What is your favorite place in the Philippines?

We travel far and wide looking for the most beautiful places around the world. Yet in our own country, there are countless spots, like our beaches and old towns, which just take our breath away. Most often, though, our favorite places are the ones that hold great sentimental value, the ones we go back to when we want to remember happy times.

MIGS AYESA, singer, Rockstar: INXS finalist: That’s a difficult question. I’ve always loved Baguio and Boracay and I am looking forward to seeing Palawan. But I guess my favorite place in the Philippines is Manila because my family is

here. In fact, just the other day, Mayor Lito Atienza gave me the key to the city of Manila. There was a full marching band and all these students to welcome me. It gave me goose bumps and I wished my lolo and GG were still alive to see all that.

TERTIUS VERMEULEN, president and CEO, Siemens Inc.: My favorite place in the Philippines is Batanes for its unparalleled beauty, its rugged coastlines, the quiet tranquility of its unspoiled islands, and its friendly people making this one of the most beautiful places in the world. Never mind the rest of the Philippines!

LUTZ KUNACK, businessman: Amanpulo. I can relax there because the place is very private. I can bring my family and, because there’s no TV and cell phone signal, I can bond with them without distractions. We can go have a walk on the shore, and it’s really a romantic place to spend with my wife Ali.

SIGALIT DJEMAL, homemaker: Boracay is my place. I love the beach and Bora is the place. I can stay here for a week with my family or even alone. I love to wake up in the morning to look at the sea and watch the most beautiful sunset. When I took my three aunts during their vacation here last year, they didn’t want to leave and one of them even said, "When I’m tired at home from everyone and I want to be alone on an island, that island would be Boracay."

SHARON AZANZA, bag maker: I chose my favorite spot in our country for sentimental reasons, aside from its beauty. It is a piece of beachfront property located in between Tali Beach and Maya Maya Beach in Batangas, which was developed by my aunt Jojo Zabarte. She named it Talimaya because of its location and because this is also the namesake of my handbag export company. My aunt and I have beach houses on this property and it has a very special place in my heart since for the past 12 years I have spent many wonderful weekends there with my family, filled with fond memories that I treasure. It is in Talimaya where I am able to unwind from work and city living and enjoy precious moments with my husband, children and extended family. My most favorite spot is watching the beautiful sunset from the pool deck as I hear my children’s laughter while they have a great time in the pool.

CYRILLE SOENEN, chef: My favorite place in the Philippines is still my home with my family and friends, enjoying good food and good company.

CHARITO, Japan’s top jazz singer: Puerto Galera because I love the sea. I go there for diving. It’s such a beautiful and spiritual place. I love looking at the mountains and beautiful sea.

ANNE WATANABE, commercial model/ DOT spokesperson for Japan and Philippine Goodwill Ambassador to Japan: Bohol. When I was there, the night sky had a lot of stars and it was very beautiful, and there were lots of fireflies, too. Later, I went to the Amanpulo and observed a beautiful dawn – it was very memorable.

COREY WILLS, yoga teacher/surfer/model: My favorite place in the Philippines is a secret surfing spot that is isolated, totally green, peaceful and unpolluted, and with great waves. I can’t tell you the location because it would upset certain people. Other than that, Cloud 9 Siargao Island is my next favorite.