MANILA, PHILIPPINES — With all the troubles that we have gone through last year, it’s understandable why stress and loneliness have become universal problems as of late. As helpful as books and meditation can be, nothing could ever compare to the wonderful benefits of getting out of one’s shell through traveling and worldly exploration. Going on trips to new lands and connecting with its locals have always been a great remedy to stress and loneliness, and our very own country is ever present in travelers’ bucket lists. The Philippines is known to be home to the friendliest and warmest people and some of the world’s top beaches and delicious food. Foreigners and even locals from other islands alike often find that once they give our hidden gems a visit, experience the hospitality of the friendly natives, and witness firsthand the genuine warmth of our people, they keep coming back for more. Warm smiles, friendly locals Islands like Cebu, Palawan, and Bohol are popular among foreign and local travelers, so adobo Magazine has asked members of the team and friends to share their experiences in these places to inspire a travel bug among other adventurers. In their traverses to these splendid locations, they had memorable encounters with the kind folks of the area that truly made their experience of the areas more unique. In Cebu, they were delighted to be directed by the local tour guides and even B&B staff on the best places to go to next; Boat crew members and guides doubled as chefs in an immersive experience in Palawan; And a local surf instructor in Siargao has grown to become a good friend beyond the island’s beautiful ocean waves. Meanwhile, many international tourists crowd the awe-inspiring spots of Bohol, mingling with other travelers and natives alike. These experiences just goes to show that while there are plenty of sights to see and food to savor, you can heighten your experience of a place by socializing with the locals and taking part in their culture. Cebu Chaela Ruth Mirano, freelance writer: “After my brother finished his law bar exams in Cebu, we took a long bus ride down to Moalboal, and soon found ourselves at a lively hostel buzzing with travelers from Austria, the States, Italy, and beyond. On a joiner canyoneering adventure, we bonded over wild jumps and waterfall slides. Even though we all stayed in different places, the fun kept us together — our days filled with sardine runs and exploring, our nights with drinks, stories, and endless laughter at different local spots.” Palawan Sam Macaisa, Art Director: “Ang favorite ko sa Palawan ay Coron. Lahat ng island tours, lagoons, at snorkeling or free diving spots, ay jaw-dropping sa ganda, tipong nakaka-iyak sa ganda. Lahat pati ng tours nila sulit kasi ang daming napupuntahan, may masasarap pang food na niluluto ng boat crew at tour guides.” (My favorite place in Palawan is Coron. All the island tours, lagoons and snorkeling or free diving spots are jaw-dropping in their beauty, it almost feels emotional to witness them. Everything, including the tours, is worth every penny because there’s so much to discover, and the food that the boat crew and tour guides prepare are also so delicious.) Bohol Ninya Venus, freelance writer: “First time ko makakita ng starfish sa Panglao. Hindi ako travel girlie, let alone beach person, but being in the island gave me a sense of peace that made me understand how my friends can spend weeks of their lives by the seaside. There were plenty of Korean tourists but not in an overcrowded way, relatively quieter than the other destinations with the same popularity.” (It’s my first time seeing a starfish at Panglao. I’m not much of a traveler, let alone a beach person, but being on the island gave me a sense of peace that made me understand how my friends can spend weeks of their lives by the seaside. There were plenty of Korean tourists but not in an overcrowded way, relatively quieter than the other destinations with the same popularity.) Fly to Happy! Fly to the Philippines! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gtRgC05V5E&ab_channel=CebuPacificAir Inviting local and foreign tourists to come explore the wonders of our country, Cebu Pacific has introduced its newest campaign “Fly to Happy! Fly to the Philippines!” With low fares for flights to and within the Philippines, the airline is making Filipino-style happiness and relaxation more accessible to wanderers. The affordable flights are ideal for busy people looking to have a quick break for a boost in energy and a change of scenery without breaking the bank. To further support and spread awareness of the campaign, Cebu Pacific has launched “Fly to Happy! Fly to the Philippines!” across its international network, with special executions in Japan and Dubai. This strategic move introduced the beauty of the Philippines to the global stage, enticing them to discover and explore our paradise in 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI9bmjwibxw Cebu Pacific activation in Shibuya Magnet, right next to the Shibuya Crossing, last November 2024. The airline enabled live interactions between Japanese in Shibuya and tour guides in Manila and Cebu, to showcase happy Philippines and friendly locals through a Happy English School. “The Philippines is uniquely positioned as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Within just a four-hour flight radius of the country, we can reach over two billion people, making it one of the most accessible tropical destinations for North and East Asian countries,” expressed Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer in a recent “Fly to Happy! Fly to the Philippines! campaign event in Dubai. In a historic first for a Philippine company, Cebu Pacific took over Dubai’s Burj Khalifa with a “Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines” projection show, celebrating the most iconic reasons to visit the Philippines in 2025. Projected onto the world’s tallest building, the show captured the warmth and smiles of Filipinos, alongside the natural beauty of the Philippines, including the world-famous beaches of Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu, and breathtaking sites like Mayon Volcano in Legazpi, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, and Mt. Apo in Davao. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VefIVKtY38Y “We’re proud to share a piece of home on such a grand stage,” said Lao. “This is a celebration of Philippine pride and an invitation for travelers to connect with the unique beauty, culture, and warmth that our country offers." In the fourth quarter of this year, CEB has launched a total of 15 new domestic and nine international routes stemming from the airline’s newly established Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, and Davao hubs. He stated, “Through the expansion of these hubs, we bring more convenient travel options to regions across the country, ultimately supporting tourism and business development in these communities.” Book your flight to Philippine paradise Traveling and immersing yourself in another country’s culture are two of the best ways to relax and absolve yourself of loneliness — marveling at the sights, appreciating their cuisine, connecting with the locals, and realizing each nation’s differences and similarities can surely take your mind off stress and make you feel happier. Cebu Pacific is the perfect ally for foreigners to visit the Philippines as part of their travel bucket list and a quick getaway from the everyday hubbub, where they can experience firsthand the friendliness and warmth of Filipinos, explore our rich culture and cuisine, and take in our sights. For more information or to book a flight with Cebu Pacific, visit cebupacificair.com
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