Hard to even describe in words how beautiful and serene Lake Pandin is. Anyone who crave to escape…read morethe hustle and bustle of the city just from a couple hour drive should consider going to Lake Pandin. You won't just be spending a wonderful time to bond with family and friends but you will also be helping support a community started by eight women who are now in their golden years but are still very much in the trenches ensuring the place is developed in a responsible and controlled way that serves the cooperative composed of 20+ families.

Pandin Lake, although tricky to find, is a great place to have a picnic lunch, lake tour, and swim…read more If you're visiting during the high season it's best to have a reservation as there are only 12 boats available and the activity can take 3-4 hours, depending on your group. Around 8 people can fit comfortably on each raft. The parking area for the lake is on the right side of Werner Schetelig Ave, just past Barangay San Lorenzo Road, marked with hand painted signs with red lettering. From there it is a half mile walk on a dirt road through a neighborhood, past a horse farm, and up a hill. We were able to hire a tricycle for the afternoon (for 300 pesos) for the round trip. Once you arrive, you'll be greeted and asked if you'd like an optional lunch with your tour. Lunch and tour costs between 400-500 pesos per person (based probably on how much they'll think you'll pay). Lunch includes water, a whole grilled tilapia, pork, salad, and rice. It's fun to add fruit (priced per item), like a coconut for 25 pesos. You'll load your group onto a bamboo raft and set off for the opposite side of the lake where you'll stop to eat and swing on a tire swing in the shade and swim. As Filipino hospitality dictates, your guides will depend on you to tell them when it's time to end the lake excision.

While we always go to Tagaytay - both planned and unplanned. We would pass Nuvali on our way up and…read moresometimes stop over when we're hungry. I've seen the 'Wakepark' signs but didn't really know where it is, maybe because I wasn't looking hard enough. Or I just have just looked it up online to see the map. My friends took me to go Republic Wakepark because it's their recreational activity, to get away from the stress that living in the Metro brings, well, also school. And it's something that's fun to experience together as a group (individually if we're being specific but you get what I'm saying). I love these types of things because I know everyone gets tired of doing the same old thing and with Nuvali being about an hour or less drive away from Metro Manila, it's the perfect thing to do. If you don't think it's for you and you're being invited to come along then you can always go and stay at the bar or at the pool, take pictures and hang out.

This is the main hangout space for my friends whenever we come back to Manila from studying abroad…read more The employees are very accommodating and are very helpful in teaching you how to wakeboard. It is in a great location and I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who loves water sports within the South area. However, the rentals for boards are quite expensive and are very limited to only a couple of boards if you have grown out of the slip-on boards. The food service takes quite awhile for you to get your food. Putting that aside, this is a place that I would highly recommend anyone to come to for a day mainly just for the awesome facility to wakeboard. It's also best to go during the weekdays early in the morning so that you can get the most out of your buck, or else you would be in line for quite awhile as that takes up your riding time. Night boarding on the weekends are also enjoyable and are less crowded than during the day based on my experience from going.

A classic place for a retreat, immersion, or field trip, the Seven Lakes in San Pablo Laguna…read moreprovide a wonderful experience to those who want to experience nature from the perspective of the locals. Each of the seven lakes has its own character and story that one can already be amused with the tales of the local folklore (and occasional campfire horror story) that the local tour guides and residents will tell you. Being prepared for anything is a good idea, especially if you intend to hike, trek, or otherwise swim, wade or paddle all throughout your journey covering this massive area, which is composed not just of the lakes, but the forests and the hills, or even the nearby mountains. A trip, of course, best shared with a group of friends you can rely on and depend on. Truly another adventure that is more fun in the Philippines!

After seeing the Binangonan-Angono Petroglyphs, my travel companions and I hastily went down to…read morecatch the Laguna de Bay sunset from Angono Lakeside Park. The park was definitely a happening place, and a popular place among locals. When we arrived we saw a lot of people sitting and talking, and many children running around or playing in the playground. We also saw a row of restaurants which I later found out serve fresh catch from Laguna de Bay. Even here you will find an artwork, particularly of a sculpture of two mermaids. These are said to be the goddesses of the lake. We walked farther out, away from the crowds, and found a tranquil spot with boats and water hyacinths, though no flowers were in bloom then. From here we watched the sunset and took photos. All was calm, and it was the perfect ending to our day of Angono art tripping.

We took a bus trip from El Nido to the Underground River. The trip there was a little scary because…read morewe had to switch buses in a small area where there was only a bus stop. We weren't sure that we were in the right place. Once we got on the correct bus, we felt better. The bus ride was bumpy with a lot of turns. My son even got car sick. The town where you get the boats to the Underground River was packed with people. We had to wait in line for quite a while to get tickets. The tour included a lunch which was served in an outdoor tent like area. I even saw a rat! It wasn't very good food. The boat ride to the Underground River we really rough that day. Luckily it wasn't a very long ride. The actual tour of the Underground River was fabulous! My pictures speak for themselves.

When in Palawan, the Underground River is a must! I've toured this river in 2009 (without kids) and…read morein 2018 (with a 1- and 3-year-old) and it was effing amazing both times. It starts at a dock by Sambang Beach where you board a motorized (loud) outrigger boat with about 5 other people. Staff hands out hardhats and life vests. My hubs and I were the only folks who brought kids of any age and while they had childrens' life vests, they were too big for my kids. Yet, we made them work while holding adult hardhats on their heads. We were lucky that child protective services weren't watching. It's about a 20-minute ride to this other spot where you walk a little and switch to a simpler paddle boat you share with about 11 other people. Staff gives you an earpiece to listen to a recorded narration while your tour guide tells you more. It's a short and beautiful ride into a underground/cave part of the river. I don't have good pictures inside the cave because it was too dark, but there are lots of beautiful formations thousands of years old that your tour guide will illuminate with a flashlight within an incredibly peaceful ambiance. This part lasts about 45 minutes. My family really enjoyed it and I super recommend it! TIPS: **Wear rugged clothing (or stuff you don't mind getting f*cked) and waterproof/resistant footwear. **Expect to get your crotch wet. You have to wade at certain parts of the tour. **Try to bring a dry bag (brands like Earth Pak, Marchway, etc. which are also sold at stores along the way there) for your personal belongings. **Your tour guide will offer to take your picture with your own camera/phone. It's a good chance for a full family/group photo. **Life is simple around these parts including the toilet. Bring your own toilet paper for rest stops along the way. Hand sanitizer's also a good idea. **Bring cash to tip your boat crews and tour guide.

This place was beautiful and loved all the activities offered but my only gripe is that it wasn't…read moreclose to the beach so it was pretty hot when we went there. We only did the day tour and didn't stay overnight. You can order prepared food there or bring your own to cook at their BBQ grills. We didn't reserve til the day before so we couldn't get a kubo but was able to have a shared covered area with tables and chairs. They had bathrooms with showers and a sink area to wash dishes. But as usual, bring your own toilet paper and soap. My family did the zip lining, repelling and rock climbing. They said they loved it. We used the pools which were an awesome site. We really liked the maze, too.

I expected a longer travel time to Shercon Resort & Ecology Park from the heart of Manila, so I was…read morepleasantly surprised when our bus rolled into its gates after a little more than two hours. But while the trip was convenient, the stay was not very much so as it does require a bit of walking from the function halls to the rooms to the pools and to the teambuilding areas. For families or small groups, bringing your own van might be best. Still, the forced exercise (we probably needed it anyway) was worth it, given the accommodations we received. It was no small feat, considering there were almost 200 of us for our office teambuilding, but we felt well cared for. Food was delicious and abundant, the staff were friendly and accommodating (they even went the extra mile to assist us when one of our members got sick), and the facilities were well-maintained. For the swimming addicts like me, you'll love that this resort has six (!) pools, so there's definitely no overcrowding at the pool. But the best part of our stay were the teambuilding activities they facilitated for us. We got to experience ziplining, wall climbing, rappelling, and games, which definitely boosted our group spirit. All these great experiences and extraordinary service, for suprisingly friendly rates. I will definitely be coming back. Winner!

The place is just an hour and half away from manila. You just neeed to take the South Express way,…read moreexit on Santa Rosa tollway, keep right as you exit turn right, then follow the National Road going to Tagaytay. After Vista Mall, you will see Nuvali on your left. What I like about Nuvali is that, even though it is an hour away, the environment is completely different from Manila. Apart from the malls and outlet stores, there are so many activities you and your family can enjoy while in Nuvali. You can bring your bike and ride their trails. You can jog with your family and have a picnic. Seda Hotel is also nearby so you and your family can stay over for a weekend gateaway from the hustle of the city. Right beside Nuvali is another mall called Solenad. Just walk over there and there's more to see and do especially during weekends. A day or two is good enough if you want to explore that area. Also, there is a huge pond beside the restaurants where you can sit, relax, and people watch. If you are with your kids, buy some fish food and see hundreds pack together when you feed them!

A few years back, my cousins and I decided to go on a road trip to Tagaytay on a weekend. Nuvali,…read morethen newly opened, was part of the itinerary. Since we left very early in the morning, we arrived there around the opening time. We had many other places to visit but we stayed in Nuvali for an hour or two. After having light snacks, we tried some lake activities - riding a boat and feeding fish in the pond. The school of fish in the pond were amusing to watch. Like a mob, they huddled in the area where fish feeds fall. The victor would then open its mouth - yes, you could actually see their mouths open - and eat the prize. But, the more exciting one of the two activities was riding the boats. Since it was very early in the morning, the wind was cool and fresh; I enjoyed how the wind touched my face as the boat transported us from one end to the next. After one roundtrip, we left Nuvali for we had to visit other places too. Our stay was only short but it was definitely fun.

Went to Pico de Loro Batangas and stayed at a family friend's condominium on the resort. Residents…read moreand their guests are welcome to use the amenities provided by the country club such as the infinity outdoor pool, recreation areas, coffee shop and the entertainment area. The grounds were well-maintained by staff as well as the recreation areas. Guests can use partake in recreational activities such as badminton, basketball, ping pong, etc. There were also rooms available for karaoke as well as a separate section for billiards and darts. The coffee shop is located on the premises which is located on top of the restaurant and overlooks the outdoor infinity pool. The backdrop of the county club provides great sunset views. Pico Beach is a short distance away and easily accessible by foot. There is also bus transportation available that comes to each condo building to transport beach goers to the beachfront.

This place is a great getaway by the ocean. Shuttle service to get you to the water less than 2 min…read moreaway. Breakfast is top tier. Service is exceptional and will go above and beyond. Nice beds that were clean. Even had a bowling alley that the family loved. Super peaceful and would go again!

I am not an animal rights activist, and my being vegetarian is purely out of health reasons and not…read moreat all about compassion to animals (though I am more and more leaning towards that the more I read about cruelty to farmed animals). It does not take an animal rights activist to tell you that the animals in this place are poorly taken care of. I was appalled with the conditions of the animals in their small zoo, and I just couldn't help but feel sad for the wild animals that are being kept here in small cages and really well-worn enclosures. There is a crocodile in one of the enclosures that couldn't even shift around because his little pool is too small. I just felt like the animals weren't look after really well, and they should do something about that. The entrance fee is very minimal, and I would gladly pay more if it meant better conditions for the animals. Anyway, aside from the zoo part which was really depressing, I'm glad that there are plenty of trees in the park. I am big advocate of green spaces, and I'm glad that the trees and the diverse flora of the place is well and alive that there are some animals that I wouldn't imagine seeing in this little pocket of green near my neighborhood: colorful birds, squirrels and small rodents just hopping merrily from one branch to another. I also love the lake, which is very pretty and photogenic. Lots of couples get their pre-nup photos taken here, and I hope the fees from those photo shoots are being put into good use for the maintenance of the park.