Summer Getaways

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

THE Philippines has some of the finest beaches in the world for a start. And when we go north, we can see whole mountain ranges carved into gigantic stairways indelible monuments to the tribes who cultivated rice on the terraces thousands of years ago.

When we go south to the islands of Sulu, we hear the chants of Muslims sea-gypsies who live by gathering pearls from the sea bed.

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If you are an adventurous person, you can choose between exploring underwater caves, scaling a live volcano, shooting the rapids in a dugout canoe or hunting wild boar through virgin forest.

If you are a naturalist, you’ll want to see some of the world’s smallest fish, hunt the most beautiful sea shells and revel in the richest display of flowering plants and fern in the Orient.

Perhaps if you’re lucky, you can even spot the rare monkey-eating eagle, the largest in the world.

And if you’re fascinated by ancient customs and traditions, pageantry, folk music and dance and native arts and crafts, you’ll find yourself with a full schedule.

But whatever our interests are, we will be enchanted by the hospitable friendliness of our people whose own rich racial heritage has endowed us with a special gift of making each visitor of whatever nation feel thoroughly at home.

Before all rooms get booked and all transportation tickets reserved, it is best to plan ahead for our vacation with family, friends or alone.

Here are some of the famous tourist spots in the Philippines highlighting the historical, natural and beautiful places geographically located all over our country:

White Sand Beach Puerto Azul, Ternate Cavite

First class beach resorts are Cavite’s main attraction. I was in White Sand Beach Puerto Azul while I was a College Professor in a university in Manila and newly married. An overnight stay with buffet breakfast in Puerto Azul Hotel was one of the many beautiful wedding gifts of SM Makati where I bought my wedding dress as June Bride. It is a tropical paradise with powdery sand and crystal clear water. The water of the resort is ideal for swimming, sailing, snorkeling and fishing.

Just recently, Cavite is 20 minutes ride from Manila via Cavite Expressway.

Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna

Only two hours’ drive from Manila, on the Eastern side of Laguna province, visitors can transfer to dugout canoes, manned by expert native boatmen, for an unforgettable trip up river through steep, rocky gorges and lush jungle-type vegetation, to the roaring Pagsanjan Falls.

The trip downstream is made doubly exciting by the thrilling experience of ‘shooting the rapids.’

Famous for its water resources where hot and cold springs and lakes abound in the province, Laguna is also known as a “Garden Province” surrounded by sweet smelling Sampaguita and the famous lanzones and rambutan. I know these are true because I went to Laguna when I was working as executive secretary in a bank in Manila.

Taal Volcano viewed from Tagaytay City

Further South of Manila, through countryside dotted with attractive stilt-house villages, rice fields and tropical orchards, is Tagaytay Ridge and a spectacular view of Lake Taal and its unique volcano-in-a-lake-in-a-volcano.

Rising to an altitude of 2,250 feet above sea level, Tagaytay City is a panoramic beauty which can only be captured in postcards. From Tagaytay, we can have an unobstructed view of the Taal Volcano, reputed the world’s smallest and most active volcano.

During my early part of my job with a bank in Manila, I witnessed all of these.

Baguio City

Noted as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” Baguio City is never amiss of visitors especially during Holy Week. The city has a wealth of attraction to see which include Camp John Hay, Burham Park, Baguio Cathedral, Mines View Park, Philippine Military Academy and Mansion House.

Baguio is about l30 miles North of Manila. A cool climate, spectacular scenery and beautiful parks and gardens make it one of the country’s top resorts.

Strawberry, fresh or jam, is its specialty. I went to Baguio while working with a company in Makati.

Rizal Park Luneta, Manila

One of the largest historical parks in Southeast Asia, Rizal Park is where the famous monument of Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, can be visited.

Luneta is a favorite resort of Manilan families on Sunday afternoons and on any day, it is a good spot for enjoying the famous sunset over Manila Bay. I passed by Rizal Park everyday while working with a bank’s main branch in Port Area, Manila before I transferred to the bank’s Makati Branch.

Intramuros the “Walled City in Manila” Port Area, Manila

This is one of the best preserved 17th century medieval cities in the world. Today, Intramuros is the seat of Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and the 24-hour Club Intramuros Golf Course. I came here twice because it’s just walking distance from the bank’s main branch where I worked.

Cebu

Cebu City, the provincial capital, is one of the oldest settlements in the Philippines. The island province boasts some of the best beaches and dive spots in the country.

Today, it is a bustling cosmopolitan center with an international airport, advance communications and luxury hotels. This is very true! I graduated college in Cebu way back and now, my son-in-law and daughter, Garry and Chibom are working in Cebu.

Bohol: A Geological Wonder

The oval-shaped island province of Bohol in the Central Visayas is known for its rolling and hilly terrain.

The island is known for its Chocolate hills. These hills are like chocolate drops when the grass turns brown. During my college years in Cebu for four years, the boat I rode from my birthplace, Gingoog City, stopped over in Bohol for hours before it proceeded to Cebu. I had so much of what Bohol is now.

Davao

The province lies in Southern Mindanao. It has white sand beaches, sulphur springs, waterfalls, caves and excellent resorts. Mt. Apo in Davao is the highest mountain peak in the Philippines, towering at 10,311 ft. above sea level. It is considered an international Mecca for mountain climbing.

The Pearl Farm Talikud Island in Davao is a famous farm that culture pearl the scientific way. I was still working in Manila the first time I went to Davao.
The second time was when I attended a national seminar there while I was a college professor in a college and residing in Cagayan de Oro already.

Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Maria Cristina Falls

Iligan City has been dubbed as the “City of Waterfalls” because of its 23 waterfalls surrounding the area. Foremost of these natural attractions is the majestic Maria Cristina Falls.

The first time I went to Iligan was when I was a newly college graduate, a muse and working in Cagayan de Oro before I worked in Manila. The second time was when we had our graduate students summer outing there. The third time was when I was a widow already together with my daughter, Chibom, and two sons, Chris and Claude. I drove our car and we had a whole day outing there.

Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro is the gateway to Northern Mindanao with lots of facilities and tourist attractions.

Noteworthy to mention is the booming water rafting in Cagayan de Oro City, the “City of Golden Friendship.”

It is my honor that I reside in Cagayan de Oro City. We encourage vacationers to see the Philippines first. As the saying goes, “Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan.” Have an enjoyable vacation!

(Send comments at dr.nirmla_motoomull@yahoo.com)