Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), the Philippines’ premiere leisure airline, offers special anniversary promos in celebration of its 15th anniversary on March 25, 2010.

Travelers can avail of the special morning rates of as low as Php1,999.20 per way all-in when they book as early as February for travel from March 2010 onwards. The special rates are available for limited seats for all flights to and from Boracay before 7:00 a.m.

SEAIR is also offering exclusive discounts for online bookings. Vacationers can get PhP 1,500.00 discount per way for all seats, flights and routes when they book via FlySeair.com. To avail of the promo, online users can type iloveseair15 in the promo code field when booking on Jan. 11-18 for travel on Feb. 19-March 26, as well as when booking on March 14-25 for travel on June 15-Oct. 15.

This is SEAIR’s way of thanking travelers for their continued support. The airline has been serving key tourist destinations since 1995, most notably Boracay, and has the longest history of uninterrupted service to Boracay direct via Caticlan.
SEAIR now offers up to 27 flights per day to Boracay (Caticlan) and is now flying daily to the island paradise of Batanes. It also flies to El Nido, Palawan every Wednesday and Sunday, as well as Marinduque every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

SEAIR is the nation’s second-oldest airline and has flown almost 3 million passengers to local destinations including Tablas (Romblon), Cebu, Clark, Zamboanga, Jolo, and Tawi-tawi. SEAIR also offers the most routes from Caticlan with flights from Caticlan to Manila v.v., Caticlan to Clark v.v and Caticlan to Cebu v.v.

To avail of the SEAIR 15th anniversary promos call SEAIR Reservations at (632)8490100 or book online at FlySeair.com. Join SEAIR Facebook Fan Page for updates on promos.

With the summer break coming up, I surmise it wouldn’t hurt to start planning for the summer break. How do you usually begin planning for a trip? I usually begin mine with my budget. If I have more money to spend, then I begin my search for trips possibly to prestigious resorts in the country (read: Panglao Island Nature Resort, Balesin) or somewhere off the beaten track (read: Bolinao, Rizal Beach: Gubat, Sorsogon, or Pagudpod)

Here are Ways to Save on Travel

Tweak your itinerary and save. Departing very early or very late in the day can mean a much lower airfare, as can flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sundays are the costliest for domestic flights; Saturdays for international travel. Using the nearest airport can also save you a lot. Being flexible applies to hotels as well, particularly at those that host business travelers during the week.

Check airlines’ websites. Have you tried booking yourself using the online facilities of Cebu Pacific or even Philippine Airlines? Even the biggest shipping companies in the country have their online facilities now. Using these facilities will help you determine the cost of your air or ship fare right away. Not only that, for example at Aboitiz’s Super Ferry, travel goers using the online facilities shall get the lowest available fare. Not only that, you can also check the airlines and shipping companies most recent promos and partnerships with hotels and resorts. For example, sailing with Super Ferry on your birthday will get you discounts equal to your age!

Fly early to arrive on time. Just as I mentioned above, leaving earlier will save you money, but also time. Not only that, you will beat the heat at the check in counters in the airport.

Don’t overpack. For example in Cebu Pacific, you actually get a discount of P200 if you are traveling without any luggage. Ofcourse, going on a holiday would mean lagging a bag along your necessaries, but be careful not to exceed the airlines’ baggage limit especially if you are traveling internationally. We do not want you throwing away some stuff at the airport like our friend Yuga in order to go within the luggage weight limit! Or like me who ended up paying up to 21,000 baht or U$700 for excess baggage in Survarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. So heed my advice, if your hotel room has a weighing scale, use it to weigh your baggages prior to leaving for the airport. Or you can check with your hotel concierge services and ask if they have a scale somewhere. Its better to be prepared than sorry.

Negotiate with hotels. Sometimes when the hotel is not too full, the front desk can actually give free upgrade. Not only that, you can also ask for more discounts and even additional perks through the front desk. Just don’t be afraid to ask and inquire while checking in.

Use a travel agent for your cruise. Some travel agents especially those accredited by your cruise line can offer you discounts. This is why is pays to research first or even ask those who has traveled or use those agencies before making your booking. Sometimes, it pays to know your travel agent.

Skip the ship to shore call. This is for those who travel by sea. It would definitely save you some if you skip going to shore. Souvenir shops near the ports or even in airports can be expensive. You will definitely get cheaper souvenirs if you buy them in your destination’s local market.

Pay by credit card. Paying with a credit card will earn you extra miles or even cash back if you use the right cards. Not only that, some hotels and resorts give discounts to certain credit cards they have tie up with.

For more Ways to Save on Travel, visit the Consumer Report Website.

Cebu Pacific Air once again is offering a seat sale to their customers. 400,000 domestic flight slots and 100,000 international flight slots between June 9 – Dec 31, 2008 will be offered up at P0.00 (non refundable fuel and tax charges are excluded from the price).

Great timing too as my wife was planning her trip to Manila and we were able to get a round trip flight from Davao to Manila at under 5k.

People wanting to avail of this offer should book immediately as the promo window is between May 15 – 18, 2008 only.

Personally, I think it is best to take a vacation during off peak season. That way you get to save a lot because most summer places will jack up their prices to take advantage of the season. And in a way you are helping these summer places make ends meet during their lean months.

It was in the 1800s when it was a ripe period for most colonies all over the world to bolt out from their colonial masters. For the Philippines, it was their fight for independence against Spain in 1896. The revolutionary fervor reached Benguet where Ibaloi leaders were not mere spectators, but active participants in the revolution.

As these events were unfolding, it later on paved the way for the arrival of the Americans in the Philippines. It was against this backdrop that the tiny hamlet of Kafagway in the Cordillera Mountains was transformed into two of America’s most enduring legacies: the City of Baguio and Camp John Hay. The Americans sealed their victory with the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 and for the sum of 20 million dollars, the United States gained possession of four former Spanish colonies, one of which is the Philippines.

Long a historical landmark in Baguio – and once off-limits to Filipino civilians – Camp John Hay antedates the city by six years. In 1903, then President Theodore Roosevelt – barely a year after the official end of the Philippine –American war- decreed that 535 acres would be reserved for the US military in an area that was to become Baguio City.
War then broke between the Filipinos and the Americans who double-crossed the former into believing that they came to help them regain their freedom only to become their new colonial masters.

As the only American colony in the east, the Americans became prone to tropical diseases like cholera and typhoid. The heat made them unproductive. They found themselves with a new colony but not much strength to run it.

As such, Baguio, was “God-send”. It was for this reason that Baguio was originally constructed as a mountain retreat by US military forces in the early 1900s. Baguio’s relatively cool temperatures still draw Manila’s wealthy when the lowlands are sweltering. But the throngs of young college students shape the city’s character. The area’s original inhabitants, the Ibaloi and Kankana-ey, have assimilated into present-day society and much of the Igorot ancestral lands have been developed. Filipinos make this a vacation destination while most foreign travelers stop here to break up the long trip to Sagada or Banaue.

The City has been rebuilt twice since- since the mid-20th century, first after it was flattened by US bombs dropped to drive the Japanese, and second, after a massive earthquake in 1992.

Baguio City and Camp John Hay are like “twins” created in 1903. While Camp John Hay was built as a rest and recreation camp for the US military, Baguio was designed to be the country’s summer capital.

Baguio was said to be modeled after Washington D.C. The rectangular Burnham Park functions as the geographical center, and the primary commercial hub. Session Road runs roughly parallel to its northeastern side. South and east of the city is where many of the lavish summer homes of Manila’s elite are located, as well as the other tourist destination of the city including the Botanical Garden, formerly known as Imelda Park, Wright Park and Mines View Park.

An American urban planner, Daniel Burnham, designed the city where a park was later on dedicated in his honor. Kenon Road, was named after the American officer, Colonel Lyman Kenon, who built it in four years with 4,000 men at a cost of two million dollars in 1905.

After 85 years, the Americans said their goodbyes when the Philippine Senate voted not to extend the stay of the American bases. On July 4, 1991, the camp reverted to Philippine jurisdiction. In 1996, a consortium now known as the Camp John Hay Development Corporation won the rights to develop the camp for a 50-year lease period.

Camp John Hay is no mere prime real estate – it reflects the charms of Baguio at its best: gently sloping green terrain, often enveloped in mist, with the pine trees standing like tall, silent sentries, rich heritage alluring and cold as ever.

Plans are to keep Camp John Hay green-based, with the vision of transforming it into an eco-tourism destination. Of the 250 hectares open for development, 175 hectares or 90 per cent will be kept as protected and managed forest with foot trails, bridle paths and flower gardens.

With Camp John Hay leading the way in giving Baguio City its much-needed facelift, the Camp John Hay Manor gives the city a new posh address to offer. The Manor, as it is commonly referred to, offers five-star service and accommodations with its world-class facilities and professionally trained staff. The 180-room hotel, which includes 54 suites is not only distinguished with its impressive architecture and cozy interior but also blest with an ambiance that sets it apart from all other hotels in Baguio City.

Designed to blend with towering pine trees surrounding it, this 4-storey structure and its sprawling new annex afford visitors a magnificent view of the Cordillera mountain range.

The hotel features studios, one – bedroom and two bedroom suites all equipped with modern amenities as cable TV, IDD/NDD telephones with Internet access, fully-stocked refrigerators, hot/cold showers, electronic safes and much more.

Another attraction of the Manor is their honeymoon suite complete with personalized full service staff. The suite is actually a fully refurbished house, tucked within the Manor complex and is a two story complex, with its own, living room area, kitchen, fireplace and a second floor which includes the master’s bedroom and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi and hi-tech shower facility.

Of course, the main outlet which is the Manor Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring a wide range of local and international dishes by renowned fine-dining Irish Chef, Billy King.

For avid golfers, there’s the beautiful 49-hectare golf course with a part 69 all-weather course designed by Jack Nicklaus and uses the same Bent Grass as the famous greens of the Masters course in Augusta, Georgia. According to many golf enthusiasts, if you are a golfer, this is a must-play course for its challenging layout.

Traditions are preserved at the Camp for both human interest and historical reasons. The living museum called CJH Historical Core features a collection of memorabilia and old photos that speak of the colorful history of the camp. The Bell House and Amphitheater is the centerpiece of the camp, showcasing the artistic flair and design of genius of a military man. Today it is the repository of the artifacts that give a glimpse of the camp’s history.

There is also the cemetery of negativism which supposedly served as the burial ground for negative thoughts of American military men. One can take a 2 kilometer eco trail that allows you to get up close and personal with nature. There is also the butterfly sanctuary, a garden which you can learn about traditional butterfly ranching and captive breeding techniques.

Acknowledgment must be given to the Americans who left Camp John Hay, particularly its natural attractions, more or less intact. This holiday season is possibly the best time to pay Baguio and Camp John Hay a personal visit.

Vic Albornoz Lactaoen is currently a travel writer for Cebu Pacific Airway’s new inflight magazine-Smile and contributor for Manila Bulletin’s Travel Section and The Business Mirror. He still travels extensively around the country and hopes to finish his first travel book on off beat destinations in the Philippines soon.