The debate is on: will you chase the sun as an ‘Outdoor Explorer’ or embrace indoor comfort as a ‘Stay-in Squad’? No matter your preference, here are ways you can create new core memories and make the most of the season.

For the Outdoor Explorers

Discover heritage sites near you: There is magic in reliving Old Manila through the walled city of Intramuros and the grand San Agustin Church, one of the four baroque churches built during the Spanish colonial era. Outside the capital, explore the stunning San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the majestic Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, and the intricate Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Iloilo — all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Beyond the Instagram appeal, these remnants connect us to our history. Search online for more heritage gems in your area, drawing inspiration from travel vlogs and documentaries.

Be a ‘joiner’ in online travel groups: Finding it hard to rally your crew? Consider joining online travel groups on social media. Popular destinations for joiners include Luzon’s towering Mt. Pulag in Benguet or the sunny beaches of Zambales and Cebu. Check online reviews to ensure their itineraries suit your time and budget. And don’t forget to share your own adventures! Tip: Look for groups with clear safety guidelines and positive community feedback.

Go on a local gastronomic adventure: Have you tasted Aling Lucing’s sisig in Pampanga or the crispy perfection of Cebu lechon? What about the sweet comfort of buko pies in Laguna or the world-renowned mangoes of Guimaras? Summer is the perfect time for a delicious gastronomic journey. Use Google Maps and Waze to navigate your way through local shops and restaurants, ticking off those must-try dishes.

Live out your playlist: Immerse yourself in your favorite artists' music by attending music festivals! It’s also the best venue to discover new and emerging sounds beyond your playlist – make sure to keep your smartphone ready to capture the energy of your crew and share your most memorable moments with the rest of the world.

Rule your adventure with Smart’s Power All: Make the most out of your adventures with Smart’s Power All offers. Enjoy generous data allocation so you may share your adventures online anytime, anywhere in real time while keeping connected with friends and loved ones no matter where your journey takes you. Smart Prepaid’s Power All 99 offers 10 GB of data for all sites and apps, plus your choice of Unli access to Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger or Unli access to TikTok that you can enjoy for 7 days. This is complemented by Unli All Net Calls and Texts, covering all your connectivity needs.

For the Stay-in Squad

Discover and learn a new passion: Spending time indoors offer a fantastic opportunity to dive into online courses and tutorials. Anime enthusiasts can learn to build intricate Gunplas or craft impressive cosplay costumes. Homebodies can explore the satisfying art of soap-making, pottery, or embroidery, or simply learn basic home repair skills.

Start an online business: The break can be your chance to turn that spark of an idea into a thriving online venture. Explore if your passion can become a lucrative endeavor by setting up an online shop or trying your hand at the dynamic world of live-selling. With the power of the internet, the possibilities are truly endless.

Stream your favorite content: Catch up on your favorite content, series, or movies and take full advantage of the summer to recharge. You may also stream the ongoing NBA Eastern and Western Conference finals live and know more via smrt.ph/fb.nbalp.

Boost your game: Improve your gaming skills, rank up, or try a new game online. Smart’s Power All is your ultimate companion for fast, reliable, lag-free, and seamless connectivity.

The Stay-in Squad may choose to use their mobile data at home for faster speeds, their own private connection, flexibility, and convenience without having to latch onto their home Wi-Fi to avoid the tendency of sharing bandwidth with other devices.

No matter which team you’re on, staying connected is key to sharing your memorable experiences. With Power All 99, enjoy Smart's strong nationwide mobile coverage and amazing promos.

Whether you’re soaking up the sun or staying cool indoors, make this break your most amazing yet powered by Smart.

This Mom is not much of an adventurist but thanks to my brother who represents me for this experience I can share this new getaway in the north. Alviera's Sandbox is one of the new thing in the vast land of Porac, Pampanga. Ayala Land Inc and in partnership with Leonio Land created a great place to make your summer a lot more interesting and wild. Sandbox redefines the meaning of outdoor fun and experience as they made this vast bare land into a new gateway to a great getaway. Some says that Alviera is more likely of the Nuvali in the north but whatever you call it, this will be the next attraction.

Sandbox brings some of the firsts in the outdoor industry as they pump up the adrenalin of the visitors with its exhilarating activities and facilities.

Some of their main attractions are the Giant Swing, so far it is the Philippines tallest swing at 10-meters high. The Giant Swing accommodates a couple's seat for those who wants to experience it with someone and the solo for the brave ones. Another great attraction and is the only first of its kind in the country, the Avatar One Roller Coaster Zipline, this ride takes one zipping down the line in a roller-coaster style 180- meters down.

Another set of high rising thrill is the Adventure Tower with its 15 meters high of wall climbing fun, rappelling and free fall, it makes this tower a nice deck to catch the best views in Alviera and according to my brother he did experience the free fall which he does not want to do it again.

 
The Aerial Walk is a challenging activity in the place as it entails strength, patience and the willingness to finish the activity. It's an obstacle course in the air. Even kids can enjoy this one. One more activity that my brother enjoyed very much was the ATV ride. He hasn't rode anything like this but he was able to get a hang of it. Of course we should always think of safety.

Aside from these activities there are also other things to enjoy inside Sandbox like the Pump track area where bikers can enjoy this 5,000 square meters as their training ground for some action or just a simple play area, enjoy frisbee, RC plane and car activities plus the kite-flying and kite-making workshops or just simply enjoy the sun and the place at the picnic area.

According to John Estaco, Alviera's General Manager, "The experience at Sandbox gives one a taste of what's to come upon the full development of Alviera. We envision Alviera to be the regional growth center of Central Luzon complete with a commercial district, business and industrial park, university zones, retail centers, a country club, recreational areas and residential neighborhoods."

Alviera is composed of a1,125-hectare property which is located along and is accessible from Porac exit of the SCTEX (Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway). It is also close to Clark Airport and Subic Freeport.

The Sandbox is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more information about the place visit www.alviera.ph or their facebook page www.facebookpage.com/AlvieraPH