As we step into the new year, it’s the perfect time to map out your adventures for 2024. If 2023 was all about Revenge Travel to make up for lost time, 2024 is being hailed as the year for more personal travels. Booking.com’s Travel Predictions for this year suggest a shift towards journeys motivated by a quest for deeper connections and self-discovery.
If you’re already planning your travels to find love or find yourself and need a little inspiration on where to go, here are some Filipino films that not only brought compelling stories of love but also highlighted how the destination itself (and the journey of getting there) is sometimes all that one needs to find what they’re looking for.
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Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte — Broken Hearts Trip (2023)
One of the entries for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, Broken Hearts Trip is a story about five LGBTQ individuals who are given the chance to heal from their heartbreaks as they journey across the Philippines. One of the spots they explored is Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, often referred to as the “Boracay of the North.” Accessible via land and air, Pagudpud is famed for its stunning beaches, including Maira-ira (commonly known as Blue Lagoon), Saud and Pansian. These beaches boast white sands and emerald waters, making them an ideal retreat for those seeking solitude. Unlike other Filipino beach destinations, Pagudpud tends to be less crowded, offering a tranquil escape.
Fujiyoshida City, Japan — When I Met You in Tokyo (2023)
Another entry from this year’s MMFF brings us not only a tale of finding love at the most unexpected times but finding love in some of the most beautiful places in the world. In When I Met You in Tokyo, two old hearts — one battered and bruised and one lonely and seeking comfort — find each other in Tokyo. While much of the story took place in the Japanese capital, the film also took its audience to Fujiyoshida City and the famous Chureito Pagoda, basking in the majestic view of Mount Fuji. A two-hour train ride from Tokyo, the city offers spectacular views of the mountain.
The best time to visit is either during the cherry blossom season in mid-April or in the first half of November to experience the changing colors of autumn.
