MANILA, Philippines -

Vicki Belo, doctor and beauty entrepreneur
I love Bohol because of the beautiful resort Eskaya. The casitas have an amazing view of the ocean and the sunset. The Bee Farm has delicious food that?s tasty and oh so healthy. I like going to Tagaytay in the cooler months of the year because it?s romantic and the fresh air is such a change from Manila. Plus, it?s just an hour away if I?m lucky.

Hong Kong means lots of shopping and excellent food. I stay at the Peninsula Hotel and I feel transported to a different era where everything was more elegant and classy. All these destinations refresh and re-energize me to better face my hectic life.

Happy David, accessories designer, entrepreneur
I like going for Japanese food on weekends?bento box lunches at Seryna (behind Mile Long) all for P280, American sushi at Omakase (My sister and I once braved through rush hour from Makati to Libis just to have Rising Sun and Dynamite Roll dipped in their signature mayo and soy sauce! Cheap and really good!) or, if our aunt is in a good mood, Sushi Tsumura in Salcedo Village for serious Japanese goodies.

For my endorphin fix and to keep off more weight from all the Japanese-food bingeing, I hit the tennis courts. I?m still a beginner but I enjoy the calming periodic beats of the well-hit ball, the energy and tension and the encouragement from my ever-patient Coach Roger. I also go to the dance studio where I could go on for hours without noticing the time pass. There?s jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, ballet, break-dancing and more to choose from.

I spend a lot of time in Cebu . When I?m there, I enjoy Sundays at Acqua (for Italian food), Shangri-La Mactan with my family or any day trip to the beach (Mactan or Moalboal). I love how easy it is just to getaway and get close to the sea and sand in about 20 minutes flat without much planning. Wi-Fi is also available on the beach in Shangri-la Mactan, but I don?t recommend getting caught up in work or Facebook with the beach right in front of you!

Sau del Rosario, chef and part-owner, Madison Grill-TriNoma
My weekend getaway is my hometown in Angeles, Pampanga. I usually meet up with my old friends. We?d go this Mexican restaurant, Zapata, owned by an American retiree from Clark. It serves authentic Mexican dishes. From the outside, the place looks deserted, but when you go in it?s packed with people, half of them expats.

We also go to Aling Lucing for her famed sisig. Unfortunately, she already passed away. Eating at Aling Lucing brings back memories of our youth. We would drink beer and eat sisig the whole night through.

For food trips, I love going to Davao for its beautiful harvest and clean environment. I?ve been to one of its farms, I forgot the name, where they make good wines and cheeses.

I also visit Gil Carandang?s organic farm in Tagaytay to buy some fresh herbs and veggies.

I go to Singapore and Malaysia for shopping. I hardly shop in Manila. I don?t like to see people wearing the same things. But, I love stores that are on sale. I shop four times a year in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I go to outlets to buy my Armani.

Miguel de Alba, chef and general manager, Alba?s restaurants
Weekend getaway would be Laiya in San Juan, Batangas. They have fantastic resorts like Blue Corals and Virgin Beach Resort, with clean and well-maintained facilities so you get to enjoy your weekend stay. Water sports are also available.

We also go to Subic for some ocean adventure with the kids, and Tagaytay City for a more relaxing weekend.

Food trip: Leslie?s bulalo in Tagaytay; Sonia?s Garden and Antonio?s also in Tagaytay.

For everyday errands, we troop to SM Megamall because it has complete goods. For leisure shopping, it?s a toss between Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Powerplant Mall because they?re not crowded with shoppers.

Lydia Castillo
We?re not actually a family of weekend out-of-towners, but we love discovering new shopping and eating places, basically in areas we can drive to and be back after satiating our cravings.

Because we grew up with it and due to the fact that city life does not permit us to go there as often as we want to, one major destination is Biñan, Laguna where the

50-or-so year-old, no-equal Pospas (Arroz Caldo) is sold at Tony?s right beside the old theatre in the town square.

Then we?d move to the public market where buchi, kalamay at iba pa are available. Certainly, who has not heard of Nila?s Puto (rice cake), the yellowish rice cake always imitated but not quite equaled?

Sta. Rosa, the neighboring town, is where Rose and Grace Restaurant is, along the Highway. A quick drive will bring us there for the super Bulalo (no, our doctor in the family says, the litid is not bad cholesterol). The broth is so flavorful and the meat very tender. You can also order the genuine tawilis.

Driving farther on to Batangas, there?s Casa Rap?yes, one can say Kaysarap?in San Jose, also along the highway. Here Sister Emma combines culture, cuisine, gardening and piggery in one morning talk, either during midweek or on weekends. One dines amid the lush greenery of edible herbs, salad greens and decorative plants, all of which are for sale. Lunch after a session of one of the training programs is served bento-style, consisting of three courses with salad and dessert. The conservative portions would not allow one to overeat.

In Lipa, Kainan offers, at all times, the rare fish from the waters of Talisay?Sinigang na Aton, a most desired fish because of its milky taste and consistency.

In Taal, at the Public Market, the Tapa, which we thought was beef (no, it is pork), is sold together with longganiza. They are must-buys, very good for breakfast and baon.

In all these towns are the carinderias in their respective public markets, where one can get foodstuff from suman to bibingka. Just go around and be a foodie!