Here's some of what you'll find in the northern Philippines: The mountain/college town of Baguio, where now in winter temps drop down into the 50s (brrrr!); surfing in San Juan, a 2-hour bus ride northwest from Baguio; and Vigan, 3 hours by bus north up the coast from San Juan. Vigan, a "Spanish-colonial fairy tale," barely escaped American WWII carpet bombers, who aborted their mission at the last second after Japanese troops fled the city. It's interesting to note that at Cafe Leona, a popular Vigan restaurant, in honor of the town's name all vegan dishes on the menu are marked with an asterick.
