Vacation time

 March and April have always been interesting months in the country, as they signal the start of summer and vacation time for many, especially students. This year has been especially meaningful for me because I have had the pleasure of spending it with my closest friends and family.

March saw us embark on a trip to the province of Romblon, the marble capital of the Philippines. This vacation had long been overdue. We had often asked our BFF and traveling companion, Cathy, to take us there—her home province—but there was always some hesitation. It is not the typical island destination tourists flock to, considering it is accessible from Luzon only after a long ten-hour sea journey. There is no airport, unlike more famous destinations such as Boracay or Palawan. Even Jollibee and McDonald’s have yet to venture into any of its three main islands—Romblon, Sibuyan, and Tablas. Perhaps they see little profit there.

It is interesting that despite having two larger islands, the province takes its name from the smallest island, which also serves as its capital. But that is of little consequence to me now. What matters more is its splendor.

Yes, tourists are practically nil, but that is part of the islands’ unique charm. The places feel fresh and almost virginal, unspoiled by the pillage of outsiders. They are as idyllic as can be, and the people are content. For visitors, it is a welcome relief that the islands have remained largely untouched by commercialism. As a result, prices have not ballooned to absurd proportions. Expenses are minimal compared with other Philippine islands like Cebu or Siquijor.

Romblon will always stay in my heart, for it is where I learned to live on the basics. And yet, I did not completely miss the comforts of home. Our hotel in Romblon, Romblon—with its fantastic and very hospitable staff—was phenomenal. Our accommodations in Sibuyan were far from substandard as well.

Most of all, I can only thank my hosts, Catherine V. Marcelo and her husband Ollie S. Marcelo, my best friends for many years; my forever traveling companions Edgar Soriente and Vivian Cruz Soriente, with whom I have shared wonderful places here and abroad; and my new acquaintances Rache Ward, Rowena Cruz, Lilirose Lopez, Jiro, Darryl Perez, and Mike Rollo. This journey would not have been as wonderful without their company.

My only regret is that Nitz was not with me, and that I missed welcoming into the world my newest granddaughter, Nina Patricia delos Santos. I cannot wait to see her face to face.

April marked my wife’s 70th birthday and our 41st wedding anniversary. Since this was another milestone for her, she thought of bringing our grandchildren on a tour of Boracay. Sadly, we could not be complete because Coby’s wife, Pat, was due to give birth. We were fine with that, as we welcomed another addition to the family.

What was more difficult for my wife was the news that Kim’s family had to move to China even before our dream vacation from April 16–20 could happen. We were devastated—especially her, since the trip had been her idea.

Nevertheless, we proceeded as planned, as the tickets and hotel accommodations had already been arranged. What made the trip even more exciting was that our friends Lito and Thelma had their return to Qatar postponed because of the war in the Middle East. So together with Mickey’s son Marcus and his pregnant wife Anj, Nitz, our beloved daughter, Kraiganne—who practically sponsored the trip, as usual—and I went to the airport, met Lito and Thelma and off we went  for Boracay.

Upon arrival, we were met by the hotel van, which took us to the dock for the island crossing. We avoided the long queues for terminal fees because the hotel had already arranged everything. We boarded the hotel’s speedboat, then another van that brought us finally to Astoria in Station One.

I have been to Boracay several times, so I need not go into specifics. Its activities are well known. Suffice it to say, we enjoyed our stay immensely. The buffet breakfasts were invigorating enough to start each day. The beach, the island hopping, and the beautiful sunsets were divine.

We held an early birthday celebration on the eve of our departure at the posh Two Seasons Hotel, with our friend Agnes Jickain helping with reservations—and even a complimentary four-cheese pizza to boot.

The following day, unbeknownst to Nitz, the children were in cahoots with our nephew Jan for a birthday treat at Hua Yuan in the Newport World Resorts complex. After lunch, Jan announced his gift for Tita Nitz: a two-day stay at the Sheraton Hotel.

What a week.

This summer, I was fortunate enough to experience both nature in its purest form—untouched by commercialism—and the opulence of traveling in style, at least for someone like me.