I had been wanting to visit Siargao for a while now, so I’m glad that I finally got to squeeze in a trip a couple of weeks ago. I joined the Roxy-Quicksilver team and covered the Women’s International Surfing Cup which they sponsored (see my coverage of it in my article on The Philippine Star).
I was thrilled. I had never gone to Siargao before. In fact, my first trip to Mindanao was just last year during a work trip to Davao which was regrettably way too short (Friends, my next Davao visit is in the works!). Visiting Siargao posed an exciting adventure. It was six days of “something new,” and I was raring to see everything I could.
Okay, I’ll have to admit, that, before going to Siargao, I only knew of it from my surfer friends who raved about the glorious waves. Not a surfer, this didn’t exactly create a compelling pull for me. So, I was determined to see the beauty behind—and beyond—the Siargao surf.
So, after six days in Siargao, here are some things that’ll have me scheduling my trip back:
1.) Amazing coves and private beaches. During one free day in Siargao, one member from the Roxy team and I took on the challenge of Siargao’s tourism officer: to see Siargao by habal-habal. We thought, “How hard could it be?” Well, quite hard, we realized. We sat on the motorbike for for what seemed like forever. And, we’re talking about managing uneven terrain here, around seven hours or so of a combo of rough roads and paved concrete. Our butts definitely took a beating. But, it was well worth it. The sights were amazing: coast-lined streets, mangrove “fields,” postcard-perfect lakes and streams, private beaches and coves, stretches and stretches of ploughed paddies, and white-sand shores. We took several stops along the way, some to take in the view and others to take a dip in the sea or wade by some hidden waterfalls.
Note to self: Go on a habal-habal ride with someone special next time. I’m assuming that the spontaneous stops and the cozy habal-habal hugs could’ve made for a kilig date. Medj awkward pala pag hindi. LOL!
During low tide, the water recedes and leaves a pool of blue here at the Magpupungko rock formation.
I was thrilled. I had never gone to Siargao before. In fact, my first trip to Mindanao was just last year during a work trip to Davao which was regrettably way too short (Friends, my next Davao visit is in the works!). Visiting Siargao posed an exciting adventure. It was six days of “something new,” and I was raring to see everything I could.
Okay, I’ll have to admit, that, before going to Siargao, I only knew of it from my surfer friends who raved about the glorious waves. Not a surfer, this didn’t exactly create a compelling pull for me. So, I was determined to see the beauty behind—and beyond—the Siargao surf.
So, after six days in Siargao, here are some things that’ll have me scheduling my trip back:
1.) Amazing coves and private beaches. During one free day in Siargao, one member from the Roxy team and I took on the challenge of Siargao’s tourism officer: to see Siargao by habal-habal. We thought, “How hard could it be?” Well, quite hard, we realized. We sat on the motorbike for for what seemed like forever. And, we’re talking about managing uneven terrain here, around seven hours or so of a combo of rough roads and paved concrete. Our butts definitely took a beating. But, it was well worth it. The sights were amazing: coast-lined streets, mangrove “fields,” postcard-perfect lakes and streams, private beaches and coves, stretches and stretches of ploughed paddies, and white-sand shores. We took several stops along the way, some to take in the view and others to take a dip in the sea or wade by some hidden waterfalls.
Note to self: Go on a habal-habal ride with someone special next time. I’m assuming that the spontaneous stops and the cozy habal-habal hugs could’ve made for a kilig date. Medj awkward pala pag hindi. LOL!
During low tide, the water recedes and leaves a pool of blue here at the Magpupungko rock formation.
Capturing the fiery sunset during my habal-habal adventure. I took a photo while we were moving!
Capturing the fiery sunset during my habal-habal adventure. I took a photo while we were moving!
The water was cold and inviting at Taktak falls. Saraaap!
2.) The easy, breezy surfer’s life. I’ve always believed that beach communities have a way of reviving weary souls. I think it has something to do with the carefree attitude (and possibly wearing fewer layers of clothes!). People are extremely friendly, tourists are a lot more patient, and no one pesters you if you want to stare off and do nothing. It’s probably the fresh sea breeze, but a visit to Siargao will definitely compel you to betray your usual stress-ridden state and hang loose.
3.) Sohoton’s secrets. On another free day during the trip, the Roxy team took us to Sohoton, an enclave of limestone cliffs surrounding a secret paradise. Just like a fairytale, it wasn’t only so so far away (a long three-hour trip by boat), it was also absolutely breathtaking. The water is crystal clear (no snorkelling gear required to see the bottom!), and the limestone cliffs create a good contrast to the lush greens and soothing blues.
When I find things that are truly beautiful, I find myself saying quick prayers of thanks for the majesty of nature. (Yes, madrama, I know.) But, I did say a few prayers when I swam with the whale sharks of Sorsogon, jumped in the jellyfish lake of Palau, saw the lagoons at El Nido, and dove with a barracuda in Apo reef. Being in Sohoton was no different. Amen to that!
3.) Sohoton’s secrets. On another free day during the trip, the Roxy team took us to Sohoton, an enclave of limestone cliffs surrounding a secret paradise. Just like a fairytale, it wasn’t only so so far away (a long three-hour trip by boat), it was also absolutely breathtaking. The water is crystal clear (no snorkelling gear required to see the bottom!), and the limestone cliffs create a good contrast to the lush greens and soothing blues.
When I find things that are truly beautiful, I find myself saying quick prayers of thanks for the majesty of nature. (Yes, madrama, I know.) But, I did say a few prayers when I swam with the whale sharks of Sorsogon, jumped in the jellyfish lake of Palau, saw the lagoons at El Nido, and dove with a barracuda in Apo reef. Being in Sohoton was no different. Amen to that!
4.) Game-fishing and scuba. I heard that game-fishing is big in Siargao, so I’m hoping to be able to bring my dad along for that to try it out. My dad used to love fishing, and I’m sure he’d like to revive that love for the thrill of an open water catch sometime in the future. With seas like Siargao’s, I can just imagine how exciting a fishing trip would be. Next time, I’d like to be able to bring my scuba gear, too, and explore the underwater scene. If the sights on land are any indication, the beauty underneath the surface should also be breathtaking!
5.) Possibly catching a wave…one day. The local girls of Siargao are amazing surfers. With the infamous Cloud Nine reef as their playground, why wouldn’t they be? They commanded their boards with such grace and precision, it was like watching a carefully-choreographed dance on the water. I was too paranoid to hit the water during this trip though. Some learned surfers got gashes and bruises when they braved the reef. Maybe after some practice on softer seabeds, I’ll muster the courage to surf in Siargao on my next visit.
5.) Possibly catching a wave…one day. The local girls of Siargao are amazing surfers. With the infamous Cloud Nine reef as their playground, why wouldn’t they be? They commanded their boards with such grace and precision, it was like watching a carefully-choreographed dance on the water. I was too paranoid to hit the water during this trip though. Some learned surfers got gashes and bruises when they braved the reef. Maybe after some practice on softer seabeds, I’ll muster the courage to surf in Siargao on my next visit.
Photo of top surfer Nilbie Blancada (the champion of the tournament), courtesy of Roxy-Quicksilver/Primer Group.
And yet again, Siargao proved to me that it’s definitely more fun in the Philippines.
And yet again, Siargao proved to me that it’s definitely more fun in the Philippines.
RSS Feed