SWEET ESCAPES

Journalist Karen Davila talks about the luxury of getting away, even for a short while

‘TRAVELING is the ultimate luxury. Makes you appreciate the world around us, nature as it is, different cultures... and time with your family!” Karen Davila says.

She should know. One of the most prominent and hardworking journalists in the country, Davila is always on the go. Her busy schedule has made her realize the importance of downtime, especially with her family, as well as learning how to savor every bit of vacation time.

Her days are packed. She wakes up at 6 a.m. to prepare for Headstart, her daily show that airs on ANC from 8 to 9 a.m.

Then she’s out covering topics for MY Puhunan or attending meetings. She has another daily show, this time on radio at 4:30 p.m. on DZMM. Then she’s back at the ABS-CBN news studio for Bandila, which airs at 11:30 p.m. “So hard for me to have a social life weekdays!” she jokes, then adds, “I don’t have the luxury of long trips, some people get to travel a whole month or two—I’ve never done that. I plan 10-day trips—that covers two weekends and a five-day work week off. I make sure I take my kids somewhere for summer and Christmas!”

Given that she has to be on air three times a day, out-of-town trips are a treat, and can take some time to plan. “I’m not OC, but on major trips, I book things ahead. I book plays, schedule what to do in a day, like museums and city trips. I book restaurants ahead, too!”

She travels, she says, to “experience and learn,” preferring to go to the beach for short trips because it’s “refreshing and relaxing,” though she’s always raring to explore a new country. She also believes in packing light. “I pack light! Ask my husband and my friends! I pack so light I forget things,” she says, laughing.

Packing light is but one of the things Davila swears by when traveling. She also advocates travel habits: “Book ahead. Read

about the place but also open yourself to fresh local experiences. Don’t travel using a “must-see” checklist that can make you the typical tourist victim... do that, but do more. Walk. Check out the local scene!”

One of her favorite places to escape to is Amanpulo in Palawan. She first set foot on the exclusive resort in 2001 during her honeymoon, and has returned as often as she can, ever since. “I love Amanpulo. The beach is paradise— powder-white sand, crystal clear waters. Very low density so the island remains pristine and healthy, frankly. The flora and fauna, and Aman are amazing,” she says. “It’s quiet. The beach is just flawless.”

Davila says that she and her family are fortunate to be able to enjoy trips to the resort at least two to three times a year. “(We’re) blessed to be invited by friends or I plan with my family and rent a beach casita using the local rate, which is wellpriced,” she says.

Her favorite activity in the resort is swimming with the resident pawikans. “They’ve gotten so huge! And there are a lot!” she exclaims.

Amanpulo is just one of her favorite travel destinations. She also loves going to different parts of Africa. “We’ve been to South Africa as a family (and to) Kenya as a journalist. There’s just so much to see and learn. I want to experience the migration and have coffee with elephants in Zimbabwe!”

She also loves Europe, which she describes as “a feast for the senses,” and New York City, because the city gives her such an adrenaline rush.

There are many places that Davila hopes to see, all within her two weekends and a five-day work week off, of course. She hopes to experience London with her family, for example. “I’ve been there as a journalist and that isn’t much fun!” she jokes. Also on her list are the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Antarctica, and Turkey.

Wherever she goes, whether it be for work or fun, she’s never without technology. “I always bring my iPhone because I love sharing my trip and experiences on social media, a good camera (which I barely use), and a power bank!”

Davila may be one of the hardest working journalists in the country, but this doesn’t mean that she doesn’t know how to relax—quite the opposite. The best part is that of her dearest places in the world is only a short plane ride away.

DJ Sta. Ana and Karen Davila with their sons David and Lucas at the pristine beach at Amanpulo. Davila first set foot on the exclusive resort in 2001 during her honeymoon, and has returned as often as she can, ever since. “I love Amanpulo. The beach is paradise—powder-white sand, crystal clear waters. Very low density so the island remains pristine and healthy, frankly. The flora and fauna, and Aman are amazing,” she says. “It’s quiet. The beach is just flawless.” Left: Accessible only by private plane, tropical Pamalican Island is around an hour from Manila, yet feels a world away from anywhere.

Clockwise from left: Situated on the western side of Pamalican Island directly on the sand, the Beach club is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The perfect spot for sunset cocktails, it specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and live seafood; Amanpulo’s casitas offer luxury accommodation with direct beach access via sandy footpaths, magnificent views of the turquoise sea from the hillside, or seclusion within the forest canopy; secluded locations for private picnics abound on the island; the amazing view from the terrace of the two-bedroom villa.

Just steps from the beach in secluded settings along Pamalican Island’s shores, Amanpulo’s villas offer consummate privacy. Designed for seamless indoor-to-outdoor living, each one is arranged around an expansive swimming pool with outdoor lounging and dining areas. All villas are staffed by a private chef and butler, and club cars (one per bedroom) invite independent exploration of the island.