I couldn't think of a better way to commemorate last year's Independence Day than to travel to this remote island 27 nautical miles west of Panay. Seco Island was named after the shape of a human elbow;'siko' in Tagalog. It is distinguished by a curving stretch of sand bar encircling an area dotted with pockets of small trees and scattered shrubbery.

The journey here is anything but laidback. We began our sea journey under darkness aboard a crowded passenger boat with just enough room for us to huddle on the roof of the captain's hull. I toiled for the duration of our three-hour sail over calm waters, sitting over protruding edges of wood. I tried to sleep amidst my numbing thighs and cramping legs, only to be jolted awake by the gleaming redness of the skies on the horizon a couple of hours later.

I caught my first glimpse of the island from afar while stretching my hands and yawning myself to full awareness. The inconvenience of the long arduous sea journey was immediately replaced by an elated feeling as it revealed its lovely image hidden by the gleam of the early rising sun.

Slowly, as we docked in the shallow waters, the live corals became visible, and as one of the boatmen dove to plant the anchor, I recognized the exceptional scene that foreshadowing a fantastic trip in the making.

Smaller boats accompanied our party, which included fishermen, Tibiao residents, and LGU members. Months before, they had circled June 12 as a perfect day to visit Seco Island and raise the Philippine flag - not only to commemorate our more than a century of independence, but also to commemorate the inclusion of Seco Island in the province of Antique's tourism and nature preservation program.

As the twin drone cameras flew overhead and small fishing boats circled the island, a short program was held in which the participating stakeholders promised to promote the island while also implementing a set of measures to protect its natural beauty. The morning celebrations concluded with a flag raising, which was followed by a human chain forming the letters S-E-C-O as the drone camera captured it from above.

Along with Kara, Aleah, Marcos and Dave – fellow travel bloggers who have been to the best islands in the country, we all agreed at the distinctiveness of Seco Island. A naked island in its truest sense, we all established the need to weed out plans to build infrastructure on the island in order to avoid the mistakes made on other previously bare islands in the Philippines. It was something that the LGU and tourism staff both concurred on.

According to a local fisherman, the seas surrounding Seco Island are rich in marine resources, making it a popular destination for fishermen from all over Antique. Coral reefs may be observed up to five feet deep, and the wind that envelops the island is renowned to create ideal conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding. "Every year, for 3-5 days, windsurfers come to this island to just ride all day," Katahum Tours' Flord Nicson Calawag told us.

Seco Island is designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) by a local government ordinance due to its abundance of marine resources. All activities involving the use of its waters, such as fishing, camping, and visiting the island, are strictly prohibited. Before traveling to Seco Island, visitors must first coordinate with the local tourism office in Tibiao, Antique.

Half a day on the island wasn't long enough for me, but it was the only time available in our hectic schedule traveling around Antique to visit this island. I spent the entire time walking around barefoot, enjoying the fine sand beneath my feet. When I needed to rest, I just chose to lie down under the shade of a small tree and gaze at the visual feast in front of me.

We bid the island farewell shortly after lunch, and as our boat sailed away, I noticed the beautiful sandbar of Seco Island slowly sinking from the horizon, as the dark blue waters gradually obscured it from view. I reflected on the events of the morning and savored the pleasant memory. It was a wonderful time reveling in the concept of Kruhay (long live) under the sun.

The Poblacion District of Makati is quickly shredding the infamous red light reputation. Thanks to a fast growing number of trendy bars, quirky cafes and a roster of restaurants serving various global cuisine, Poblacion has become a mini traveler’s hub in Makati. Coupled with this development are the existence of hip budget hostels and classy accommodations ranging from 2 star to 5-star hotels.

One of the leading 5-star hotels in the area is the towering 24-storey I’M Hotel standing at the corner of Makati and Kalayaan Avenue.

Do not let the low-key name of this hotel fool you, because once I stepped inside its well-lighted and capacious lobby – my attention was instantly arrested by the lavish set of stunning interior. Every inch of the walls and square meter of the floor space appeared to have gone through a detailed design planning.

My check-in process went smoothly as the friendly front desk staff mirrored the attractive visual vibe of the hotel. The pretty and charming lady gave me a waiver to be signed; “We have an open balcony so we just like you to sign this up”. I joked at her “I have no plans of jumping, so don’t worry”. She smiled back at me as I handed her back the waiver.

As the bellboy ushered me to the elevator and into my one-bedroom suite I finally realized the scope of stellar preparation and scheming that transpired during the construction and finishing phases of the hotel.

In fact, it was more than good. My room – which measures 57 square meters, screams of post-modern movement without stepping out of bounds by remaining within a minimalist concept. The brown wooden floors appeared perfectly bared against a few other well-chosen furniture consisting of; a dark brown dining set for four, a spacious couch, a wall mounted wide screen LCD TV, another table set and a standing lamp. The walls are perfectly adorned by wide framed artworks said to be painted by resident artists.

Because it was conceptualized to echo a living apartment elevated by five-star hotel features, it has also a counter-top sink, a complete set of cooking ware and utensils with a tall refrigerator and a washing machine to boot. I am only describing the living room and adjoining kitchen.

Inside my room another LCD TV is mounted on the wall fronting a king-sized bed covered with a 500-thread white linen and a mound of pillows. The light colored theme of the room is a contrast to the dark marbled wall of the bathroom. Separated by a sliding door, it leads you to the shower room and bathtub bordered with the toilet and the sink by a tall clear glass.

Anything I need to hole up for a few days is right inside my room. I told myself.

Travelers who have been to Japan or South Korea must have been familiar with the Onsen Spa concept. In the Philippines though, it hasn’t much touched the regular consciousness. Enter the first Onsen Spa in the country.

The I’m Onsen Spa is also the largest urban spa in the Philippines measuring 3,800 square meters of floor area and spread over 6 floors of the hotel. Using Japanese-proven carbonated bath technology; one can instantly achieve a super high – of the relaxing kind - right here. Options such as couple rooms, communal beds or en-suite steam rooms and hot tubs as well as VIP and executive rooms are also available.

I invited a friend Milky to also try out the Onsen Spa and the massage. Afterward, she was all too thankful as she describes the treatment she received as “Just what the doctor ordered to cure all of the stress I incurred this week”

Capping off our soothing experience at the Onsen Spa, was a buffet meal at the The Common Good restaurant of the hotel. I’M Hotel currently offers an all-inclusive spa treatment with a buffet meal at a very reasonable rate.

The hotel’s gym also met my expectations because as a gym buff for the last year or so (a ‘moving-on’ therapy that became a daily habit for me), I always look forward to working out even during my travels or staycation in the city. Because of the coziness of the room though, I wasn't able to go for a proper workout during my two-night stay at the hotel.

The swimming pool that made quite a buzz in the Instagram world a few months back. Yes, thanks to its inventive acrylic-bottomed infinity pool, swimmers can do laps and survey the busy Poblacion Street below at the same time.

Giant cage-like lounge areas are decked over and at the side of the pool, giving you a perfect spot to chill after an hour of swimming.

Going Chinese at Empress Jade Restaurant

Aside from the HTML-structured all-day dining hall, I also tried feasting on a few mean tasting Oriental dishes (mostly Chinese) at the hotel’s Empress Jade. Along with another friend I invited – a certified foodie because of her job as a food and beverage consultant, we feasted over dim sum to an array of sumptuous Chinese dishes, including my favorite; the Triple Cooked King Crab with Bee Hoon.

Wondering about my friend’s verdict? – Well, she loved it and gave Empress Jade a high mark.

Having stayed at many fine hotels here and abroad as part of my job as a travel writer, I could say I’M Hotel can hold its own candle against the others.

• Location – check
• Rooms – check
• Onsen Spa – check
• In-house dining options – check
• Swimming pool and gym – check

The check marks goes on and on. I hope the management keep up the good work and maintain the high quality of service so I can continue recommending this hotel to friends looking for a place to stay in this bustling and happy part of Makati.