Financial Blog

If you think about it, we Filipinos only enjoy two seasons: the summer and the rainy season with a plethora of holidays in between. Having only two seasons also means that we have a relatively longer summer, and no I’m not just talking about the weather. Summer is much more than that.

For students and families, summer is a lull between work and school. It’s a chance to catch up with friends and family–to relax. For companies, it’s a chance to woo travel buffs and bakasyonistas and to churn out easy-win marketing campaigns (Google: summer bod).

For us, it’s a yearly reminder. And no, I’m not talking about going to the gym. It’s a yearly reminder of regret–of wasted summers’ past, of golden months of freedom wasted on a couch.
We want you to have the best–most productive–summer possible. So we’ve listed down some of the most fun but budget-friendly summer activities that you can try with your friends or family.

The Philippines is famous for its beaches but the notion of beach summer has taken a backseat recently. Part of it is because of Boracay’s closure and other–more “chill”–summer destinations. But make no mistake, going to the beach is still one of the most practical summer activities.

Saltwater is always an answer. Add some tan lines when you visit nearby beaches located in Batangas and Quezon respectively, soak while watching the sun set or just go snorkeling. Burot Beach in Calatagan is well-known for its firm white sand and deep blue sea water,if you want to visit by public vehicle rides, bus and tricycle fare cost around P400 to P500. Accommodation is free (just bring your own tent) but if you’re planning to stay overnight, camping fee is P130. Neighboring hotels and rooms usually charge P2 ,000 per night, all in all the trip will cost you P1, 000 to P4, 000 — cheaper than Asia-Pacific trips which will cost roughly P20, 000 to P40, 000+.

Is a loosely used Western term that denotes a “checkout from reality” or to “drop the duties of daily life and go do something else, something nice.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves and we’re here to take that figure of speech literally.

For parents who ditched gym sessions because of work, your #summerbody may not be ready. Trust me, you’re not alone. For people who won’t want prolonged exposure to the sun, general body exposure, or going to crowded places but still want to experience nature, fishing is an excellent alternative.

There are plenty of fishing spots up North but there are also a lot here in Metro Manila that you might not know. La Mesa eco-park charges only 80 pesos per kilo for fish caught in their ponds (varies depending on the type of ones caught.) Additional fees include entrance: P50 for non-Quezon City residents and P40 for Q.C. locals plus fishing rod rental of P30. You can enjoy other activities like zip line, bungee jumping and biking.

Meanwhile, in Valenzuela, Aling Nene’s Pond offers grillers–you can cook your fresh catch right after. Tent prices are also not bad, certainly cheaper than hotels, at P400-P800 a night. This way, you will be truly immersed with nature.

When did you learn how to bike? How about swimming? That’s right, most of you have probably learned a valuable skill or two during summer. I mean, it’s human nature, right? Having plenty of spare time means that you have the mental and physical space to learn something new.

If you have a kid, a sibling or even a friend that’s a bit aloof, then try to enroll them to something! This can force them out of their shell to make them more productive.

Famous fast food chains and other well-known food brands in the Philippines are popular for their summer workshops. These include mini manager training and sports drills for Basketball, Volleyball among others.

We’re not just talking about sports workshops here either. Remember that language you always wanted to learn? Maybe that coding seminar you wanted to take to impress your boss? The point is, summer can be your chance to learn at your pace with no pressure.

Say it with me: eat, pray, love. Summer is a chance to stop and pause–to take in what’s happening in the world and maybe, just maybe, finally find your place in all of it. Okay, that’s a bit too dramatic.

Summer is a chance to give back. Tired of selling your soul to corporate slave-drivers? Try getting some of it back by helping volunteer efforts and NGOs. There are soup kitchen activities, outreaches, youth tutorials, and even pet care programs. Of course you can’t help others if you can’t help yourself. There’s no harm in being cliche’.

Go hiking, travel alone, visit your favorite summer getaway–whatever helps you unwind goes a long way in increasing your productivity for the rest of the year.

Here are some of the best yet cheap soul-searching spots near Manila and estimated cost of each: