer the kaban ng tuwa it used to be, I still found a rustic barrio where I could settle. Only, I cannot present it to friends as a getaway for the summer. Like other places in the country, it is in disarray and far from being clean as pollution is evident in the air, in the water, in the soil and, worse, in the minds and spirits of the people.
Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Baguio is the best place to go this summer. But maybe that’s everybody’s idea so it gets crowded. Maybe it’s better to stay at home; iwas gastos. Staying home protects your house from akyat-bahay robbers that victimize unguarded homes.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: I’d rather stay in my hometown Vigan, a first-class tourist spot in itself that would be a fitting summer place in this cash-strapped summer. If you have the money, I prescribe readers to come to my hometown Vigan. I wish Rose and Ella of Inbox could be here this summer for me to walk them in our Heritage Village for them to have a feel of being in Barcelona and Madrid, and have a taste of our bagnet, longganiza, sinanglao, pinakbet and dinengdeng.
Food trip
C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Try Cordilleras’ Mt. Pulog, Sagada and Nueva Era. You’ll find the best climate, fresh food, amazing mountain sights, and serenity for a perfect getaway.
Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: My choice: Wherever crabs, lobsters, seafood, vegetable salads, beer, wine abound. Can you direct me to a place? Rose, I’d be in a serene hideaway exclusively for my family, close to the sea in front of the woods in a cabin beside a 20-meter pool, with piped-in music.
Osmundo Lim, Caloocan City: My family and I will spend our summer vacation in my home province where we could see the beauty of Mayon Volcano. I would also like to enjoy and feast on some of the Bicolano dishes especially my favorite pulutan which is the kinunot or ginataang pagi.
Let’s drink to summer
Jun Totanes, Parañaque City: Any place where there is free ice cold beer and ice cream is just within arm’s reach.
Cool mountain breeze
Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I’d recommend Baguio. It’s close enough to Manila, its climate’s a welcome respite from the summer heat, and one can visit the PMA and Camp John Hay.
Emeldinand Motas, Baguio City: I’d like to suggest a cool and nice place for summer where we can enjoy the cool climate. In Baguio City, we can enjoy mountain climbing.
Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: Try hiking on the stairways to the mountains of the Rice Terraces. You will enjoy the unpolluted pine-scented breeze and hiking will detoxify you.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I would like to suggest Mt. Province as a summer getaway. Like Baguio City, any place there is commendable because of the climate.
Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: I would suggest Baguio or Tagaytay City because of their cold climate even during summer.
Felix Ramento, Manila: Baguio’s cool breeze always comes to mind every summer, but the clear sky and the wide vista of mountain ranges that seem to embrace my adapted town in Ilocos Norte are unbeatable.
Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: In the past, when everything was still relatively cheap, the most ideal place I would suggest is Baguio City and its environs where the air is perpetually cool. If you had the money to spend, I’d tell you to go there. The beauty of it is that it’s just an hour’s drive down to superb beaches in La Union; two hours to Sagada and Bontoc, cool places perched upon the Cordilleras northward; and two-and-a-half hours from Vigan City, well-described by Apo Elpidio, an Inbox friend and cailian or kababayan. But, in these times when people are budget-conscious, an alternative would be Tagaytay, where at least the air is cool at night and even during daytime, when you can stay under a veranda and enjoy the panoramic view of the entire Lake Taal below the ridge.
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: A lodging house atop a hill where you can reach the moon and hear the crickets in concert in the stillness of the night is the perfect family getaway.
Consider security and affordability
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Before I suggest what is the best getaway for this summer, I will take into consideration not only the beauty of the place but also the safety.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Your neighborhood resort, if any, is economically conducive. But wherever or whatever your choice of a summer getaway, always be conscious of security.
Off the beaten path
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: To poor and suffering Pinoys, spending time with vacationing relatives beneath the mango trees is already enough, but if I had the money, Palawan would be it. Those underground rivers are thrilling to explore and, perhaps, they don’t have the crowds like in Boracay, where the waters are contaminated with e-coli bacteria.
Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Why not fly to Batanes and see, savor and commune with the natural, scenic and panoramic contours of the place and ever smiling hospitable and helpful Ivatans? It’s great.
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: I would like to endorse the following: Camalaniugan in Aparri and Mt. Banahaw in Dolores, Quezon. Their breath-taking sites will literally take your breath away! I also endorse Sagada. Sorry, Rose, I just can’t help it! Is your hubby related to Charlie Leobrera? Dun na lang kayo mag-scuba diving, hija!
All the islands have something to offer
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: We have plenty of summer getaways here, all world-class at that. All the islands here have something to offer.
Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: There are many summer getaways in RP that are worth visiting. I would suggest that every place be visited.
Dennis Acop, Baguio City: My choices have always been Baguio or a clean beach anywhere in the archipelago. Baguio is a perennial choice if one is looking for a cool place that is relatively clean and far from the city. I grew up in Baguio, so I know whereof I speak. Not only is the temperature soothing, but the people are warm and friendly. But if one is looking for some sun and water, any clean beach in the archipelago won’t disappoint. There are some really good beaches all over.
Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: I really have not thought of any summer place to suggest. Any BOT-registered resort such as Dakak and the Rizal Park and Shrine in Dapitan City is just as good.
Come to Camsur
Deo Durante, Naga City: I would suggest our world-class Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex and the man-made boat lake packed in a spacious 50-hectare area with full amenities here in Camarines Sur. This tourist venue provides the best water rides. Aside from a hydro-thermal bathing hub, some 95 kilometers away from the city’s commercial hub is Gota Beach, which boasts pristine sea waters, surrounding virgin forests, and fine white sand.
Places of prayer
Cris Rivera, Rizal: In a retreat house where we can unwind through prayerful activities, and re-direct our lives which we have entrusted to the gains of material dependency. Be where you can enjoy the unruffled beauty of nature. The coolness the green-scented breeze will soothe your weary soul.
Christine Margarette Estipular, Baguio City: If you’re looking for a sacred summer getaway, why not visit Mt. Tamayong, the prayer mountain in Mt. Apo in Davao City. There you can find a prayer house where you can pray. The solemnity of the place will let you feel the peace you’ve been longing for. The place is wonderful and excellently hand-crafted, mainly because Mt. Tamayong is heaven on earth. Amen.
Palawan or Bohol
Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: Palawan. It’s the country’s last frontier. If you want somewhere cheaper, try Bohol.
Rowena Remiendo, Quezon City: Personally, I would like to go to Palawan and see for myself our entry to the Seven Wonders of the World.
Islands of the Visayas
Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I would suggest the Mag-aso Falls in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. It’s just 91 kilometers away from Bacolod City. There are concrete highways on the way to the site and plenty of fruits and nice restaurants along the way. This upland resort is surrounded by verdant mountains, picturesque falls and swimming pools replenished by spring water. Lodging houses at the resort are still under construction but there are nice hotels and pension houses in Kabankalan City, just six kilometers away. Dumaguete City is just an hour and a half drive from this place, and tourists can take a ferry boat going to Cebu.
Tony Vasquez, Negros Occidental: The White Island in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. It’s simple but it rocks with my cousins. Seafood and Johnny Walker will be fun.
Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: I would suggest a summer experience in my hometown Tacloban, capital city of Leyte. Come for a quiet respite away from the maddening crowd at our local beach, simply called White Beach because of its pristine sand and blue sea water plus rentable nipa hut resorts. Create a bonfire by the seashore at nightfall and experience a beautiful feeling of calmness and serenity while lying on the beach facing the heavenly bodies above. One may also want to take a side trip to Red Beach in Palo, Leyte, a tricycle ride from Tacloban City before departing for home.
No summer getaways for me
June Deoferio, Cavite: In this time of global crisis and the termination of thousands of our OFWs and employees here, there are no more summer getaways.
Romeo Caubat, Masbate: I’d rather not suggest any summer getaway in deference or out of respect to the worldwide economic crisis. I’ll just stay on my feet and work hard.
Local fiestas
Violet Wenceslao, Imus, Cavite: I’d suggest something like attending a local fiesta in your long-missed relatives’ place and a side trip to a beach resort with the family.
Calamba’s Pansol
Ric Vergara, Calamba City: Calamba’s pansol is the best because of its proximity to Manila. Wonder Island is also an exciting place this summer.
SM Mall of Asia or Baywalk
Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: In these difficult times, for a thrifty summer getaway, I suggest going to a mall like SM MOA or spending a day at Baywalk for those in the Manila area.
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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