We Love the Philippines: Our Top Things to Do in the PH

Philippines is my home, my first home. I was born and raised in Manila, the heart and soul of the country. When I had my daughter, I waited for the right time to bring her there. I thought at 4 years old she would be travel ready! It is an 18 hour flight! And I was right.

The flight was nothing less than perfect. She did not just tolerate the long hours...she enjoyed it! She was so excited. I even asked myself why I was so worried, Sofia has always been a good traveler even as a baby. I highly recommend Aseana Airlines, they are a Korean airline and we were all happy with their service. I was of course armed with things she can do on board: books, puzzles, small toys, Play-doh among other things. And of course snacks!

Traveling during the holidays I expected the worst. But my husband and I were so pleasantly surprised as to how smooth everything was. So here are our ten favorite things that we enjoyed while we were there:

10. Pansol, Laguna Hot Springs

Where else can you rent a house with a private pool filled with water from natural hot springs? It's cheap, therapeutic and a whole day's worth of fun in warm water from the mountains.

We stayed at Villa Corazon, great service, nice caretakers and definitely worth the price. This really takes me back to my childhood when my family used to rent a private resort around New Year's day.

The view from the pool where you can see the mountains from afar.

This is the main house with two air conditioned bedrooms and toilet/baths.

At one point she told me, "Mama, this is the life!"

Enjoying the day with her cousins from her father's side.

9. Visiting my beloved alma mater St. Theresa's College, QC

One of the things in my bucket list while planning this trip was to take my daughter to see my old stomping grounds. I grew up in STC having spent my childhood and teen-age years here. I never had a sister and the ladies I met here are my sisters. Lifelong friendships were born here. I was happy I shared it with my little girl.

A part of the high school grounds.

A newly renovated gym, I'm saying new because it wasn't like this when I graduated 23 years ago. LOL. I have no idea when they renovated.

One of my favorite places in my school is this pond which sits right in the middle of the main HS building by the Admin
office. It's so serene and relaxing.

8. Boracay Island

I really don't care what other people say about Boracay (the negative ones!), to me it's still the most beautiful beach and it's a reminder of my glorious 80's and early 90's childhood. It has changed A LOT since the last time I was here was 1993 (?). I did not have the heart to come back after my Grandfather passed away that year, it was just too sad not to see my Lola and Lolo welcoming us when we come to visit our ancestral home in Aklan.

I was so happy to share this beautiful place with my own family.

Hello paradise, we meet again.

My babies, both first timers in Boracay.

We stayed at the Henann Regency Resort and Spa, a place I cannot recommend enough. We got a family room which essentially has 2 rooms. Main room has 2 queens and a small room with 2 twin beds. It also has a large bathroom and TVs in both rooms. Our room was very clean and comfortable. The pool is literally right by our door and a few steps away to the beach. There are so many restaurants around us and the breakfast included is absolutely delicious and worth it! I like that the beach front is not as crowded and the water is as clean and serene as I remember it to be.