Explore Bohol with HSBC Mabuhay Miles Visa card

What makes a perfect summer holiday? It is a question we ask ourselves at this time of year, and as expected, everyone has his own idea. Thankfully, we each have distinct desires. Whatever it is that captures your imagination, there seems to be some common denominators: The freedom to be yourself, a wonderful destination, and a feeling of discovery.

Here comes the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Mabuhay Miles Visa launched last year as a co-branded credit card with Philippine Airlines, and together they offer loyal cardholders exciting rewards that could win them free holiday trips here and abroad.

It’s amazingly simple. Every P45 charged to your credit card, whether on groceries, gasoline, shopping or dining, will earn you one mile. One can double or even triple the miles when you shop at partner establishments that include restaurants, home and appliance stores, such as SM and True Value, fashion boutiques, like Prada, Nine West, The Beauty Bar, and Marks and Spencer, and much more. Imagine every purchase done with the card is automatically equivalent to miles.

To experience one of the many exciting destinations, HSBC and PAL hosted a two-day familiarization tour to Bohol Island recently.

With Ino Manalo, the knowledgeable and articulate director of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila as our guide, we could not have asked for a better one, we explored the island. These are some of our discoveries.

Bohol, relatively a small island, has much to offer in terms of historical sights and scenic attractions. The Chocolate Hills, all 1,268 of them, formed by sandstone and limestone that rise some 30 meters above the flat terrain, is truly a sight to behold.

Its best attractions are the lesser known comeons, such as the quaint towns, interesting seaside hamlets, beaches and reefs, cuisine and handicrafts and its people, that entice visitor to linger. The Baclayon Church, also known as the Purisima Concepcion, the oldest stone church in the Philippines, was built in 1595. Its solid fortress-like structure gives a feeling of sheer permanence. The beautifully ornate retablos of the central and side altar still have some of their original gold leaf paint.

The convento, a later addition, has a small museum that houses a rich collection of religious relics, old librettos and ecclesiastical vestments.

The heritage tour also included a relaxing cruise down the Loboc River, where local Boholano dishes were served.

Towards sunset, on the invitation of Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, we were serenaded by the multi-awarded globetrotting Loboc Children’s Choir. What a moving performance! Shortly after, a sumptuous dinner, graciously prepared by Vicky Wallace, an environmentalist and owner of the Bee Farm, that produces and bakes homemade breads, spread, and delicious sweets, was served.

Oh yes, the ever busy cottage industries continue their production of delicacies and various handicrafts, such as colorful mats, intricate baskets, and items woven of local grasses and vines.

There you have it: A perfect holiday, and it’s for free. If you have your sights beyond Bohol, to, perhaps, Hong Kong, Singapore, or even Los Angeles, all you have to do is continue using your HSBC Mabuhay Miles Visa and earn those miles.