For some years now, I have been taking for granted how special my hometown really is. Perhaps it’s because I grew up studying at your ordinary public school, rode the slow and dizzying PUJ’s like they’re the only possible means of getting anywhere, and played my own share of tsinelas-basketball at our plaza gym, like most kids my age did. I grew up in this town without gratitude—there’s always that possibility in my mind that someday I’ll be leaving this place to move on to bigger things; to the real world. I’ve yet to figure out why after 15 years of daydreaming I still find myself here every morning, and as always I have to convince myself that I’m staying not because I have no choice, but rather, because I wanted to.

Hehe.  I had to suppress laughing from reading what I have just written down. I didn’t mean this article to be on the dramatic. I, firstly, wanted to be informative and inviting.

I am a wedding photographer / videographer. Yesterday, we covered a Lipa Cathedral wedding of Pham adnd Rhen and the reception was very near our house at Mataasnakahoy, Batangas. Two weeks before, we had our prenup in that same place–where you can have another view of the famous Taal Lake and Volcano (picture above) often depicted from Tagaytay City, Cavite. This one picture was our group’s shot at Shercon Resort, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas.

From now on, I intend to provide a tour guide to our little town, feature summer and all-year-round resorts that we often ignore here but are deeply proud of, give a summary of the town’s founding as I go along, and continue to please you guys with more pictures from our wedding photography group.

Puerto Galera is an ideal get-away especially for divers and snorklers. Great diving spots and clearer waters compared to those off the coast of Batangas or Cavite. It’s not comparable to those in the Visayas, of course, but for those looking for an option nearer to Manila and does not necessitate air travel, Puerto Galera is a good choice.

But, where do you stay? Sure, there are a lot of cheap rooms to be had along Sabang, if you’re not picky. But if you want respectable, relaxing and semi-private accommodations, there’s one destination I am confident of recommending: Coco Beach.

From the cottages, to the restaurants, to the variety of activities offered daily, I just love this resort. I am not one, but scuba divers out there would also be interested to know that Coco Beach is PADI accredited and parents will feel better knowing that there are activities for children and you can even ask for baby-sitting (up to 3 hours free). Oh, and yes, if you’re paranoid like me, you’ll also feel better to know that they have a resident doctor at the resort.

But you know what I love best about this resort? Their concept of the “Service Family“.

This summer, bring 3 of your firends with you and avail of Coco Beach’s Barkadahan Package:

• 3D/2N Standard Room
• Buffet Breakfast
• Set Menu Lunch and Dinner
• Roundtrip Transportation (Manila-Coco Beach-Manila)
• Package Price: P3,800 net per person

For more info, visit C&C Tours and Destinations, or email info@ccphilippines.com.

Technorati Tags: coco beach, puerto galera, mindoro, diving, beach resorts

Having spent most of my adult life in Southern Tagalog, over the years, I’ve grown tired of the beach and pool resorts in Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. I already know Los Baños and Calamba resorts almost like the back of my hand. Add to that the hordes of tourists that ply the South Expressway each weekend to take a dip at Laguna’s hot springs, and you’ll understand why, when asked for a beach getaway, I would almost always recommend something outside of this region, travel time permitting.

Zambales is an ideal location to get away from it all. Instead of joining the throngs, you’ll be driving the opposite direction. While Subic has been, hands-down, the most popular Zambales destination, a less tourist-infested stretch of beach lies a few more kilometers farther from Manila. The coast of Iba, Zambales is of fine silvery sand: not the white powder of Boracay, but not the gray fine gravel of Batangas, either. The beach is wide, long and most importantly, less populated (except during holidays, of course, when it could receive a lot of the locals).

Where to stay? Iba has yet to make it to Manileños top destinations. Although there are lots of pension-type of places to stay the night, The Palmera Garden Hotel and Beach Resort is one I wouldn’t hesitate recommending. Their website is a bit tacky, but I assure you that the facilites are made in good taste. Don’t expect marble bathtubs and such, but the cottages are clean and charming. For those who abhor sand, they also have a pool, with fountains playing water games that little guests will find fascinating. Ah, and the food! A balanced mix of international and Filipino cuisine, from appetizers to cocktails, their two restaurants will most likely have whatever your tastebuds crave for. Don’t pass up the delectable seafood!

And when you get tired of the Iba coast, you can sign up for a day-trip to go whale watching or hopping on a hundred of the 7,107 islands of the Philippines. Or, if you’re up to the height and the heat, go hiking and check out Pinatubo’s crater. Definitely a good way to round up your visit of Northern Zambales!