The month of May means different things to different people. For the matriarchal society that we live in, it’s the month we celebrate Mother’s Day. For students and kids, especially, it’s the peak of summer break. There are no classes and just the promise of unforgettable vacations with family and friends in the horizon.

We jumpstart this Smile with our feature on getaways that will appeal to moms, dads, kids, teens and friends. Whether you’re planning a holiday as a couple or as a group, Wanted: Great Escapes (page 28) lets you take your pick from four domestic destinations. We’re featuring the increasingly popular watersports haven of Cam Sur, Subic, Palawan as well as Cebu, where you’ll find the Crown Regency hotel which has a rollercoaster built on top of it.

For those of you who don’t know much about Virac — one of our newest destinations — we’ve uncovered the beauty of this mysterious place in Catanduanes via Hidden Treasures (page  
52). If you are itching for international thrills, you’ll love A Tale of Four Chinatowns (page 37) as well as our rocking piece on Ho Chi Minh City’s hot night scene (page 58).

Lest some of you begin worrying about how to pay for your vacation, check out Cheap Tips, Hurray! (page 45) — these 30 tipid ideas from across our flight network will help you scrimp and enjoy. Want more money-saving tips? We’re slashing more of our fares, such as that of Manila-Osaka (turn to page 100), so you have no more excuses to not make plans!

But the bottom line of any trip is not how much you save, but how happy you feel. Wishing you safe and joyful journeys, everyone!

Lance Gokongwei
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER