Never thought there would be a surf spot just two-hours away from Metro Manila. A day trip with friends to San Antonio, Zambales provided a much-needed and well-deserved escape from work.

Tucked in the inner depths of San Antonio, Zambales is Capones Vista -- a beach resort and surf spot. This place is perfect for a surfing day-trip surfing with friends or family. There rental cottages come with a grill for that barbecue by the beach we all long for. You can order food but choices are limited so better bring a cooler and buy food at the nearby market. The budget for this trip could go as low as $20, complete with transportation, food and cottage use (surf rental not included).

Leave Manila early to arrive there by around 9:00am. Set up your surfing gear, put on your sunblock then surf. Head back to your cottage for a big lunch and then laze around until the afternoon heat eases. By around 3:00pm, dive in for another surfing session then leave for Manila by about 5:00pm.

The waves in San Antonio are for novice surfers. You can rent a board from the resort and have a surf instructor teach you all for a small fee.

On the way back, my friends and I dropped by Subic for dinner and ate at Xtremely Xpresso. Their signature dish was a humongous pizza ($14) that could easily satisfy six people and a 12-inch burger  ($5). The restaurant offered good value for money especially for hungry surfers. We bought a few bottles of European beer at the duty-free shop nearby. Hoegaarden beers for only $1.50!