Side Trip: Balicasag Island

Summer is about basking under the sun, hopping around islands and beaches, and swimming in warm sea waters all day. One of the places that will give you a great sea adventure is the Balicasag Island in Bohol.

According to many blogs, Balicasag Island is considered one of the best dive sites in the Philippines and contains one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. The island is in southern Bohol Sea, near the Island of Panglao. To reach the island, you have to travel by traditional Filipino boats or banca.

Side Trip: Peñafrancia Basilica

Naga City is known as the Pilgrim City and Queen City of Bicol. Being highly Catholic, the City takes pride in some of its grand churches. One of which is the Peñafrancia Minor Basilica, or simply, Peñafrancia Basilica which houses the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. 

The Peñafrancia Basilica is located in Balatas Road on the outskirts of Naga City. Construction of the building began as early as 1976, though it was already conceptualized in 1960 by late Archbishop Pedro Paulo y Songco. On May 22, 1982, it was dedicated as The Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia and it wasn't until May 22, 1985 that the church was given the title of "Basilica Minore" from Rome.