SUMMER is really the perfect time to discover the beauty of our country. From north to south, we have an incredible range of options and thanks to QTV?s "House Life," which has been featuring vacation homes, I have had the chance to see so many summer options.

Baguio is the quintessential summer locale. The weather is pleasant and nothing beats pine-scented, fresh air. The tourists find the locals charming, whether in Mines View Park or in the market.

An outstanding new feature is the recently opened BenCab Museum (check out www.bencabmuseum.org) along Km 6, Asin Road. The multilevel modern structure houses a vast collection of Cordillera artifacts, works from several renowned painters, and the art of Ben Cabrera himself.

Not to miss is a special section called Erotica Gallery, where art is an expression of love as seen during our forefathers? time. Other parts of the gallery include a café and my favorite area, the gift shop where I bought books for Ben to autograph.

The adjacent farm and garden area have different huts ? Tuba, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Bontoc ? that are for rent. One can experience living like the traditional Igorots albeit with the comforts of modern-day amenities, like a shower with hot water!

The panoramic view from the Museum ranges from the mountains to the South China Sea. In his spacious studio, Ben?s creative juices flow abundantly. He has found a new home and Baguio is so lucky to have him.

Our stay in Baguio was extra special since we checked in Hotel Elizabeth (see www.hotelelizabeth.com.ph or call 074-6190367). The striking, Mediterranean-style, boutique hotel along Gibraltar Street is located near Wright Park, and each room has a breathtaking, pine tree-filled view. There are current group discount rates and starting June 1, up to 50 percent discounts on bookings with a minimum of two nights.

The hotel?s Santorini Ballroom, with its seascape murals, is perfect for special occasions and can entertain 300 guests. The place is also ideal for corporate functions as it has economical, four-bed group rooms. Baguio is such a pretty city and staying in Hotel Elizabeth just adds that romantic touch.

Subic bike fest

My summer travels also included Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales. Armed with my new bike from Bike Town Cyclery, my hot pink Speedo tri-suit and Nike running shoes, I joined the seventh Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival. The TLBF featured 5,000 cyclists from 15 countries, literally from all walks of life!

The TLBF is also the only cycling event of its kind in Asia, featuring events like a three-day, four-stage road race, Mountain Bike Cross Country, Downhill and the event I joined, an Olympic-distance Triathlon. Sponsored by the Department of Tourism and SBMA, the TLBF also hosted the third Philippine Trials Competition, which was won by cult figure and custom-frame builder Jeff Jones from the USA, who flew in the Philippines to join the festival. Also in attendance were World Champion Brian Lopes, who was the fastest man in the Downhill competition, and cycling legend Hans ?No Way? Rey, who likewise had a trials demo for the crowd. The foreign cyclists were all praises for the festival, perhaps due to the nightly parties liquefied by Jagermeister.

My running coach Ani de Leon joined all the bike races and paced me during the triathlon. I was like a kid on training wheels, as I have just started cycling. Good thing I have been carbo-loading my diet, especially by eating in my favorite Greek restaurant, Cyma.

The TLBF is run by the Emeterio Larrazabal Foundation, which also conducts medical and dental missions, and likewise provides scholarships for the less privileged in Ormoc City. Other sponsors included Caltex, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com and Bike Town Cyclery. Major sponsors included Gatorade, Rudy Project, Smart Communications, Aprelac and Business Mirror. Full race results are still viewable at www.tlbf.org.

Ballroom dancing

Cycling may be my latest passion, but I haven?t forgotten ballroom dancing. I always get excited when a new dance club opens in the city.

The Europa Dance Club recently opened at the La Fuerza Building, Pasong Tamo, Makati City. The impressive dance hall has perfect ballroom lights and music that one can dance to all night long.

At their grand launch event, guests enjoyed sumptuous cocktails and fine wines. Europa?s guest of honor was Bro. Mike Velarde, who took time from his busy schedule to attend the dance club opening. And well, he should have, as his daughter-in-law, architect Beng Velarde, owns Europa.

Like all modern women, Beng combines her job, as deputy GM of Duty Free Philippines, with her marriage and family, as the wife of Rep. Rene Velarde. She was overjoyed to see so many supporters and well-wishers at the Europa launch. Guests, in turn, were impressed with the special exhibition numbers from dance scholars and professionals. I watched the dances beside another dynamic businesswoman, wife and mother, Swatch Philippines CEO Virgie Ramos, whose birthday is tomorrow. Happy birthday, VSR!

Tabang Golf

My tri training has killed my golf. Both sports take up so much time, so if there are any golfer-cum-triathletes out there, I?d suspect they are jobless. Those golfers who do have jobs though, are all invited to the second Tabang Fundraising Golf Tournament on May 21 at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club.

Tabang is the special project of Fr. Gerard Deveza (call 0917-5382033) and his Healing Servants Foundation. Fr. Gerard told me that the Tabang Golf proceeds will fund students at the Divine Healer Learning Center at Cabid-an, Sorsogon City. The foundation (www.healingservants.com) has also started a school for the poor in Sorsogon, so more and more golfers are needed for the tournament.

If you?re like me, you probably play golf for the raffle. Well, Tabang Golf is for us then, as the grand prize will be a diamond ring from Miladay. Winning that ring would be the perfect summer highlight!

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