Summer 2015

By Robin Salvador @vinzsalvador23

Every year, summer is one of the seasons that I look forward to. Aside from it being a school vacation, I'm free from stress and thinking about lessons. Also, it's a season for us to relax and enjoy our time together with family, friends, colleagues, relatives, workmates, etc. For most of us, summer is synonymous to vacation. It's that time of the year when we plan out getaways, travel with our family and friends, and head to our summer refuge - the beach.

This year's summer vacation is extra-special for me because I've had a chance to be in one of my getaways with my family. This was a rare opportunity for us because ever since I started working I don't have much time to bond with them. In this article, I listed down the places where I have been and the memorable experiences that are something worth remembering despite of my busy schedule and limited budget.

Tagaytay and Munting Buhangin, Nasugbu, Batangas City (SEO-Hacker Team Building - March 13-15)

This year's summer will definitely not be complete without an Annual Team Building of my second family, which is SEO-Hacker. This year's Team Building was held at two different venues which is Tagaytay and MuntingBuhangin at Nasugbu, Batangas. We rented a house in Tagaytay for two days and most of our team building activities were held there. There were a lot of games, food, non-stop chatting with each other, drinking and most especially rest. One of my personal takeaways from this team building is that you really have to love what you're doing and work as if you're working for the Lord and not to other people.

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales City (April 2-3)

San Antonio is becomingly known for its beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and scenic coves. It is a favorite destination of campers and beach lovers. Last summer we went to Anawangin Cove and we promised that on our next summer adventure we'll visit Nagsasa cove which is a 30-minute boat ride away from Anawangin Cove. Nagsasa Cove is a crescent shaped cove with a pristine white sand beach. What makes the place unique is the unusual riddle of tall pine trees flourishing round its vicinity. There are no roads leading to Nagsasa Cove. It is only accessible by an hour boat ride from Pundaquit, San Antonio. The cove's relative isolation has kept it free from development - as of this writing, there are no resorts on this sparkling piece of natural beauty, save for a few huts and deep wells. Just behind the beach are the pine forest and a marsh, where one can find natural springs leading to the sea. The area is home to a number of bird species.

Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club, Morong Bataan (May 1-2)

A perfect way to celebrate Labor's day is thru visiting this relaxing Beach and Nature Club in Morong, Bataan. Our main purpose of visiting this 5-hour drive Nature Club was because we're participants in a 21KM trail run. Unfortunately, due to a long drive and having not enough rest, we have decide to just enjoy our stay in a hotel and maximize our time to experience this impressive amenities of Anvaya. At the Anvaya Cove Beach & Nature Club, you can throw yourself into the thick of things or wade slowly through a calm day. The Welcome Pavilion, in true Asian Tropical style, is a pleasant respite before your day gets going. At the Main Pavilion, a veritable hub of activity, there is always a multitude of things to do. Lunch at the Bamboo Café is a chance to bond with the kids before an afternoon at the Game Room. At the Beach Area, you can choose your pleasure-relaxation at the Massage Salas or if you crave some exhilaration you can try water sports. The water is great at The Pools at Anvaya, and the kids are safe and sound at the Seahorse Kiddie Village. With discoveries at every step on various trails, the Nature Camp rounds out a perfect sunny day. You know you have found a treasure trove when family encounters with nature become a tradition, and you have given them wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

Sorsogon, Bicol (March 5-10)

After a long and tiring 12-hour drive from Laguna to Bicol, finally we've arrived and witnessed this calm, breathtaking province of Bicol. The last time I visited this province was when my grandma died and I was still seven years old. Aside from meeting some of my cousins that I haven't seen for a long while, one of my memorable moments in Bicol was when I visited the Mapaso Hot Spring. Mapaso Hot Spring is located at the foot of Mt. Bulusan in San Benon, Irosin, Sorsogon. The lukewarm water is naturally coming from Mt. Bulusan. I was mesmerized by the natural beauty of nature and to breathe the fresh air was such a great feeling to experience especially in our polluted environment today.

Dagupan, Pangasinan (May 9-10)

Aside from the Pangasinan's world famous Hundred Island, one of its attractions is the Pigar-Pigar. Pigar-pigar is a very popular street food in Dagupan, Pangasinan. The dish is very simple that it is made out of really thin slices of beef and liver quickly deep-fried and served with fresh slices of onions. Though the popular meat used nowadays is beef the original version uses carabeef, it's a meat that comes from carabao, also called water buffalo. Last May 9 when I visited my special friend in Dagupan, she introduced me this mouth-watering dish. I was amazed by its taste. If you're planning to have a simple party, try to replace your pizza or nachos with Pigar-Pigar. I assure you that this is best paired up with beer. Also, here's the recipe of Pigar Pigar.

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