Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
Among the things I have always taken pride in as a Filipino are our beaches. By geography and temperament, we are a maritime people, and our coastlines rank among the finest anywhere. I have walked the shores of Boracay, Panglao, Palawan, and Bantayan Island, and each return to the water feels less like repetition and more like a necessary return to something elemental.
With Holy Week 2026 now concluded, the country eases into the familiar stretch toward summer — a seasonal shift marked by travel, gatherings, and a pause from daily demands. This year, however, that movement comes with constraints. Continued tensions in the Middle East have contributed to rising fuel costs, affecting airfare, transport, and overall travel expenses. In such conditions, local travel becomes not just convenient but practical. More importantly, it becomes an invitation to look more closely at what is already within reach.
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