MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) new campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” has generated a lot of buzz in the social media worldwide.  And everywhere I go, everyone talks about the campaign and most often with a positive tone and optimistic view. “It’s very creative and interactive, I love it!” said bag and accessory designer Bea Valdes over dinner.

“David Guerrero is a genius and Secretary Mon Jimenez is a great marketing man,” said Thelma San Juan. We were together in Cebu to attend the festivities of the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City the other weekend.

It has been more than a decade since I last witnessed the Sinulog. This year an estimated seven million people attended the event. Devotees believe that when they dance on the street for the Sr. Sto. Nino, their earnest prayers will be answered. I think the Sinulog is one of our country’s best showcases of creativity and a moment of unity for everyone to celebrate our distinct Pinoy culture.

That night, downtown Cebu was turned into a venue for a major party. Everyone danced and drank on the streets to their hearts’ delight. Also, Globe Tattoo organized an all-out party at the Ayala Mall Terraces in Cebu where the crowd danced until midnight.  I later bumped into my friends Jack and Eddie at the Radisson Blu view deck. Jack and Eddie run one of the most exotic expeditions in Asia, the Tao Philippines Expeditions (www.taophilippines.com).  They invited me to spend Holy Week with them at their new Tao Buhay Expedition boat. Tao Philippines expeditions explore over 500 islands of Coron and El Nido at the Northern Palawan province.  The cruise takes five days and will pass by Sabang Underground River and sail out into Honda Bay.

Cloud 9 in Siargao

I am writing this column along the beach fronting the very peaceful seas of the northeast of Siargao Island in Mindanao. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the big city where I can only hear the sounds of the ocean and the chirping of the birds. I am in paradise. The last time I was here in Siargao was during an international surfing competition. That was eight years ago.

Yesterday, upon the prodding of my friend Olivier, I dared to brave through the raging waves of Cloud 9 in Siargao and try for the first time to surf.  For P500 an hour, an expert local surfer will teach you the basics of surfing. There was no fear in me as I paddled my way on the surfboard going to where the infamous waves meet the reefs of Cloud 9. But every time I tried to stand on the board, I’d fall.   But I always managed to gather my strength to go back on the waves and try it all over again. I was so proud of myself that I did something I thought I could never do.