MANILA, Philippines - Summer is the time of the year when I catch up on my reading. Okay, I?m talking about Preview and OK here, not ?War and Peace.? After all, it is summer and I want to keep things light.

Preview keeps me in tune with fashion trends and the hippest looks. OK, on the other hand, is the bible on Hollywood fashion and gossip. Editor Frances Amper-Sales is doing a great job in covering the glamorous worlds of both the silver screen and the tube. Lately I?ve also gotten into Rogue, which combines racy photographs and punchy stories of lifestyles on the edge into a truly world-class magazine.

And then there is Travelife Magazine, the newest source for dream vacations and exotic destinations: Its editor is Liza Ilarde-Cuenca. The current issue features my traveling suggestions. Being a chronic over-weight traveler, I have spent many hours in front of the airline counter begging for more luggage allowance.

My favorite lifestyle and society magazine is the Philippine Tatler, with its classy spreads and well-written articles. Its sharp editor, Anton San Diego, has truly perfected his craft, creating a better issue every month full of his great ideas and attention to detail.

One problem is that its May issue is so thick and heavy, I had to leave my copy in El Nido Resort, where I spent a weekend thanks to the exclusive Smart Infinity Vacation Packages. I am sure the next guest or the resort staff will enjoy the magazine since there is also a feature on El Nido in the Great Escapes section.

Summer being laid-back, the social whirl is less chaotic and my wardrobe correspondingly more relaxed. Boa feathers and long gowns give way to Crocs and bandanas.

Smart Infinity treat

Smart Infinity truly understands the meaning of customer privileges by pampering them to submission. By subscribing to Infinity Plan 8000 or Plan 5000, one can avail of a three-day, two-night vacation at El Nido Resorts in either Miniloc Island or Lagen Island. The vacation for two includes airfare, meals and a cruise, and Smart thoughtfully throws in a Nokia 2630 into the deal.

Exclusive perks and privileges like these are complemented with the personalized services that Smart Infinity is known for. A dedicated Infinity management officer is available 24/7; unparalleled customer assistance accessed by simply dialing *800 on the Infinity handset.

The quickest way to El Nido is onboard Island Transvoyager?s 19-seat Dornier aircraft, flying from the resort?s private hangar that is shared by another luxurious destination, Amanpulo Resort.

I chose Lagen over Miniloc because it is designed to be more for couples looking for that quiet romantic retreat. Miniloc is family-oriented; it?s alive with marine life action and activities. Of course, both resorts are a short boat ride from each other, and the truly undecided can split their time flitting between them.

Upon landing in Palawan, we were welcomed by our Smart Infinity hosts, led by ?head honcha? Julie Carceller, and by El Nido marketing and PR manager Apple Lina. It is immediately evident that the resort is heavy into environmental issues and conservation of natural resources. El Nido was even included in New York-based Conde Nast Traveler?s Annual Green List of ?Our 15 Favorite Green Hotels.?

Thanks to weird, globally warming weather patterns, it was raining as we were transported to Lagen Island. The exceptional resort service was ready with rain jackets and towels onboard, and their smiles kept the day bright.

Scuba diving

After my husband Dennis and I found our Water Cottage Suite, we went straight to the Sports Activity Center to arrange for scuba diving. We made a few dives over the weekend but missed at least 17 other great dive sites that we will have to return to one day. Our dive instructor, Gat Velasco, was keen to point out the highlights of the dive sites, including many schools of fish, humongous jellyfish and an errant sea snake.

In between dives, we were able to squeeze in a relaxing massage in Lagen?s Massage Hut, overlooking the spectacular ocean view. Smart Infinity kept us busy throughout the weekend, but the resort also has its own entertainment. Their cultural show made me feel like a tourist in my own country.

The highlight of the weekend experience was the sunset cruise around the pristine islets of El Nido Bay aboard the country?s largest Trimaran yacht?the Infinity M/S Vianelle. It?s ?simply amazing? to breeze past limestone-cliff islands with white sand beaches while sipping champagne and nibbling hors d?oeuvres.

In the middle of the cruise, the El Nido resort team invited us to release newly hatched, day-old baby sea turtles. I christened one of them as the Sea Princess Turtle and wished it well, knowing the species? low survival rate.

There are so many additional options one can do in El Nido?a private, candle-lit dinner on a sandbar, island hopping, kayaking through lagoons?that one subscriber even proposed marriage during an Infinity weekend. Why not? In El Nido, it?s easy to be in love. For inquiries, call Infinity Hotlines 5112014, 5112220 or text 0920-9703510, and see www.smart.com.ph for complete details.

Dinner-concert

Smart Infinity has indeed perfected the art of customer satisfaction. Another well-loved perk is the free dinners and concerts they have. The recently held First Infinity Awards Night was a delightful dinner-concert at the Makati Shangri-La. Smart Infinity essentially rewarded its high-usage subscribers for their continuing patronage of the premium brand.

Bong Mojica, head of the Wireless Consumer Division, toasted the top, elite group of its 32 million subscribers. It?s amazing how our country is the leader when it comes to wireless communications!

The highlight of the night was a full-blown Lea Salonga and Martin Nievera concert, dazzling the audience with 21 songs over two hours. Watching the world-renowned pair, PLDT chair Manny Pangilinan gave Julie and the rest of her team two thumbs-up for an evening well done. Thanks to Smart Infinity, its been a wonderful summer!

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph