Someone like me who’s been house-hunting can’t help but toy with the idea of living in the great suburbs. Condos and other developments in the heart of Manila are definitely out as an option for me; it makes me cringe that building permits for new high-rises are being issued without regard for urban planning and the over-congestion already taking place. In all possibility, I will be buying a home in the outskirts because I still want my garden, a view of trees and a white picket fence.

The suburbs may be a long drive if you work in Manila but it pays to fast-track one’s mind to the future. It may be the province all right, but with the right infrastructures being built, such as highways, train stations and other road networks, your obscure piece of real estate may appreciate in little time. Hopefully, employment trends in the future will also be desirable such that we will either telecommute or work nearest to where we live.

I met recently with executives of the SM Investment Corporation (led by the lovely Rea Gomez) who apprised me of the giant SM group’s biggest project to the date: the 1,800-hectare Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. Those of us who are accustomed to the giant edifices that are the SM Malls will find in Hamilo Coast a refreshing development. It will showcase to residents and tourists 13 natural coves, a sweeping 32-kilometer coastline and a number of lush hills, cliffs and valleys boasting of virgin flora and fauna. Activities in the site will be geared towards eco-tourism including diving, hiking, mountain climbing, sailing and the like.

Hamilo Coast 5.

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us-usan sandbar

Gadling has a report on the world’s best islands based on ” activities, beaches, culture/sites, lodging, restaurants and scenery.” As our pessimistic mind expected, the Philippines was not on the list.

Here’s a list of those exotic-sounding getaways which made it:
* Bali
* Kauai
* Maui
* Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
* Mount Desert, Maine
* Tasmania
* Hawaii
* Galapagos
* Santorini
* Santo Stefano
* Phuket, Thailand
* Thatch Cay
* Blue Lagoon
* Grand Bogue Caye
* Allan
* Caritas
* Cerralvo
* Pakatoa
* Isla de sa Ferradura

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sagada_cave.

rafting.

Another friend, Jesus Casabar (who is contributing the photos in this page) recommends a road trip in the Philippines’ great North for a complete, all-in-one taste of the country’s varied natural and cultural offerings. Among these are the mountains of the Cordillera with their amazing rice terraces; the limestone caves of Sagada with their hanging coffins; the old Spanish towns of Vigan; Laoag in Ilocos Norte with its Fort Ilocandia , scenic Paoay Lake and its Malacanang of the North; the pristine beaches of Currimao and Pagudpud which are one of the best in the Philippines; not to forget the ecotourism province of Cagayan Valley from where one can engage in spelunking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.

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calaguas island.

(Note: Beginning with this post, Writings on the Wall will be featuring uncommon places and extraordinary experiences as seen and felt by my acquaintances and friends who have, at times, scoured the islands more than city-bound me. The idea is to uncover and discover hidden spots in the Philippines to guide us on our next trip. Do watch this site for more updates. Thanks )

There is obviously more to Bicol than its spicy food and the Mayon Volcano. The region hosts a bevy of old ruins and churches as well as a host of natural treasures like caves, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and mountains. I’d also like to wet my feet at the spanking new Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) which prides itself of a world-class cable park with 11 obstacles, and a view of a 4.5 hectare freshwater lake.

Camarines Norte, also in Bicol, has also aroused my curiosity of late ever since I read an article in our newspaper about the sweet tropical life that can be had there. My friendster Therese had gone there for a short breather-cum-coverage and came back with tales about its beautiful islands.
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