St. Ferdinand Cathedral has long been a part of Lucena City, and it is considered one of the most significant establishments in the area. Thanks to its convenient location downtown, many people flock here to attend Sunday masses. The Catholic church also hosts various religious-based events, such as weddings and christenings. One of the things I love about this property is that it is always so beautiful at night with all the lights — especially during the Christmas season!

After attending mass, you can easily visit several budget-friendly eateries and shops as the are just close by. Right in front of the church is Jollibee, as well.

SM City Lucena is one of the most popular destinations in the city, seeing as it has everything you may need — may it be dining options to cute clothing stores! If you want to fill up your stomach before exploring the rest of the mall, you can enjoy a fulfilling meal at Pepper Lunch or Pizza Hut. There are, of course, lots of different shops here to enjoy. If you want to revamp your wardrobe, you can head to the lovely ForMe, Penshoppe, and Alberto. My favorite thing to do here is to watch a movie in the cinema alone or with loved ones.

This hotel is only about a 16-minute drive from Mall of Asia Arena, which houses many concerts. There's nothing quite like watching your favorite artist on stage. Back in May 2018, I had the opportunity to see Harry Styles perform his solo debut album (plus a couple of One Direction hits). It was my first concert in a long time, and to see him sing my favorite songs with my friend is nothing short of amazing. Mall of Asia Arena is the perfect venue for these events, thanks to the convenience of location as well as the fact that it is air-conditioned for everyone's comfort. This arena certainly holds a lot of great memories for me.

Pacific Mall boasts all kinds of shops and restaurants, allowing everyone to roam around and not get bored. This place is perfect if you want to buy good quality clothes that are of budget-friendly price, you also have lots of clothing brands to choose from. A well-loved restaurant here is Buddy's, which is Quezon Province's most notable achievements. This restaurant is known for its delicious sizzling sisig, pizza, and, of course, the famous halo-halo.  There are also times when the mall hosts art exhibits and workshops.

When you are visiting here during the right season, you can head to the parking lot of the mall and see it converted into a small yet fun amusement park!

Perez Park is situated in the downtown area of Lucena City and is often visited by those who just want to enjoy a leisurely stroll alone or with loved ones. One of the things I like about this park is that it is close to many establishments worth checking out, such as the famed Quezon Convention Center and the Post Office. The gorgeous Perez Park is also the location of the annual Niyogyugan Festival, which is celebrated to honor coconut farmers. During the festival, you can see creative floats, live performances, and locally made products.

While you are here, you can just place a mat on the grassy field and enjoy the laughter of the people and the beauty of the night sky.

Silangang Nayon Park and Restaurant is the best place to be if you want to have the perfect stay experience. The food here is incredible and fresh, and you can enjoy it all while taking in the gorgeous view of the bay. You can even head to a small beach area. But apart from its delectable menu, this property is also an attraction in itself. There is also a lovely swimming pool here, where you can relax and just be away from the hustle and bustle. If you have kids, they will surely enjoy spending time in the playground — complete with a figure of E.T.! I always love it whenever we go here as it is far from the city center, so you are just embraced by nature and the waters.

There are a lot of great things to say about Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila. I stayed here for a few nights and found its location to be very convenient, as it is just around a 10- to 15-minute walk away from the expansive SM Mall of Asia. The rooms boast a classic and relaxed atmosphere, and the bedding is incredibly soft. Another great feature of the rooms is the floor-to-ceiling window on one side — which beautifully overlooks the city skyline. If you need to cool off, the hotel also offers a sweet rooftop pool!

Due to its expansive size, SM Mall of Asia provides visitors with plenty of activities and opportunities. There are hundreds of stores in this huge mall, so you are sure to find one that suits your wants and needs. One of my favorite parts of this mall is the outdoor areas, giving you space to walk while taking in the fresh breeze. Plus, there are still lots of restaurants to access! This bright mall also boasts Fully Booked, where I would find great books and other reading materials.

By the bay, you can also enjoy an assortment of fun rides — ranging from carousels to a pirate ship. SM Mall of Asia is the perfect place to go with your family.

I have been to this place a bunch of times, seeing as it is situated near Lucena Grand Central Terminal. Ouans is a go-to for people who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle and just want to refresh themselves with a swim. But besides boasting outdoor pools, one of which is perfect for children, Ouans also provides banquet halls so that you can host different events. There are also a couple of great accommodation options here, and I remember staying in a spacious villa years ago.

Hungry? Ouans also provides a simple yet charming dining establishment. I loved the pancit canton there!

Nothing beats a destination that you can visit for free, and that is exactly what Manila Bay offers. I love going here and just taking in the calm waters and stunning skies. The best time to stop by here is during sunrise and sunset, as you will get a front-row seat of this unraveling beauty. It is just something that makes you even more appreciative of nature.

I recommend viewing Manila Bay in SM by the BAY, which is a part of the expansive SM Mall of Asia. Here, you can admire the scenery with strangers in peace. Afterward, you can easily go for a meal or explore the shops!

While this is a bit further from the city center, it is a destination worth visiting. Even though I have yet to visit the real Venice, this lovely place in McKinley Hill encapsulates a lot of its essence to the point where you feel as if you were in Italy! The Venice Grand Canal Mall is open-air, and, of course, features the canal that we may all be familiar with. I love how peaceful it was when we visited. Plus, there are several restaurants and shops you can enjoy. I really loved walking around this place and just seeing people on the boat.

I would recommend ordering a treat from Chiara's Gelateria Caffe Bar while taking a break from walking!

Manila Ocean Park is the go-to site for high school field trips — and I wouldn't have it any other way. This place is a haven for those who love marine life. You can see all sorts of sea creatures here, ranging from sharks to spider crabs. But there are also plenty of lovely land animals here so that you can maximize your learning experience and wonder. What amused me the most was the penguins — and you can even see them closer via a tube where you can get inside their enclosure. Some of the fish tanks can also be touched, which adds to the allure of the park. If you love animals and learning about them, then this is the place to be!