I was going over the drives _hard drives, external, and even flash drives, checking for not-so-important files to delete. Then I found photos of us taken a year ago at Cavinti, Laguna.

Porta Verde is a lovely resort beside the lake. The man-made lake is huge that offers many exciting activities like kayaking, jet skiing and fishing. But I didn’t do any of those. I’ve learned from a caretaker that the water level’s 50 feet. I’m not really that adventurous after all. I’m contented with the pool and the jacuzzi. And the luxury of the comfy cabañas, and the sundeck overlooking the handsome lake.

We got the Marang Cabana. An air-conditioned sleeps-two cottage with a queen size bed and a bathroom. Also a lanai were we could eat lunch, and has the view of the lake.The interior design are reflections of Filipino ingenuity, so they say. The massive bed has a canopy post of bamboos.

The resort is in Barangay Lumot, and only two and a half hours drive from Makati. It is in South of Caliraya Lake, and both Lumot and Caliraya are man-made lakes.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Laguna. Calamba was Dr. Jose Rizal’s birth place (Philippines’ National Hero), the famous Pagsanjan Falls, Taytay Falls, Majayjay, and the hot spring resorts in Los Baños on the slopes of Mt. Makiling. And if you happen to go there, stop by Paete. The wood carvings and papier mache of Paete are sought by many. And the delicious Buko Pie is a must buy, must eat, must taste. You won’t miss the stores. You’ll be surprised to see many people in line for a purchase.

Talk about crisp air, cold breeze, green hills and hillocks, sounds so Baguio.

It’s the farthest I’ve been in the Northern part of the Philippines.

Baguio City is famous among local and international tourist for it’s beautiful sceneries, foggy pine forest, and enchanting big old houses. Flowers are abundant, and decades-old trees standing still in the test of time.

Driving through the city, i was fascinated more with the big old mansions and bungalows. The city was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. This explains why Baguio had these houses built century ago. And what could be more interesting are the stories behind these old domains. Scary might it be but these houses awed me, though you can’t push me to knock at their doors.

Baguio markets have a lot to offer. There is a splendid supply and display of goods and products locally produced. Flashy woven fabrics, fetching beads and fashion accessories to impressive wood carvings, flowers, and fresh vegetables and fruits.

Baguio shirts are great gifts to take home from the trip. Also there are pretty trinkets and key chains for give-aways.Even brooms and broomsticks that cost more than a hundred pesos in Shopwise, you could get it half of the price or even less. Ube jam and pickled fruits and vegetables at the Good Shepherd’s are yummy. They also have pastries.

When we were shopping for souvenir shirts and other stuff at Mines View i was amused with the old women tending my purchases. I told her secretly to just whisper how much my shopping cost so my husband wouldn’t be bothered with the budgeting issue. She spoke to the cashier in their dialect to what, maybe, I had advised her. The only word I was able to catch is ‘asawa’. But anyhow, they were helpful.

Silver jewelries are good buys at Ibay’s Silver Shops. Beautiful pieces of earrings, necklaces, rings, and charm bracelets. And one more thing, after six months (I think, I forgot) you could bring back your purchases and exchange them for something else.

It was storming the last time we went up to Baguio. So we didn’t really get the chance to wander every where. We had hot chocolate at Camp John Hay, passed by Burnham Park, the Botannical Garden and the PMA (Philippine Military Academy) grounds. The big SM-Baguio was also our refuge amidst the bad weather whenever we are too far from where we were staying.

And speaking of refuge, shelter, or a place to stay and dine, Baguio City have hotels to accommodate tourists. They have first class hotels and restaurants along Session Road, Magsaysay Avenue and Abanao Streets. These areas in downtown Baguio lies the business and commercial structures where department stores and shopping centers could be found.

The city, i guess, is one of the busiest in the Philippines. It’s crowded and traffic could be heavy. And warn you, there’s a color coding in Baguio. We got stopped by a traffic enforcer and read us the city ordinance. We talked it out and resolved the issue anyways.

Pine trees and Strawberries comes into my mind when i hear the name Baguio.

** The name of the city is derived from the word “Bagiw” in Ibaloi, the indigeniuos language of the Benguet Region, meaning “Moss”. Baguio is at altitude od approximately 1500m (5100 ft) in the moist tropical pine forest most conducive to the growth of mossy plants and orchids.

SINCE I MOVED to Makati almost half a decade ago, I could count with my fingers the times I came home to visit.

When the plane lands Davao City’s International Airport, the flight attendant would then announce that Davao is a No-Smoking city. Leaving the plane, passing the tube to the terminal , I would see familiar faces smiling, not only because i worked in the airport years ago, but Davao is also a place of friendly people. Outside the terminal, you’ll see the big stone art of a Durian fruit and Bagobos inside it. As if i could smell the fruit, i would smell home.

Davao City as I always thought, is a great place to live. The city is not crowded. The traffic’s moderate. The air is good. Of course, with the no smoking city ordinance you won’t get a headache from smokers, because you won’t see one on the sidewalks.

The city is a combination of a developed urban and a peaceful get-away. It may not be as progressive like the business districts of Makati. But it has it’s own pace in keeping up with the rest of the world.

Beaches, hilltops, flowers, and other sceneries are the best . Second to food. And the lovely people of the city.

People have the misconception of Davao since it is located in the island of Mindanao. But Davao is not, and never was, a battle zone. Like what most people thought it is. Majority of the population are Christians. It is peaceful, except maybe for a very few inevitable incidents. But Davao is a community that all Christian and Muslims alike are treated equal.

And Davao City will always be home for me, and to the people who leaves, but still comes back.