Dontcha just love the low travel season?

THIS is the time of the year when travelers can take advantage of low airfares and hotel/resorts promotions all over the country. It's great if you have tons of cash to spend on vacations abroad, but if not, this is the best time of the year to go around the country.

(Cebu's Hilutungan Channel from the beach of Microtel Mactan.)
Because of my profession as a journalist, and when I was working for the government in the 1980s, I have been fortunate enough to travel around the Philippines. By God, if you haven't seen the Philippine countryside just yet, you are missing out on a lifetime experience! A beautiful sunset seen from the white beach of Boracay, the massive limestone cliffs in Palawan, the clear blue waters of Cebu, the comforting Christmasy smell of the pine trees in Baguio, looking eye-to-eye with ostriches in Davao, and driving through the lush rolling hills of Batanes --- these are just some of the awe-inspiring sites to behold and experience when traveling through the Philippines. None of these can compare to just another shopping trip abroad. Besides, you can bring the entire family to enjoy the experience.

So in the words of Susan Calo-Medina, "Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan! (Don't be a stranger in your own land.)"

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Here are just some of the great travel promos currently being offered:

From PAL: "Seat-All-You-Can" – now benefits even passengers of PAL Express, with fares as low as P688. The latest round of low-fare tickets on 26 domestic destinations is on sale from July 22 to 27, for travel between August 16 and December 15, 2009.

PAL's all-jet, full-service domestic flights are priced as low as P888 on one-way economy tickets from Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban or Tagbilaran. One-way economy tickets to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz and Zamboanga are only P1,888. (For more inquiries, go to PAL's web site or call tel. no. 855-8888, in Cebu (032) 340-0191, and in Davao (082) 222-0366.

Discovery Shores in Boracay is offering The Great Luxurious Getaway Package w/c allows guests to enjoy a glorious three-day, two-night accommodation, a calming Mandala Spa Qi Massage, a daily sumptuous breakfast, plus one Chef’s Dinner at Sands Restaurant as well!

Rates start at P16,888 net per person, based on triple occupancy in a Junior Suite. The package is inclusive of roundtrip airfare, boat and land transfers. The promo is valid until Oct. 31, 2009. For details, call (63 2) 720.8888 / 683.8227 / 683.8236 to 38.

SEAIR offers fares from Manila to Boracay for as low as P350 per way all-in and other low fares are available online for booking and travel up to October 15, 2009. It's the only airline that flies direct to Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay. It has just relaunched its Cebu-Caticlan service.

Seair passengers enjoy complimentary transfers from Caticlan airport to Boracay and vice versa, shortest queues and check-in procedures at the airport, fastest baggage claim, privileges for their boarding pass in partner establishments in Boracay and Manila, and ‘35 minutes’ fastest flights to Boracay. These low fares are available via the airline's web site.

Microtel Grand Resorts Mactan's "Leisure Within Reach" promo offers guest P2,900 net w/ breakfast or P2,500 net room only, until September 2009. Choose from fun activities like jet-skiing, banana boat ride and island-hopping capped off with a soothing massage in the privacy of your own room. What’s more, all rooms at the Microtel are equipped with a chiropractic-approved bed that would surely leave your backs happy.

For reservations and inquiries please contact 032-236-8888 or email mactan.rsvn@microtel.ph

(via press releases)

A great value hotel in Cebu

"One of the surprising discoveries I made on a recent trip is a little hotel out in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, owned by businessman Grand Benedicto and his family, and managed by Microtel Philippines Inns and Suites. Truth to tell, I always thought Microtel was a hotel brand that was just a notch above Day’s Inn and other budget-hotel chains. But as soon as I stepped into the hotel lobby, I let out a 'Wow!' This certainly did not look like any old budget hotel. Its interiors alone already took my breath away because it was smart, hip and quirky—the perfect match to my equally unconventional personality." (Click Microtel Mactan.)

This is where I disappeared to

I always thought Microtel was a hotel brand just a notch above Days Inn. But when I flew to Mactan, Cebu last weekend, boy was I surprised! The hotel was so chic and modern, with very interesting furniture pieces in pop colors and rattan, I almost felt I was in a boutique hotel.

Of course, there were some hotel services I missed like the concierge, the 24-hour room service, free wi-fi service, and more menu/restaurant choices. The guest services are sometimes spotty, which I attribute to the newness of the hotel. But for its price points, Microtel Mactan offers great value for money.

Check out these pics:

(My room. Love the soft pillows and orthopedic bed!)

(I wanted to take home this silver lamp from the nightstand.)

(Kids swim in the infinity pool.)

(The view of the hotel rooms from the beach area.)

(The white beach; but let's not kid ourselves, the beaches in Mactan pale in comparison to Boracay.)

(As you step out the elevator, this is what greets you.)

(The restaurant called RICE, with a Kenneth Cobonpue sitting area to the right. The Asian-inspired cuisine was delicious, although limited in choices.)

(Just some of the many kooky furniture scattered throughout the hotel.)

I'll surely be back!