My friends and I used the last long weekend to our advantage. We literally had a cross-country adventure, travelling from Manila to Pagudpod (it's on the northern part of Luzon) and back in a span of three days. The trip was truly enjoyable except for the 12-hour travel time.

It's fun to play tourist in your country and it made me realize that our very own land can offer as much, if not more, than any other country can. Yes, we don't have the Disney World nor the Pyramids, but if you look closer, the Philippines has its own profound identity to be explored. The trip made me realize that from time to time, it's quite refreshing to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. No pretensions and just pure appreciation of what's there, of who we are, and of what we have.