After traveling to Cavite, let’s head on over to where the legendary Maria Makiling takes refuge, and my second home, Laguna.

Lying between the mountainous region of the Sierra Madre and the lake shores of Laguna de Bay, Laguna blossoms with cold and warm springs, coconuts, tropical fruits and exotic flowers. Apart from its burgeoning resort industry, Laguna also has a lively handicraft industry. It is here where you can find beaded velvet shoes, leather bags, fine embroidered fabrics, carved wooden statues and papier mache products. Laguna is also a haven for scholars. There is my alma mater, the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, for the academic performers and the National Center for the Arts for the artistically excellent.

Only a few hours from Metro Manila is the CALABARZON area. Consisting of five distinct and exciting provinces, CALABARZON gives the tourist an opportunity to feel the rhythms of the country without venturing too far from Manila. The CALABARZON area is also the favorite destination of urban dwellers for a weekend of rest and relaxation. CALABARZON consists of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Let’s take a glimpse of these provinces one by one, shall we? First on the travel list: Cavite

Batanes, considered as of the paradise in the Philippines, is located at the north top of the country, which comprises of small little islands. The island is propagated on a 4,500 sq km. area of regional waters namely: The Luzon Strait and the Balintang Channel. This is where the Pacific Ocean joins with the South China Sea. Bashi Channel bounds it on the north, Pacific Ocean bounds it on the east, South China Sea bounds it on the west, and lastly, Balintang Chanel bound is on the south. The island is characterized by lightly rolling hills, cliffs, and dark and light-colored sand beaches. If you plan to go there and you’ll be coming from Manila, expect an 860 kilometers (approx. 525 miles) travel. This paradise’s capital city is Basco, and is about 280 kilometers northward of Aparri, while it is about 190 kilometers south of Taiwan. Batanes composes of three major islands, which are: Batan that contains the town capital of Basco, Itbayat, and Basco. Close by are seven little islands including Amianan, which is the closest to Formosa. Thus, Batanes has been identified as the Philippines’ possible way to East China.