Bohol has been touted as the next best beach location next to Boracay, with Alona Beach as a baby version of White Beach. Located in the Visayas region, a plane ride from Manila takes you to Tagbilaran City, where the main tourist attractions lie. A 30 min. drive takes you to Panglao island where most of the beach resorts are.
The sand is sugary white just like Bora, but with less bars and crazy Manila people who look like they're in Makati but in bikinis. Although we came during the habagat, or rainy season, its charm is still visible.
Of course, what would I do when placed on a beach, let alone clear blue water with beautiful visibility? Hello, I'll dive. The parentals, of course, did not realize my hidden agenda until I boarded the plane with my dive luggage in tow. I asked my friend, diving legend Gigi Santos, who is President GMA's dive instructor, for leads on who to trust in terms of diving; because the last thing I need is some seedy dive master who might try to sell me to the next fisherman.