Love our own

Post-pandemic revenge travel has seen more and more Filipinos taking vacations. Japan and South Korea have been favorite destinations, and over Christmas thousands took advantage of the long holidays, such that one friend commented that everywhere they went in Tokyo, they bumped into Pinoys – in restaurants, shopping areas and tourist sites.

With Holy Week coming up next month, I’m sure families and barkadas are again planning on where to go. May I suggest that they visit different areas in the Philippines, rather than fly off abroad. The DOT’s repeated refrain that our country has so many beautiful places is not just a come-on for foreign tourists, but an invitation to us locals to discover these places.

If you’re not a beach-party person, Boracay may not be for you, but Palawan has fascinating areas like El Nido and Coron, or the Underground River. Iloilo is full of living history with its many old houses and churches, and some of the most delicious food in the country.

There is Dumaguete too, and hop on a ferry over to Siquijor. Siargao is the latest “in” spot, but if you’re not into surfing, try Dapitan and re-discover why our national hero Jose Rizal loved the place so much.

I have enjoyed all these places, and more, and I highly encourage fellow Pinoys to discover the Philippines, be a tourist in our own country. This Holy Week, we’re deciding between Bacolod and Bohol. How about you? Let’s love our own! — Ma. Dolores san juan, Laguna