Things to Do in Pinas this Summer

One more week and then I'm off to Pinas for some peace and adventure. It's weird but it works for me,equating peace with adventure-- Sagada *spelunking + Ifugao*trekking = serenity. As it turns out, my five things to do are mostly pasyals, taking full advantage of our perfect summer weather. There's nothing more summery than countryside Pinas--with its beaches, mountains, rivers and bold and brilliant sun to escape to. Here's my five must-dos:

(1) To Davao for some bonding time with my father...and whitewater rafting for that at least once in a lifetime adrenaline rush.
(2) Visit my hometown Ilocos and bond with my pamangkins. And hopefully steal an afternoon or two at the beach in Pagudpud and Currimao.
(3) Batangas roadtrip with M. Snorkelling, boating in Taal Lake and a guided tour
from a friend.
(4) Attend an outreach activity of HandsOnManila. Give back a bit of what's been richly received.
(5) Bonding day in Pampanga with Shaw. Rum coke and one thousand stories included :)

Plus a wildcard: ***If schedule and budget permits, maybe Batanes! I read through some reviews of Batanes and it seems to me that it evokes the same feelings as, say, Sagada. You know, that sense of awe at rough, au naturel beauty. That feeling of rightness from the combination of setting, culture and atmosphere. Which is exactly what I look for in my travels--nature and a bit of adventure. An escape into the elements, and that possibility of finding peace.