1. Tagaytay has been self described as “Probably the most pleasant city in Asia.” It is located about 60 km / 37 miles south of Manila in the mountains of Cavite Province. Tagaytay is home to Taal Volcano, which is reputed to be the world’s smallest and yet most active volcano. The volcano is the reason that Tagaytay is one of my favorite destinations as I am interested in volcanos and I also like the horse ride up to the top of the volcano. Bring a picnic basket and either have lunch at the top or have it before you go.
2. Manila- Say what you may about the traffic, the pollution, and overcrowding but Manila is my city. With great scenery like the sunset at Baywalk and the people-watching at Luneta, Manila is just a wonderfull place to be.
3. Laguna Hot Springs is one of my favorite destinations due to I usually visit here on family outings  to picnic and swim. I especially like to swim in the warm pools at night. I get to play with my great nieces and nephews and act like a kid again.
4. Hundred Islands in Alaminos Pangasinan is my second home in the Philippines. this is where my wife’s province is and we usually visit during fiesta. If you like to dive or fish or lay on the beach this is the place to go. We plan on building a cottage in Aliminos when we finish with our house in Laguna.
5. I grew up around the hills and mountains of West Virginia so Baguio is as close to my home in the US as you can get in the Philippines. I like the cool temperatures and the friendly people there. The ride to Baguio is a little hairy but I don’t mind except during rainy season.

There are a few places I haven’t been to or haven’t been too in awhile so I will put them on a second list of places i want to visit soon. Those would be Boracay, Subic/Olongapo, Davao, and Mt Pinatubo. I lived in Olongapo for eight years in the 70’s and 80’s and I haven’t been back there in years. That is the first place I will visit in the next couple of months when I return to the Philippines.