WHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES WOULD IT BE MORE FUN TO SPEND LOCKDOWN?

Luc ky are they who got to spend the past lockdown months in places they hold dear in their hearts. Or new places where they could discover new thrills and skills.

My son Robby and his wife Maxene have been stranded the past five months in Bali, where they took two courses for yoga teachers. Bali is wonderful, a serene and inspiring place for yoga devotees and vegans. But if they had a choice, I am sure they would opt to be stranded in Boracay, where they got married two years ago. Or idyllic El Nido in Palawan, which they love, or — going closer to home — The Farm in San Benito, Lipa, where they enjoy therapeutic massages and healthy cuisine.

We asked three couples: Where in the Philippines would it be more fun to spend lockdown?

Here are their choices.

BENEDICT & CANDY SISON: Bohol, to see God’s wonders

Benedict Sison is a citizen of the world. Before he took over as CEO and country manager of Sun Life Philippines, he was posted for 15 years in five countries. This enabled him and his wife, Candy Jeturian-Sison, to see many places with a keen eye for culture and history.

But still, if he and Candy could choose a place where they would get to spend lockdown, Bohol in the Philippines would be the top choice.

“For the past 100 days, I have been locked down at our BGC condo unit. To help keep my sanity intact I have been starting my day by jogging in place within our small balcony (as the condo gym is currently padlocked). Initially, it was a struggle and I would log in only 3,000 steps a day. But there are days when I am able to register over 30,000 steps — that’s like walking a stretch of over 10 miles in one day,” says Benedict.

“Jogging in place or accomplishing my daily morning steps would surely be more fun in Bohol, especially along its white beaches while the sun rises beautifully. There is something about sun and water that calms one’s anxieties and makes everything seem okay. That scenery alone would do wonders in lifting one’s spirits and assuring us that the sun always rises and that a bright new day is coming.”

Benedict, who entered the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay for two years before studying in UP and the University of California, points out: “The Chocolate Hills and those big-eyed tarsiers, to me, are all a great reminder of the beauty and vastness of God’s creation.

“Just looking at them makes one realize that

God, Who created all these wonders, is in control of everything, even this pandemic. One other thing we’d love to do is go on that lunch cruise along Loboc River and really enjoy the outdoors, sunbathe along its white beaches, play in its waterfalls and explore its caves.”

Finally, the Sisons say that the Boholaño hospitality of doing everything with a smile will give one a big dose of sunshine and make one forget that we are in lockdown.