Camiguin

MY ELDEST SISTER, the physician, has a lovely, peaceful, rustic home in Camiguin that would be the perfect escape from the punishing wind chill if only my first line supervisor would give me four continuous leave weeks this winter. Cathay Pacific flies two of the longest nonstop flights in the world, both from NYC's JFK and Newark to Hong Kong. Then to Cebu, where Cebu Pacific has a 30-minute flight to Mambajao. I have been to Camiguin several times when I was in college, and learned that the island's elemental character never fails to hit the soul. Hibok-hibok. Katibawasan. Mantigue. Ardent. And kinilaw na bariles with tabon-tabon. This little island born of fire beats Maui and Kauai big time. Congrats, Ate Nene!