In the Philippines, the dry season (a.k.a. summer) usually spans three months – from March to May – giving us plenty of time to enjoy the hot and sunny days doing the things we’ve been yearning to do, such as traveling to our hometowns and other dream local destinations.

And just in case you haven’t made up your mind yet on how you are going to spend your well-deserved and much-awaited vacations, this special feature might help you as we list down five of the Kapamilya series that were shot in some of the most picturesque places here in the country that you may or may not have heard of or visited yet. Keep on reading to gain ideas on how to enjoy these places just like our favorite teleserye characters!

Relish the spectacular grandeur of Atok, Benguet ala Bingo and Caroline in “Can’t Buy Me Love”

Over the past six months of watching “Can’t Buy Me Love,” we have been accustomed to seeing Bingo (Donny Pangilinan) and Caroline (Belle Mariano) spend a lot of time in the bustling yet charming streets of Binondo. Thus, it was indeed a totally refreshing experience to witness them marvel at the beauty of the fictional town of La Sinfonia, situated in Atok, Benguet.

Although they came there for work and for a new lead to the mysterious death of her mother, Divine (Shaina Magdayao), the duo still made sure to cherish their sojourn there by appreciating the splendid blooms of the flowers and the breathtaking landscapes from the top of the mountain despite the freezing cold. A perfect escape indeed from all the stresses and a good way to get recharged before they went back to the troubles in the city.

Fall in love with the seascapes and vibe of Balesin Island like Mokang and Albert in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

What better way to celebrate your honeymoon than spending it in paradise, right? And that’s what newlyweds Mokang (LoviPoe) and Albert, a.k.a. Ramon (Christopher de Leon) of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” did after their grand yet intimate wedding that haplessly ended in chaos.

Thus, in order to erase that traumatic experience from the mind of his wife, Albert decided to take her to a luxury resort in the idyllic private island of Balesin, which is part of the municipality of Polilio in Quezon Province. They went on a stroll and went horseback riding along its stretch of white sand beach, as well as enjoyed its various amenities that included outdoor massage service with the sea as the backdrop. Of course, their trip wouldn’t be complete without swimming in the cool and clear waters, wherein the couple exhibited their burning love for each other.

Enjoy festivals and the simple country life like the “A Family Affair” characters

While some of us opt to travel to other local destinations, others choose to spend a few days in their or their parents’ hometowns to visit their loved ones whom they haven’t seen for quite some time. And that sojourn entails experiencing the simple rural life, such as taking part in festivals, eating various native delicacies, and going to scenic places there that are either popular or unknown yet to tourists.

Just like what we’d seen in the first few episodes of “A Family Affair,” which was fully shot in the wonderful province of Masbate. We were given a glimpse of the thrilling Rodeo Masbateño Festival that celebrates its rich culture and continuously thriving cattle industry every second week of April, as well as of the admirable bayanihan tradition ofpreparing food that can be usually observed everytime there are celebrations. Plus, the ravishing Ivana Alawi and her four dashing leading men Sam Milby, Gerald Anderson, Jake Ejercito, and Jameson Blake also brought us to some of its fascinating attractions, including the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar.

Go on a picnic date by the falls with your loved one ala Oscar and Aurora in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano”

In the seven years that it was on-air, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” certainly didn’t only bring us to the edge of our seats because of the action-packed scenes, but also to different beautiful places across Luzon. And among those was the Ilocos Region where the entire Season 7 was shot. Apart from taking us to the rustic and historic Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Las Casas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, they also took us to the breathtaking Pinsal Falls located in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur.

Just in case you’d missed it or had already forgotten about it, but it was where Aurora (Sharon Cuneta) and Oscar (Rowell Santiago) used to date in their younger years – before fate took them away from each other. We might not see them dip into its cool and clear waters, but we’d witnessed how they were absolutely in awe of its splendor while having their sweet and intimate picnics there. After all, being in the presence of our loved ones is the most awesome retreat we’re going to have, right?

Plunge into a fantastic adventure under the sea as if you’re Dyesebel

And if ever you’re the adventurous type, you may want to channel the mermaid (or merman) in you and dive into a fantastic adventure under the sea as if you’re Dyesebel. In the 2014 TV adaptation of the popular Pinoy tale, the titular character impeccably portrayed by Anne Curtis, we were able to get a glimpse of the enchanting marine sanctuary of Coron, Palawan where the series was filmed. Be brave and allow yourself to mingle with schools of fish and other sea creatures, as well as be mesmerized by the beauty of the deep seas.

So, which among these activities are you likely to do on your next escapade, Kapamilya?