THE Year of the Earth Pig trotters in on February 5, and with it comes abundance and generally good fortune for most animal signs in the Chinese zodiac. Pigs are often described as free-spirited and love being entertained. Traveling and going on vacations are one of the pleasures pigs most definitely enjoy.
While 2019 brings very few holidays to us Filipinos (boo!), one should take a cue from Pigs and indulge in one’s playful side once in a while. After all, we still need periods to de-stress, and spend some quality fun time with our loved ones to clear the mind and calm the emotions. In this way, we regain our energies to be able to create more wealth and take advantage of the Pig Year’s promise of success.
As is our tradition, we’ve consulted with travel expert Cebu Pacific Airways (born in 1988, the Year of the Dragon!) to find out what are their recommended top 8 holiday hot spots for 2019.
1. SIARGAO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE
Condé Nast Traveler ranked Siargao as the best island in Asia in its 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards survey of the 30 best islands in the world outside the United States. This is why for the second year, it is on Cebu Pacific’s list of recommended holiday hot spots.
While Siargao gets surfers stoked with its diverse surf breaks, beachcombers will enjoy lazing on beautiful beaches in several outlying islands. Sugba Lagoon in neighboring Del Carmen boasts of warm, clear waters, perfect for swimming and islands teeming with flora and fauna. Check out Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande, which is also famous for its lagoon full of stingless jellyfishes, rock formations and caves that will satisfy adventure junkies.
2. PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN
Palawan, a mini-archipelago, is ranked third in the same Condé Nast Traveler survey. Its capital, Puerto Princesa, is considered the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. Puerto Princesa boasts of a new international airport, making it more hospitable and accessible to local and foreign travelers.
A two-hour land trip away is Sabang, a long stretch of pristine beach and the jump-off point to the Underground River. The short boat ride and trek to the river affords a lot of eye candy with limestone cliffs, lush greenery and endemic fauna that freely roam the area. Honda Bay, on the other hand, boasts of several islands. Among the favorite stops are Cowrie, Starfish, Luli and Pandan islands with their sandy beaches and clear waters with colorful fish and coral reefs best explored by snorkeling.
3. CORON, PALAWAN
Another jewel is Coron in Northern Palawan, which boasts of an array of natural attractions. Multiple shipwrecks from World War II have encouraged the growth of coral reefs and make for interesting dive and snorkel spots. Take Instagram-worthy photos against limestone cliffs, secret inlets; or at the scenic Kayangan Lake, just a short boat ride away from Coron town. Islands around Coron offer wonderful beaches perfect for a quiet, lazy day. At dusk, relax at the Maquinit Hot Springs with water as warm as 40 degrees Celsius, while listening to crashing waves.
4. CAGAYAN DE ORO
The Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental serves as the gateway to Cagayan de Oro and the rest of Northern Mindanao. Take the thrill of your lives along the Cagayan River, a natural boundary that separates the city from the province of Bukidnon. It boasts of Beginner, Advanced and Extreme rapid runs, with the latter requiring a two-hour trek before starting the adventure. Take a two-hour drive up to Bukidnon to experience the Dahilayan Adventure Park, home of Asia’s longest dual zip lines at 4,700 feet above sea level, where thrill-seekers can rush at speeds of up to 90 kilometers (km) per hour.
5. ZAMBOANGA CITY
Dubbed Asia’s Latin City, Zamboanga has a lot to offer tourists of every persuasion. For history and culture nerds, Fort Pilar is a must-visit. This military fortress was built by the Spanish government in the 17th century. Outside its walls is a shrine dedicated to the Nuestro Señora del Pilar.
Beachgoers can take a short boat ride from the mainland to the much-celebrated Santa Cruz Island, popular for its pink sand and clean waters. Those who want to go for a culinary adventure must have a taste of the famous curacha (spanner crab), which is cooked in an earthy, coconut-based sauce. Alavar House is the restaurant that popularized the curacha in Alavar sauce, which you can visit while there.
6. BOHOL
The new Panglao International Airport has opened up fresh possibilities for touring Bohol. Blessed with beautiful beaches, heritage homes and centuries-old churches, Bohol ticks all boxes to compose the perfect selfie. Marvel at the mounds of Chocolate Hills that span over 50 square km of land, or take a trip to the mysterious Lamanoc Island in the town of Anda, or cruise along the Loboc River. (For the Loboc River cruise, packages are available including lunch and entertainment.) For adrenaline junkies, the Eco Adventure Tour in Danao with its zip lines carved into the limestone cliffs will send pulses racing.
7. BACOLOD, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
The City of Smiles is a treat for foodies where they can indulge in the original Chicken Inasal (chargrilled chicken marinated in a citrus-based sauce) at Manukan country, and the divine chocolate cake at the popular Calea Cakes and Pastries. Among the more famous cultural sites is The Ruins in neighboring Talisay City—the framework of an old Italian-inspired mansion that was burned down during World War II. The TawHai floating bar in Lakawon Island is the perfect place to chill or have a drink. (The island is off Cadiz City, just a 1.5-hour drive from Bacolod.) Also drop by the Mambukal Hot Springs in the town of Minoyan (25 km away from the Bacolod Airport), which has a sulfur dipping pool that helps in relaxing muscles and stimulating blood circulation.
8. CEBU
The Queen City of the South is highly urbanized—and just a short ride away from some of the best beaches and historical sites. It also hosts numerous palate-pleasing restaurants offering simple sutukil (sugba-tusok-kinilaw) budget fare to fine-dining choices whipped up by internationally renowned chefs.
The newest go-to destination is the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen, which hosts one of the biggest zoological parks in Southeast Asia and is home to some 1,200 animals and hundreds of thousands of orchids. Also, take a thrill ride on what’s reputed to be the longest zip line in the country. Further north is an array of pristine beaches, while neighboring islands like Bantayan and Camotes offer laid-back beach getaways, while Malapascua is the jump-off point to scenic dive sites.
Each of these destinations offers unique attractions that will heal the soul and breathe new life into the spirit. For more information about our top 8 holidays hot spots, visit the Department of Tourism web site at www.tourism.gov.ph. For airline schedules, go to www.cebupacificair.com.
Image credits: Khmarskyi Maksym | Dreamstime.com, Alexey Kornylyev | Dreamstime.com, Mirko Vitali | Dreamstime.com, Junpinzon | Dreamstime.com, Jourdan Fernandez – Dreamstime.com