SITTING ON A BOBBING BANCA

My son (who's now taller than me), sits on a bobbing banca on our visit to Cebu a couple of years ago. We took a boat ride to some neighboring islands and all I could do was to only admire the fascinating corals at the bottom of the sea as the outrigger skimmed the waves. See, I can't swim! Should I develop an itch, though, for underwater photography, I have to learn. Hope that's not an itch that I have to scratch.

Location: Cebu, Philippines

CAGSAWA RUINS

This belfry is all what remains of a church during that fateful 1814 eruption when Mayon rained down death and destruction upon Bicolandia's fertile plain. 1,200 people perished.

Location: Albay, Philippines

CHOCOLATE HILLS

These protruding mounds remind me of ladies sunbathing in Cote d'Azur by the French Riviera! But these are limestone hillocks in Bohol Island. They're dubbed "Chocolate Hills" because, I think, during the dry summer - when the grass turns brown - they look like bonbons unwrapped.

Location: Bohol, Philippines