SIARGAO -- While Siargao is most known as a surfing destination, it also boasts waves of music-filled pubs, eye-catching boutique hotels, and well-curated food spots where Pinoy travelers and foreign visitors may come together to enjoy a sense of belonging.

Once they set foot in Siargao, no one feels like an outsider, not only because of the warm greeting of the locals, but also because of the human connection that looks beyond people's skin color, age, and physical appearances.

Perhaps it is not the water that links people, but the waves of life, and how, despite numerous setbacks, people always find ways to ride the waves.

And they do it by dancing in pubs, staying in boutique hotels, and dining at food spots that round out the Siargao experience.

Dancing, partying at Bed & Brewery, Loka

From lone travelers to groups of foreign visitors, everyone is caught up in the sound wave created by the island's first hostel and brewery concept, the Bed & Brewery.

The style of the bar café, recognized for its dynamic social environment, resembles one of the iconic bars at Cubao Expo, but with a distinct identity that appeals to both locals and visitors, including hip mixes and well-curated tracks from local DJs.

As the music fades, everyone exits the bar café, carrying the sound waves they pass, creating an energy that initiates a bond.

Loka, on the other hand, was the first bar on Cloud 9 Beach, where people fearlessly and joyfully step onto surfboards and ride waves.

It began as a café in 2015 and has since expanded to serve non-coffee drinks and beverages that uplift the spirits of those who visit to chill, chat, dance, watch sunsets, and even find love.

The legendary beachfront bar was destroyed by the catastrophic typhoon Odette in 2021 and was forced to close. Following that wave in their lives, they persevered and rebuilt it in 2023, becoming one of Siargao's most popular beachfront bars. It recently collaborated with Seona Anthony's clothing line, Gwapitos.

Staying at Katig

While others visit Siargao to have fun, some come to reflect, get to know themselves better, seek out quiet moments, and listen to the sound of waves.

Katig Beachfront Boutique Hotel takes pride in its serene and welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by trees and a beach that beckons tourists for a lengthy walk. It is owned by real-life pals Charles Tiu, Kim Honasan, Jerry Garcia, Marco Viray, Joey Viray, and Carmelo Aribon.

The Siargao-based entrepreneurs compared their popular boutique hotel to visiting another friend on an island. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, they stated that it is a home and hangout spot for friends who share common beliefs.

Tiu, Honasan, Garcia, Viray, and Aribon, like other Siargao entrepreneurs, refused to be drowned by the waves when Typhoon Odette struck Katig. They are now allowing their dreams to flow with the waves.

“We've always wanted to build a boutique hotel that feels like home. Tourists that stay with us always return. Their smiles bring us all closer to the island, which was once destroyed by Typhoon Odette,” Tiu shared with ABS-CBN News. 

Dining at Kanin Baboy, Alma 

Every day brings fresh waves, and food never fails to spark new conversations, connections, and memories. This island has both accessible and high-end dining options.

Despite its polarizing name, Kanin Baboy is a new favorite food location in Siargao, near Katig. Their signature dish is the Kanin Baboy Special, which comprises of spicy crispy lechon. Other tourist favorites include Sticky Ribs, Lechon Sisig, and Monggo't Kalabasa.

Alma, on the other hand, offers refined Spanish cuisine and is operated by Chef Luis Martinez. Martinez, who brought his Spanish culture to Siargao, stated that the ingredients they utilize are fresh and sourced locally.

Aside from its creative interior, Alma provides customers with a complete culinary experience, including Seared US Beef Flank, Black Squid Ink Paella & Fried Squid, Paella Valenciana, Alma Chicken Mango Salad, and Classic Chocolate Profiteroles.

“It's always an honor to work with a Filipino team that motivates me every day. They are like family to me, having welcomed me since my first stay in Siargao. It's not just about business; we're also creating a sense of community via food,” Martinez told ABS-CBN News.

Meanwhile, on Guyam Island, there is a well-known local food expert named Miguel Angel Barcenas Jr., also known as Chef Choipao, who is famed for spelling out letters with fresh food items such as Kinilaw, fresh mangoes, Adobong Pusit, Ensaladang Talong, Inihaw na Baboy, and many more.

Despite the unpredictable nature of life's waves, they find ways to conquer and rise. The waves in Siargao continue to flow, but people have learnt to ride them.

Most of the time, the sound of the waves soothes them, and heavy waves scare them, yet life carries on for everyone who belongs to everyone.

Tourists planning to visit Siargao can fly with Sunlight Air, which offers flights from Manila to Cebu and then from Cebu to Siargao. Noriel Robles, Sunlight Air sales manager, stated that the safety and comfort of passengers is their first priority. He further mentioned that they prioritize customer satisfaction by providing personalized attention and top-notch service throughout the travel experience.

Sunlight Air is a domestic boutique airline in the Philippines committed to providing great service and smooth travel experiences. From its principal bases in Clark and Cebu, the airline travels to select island locations such as Coron (Busuanga), Siargao, Boracay, and Manila, letting travelers to experience the various beauty of the Philippine islands.

-- All photos by Josh Mercado