Family always comes first. This is a Filipino culture that has served as a strong foundation for their being. Regardless of economic status in life Filipinos know the value of quality time with every member of the family. When an occasion comes, they reserve time for each other.

One of the best times to spend quality moments together is during summer, when kids are on school break and working adults take their vacation leave. Filipino families can always find a way to enjoy summer vacations together, regardless of their economic situation. After all, such time together doesn't necessarily have to be expensive.

Catching up with one another does not only mean seemingly endless talks. More often than not, Filipinos do it while enjoying food, going out on picnics or playing. By the way, Filipinos love eating. And since the weather is very warm - or even hot - in summer, their food and recreation's choices have to “neutralize” the heat.

Some of the food they love to eat in summer include:

Halo-halo. Literally, it means “mix-mix”. It’s rightly named so because it’s actually a mixture of different kinds of fruits, red beans, leche flan, milk, sugar, crushed ice and ice cream. Halo-halo is one of the snacks to fight the summer heat. It is sold everywhere and the price can vary widely, depending on where you buy it from. By the way, you should note that the higher-priced halo-halo does not guarantee better taste and quality. There are cheaper halo-halo around town that taste better than those sold in an upper-class restaurant or food chain. Filipinos use their resourcefulness and creativity when it comes to food quality.

Fresh young coconut water. This is an ubiquitous refreshment during summer. You would see a number of ambulant buko (young coconut) vendors tirelessly moving around from one street to another to bring this delicious and healthy thirst-quenching drink to your door, or wherever you may be when thirst gets you. You can drink the water straight from the drupe, through a straw.

Ice cream. This is an all-time favourite of both young and adult Filipinos. In the Philippines, however, you will see several - or should I say countless? - variations to the typical ice cream delight. Yes, using their ingenuity, Filipinos can make a lot of “possible twists” to simple food. Like for example, in Davao City, in the southern part of the country: you will surely be terrified to hear about crocodile ice cream. It may sound weird, but you’ll be surprised at this deliciously amazing treat!

Crocodile ice cream is just one variation. You’ll find more “twists” of ice cream in different regions or provinces of the country. Not to mention the so-called “dirty ice cream”. No, don’t get me wrong, it’s not dirty, per se. It is sold in the streets by ambulant vendors. But unlike those sold and served at ice cream parlours, the “dirty ice cream” is more exposed to dust and dirt as ambulant vendors peddle it in parks, beaches, streets and everywhere else.

Sago’t gulaman (“tapioca pearls and jelly”). This soothing beverage is composed of fancy-coloured tapioca pearls, sliced jelly and caramelized brown sugar mixed in cold water. It sold in many neighbourhoods and along main roads. For only a minimal cost, your thirst is surely quenched with a glass of sago’t gulaman.

On the other hand, if these thirst-quenching foods and drinks are still not enough to cool the summer temperature, Filipinos are most likely to hit the beaches or any place with water such as cold springs, rivers, falls or swimming pools. There are countless swimming areas in the country. Again, Filipinos love swimming or just soaking in water for hours. They either go to known tourist spots, where the fees can be quite high, or head for unbeaten paths, where they can have the whole place for themselves at a minimal or no cost at all.

A handful of cool summer places include:

Cambugahay Falls. These multi-layered pure and clean waterfalls are found on Siquijor Island in the Central Visayas region. Although a number of local and international tourists come to this place, it’s still not crowded. The entrance fee to the falls is only minimal because it is not yet subjected to over-commercialization.

Public beaches and Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental. Except for locals and a handful of tourists who wander in the area, the expansive and public white-sand beaches in the southern part of the Philippines remain unspoiled. There are also clean, crisp, cool waterfalls in the area. These places offer an awesome venue to enjoy the waters. And you don’t have to pay a fortune for it.

Burot Beach. White-sand beach, crystal-clear water and a quiet and remote place to enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset. Located in Calatagan, Batangas, in the southwestern part of Luzon, Burot Beach is not crowded and far from the “touristy” atmosphere.

Bantayan Island. Located in the northern tip of Cebu Island in Central Visayas, Bantayan Island is among the favourite destinations among many Filipino families, both those from the area and those from its neighbouring municipalities. Many international tourists, too, have discovered the beauty of the island.

These are but few of the many places Filipinos visit for their bonding activities during summer. And they do not even include the different games families play in between swimming time.

But what matters most for them is being together as a family. It’s indeed more fun in the Philippines, especially during summer.