Philippines...tropical paradise...

I envy you Neil. I too have grown in a place where the beach is just a stone's throw away but it's no longer the same case when i moved to manila. The opportunity to go to the beach only comes once in a year during company outings and in some cases, people prefer a pool since the nearest decent beach is a few hours ride away. If it's not possible for the government to subsidize transportation cost there must be a project to make this a possibility, after all it will help local tourist if we look at it closely.

i actually grew-up in a province where rice fields is the most common scenery, you know the Central Luzon area. but when i moved here in Cebu, it changes everything, especially when i met my wife whom has a house along the beach. imagine yourself getting out of the house and you will step on the beach sands. our kids have all the time to enjoy the waters and without limit.

I've seen the rice fields in Bulacan when i had the chance to go to bataan to go swimming. That's more than 3 hours away. I like the smell of the rice paddies especially when it is about to be harvested. It seems that we are on different path altogether because when i settled here in Manila what you can see are just walls and walls of your neighbors that you don't even know. But i recall my college years in the province, our house is located right beside the beach that it's just the sea wall that separates us from the sea. During summer i just took of my shirt and jump to the sea which is just a few steps away. I too would like my kids to be accustomed to the sea, right now, they're more than happy to look at it when we have the chance to go the mall of asia but i guess they would appreciate the beauty of the sea more if they have the chance to frolic in it.

Good to know that you will go there. I am a bicolano myself by the way.

Oh so you're also an "oragon". My wife is from Sorsogon that's why i'm preparing myself to a very long 12 to 14 hour bus ride with kids in tow. hopefully a day in the beach is a good reward.

Same here RSA. but as the saying goes, if there's a will there's way. I may be able to go the beach in a week or two despite the tight budget. My wife is insisting on a vacation in her parents home. And being a loving husband, i've no choice but to give in. So maybe in a week or two i'll be spending a few days vacation in bicol and of course they got great un-commercialized beaches there.

You're right eureka. Boracay is such a nice play but very expensive now a days. I have not been to boracay because not only is it far but i think i would feel more like an outsider in that place with all those visitors there. If there are people who should enjoy our beaches it should be us filipinos. Our government should develop local tourism more. One of the things that discourage others in going to places in the country side is the fair and accommodation which are targeted to foreign guests who can very well afford it. I hope the government will take at look at family tours as a way to develop local tourism because the reality now is it's more expensive to travel within the Philippines if you compare traveling to hongkong or singapore.

been to boracay once, the best beach ive been so far.. you can plan the stay there so it will not be costly. the activity there is expensive. mostly tourist espcially from other country go there to do r&r. im with my cousin from cali when i went there and he's so glad that he'd come to the place

Very true, there are a lot of beaches around which are as beautiful if not even more. The only difference is the price. Boracay is too much commercialized that not only is it crowded but also a very expensive place to spend your vacation.

Very true evepin, we should take care of our beaches and not just look at the monetary returns. Boracay is fast turning into a disaster if those who are in position will fail to take into consideration the environemental effects if it goes on developing. It's getting crowded and crowded that nature will no longer be able to cleanse intself.

@zedrick. i grew up in the same place/province which your profile states your location. how it came to have beaches in the rice fields of Bulacan? i'm kinda confused?

Good for you zedrick. Not all Filipinos have access to the beach inspite of us being a tropical country. I also grew up near the beach. I just hope that every FIlipino will have the chance to have access to out great beaches even those who reside in the mountains and not worry about the costs involved.

im not in our house at bulacan now.. im here at zambales.. im having a vacation here at the house of my uncle.. where beaches are just footsteps away.. :)

I did not appreciate the beauty of the beach at the time when i used to live just a stone's throw away from it. Now i can't help but imagine myslef relaxing and feeling the sea wind in my face and relaxing in a cottage right beside the sea whenever i see those lovely photos, like the one you posted here. So today, i'm filing for a 2 weeks vacation leave from work and spend a couple of days basking in the sun.

Very well said dragon. I have been able to see and swim in some of the beautiful beaches here in my country but those are all courtesy to our company outings or straight from my own pocket. Not once was i able to enjoy a government sponsored trip . it's just wishful thinking anyway, but if the government will make it part of its initiative (without increasing taxes) then the better.

Hi elvira, i think you are living in a place where you have everything. So far the only place that comes to mind as comparison is Iligan. If you want to go swimming the sea is just walking distance. If you want there's also a river that's clean enough to swim on which is just a few minutes walk away. If you want the safety of a swimming pool you can also so that which is just a hundred meters away. If you want a water falls it's also walking distance away. If you want to go the mountain you can also do so. Now you make me miss home...

I think Bohol's beaches are fast becoming famous. I've seen some photos and it's comparable to Boracay. I guess with a lot of promotions it's just a matter of time before more and more tourists flocks Bohol. Bora i think is fast becoming in satiated with all the development going on in the place. Its a nice place but not my typical way of spending a peaceful day in the beach. There's just too many people in a very small place.