school reunion in luzon
BY JAYNE KENNEDY
WHO: Old school friends
WHERE TO GO
It’s easy to lose touch with old friends, but if you’re lucky enough to have a group that dates back to your school days, annual holidays are the perfect opportunity to share an adventure, just like old times.
I joined one such group from Maryknoll College (now known as Miriam College) in Quezon City. Since graduation, people have married, moved abroad, had kids and careers, but still hook up on a regular basis.
Starting in Manila, a private tour is the perfect way to stick together and see the many fantastic sights of Luzon, where the working rice terraces, made and farmed by indigenous tribes over 2,000 years ago, are described by some as the Eighth Wonder of the World. We travelled with Engrande Travel Philippines (Buenavista Plaza-2, Quirino Avenue, Baclaran, Paranaque City, tel +63 (2) 851-0361).
WHERE TO STAY
Our base in Luzon was the Banaue Hotel, overlooking the spectacular terraces that stretch along the horizon, curling round the beautiful mountains. Rooms are twin-sized or doubles, and comfortable though basic. They are dimly lit – all the better to reflect on that stupendous view outside.
WHAT TO DO
The trip by coach takes nearly 10 hours, so it is best to maximize the sights on the way. On the drive up, we ate lunch at Bayombong, outside the bigger town of Solano. The nearby Vizcaya Museum contains some interesting artifacts, from the mundane (a coffee-grinder) to the gruesome (a goat with two heads). There was even a morning Mass arranged at the Church of San Ildefonso Bulacan.
On the first full day, we visited the Happao Rice Terraces and met the Banga-An villagers. Our guide, Espie Pineda or “Pipay” has worked on the tour for eight years and carefully fostered strong relationships with the villagers.
Pasalubong were brought for distributing to the local school children and at the village, the process of harvesting the rice was demonstrated, first by the women shin-deep in water in the paddy, painstakingly pulling the rice out by hand, then by a villager sliding the kernels from the straw. Finally, two brothers pounded the rice, a process that was repeated three times, until it resembled what we buy in bags.
Day two brought us to the famous village of Sagada. The Bontoc Museum (2616 Bontoc, Northern Luzon, open 8am-12pm; 1-5pm) in Sagada is immaculately run by nuns and has a wealth of pictures and exhibitions, including a reconstructed Ifugao village.
There is also the rare chance to buy a book by Cordillera’s famous photographer, Eduardo Masferré. His family runs a restaurant in the town, definitely worth a visit for lunch or dinner.
The group split into two after this – some chose to visit the underground Sumaguing Cave with a guide, taking shoes off to scramble mountain goat-style over undulating, porous rocks of magnificent shapes and sizes; while others headed off to see the hanging coffins in the hills of Eco valley. The splendid sights, combined with excellent company and camaraderie, made for the trip of a lifetime – so grab your gang and re-establish those bonds of friendship!
BUDGET
Four days and three nights for an exclusive tour of between 12-15 people:
PHP8,500 (twin-sharing)
PHP7,500 (triple-sharing)
bringing the baby to bohol
BY: ANDREA PASION
WHO: Family
WHERE TO GO
As I tell my single friends, traveling with children is not for sissies. When talking to travel agents, I ask about comfortable transfers, or whether I have to pay for my child who’s sharing the room with us and would not be eating the buffet breakfast.
WHERE TO STAY
That’s why four nights in Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR) on Panglao Island, Bohol (www.panglaoisland.com, tel +63 (38) 411-5878), is great for baby-towing couples like us. It has the beach, the infinity pool, golf carts (which provide entertainment to kids even at a standstill) and a playground.
Our room has a veranda overlooking the ocean, and there is an outdoor Jacuzzi and hilly grounds, which provide room to run around.
Of course, the resort itself is not the draw but diverse and mystical Bohol, which has a little of everything: beaches, caves, old churches, the Tarsier, Chocolate Hills, the malls (should you need a five-gallon bottle of Wilkin’s distilled water), and what Boholanos believe are the country’s best ube (purple yam).
Bringing the kids along should not be a hassle, but rather an experience to be desired. This is what you tell yourself when you forego attractions like the hanging bridge and diving in Pamilacan Island, but there’s always the Loboc River tour to compensate.
WHAT TO DO
The Chocolate Hills, Loboc River raft ride and Tarsier tour is a whole-day’s entertainment, complete with car service, tour guide and lunch. It starts with a morning drive to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen town, the best place to view the 1,268 cone-shaped, limestone hills. Climbing up to the lookout point is part of the fun. (Tip: bring a foldable stroller and use the paved path instead of the stairs.)
On the Loboc River, large bamboo rafts double as floating restaurants, and one was waiting just for us as part of the package we booked. Lunch à la carte was served while cruising the tranquil Loboc. The end of the line is Busay Falls, a small waterfall that marks the point where the rafts can no longer continue.
After the hour-long ride, we were taken to see the smallest primate in the world, the Tarsier. There were a few under leaves, and one in an open cage. We later learned that the better Tarsier place to visit is the Tariser Information Center. Since TIC is off the beaten track, insist that your guide to take you there.
The next part of the tour was Baclayon Church, one of the oldest in the country. Built in the 16th century, the church has a museum where religious artifacts are displayed, such as original church altars and life-size statues.
The next day, we set off on a dolphin tour at 5.30am. Sadly, we didn’t see any dolphins despite two hours of looking. To keep the tour from becoming a total bust, the boatman brought us to Balicasag island, where we rented the lone open hut, PHP200 (USD$8) from a lady selling souvenirs. Lunch was at Balicasag Island Dive Resort (tel +63 (2) 524-7141).
The rough waters prevented our little boat from going around the island, so we had to get to other side of the island on foot. We burnt off lunch by trekking there and back.
We’ve long realized that traveling with a child means no longer belonging to the cool, cocktail-sipping-by-the-beach crowd. But it does come with wonderful adventures of its own, especially if you travel to a place as beautiful as Bohol.
BUDGET
Panglao Island Nature Resort: USD$156 per room per night (off-peak rate, with breakfast and dinner for two), plus USD$18 for children (three to 11 years)
family activities in sarangani
BY: MICHAEL D. MARASIGAN
PHOTOGRAPHS: COCOY SEXCION
WHO: Family
WHERE TO GO
Our children are all grown up, but we love holidaying as a family – it is some of the best times to relax with each other. Sarangani, (flying in via General Santos) has seven towns, with a rich cultural heritage and adventure destinations, so there’s something for everyone.
May is a good time to go because of the Sarangani Bay Festival. Check out swimming competitions, a triathlon, beach games and a beach party featuring the best local bands.
WHAT TO DO
To keep everyone in the family happy, we planned a mixture of activities. Our Cebu Pacific flight from Manila arrived just in time to catch the sunset and go fishing in Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, the capital of Sarangani.
The next day, we went to Figueroa Farm in Malungon for a picnic lunch (tel +63 (0918) 426-9977). This is an agro-tourism mango farm, where they plant Florida mangoes which can grow as big as a kilo each.
The afternoon was spent at the B’laan School of Living Traditions (tel +63 (0921) 454-5841) in Lamlifew, looking at traditional arts and culture of the agricultural B’laans.
We took a day to revel in the beauty of the public Gumasa beach in Glan. Its powdery white sand beaches are unspoilt, and you can swim, sunbathe and hire small boats. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of a school of Skipjack tuna, dolphins or even whale sharks.
On our way, we stopped by Malapatan to buy the fresh catch of the day; and Glan’s public market for fresh fruit, vegetables and pork to grill on the beach.
We also managed to check out Ruiz Gallery (tel +63 (0919) 725-5979) which offers the history of both Glan and Sarangani, so drop in to get a feel of the province.
For some action, the three siblings went on an overnight dive in Tampuan Point, Maasim, where Paul Partridge guides divers to amazing coral gardens and various marine species found in several dive spots in the bay. The adventure continued with a 1.6km whitewater tube ride in New La Union, Maitum, less than an hour from Maasim (PHP100 for the 1.6-km whitewater tube ride; PHP400 for the cottages for an overnight stay afterwards). With advance notice (tel +63 (0910) 359-4227 or 312-7772), food can be prepared for the group at an average of PHP150 per person per meal.
Before flying back to Manila, a trip to General Santos is not complete without visiting the General Santos Fish Port Complex (tel +63
(83) 380-7256), where 300 metric tons of fish, mostly tuna, are unloaded everyday.
We also visited Kiamba to pray before the miraculous Sto. Niño. This one-foot, marble image allegedly changes color from cream to black and secretes an oily substance thought to miraculously heal many diseases.
WHERE TO STAY
Isla Parilla in Alabel has two-bedroom family suites to accommodate up to eight adults. Centrally located, it can serve as a jumping off point for other destinations in the province, as well as providing shuttle service to and from General Santos Airport (tel +63 (83) 508-5388).
In Gumasa, Glan, White Haven Beach Resort’s family cottages cost PHP2,500-3,000.
South Point Divers is 20 minutes away from General Santos Airport, located in Tampuan Point, Maasim (tel +63 (83) 302-DIVE or email southpointdiversph@yahoo.com, www..southpointdivers.ph).
BUDGET
A family suite in Isla Parilla: PHP5,700 (US$118.75) for three nights; PHP1,900 for one.
South Point Divers overnight dive packages: PHP3,000 per person (twin-sharing); PHP4,000 (single). Includes two days of diving (two dives per day) and four set meals.
the high life with friends
BY: ROSE KWOK
WHO: Friends
WHERE TO GO
Traveling with friends can be tricky. If someone wants the beach and others want to sightsee, it’s hard to get the balance right. To keep everyone happy, the solution is to go somewhere that offers total freedom. A private villa is just the option.
WHERE TO STAY
Cebu Pacific flies direct to Singapore, and from there, it’s a short hop to the island of Bintan in Indonesia. The ferry takes 55 minutes and leaves from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (tel +65 6542-4369, www.brf.com.sg).
Bintan Lagoon Resort has villas for rent that can house between 4-11 people, depending on the size. Some open directly onto the sea so you can wake up and stroll straight onto the beach. Others have private pools where you can hang out in total privacy.
The facilities in the resort are expansive, so you might not need to leave, though organized tours can be arranged via the Travel Agent. Pasir Panjang (Long White Beach) boasts white sand and seclusion, or try golfing: there are two 18-hole courses on offer. With two pools, a games rooms complete with karaoke, board games, an adventure shooting game and even an elephant basking by the pool, there is plenty to everyone to keep occupied. At night, hang out at the newly renovated nightclub Silk, thrumming with the latest music courtesy of the Filipino house band. Try to catch the Aviva Bintan Triathalon on 26-27 May.
If you’d like to head somewhere with more buzz, fly into Bangkok on Cebu Pacific. Do a spot of shopping then hop on a 45-minute flight via Bangkok Airways to Koh Samui. This island has achieved legendary status for its happening night-life, amazing long white beach of Chaweng, and its proximity to Koh Pan Ngang, full moon party central.
But for the ultimate experience, indulge in a few nights at Villa Beige. This new resort caters for every luxury at US$1,600 per night. It may sound like a lot, but this place can sleep up to eight people, with possible additions. Overlooking three islands, the main villas floor to ceiling windows open onto the infinity pool with the sea behind. Each room is positioned to overlook the serene seascape.
If you feel like staying in, there is a private beach, gym and spa, a DVD collection to rival any theatres, a personal chef and a bar for you to mix your own drinks.
A short drive away is the famous Chaweng where shopping, eating and drinking is the order of the day. Night-life is renowned, so hit the town with your friends and the beach is also a must-bask opportunity.
Keep your friends close and experience a dash of international luxury, just a hop and a skip away from the Philippines.
BUDGET
Bintan Lagoon Resort, Jalan Indera Segara, Bintan Utara Lagoi, Riau, Indonesia (tel +62 (77) 691388, reservation@ bintanlagoon.com. www.bintanlagoon.com) Angsoka Villa: 11 px PHP31,370++ (US$648) Buganvil: 7 px PHP24,216++ (US$500) Cempaka: 4 px PHP17,088 (US$353)
Villa Beige, Koh Samui (tel +66 (77) 234417, www.villabeige.com) PHP77,344 (US$1,600) per night for whole complex
finding a family bora
BY: LUNA AMARILLO
WHO: Family
WHERE TO GO
As if there are many Boracays, each visit to this island paradise is a different experience. The times spent hanging out in the island bars can’t compete with the ones spent lounging at the beach with a fruit shake, watching my husband and son turn milk-chocolate brown while they build sandcastles in front of Jonah’s (Boat Station I, Balabag Road, tel +63 (36) 288-3281).
Because, really, there is nothing like clean, wholesome fun spent with family. Everything in Bora is cheap, especially when it’s happy hour at Bom-Bom (Boat Station 2), which ridiculously starts at 3pm. All drinks – even cocktails – are buy-one-get-one-free!
WHERE TO STAY
When in a group, we stay at Fairways and Bluewater (Boat Station 1, Newcoast, Boracay, tel (929) 637 3521/ 633 1394, www..fairwaysbluewater.com) for the privacy and the “feels-like-home” ambiance.
Staying in a one- or two-bedroom villa, for example, allows space for even a yaya to come along. It also means we can bring anything we want from home and prepare it in the villa. The plates, pots and pans are all there — just the perfect family set-up.
When we don’t feel like eating out, we go to the D’Talipapa (Boat Station 3) to buy fresh seafood and prepare our own meals (we whip up our own chili crabs, prawns in garlic and butter for less than half the price of what we would have paid for in a restaurant).
WHERE TO EAT
But the Bora experience would not be the same without visiting the many restaurants all over the place. For breakfast, indulge in a cup of joe at Real Coffee (Boat Station 1, tel +63 (36) 288-5340), where you can get fruit, pancakes, sandwiches or eggs, done any way you like ’em. They also have kid-friendly food such as brownies and muffins.
After breakfast, my husband and I head to the beach to find a manang who will give you a massage while you’re stretched out on the sand. Massages near Jonah’s cost PHP300, while in front of Hey Jude they are PHP350.
To balance out this sedentary routine, a walk to D’Mall to have a pizza for lunch at Aria (D’Mall, La Rotunda, beside Hey Jude, tel +63
(36) 288-5573) should be part of the plan. The incomparable Aria Pizza (PHP350) is a toasty, thin-crust, wood-fired pizza topped with loads of mozzarella and prosciutto.
WHAT TO DO
Without fail, hanging out on the beach ensures that you will be approached by people offering to take you island-hopping, banana-boating, jet-skiing, fly-fish, riding or parasailing. Any of those activities would help burn a few hundred calories of the few thousand you’ve just earned eating and sunbathing.
On holiday with a group, I prefer indulging in activities that won’t leave anyone out. So a sunset sail on a paraw is the thing to do.
The paraw is a local boat found only on Boracay. Just lie or sit on the sturdy nets that extend like hammocks from both sides of the hull of a banca and enjoy the sea breeze as you sail along the coast of White Beach, or use it to go to Baling Hai cove to avoid the crowd.
To book a paraw ride, check with the front desk or call Sasha Sailing Club (PHP500-800 per hour, tel +63 (36) 288-4032 or (0922) 327-1344, email sashasailing@yahoo.com. Sasha has paraws that accommodate up to eight people). Lie back and hang on to the kids!
BUDGET
At Fairways and Bluewater, villas start at PHP 5845 (US$120) and go up to PHP 17,000 (US$350) per night, depending on the location of the villa and how many bedrooms it has. Breakfast for two is included.
Bookmark This Post
