Be Siargao #10

MARCH 2019

BESIARGAO

THE SIARGAO LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FREE COPY

surf / community / environment / tourism

#10

# Editorial

THE STORY BEHIND THE COVER Photographer: Dani Monetti

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER The few seconds of shaking caused by the 5.9 earthquake in February were felt very differently by everyone. Some panicked, some stayed calm, others took their belongings and ran up to the mountains. As unique human beings, we all feel and express in a different way.

The day after,I was planning to write these words, I honestly could not write about anything else. Personally, I panicked. I could feel the Earth shaking strong under my bare feet. A new and strange feeling, something I had never experienced before. Later, I realized that my reaction was because I was ignorant regarding natural hazards.

Indeed, what we fear the most is usually something we don’t know. A remedy for these situations could be to educate yourself and do not let fear overcome the situation.

However, no one is immune to fear. In fact, fear could be as old as life on Earth

The cover picture of this month is an aerial point of view of the local market in General Luna, an area that, despite the quick development of the island, has remained authentic with still many local karinderias and karaoke bars.

Dani Monetti, took this picture on a summer day last year.

Instagram: @danimonetti

as it is linked to survival. Through centuries, it has been shaping our history as individuals and as a species, to protect us against threats: our fight or flight instinct.

Hopefully after these events, more and more people are educating themselves on what to do during emergencies and have back-up plans. Earthquakes are beyond our control and cannot be predicted. As humans, however, we are gifted with the most complex brains of all species, and are capable of gaining knowledge for more than any other creature. Knowledge is power.

Olga Garcia Photographer Matias Olivieri

SPECIAL THANKS Thanks to everyone who help in making this issue a reality: Main Contributor Olga Garcia Graphic Designer Vincent Le Compagnon Translator Hernan Palang Photographers Matias Olivieri, Marc Jansá Collaborator Chie Defino, Martin Howell Public Relations Bianca Manalang

TO EVERY PERSON WHO PROVIDED US INFORMATION AND DATA AND TO ALL OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS WHO MAKE THIS PROJECT REAL!

ONLINE EDITION AVAILABLE AT

W W W. B E S I A R G AO.C O M CONTACT BE SIARGAO @BE SIARGAO

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Advertisement contacts: +63 916 685 2945 +63 956 967 9055 besiargao@gmail.com

LEGAL MENTION Publisher: Be Magazine Publishing Certificate N° 05333514

Printer: DMC Busa Printers Director Editor-in-Chief: Christophe BARIOU

# Be salty

Written by: Olga Garcia

ENGLISH

BISAYA

TUBIG ANG IYANG ELEMENTO

WATER IS HIS ELEMENT With only 18 years old, Eduardo Alciso alias “Tata” is an incredibly talented surfer.

In last year’s tour he demonstrated his skills, beating some of the top ranked surfers in the country and placing himself at the end of the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT), as equal third with Jay-r Esquivel from La Union.

He surfed all the competitions with a very painful ankle injury.

Sa edad nga 18 anyos lang, si Eduardo Alciso alias “Tata” talentado kaayo nga surfer.

Photographer Marc Jansa

Sa tour sa miaging tuig mipakita siya sa iyang abilidad, napildi niya ang ubang mga surfer nga ibabaw og ranggo dinhi sa nasod ug nabutang siya sa ulahi sa Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT), isip katabla sa ikatulong pwesto ni Jay-r Esquivel taga La Union. Mi-surf siya sa tanan nga mga kompetisyon nga may sakit kaayo nga kadaot sa tikod.

He started surfing when he was eight years old. The water is his element. He dreams of the waves when he is in dry land. Alciso was born and raised in Catangnan, still a peaceful town of General Luna. His biggest wish is to become a pro surfer and be able to help his family, as the eldest son.

He affirms he prefers to compete rather than free surfing, “I learn so much when competing with other surfers”, expresses Alciso. From last year’s tour he has learned the priority rules as well as which are the high score tricks.

THROUGH HIS EYES YOU CAN SEE HE IS READY TO OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE

Photographer Matias Olivieri

Miangkon siya nga palabihon niya ang makigtigi kaysa libre nga surfing, “Daghan kaayo kong makat-onan kon makigtigi sa uban nga mga surfer”, miingon si Alciso. Gikan sa tour sa miaging tuig nakat-on siya sa mga lagda sa prayoridad ug unsa ang mga tag-as og puntos nga tricks.

Photographer Matias Olivieri

Si “Tata” matutokon nga surfer; sa iyang mga mata makita nimo nga siya andam mobuntog sa bisan unsang babag.

Nahibalo siya nga kinahanglan pa siya maningkamot aron makab-ot ang iyang damgo ug mao nga naglihok siya nga may determinasyon. Naggahin siya og oras para matulog og tarong, magbansay og maayo, magsurf adlawadlaw ug dili magpalabi og inom.

“Kanunay ako mag-exercise sa dili pa matulog. Malingaw usab ako magtanaw og videos sa Youtube sa surfing ug makat-on og bag-ong tricks.”

“Tata” is a focused surfer; through his eyes you can see he is ready to overcome any obstacle. He is aware that he needs to work hard in order to achieve his dreams and so he acts with determination. He dedicates time to sleep well, train hard, surf everyday and not drink too much. “I always do exercise before I go to sleep. I also enjoy watching videos on Youtube about surfing and learn new tricks.”

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He is definitely a surfer to watch for the coming years.

Nagsugod siya og surf kaniadtong nagedad siya og otso anyos. Ang tubig mao ang iyang elemento. Nagdamgo siya sa mga balod bisan naa siya sa yuta. Si Alciso natawo ug midako sa Catangnan, sa malinawon gihapon nga lungod sa General Luna. Ang kinadakan niya nga damgo ang mahimong pro surfer ug makatabang sa iyang pamilya, isip kamagulangan.

Photographer Marc Jansa

Usa gayod siya ka surfer nga bantaybantayan sa moabot nga katuigan.

Photographer: Palaka

# Be conscious

Written by: Olga Garcia

ENGLISH

CLEAN AND SKIM Another beautiful project is being born for the future generations of Siargao, “Clean and Skim”. The idea started when Chie Defino, a dive master based on the island, with the support of Palaka Dive Center, saw on the front of the establishment kids playing every day with old plain woods, pieces of boats or styrofoam. From dawn to sunrise, they play with the small waves that arrive on the shore and try to shape the art of skimboarding.

Skimboarding has its origins in 1920 in California, around the 80’s the sport movement was spread to Europe and became famous worldwide. It is a sport that requires little maintenance and it is easy to start riding.

During Christmas time, Palaka Dive Center launched a campaign to fundraise for some skim boards so the kids could practice the sport properly. Surprisingly, they got seven new boards. Chie decided to call the project “Clean and Skim” to add a sustainable message behind.

The area of the market it is a very polluted one, so with this initiative the children will have to clean up before borrowing the board. All plastics will be donated to the Recycling Art Studio of NKOS. “Locals from the area also came to donate their old boards.

They are very happy that the kids are involved in this project”, explains Defino. Besides, they also have a skimboard instructor, Elisar Te, who volunteers his time to give the kids some tips to improve their skills.

BISAYA

CLEAN AND SKIM Laing maanindot nga proyekto ang gimugna para sa umaabot nga mga henerasyon sa Siargao, “Clean and Skim”. Ang ideya nagsugod sa dihang si Chie Defino, dive master nga nagpuyo sa isla, uban sa pag-abag sa Palaka Dive Center, nakakita atubangan sa ilang establisemento og mga batang nagdula kada adlaw gamit ang daang mga kahoy, piraso sa barko ug styrofoam. Gikan sa kaadlawon hangtod sa pagsubang sa adlaw, daghang mga bata ang magdula sa gagmay nga mga balud nga maabot sa baybayon ug mosulay pagporma sa arte sa skimboarding.

Ang skimboarding nagsugod sa tuig 1920 sa California, panahon sa tuig 80 ang kalihokan sa paugnat naabot sa Uropa ug nahimong sikat sa tibuok kalibotan. Paugnat kini sa kusog nga nagkinahanglan lang og gamay nga mantener ug sayon lang makasugod og sakay-sakay.

magtampo-tampo og mga skim boards para ang mga bata makabansaybansay na sa paugnat og tarong. Pero makakurat kay nakakuha sila og pito ka mga bag-o nga board nga gidonar. Si Chie mihukom sa pagtawag sa proyekto nga “Clea and Skim” para makapuno og mapadayonon nga mensahe.

Sa panahon sa Kapaskohan, ang Palaka Dive Center milusad og kampanya para

Ang tibuok lugar palibot sa merkado hugaw kaayo, mao nga uban niini nga pasiugda ang mga bata kinahanglan na

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nga manglimpyo sa dili pa manghulam og board. Ang tanan nga mga plastik idonar sa Recycling Art Studio sa NKOS. “Ang mga lokal sa dapit moanhi usab para modonar sa ilang karaang mga boards. Malipayon kaayo sila nga apil ang mga bata niining proyekto”, mipasabot si Defino. Labaw pa aduna silay tigtudlo og skimboard, si Elisar Te, kinsa nagboluntaryo sa iyang oras para makahatag og tips sa mga bata para mahashas pa ang ilang abilidad.

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# Be nostalgic

Written by: Olga Garcia

ENGLISH

SURFERS, SAILORS AND MISSIONARIES Searching through the net, I bumped into a short movie named: “General Luna: Surfers, Sailors and Missionaries”.

The documentary features the old sleepy town of General Luna. Produced in 1999

by Gerd Breiter, a German film producer.

The movie transports you to another scene, another General Luna, another island that only few but lucky ones experienced.

There are three main characters, all remotely different from each other.

Through their personal stories, the viewer is capable to understand in many levels how was life in the late 90’s.

The first one is a surfer named Martin Howell, on his twenties. Howell was born in the UK and travelled for the first time to Siargao to experience the waves of Cloud 9, after a previous visit in Baler on another surf trip in the Philippines. In search of a different lifestyle, he ended up spending three months in Siargao. That was just the beginning of a new life chapter.

Tired of the routine back in the UK, based only in working and working, he affirms he did not want to become a person that does not pursue anything in life. He rented a $40 bungalow front beach and spend his days surfing and discovering the different surf breaks around the island. He came back few times to UK to earn more money and showed paradise to some close friends.

The true pirate of the film is Peter Pete, a sailor of over 20 years of experience. After a long-though nomad life, he decided to land based in the shores of General Luna where he became father of seven children. It was time for this veteran sailor to settle down and look after his kids.

While he fixes his Bangka, he explains his adventures around the seas of Australia, Japan and Philippines. True fact, he has always a beer next to him. Peter Pete is not a common sailor.

Silent streets without motorbikes. Not much happening. Life was so simple in the late 90’s. The surf line was empty. The islanders were poorer yet seemingly 8# more cohesive and satisfied.

If you pay attention to the local costumes and traditions, not much has changed. Lechons being roasted, Sundays spend at the cock fighting stadium, karaoke nights and smiles everywhere.

The last character is Walter Baskervilles, a missionary who came to Siargao to spread the christian faith. The period of time Baskervilles spend in General Luna is not certain. He was embraced by the locals who welcomed him like a son. Leaving behind a life of drugs and addictive habits, he found the truth with God. With one year of experience as a missionary, he sat base in General Luna and help the community by spreading the message of God. He also visited remote towns around the island, where there was no church. It is not said, although understood that he helped building some of the present churches around the island.

To my surprise, all characters talked about the changes the island was experiencing. It was 1997-1999. Howell explains: “You can see this island changing even in the one year that I have past since I first came. Prices have gone up.

There is a disco now named Seven Eleven”. An unbelievable live karaoke with dancers singing the catchy rhythm of “I love you baby!” with 70’s stylish dresses.

The last sentence of the documentary expresses: ​ As more and more people seek to escape the pressure of civilization, this idyllic beach with white sand and perfect waves offers a scape from the problems of contemporary society.

But the question remains. Can paradise bear the burden?​.

A surfer, a sailor and a missionary who found their dreamed paradise in Siargao. For one reason or another, they all threw out the anchor and fell deeply in love with the place. Who knows why and how.

To watch the documentary, check our Facebook and Instagram pages where we will post the link of the film.

TO MY SURPRISE, ALL CHARACTERS TALKED ABOUT THE CHANGES THE ISLAND WAS EXPERIENCING. IT WAS 1997-1999...

Be nostalgic # BISAYA

MGA SURFER, MANLALAYAG UG MISYONERO Sa pagpangita sa internet, nakakaplag ako og mubong salida nga gihingalan: “General Luna: Surfers, Sailors and Missionaries”.

Ang dokumentaryo nagpakita sa karaang matulogon nga lungsod sa General Luna. Gihimo kini niadtong 1999 ni Gerd Breiter, usa ka Aleman nga tighimo og salida. Dad-on ka sa salida ngadto sa lain nga eksena, lain nga General Luna, laing isla nga pipila lang nga mga mapalad ang nakasinati.

nga bisan unsa sa kinabuhi. Miabang siya og tag 40 dolares nga bungalow atubangan sa dagat ug migahin siya sa iyang mga adlaw sa surfing ug pagkaplag sa lain-lain nga mga surf break palibot sa isla. Kapila siya mibalik sa UK para makakwarta ug para ipakita ang paraiso sa mga suod nga higala.

Adunay tulo ka pangulong karakter, silang tanan layo ug lahi sa usag usa.

Pinaagi sa ilang personal nga istorya, ang mga manan-away mamahimong makasabot sa lain-lain nga ang-ang kon unsa ang kinabuhi hinapos sa tuig 90.

Ang tinuod nga pirata sa salida mao si Peter Pete, usa ka manlalayag lapas 20 ka tuig ang kasinatian. Human sa taas nga kinabuhing way pagpuyo, mihukom siya sa pagdunggo ug nagbase sa kabaybayonan sa General Luna diin siya nahimong amahan sa pito ka mga anak. Panahon na niini nga beteranong manlalayag para mopuyo ug magpadako sa iyang mga anak.

Ang una usa ka surfer nga gihinganlan og Martin Howell, anaa sa pangedarong baynte. Si Howell natawo sa UK ug mibyahe unang higayon sa Siargao para masinati ang mga balud sa Cloud 9, human sa miagi nga pagbisita niya sa Baler sa lain nga byahe sa surf sa Pilipinas. Sa pagpangita og lahi nga pamaagi sa pagpuyo, nahitabo nga migahin hinuon siya og tulo ka bulan sa Siargao. Sinugdanan lang kadto sa bag-ong yugto sa kinabuhi.

Gikapoy na sa rutina didto sa UK, nga nagbase lang sa balik-balik nga trabaho, siya miangkon nga dili siya ganahan mahimong tawo nga walay giapas

Samtang nag-ayo sa iyang Bangka, mipasabot siya sa iyang mga abentura palibot sa kadagatan sa Australia, Japan ug Pilipinas. Usa ka kamatuoran, kanunay adunay beer tapad niya. Si Peter Pete dili sagad nga manlalayag.

Mga dalang hilom nga walay motor.

Walay daghan panghitabo. Simple kaayo ang kinabuhi hinapos sa tuig 90. Ang linya sa surf walay tawo. Ang mga taga isla mas pobre pero daw nagkahiusa ug kontento.

Kon bantayan nimo ang lokal nga mga sinina ug tradisyon, walay daghan nausab.

Mga lechon giasal, ang Domingo gigahin sa bulangan, mga kagabhion sa karaoke ug pahiyom bisan hain.

Ang kataposan nga karakter mao si Walter Baskervilles, usa ka misyonero nga mianhi sa Siargao para ipakatap ang kristohanong pagtuo. Ang panahong gigahin ni Baskervilles sa General Luna dili tino.

Gidawat siya sa mga lokal nga mihangop kaniya daw usa ka anak. Gibiyaan ang kinabuhi sa drugas ug mga makaadik nga gawi, nakit-an niya ang kamatuoran sa Diyos. Uban sa usa ka tuig nga kasinatian isip misyonero, siya mibase sa General Luna ug mitabang sa komunindad pinaagi pagpakatap sa mensahe sa Diyos. Mibisita usab siya sa layo nga mga lungsod palibot sa isla, diin walay mga simbahan.

Walay giingon, pero nasabtan nga siya mitabang sa pagpatukod sa pipila ka mga simbahan karon sa isla.

Sa akong kakurat, tanan nga mga karakter naghisgot sa mga kausaban nga nasinati sa isla. Tuig 1997 - 1998 kadto. Si Howell mipasabot: “Makita nimo nga nagkausab kining isla, bisan usa ka tuig nga milabay sa akong una nga pag-abot. Ang mga presyo mingsaka. Adunay disco karon nga gihinganlan og Seven Elevan.” Dili katuohang live nga karaoke nga may mga mananayaw nagkanta sa makadani nga ritmo sa “I love you baby!” uban sa uso nga sinina sa tuig 70.

Ang kataposang pahayag sa dukomentaryo naglitok sa adlawadlaw nga kabalaka sa kadaghanang lumulupyo sa Siargao: Samtang ​ nagkadaghan ang mga tawo nga nangita og lingkawas sa kabug-at sa sibilisasyon, kining malinawon nga baybayon nga may puti nga balas ug perpekto nga mga balud nagtanyag og eskapo gikan sa mga problema sa kasamtangan nga sosyedad. Apan nagpabilin ang pangutana. Makapas-an kaha ang paraiso sa kabudlayan?

Usa ka surfer, manlalayag ug misyonero kinsa nakakaplag sa ilang gidamgo nga paraiso dinhi sa Siargao. Sa lain-lain nga mga rason, gilabay nila ang ilang mga angkla ug nahigugma pag-ayo sa lugar.

Kinsa kahay nasayod ngano ug giunsa.

Para makita ang dokumentaryo, tan-awa ang among Facebook ug Instagram diin ibutang namo ang link sa salida.

# Be nostalgic ENGLISH

BISAYA

DIRECTOR TALK After the discovery of the documentary, my head was full of unanswered questions. The enthusiasm lead me to know more about those people and their stories. Navigating through the net, I found out more connections and finally got in touch with the Director of the film, Gerd Breiter.

Gerd Breiter Documentary filmmaker Director of “General Luna: Surfers, Sailors and Missionaries” WHY SIARGAO?

WHAT DID YOU DO THEN?

The movie was filmed in 1999, it was my first time in Siargao. ​I knew Siargao from a surfer friend from Australia. He told me about the Philippines and it made me curious.

Well, it was a pity as my work was not finished and I did not have more money to buy a new one. The camera got in contact with salt water and broke, I went back to Cebu and tried to fix it but I did not have any luck. I decided to go back to Germany and edit the footage.

I came because I thought the place would be very remote with only some surfers to portray. I was looking for special people, people who would be connected to General Luna in a certain way, as well as good protagonists for my project.

The reason of the documentary was more like a personal experiment for me. I worked as a cameraman before but never ventured myself on a long documentary. Nowadays, I am still working a as a documentary filmmaker.

HOW WERE YOUR DAYS SPENT ON THE ISLAND? The day I arrived in General Luna it was raining and also the following days.

It was a little frustrating but after a couple of days the sun rose and things started to work well.

General Luna was a very relaxed and wild place back in 1999. I felt very safe.

I slept in one of the bamboo huts you can see in the film. I was Martin Howells’ neighbor. But after three weeks, my camera broke while I was on the way back from the sea with some fishermen. That day is filmed in the documentary.

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WHERE WAS THE FILM SHOWN? The film was shown on a film festival in Germany, in a town called Dresden.

FILMFEST DRESDEN was founded in 1989 before the imminent collapse of the GDR and reunification of Germany.

The short film festival focuses on short films in all of its facets, and has become one of the most important festivals of its kind throughout Germany.

After that, I never came back to Siargao but I would love to come back and shoot a second part, which is connected to the first one.

ISTORYA SA DIREKOR Human sa pagkakaplag sa dukomentaryo, puno akong hunahuna sa mga pangutana. Ang kadasig mituklod nako para makahibalo pa mahitungod sa mga taw ug sa ilang mga istorya. Sa pagpangita sa internet, nakakita ako og mga koneksyon ug sa kataposan nakaistorya ako sa Direktor sa salida, si Gerd Breiter.

Gerd Breiter TIghimo og salida nga Dokumentaryo Direktor sa “General Luna: Surfers, Sailors and Missionaries”

Be nostalgic # NGANONG SIARGAO MAN? Ang salida gihimo sa tuig 1999, una ko kadtong higayon sa Siargao.

Nahibalo ko sa Siargao gikan sa surfer nga amigo nga taga Australia.

Giingnan ko niya mahitungod sa Pilipinas ug kini nakapakuryoso nako.

Miadto ako kay nagtuo ko nga ang lugar layo kaayo nga may pipila lang ka mga surfer nga ilarawan. Nangita ako kaniadto og espesyal nga mga tawo, mga tawo nga konektado sa General Luna sa usa ka pamaagi, ug usab mga maayo nga protagonista sa akong proyekto.

Ang rason sa dokumentaryo daw personal nga eksperimento para nako. Nagtrabaho ko isip cameraman sa una pero wala pa ko misulay og taas nga dokumentaryo. Karong panahona, nagtrabaho gihapon ako isip tighimo og salida nga dokumentaryo.

GIUNSA MAN NIMO PAG-GAHIN IMONG MGA ADLAW SA ISLA? Sa adlaw nga miabot ko sa General Luna nagulan kadto ug sa misunod nga mga adlaw.

Makapakyas kadto gamay pero human sa pila ka mga adlaw, ang adlaw misubang ug minindot na ang mga panghitabo.

Ang General Luna hamugaway kaayo ug mingaw nga lugar kaniadto sa tuig 1999.

Luwas kaayo akong pamati. Natulog ko sa usa sa mga payag nga kawayan nga makita sa salida. Silingan ko ni Martin Howells. Pero human sa tulo ka semana, naguba akong camera samtang pabalik gikan sa dagat uban sa mga mananagat.

Anaa kadtong adlawa sa dokumentaryo.

UNSA MAN DAYON IMONG GIBUHAT? Sayang kadto kay wala mahuman ang akong trabaho ug wala koy kwarta kaniadto nga makapalit og bag-o.

Ang camera nabasa sa tubig sa dagat ug naguba, mibalik ko sa Cebu para sulayan nga maayo pero wala ko giswerte. Mihukom ako nga mobalik sa Alemanya ug i-edit ang footage.

DIIN MAN GIPAKITA ANG SALIDA? Gipakita ang salida sa usa ka film festival sa Alemanya, sa usa ka lungsod nga gitawag Dresden.

Ang F​ILMFEST DRESDEN gisugdan sa tuig 1989 sa wala pa ang padulong pagkahugno sa GDR ug ang pagkahiusa og balik sa Alemanya. Ang ​short film festival mitutok sa mga mubo nga mga salida sa tanan niini nga mga matang, ug nahimo kining usa sa labing importante nga mga festival sa maong klase sa tibuok Alemanya.

Human niadto, wala na ko nakabalik sa Siargao pero ganahan ko makabalik ug mag-shoot og ikaduha, nga sumpay sa nauna.

Photographer: Martin Howell

# Be nostalgic

Written by: Martin Howell

ENGLISH

MARTIN HOWELL Surfer and Teacher / Age 45 Originally from UK, Martin’s a world wanderer currently residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Married for 16 years to a beautiful local girl, Mirasol Nogalo, with whom he has a son named Rafael. He’s the surfer portrayed in the film “General Luna: Surfers, Sailors and Missionaries” (Germany, 1999).

He hopes to return to live on Siargao Island indefinitely in 2020.

The following text is one of his own and was published in his personal blog ​www.rafsworld.com​. Follow his worldwide family travels on Instagram @rafsworldtravel realise this paradise island was about to change the course of my life.

From the outset, it was clear most Siargao residents couldn’t see what was right in front of their eyes. Back then the place epitomized paradise, but it was a just a place to live for them.

Tall, swaying palm trees represented copra-based income and not beauty.

Typhoon swells created nautical challenges for fishermen who never envisaged the explosion in wave-related income. Delightfully low key tourism found Magpupunkgko, Sugba Lagoons and Daco Island empty day after day.

While cocktails, infinity pools and plush air conditioned rooms weren’t available yet, Siargao’s god-given beauty swiftly won my heart within hours of arrival.

Just over twenty years ago, the Aska Queen fast craft cruised across the Surigao Straits towards mystical Siargao Island. Among chickens, boxes of noodles, fresh produce and throngs of Filipinos were two surfboards. Both mine.

Back then there were no flights and the few who made it out this far had to work a little to get there. However, truly magical views from the top of the boat and conversation with a few locals more than compensated for a somewhat arduous journey. The shear abundance of coconut trees, clarity of the sea water and blindingly white sands astounded me upon approach to Dapa. I stepped onto the rustic wooden pier and didn’t

Over the years that followed, the island became a huge part of my life. I married a local girl, built a native-style home and started a family there. None of us early visitors had the foresight that Siargao’s appeal would grow to the levels seen today.

While part of me regrets not investing in more land, I feel a greater honor being part of its first expatriate community. You see the winners get to write history. And this article is the history of a paradise losing its way through my eyes.

PARADISE DEFINED: SIARGAO IN THE LATE 1990’S In July 1992, famous surf photographer John Callaghan arrived on Siargao with a crew of American surfers. Surfer Magazine published his article soon after.

Although Callaghan didn’t pinpoint the location, a French magazine quickly unveiled the secret which inspired my first trip five years later.

In September 1997, I checked into a rustic Filipino-run resort: Jade Star. It didn’t take too long to find an island routine: surfing all day, relaxing in a hammock early evening, supping seven peso beers at night. I didn’t have a worry in the world.

I’ll never forget one particular day surfing Cemetaries, when the only other surfer out, a young kid, offered to paddle me in on his dugout canoe. His name was Eloy Nogalo, just thirteen years old, cousin of my future wife and now infamous Siargao surf instructor at Kermit. Just before Eloy dropped me off, God painted a magnificent canvas all over the sky. Moments like that sealed my love for the island.

After twelve magical weeks on Siargao, it was time to head home. I abandoned all future plans to visit Australia or Fiji. The search was over. Paradise found. I knew where I wanted to live for the rest of my life.

OVER THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, THE ISLAND BECAME A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE WINTER 1998-1999 Nine months later, after saving up funds in UK, Cornwall, I flew back to Philippines in September 1998. I brought my brother Colin and friend Aaron with me. I guess I couldn’t keep paradise to myself. Pisangan Resort charged us just 2000 pesos a month for an amazing beach front cottage. Although plenty of Australian surfers turned up for prime surf season, by December almost every foreigner had left and wet season waves like Stimpy’s and Giwan were deliciously empty.

Alongside surfing every day, I became mildly addicted to Tanduay Rhum and

Be nostalgic #

wrapped up with singers from Surigao and the local entertainment scene: 7 eleven and Kings. While my brother and Aaron left before Christmas, I stayed on until the wet season subsided and discovered Cloud 9’s second season: MarchApril. Mornings were more or less empty as locals only had a few surfboards, and I reveled in day after day of glassy perfection. It was an unforgettable winter for the few of us who shared it.

PARADISE CONTINUES: SIARGAO IN THE EARLY 2000’S Siargao became home again for two year-long stays in summer 2000 and 2002. Sustainable, minimal tourism kept fish, beer and rent prices super stable.

My simple cottage right on the beach felt like paradise defined: stunning views, white sand, and warm seas out front. All for $40 monthly. Shared with just a few friends, notably Ross and Auzzie Pete, the waves remained ridiculously empty.

September 2000’s super typhoon swells sent perfect swells into the Philippine coast. While Cloud 9 had a mini-crowd on it, the bommie and Tuason Point offered translucent walls and barrels for my board alone.

ROMANCE In October 2000, I began to date the girl of my dreams: Mirasol Nogalo. Our romance blossomed against the unbelievably perfect backdrops of Siargao, where we swam, fished and surfed to-

# Be nostalgic THE TIDE TURNS: SIARGAO IN THE LATE 2000’S/EARLY 2010’S

gether. I’ll forever remember the countless times we paddled over to Guyam Island in a dugout for a kinilaw picnic on the beach. Simple dates like these, alone together in a total paradise, made it easy to fall in love.

Two and half years later, our island romance culminated in marriage. I brought a crowd of guys from Cornwall for the wedding in March 2003. While​ Stimp​ y ’s got a bit crowded with 12 of

us out some days, it didn’t take a lot of effort to find a bit of solace at ​Pacifico​, Pilar or Daco. However, sleepy General Luna got a bit of a wake up from the rowdy crew. Every night we gathered at Lourdes Store for cheap beer and 50 peso vegetable curry, then danced into the night at a rustic little disco house.

The wedding went well and all the guests vowed to return one day; such was the hypnotic appeal of the island.

The most disturbing event occurred alongside our wedding celebrations.

A newly arrived German, unveiled his plan for Pisangan Beach: an eight-fold rent increase. Over the months that followed he slowly took control of the 14#

entire resort. He offered what many mainstream tourists look for: organized tours, air conditioning and European food. Sadly, this was the beginning of the end of the cheap beach life in General Luna.

THE FINAL GOOD YEAR: 2006 WERE Marital responsibilities took me away from the island in 2004 and 2005, but we returned for typhoon season in 2006. That was the last amazing stint on the island: 60 days of near constant typhoon swells and minimal changes or crowds. Of course Pisangan Beach was now ​ Patricks​ , so we decided to live with Mirasol’s family in barangay alingit. While a few changes were evident down at Cloud 9, namely a lot more concrete walls and structures, Siargao remained an incredible place to surf and hang out. Convinced by the stability, I decided to return to UK for two more years to save up for a small lot and wooden house.

In spring 2008 we stopped by Siargao for a few weeks to check our newly purchased plot of land. Opposite the land was a rental home. On the day we walked down to the land, five white guys were shouting obscenities at a radio program about Noah’s Ark. It might seem like nothing, but it left me with a slightly sunken feeling about Siargao; the first of many. Days later several guests from a newly constructed European-run resort swamped the early morning waves at Cloud 9. In addition, vegetable and fish prices had gone through the roof and nightly noise from fashionable Nine Bar boomed across the village. However, I ignored these ripples of discontentment and returned to UK to save a few more thousand pounds for house construction.

A DREAM FULFILLED Initially, it felt like a dream fulfilled when we returned to Siargao in 2009 to build our tropical home. Finally, after a few years working in UK, it was time to settle back into island living. For less than US$15K we purchased a new plot of land more or less where our wedding reception had been held and put up a large, Philippine-style wooden home right in the middle of barangay alingit. Alingit roughly translated means angry and it wasn’t too long before we encountered some neighborhood issues. The ensuing arguments over a couple of coconuts dampened our spirits considerably.

Be nostalgic # WAVE TROUBLE Alongside these personal challenges, it became apparent Siargao of 2010 was a very different place to 19972006. Gone were the Australian surfers of olde, replaced with a new wave of European visitors keen to escape the northern hemi winter. One day at Salvacion my brother in law and I were surfing alone, suddenly two boat loads of tourists arrived and two became eighteen. While the resort owner who had brought them apologised, I caught the next wave in and wondered what might happen in a few more years.

The following September at Tuason I was surfing alone as usual. Out of nowhere an Australian paddled up to me and asked me why it was so empty.

He revealed plans for his own dream house for himself and a few friends.

One year later his resort’s boat dropped off fifteen long boarders at Tuason.

Turned out his house for a few friends

was one of myriad new large resorts springing up along tourist road.

The tide turned in 2011-12. Paradise had to be shared. A quiet surf or picnic could no longer be guaranteed anywhere.

UNABATED DECIMATION: PRESENT DAY SIARGAO Huge development projects picked up during my final two years of living full-time on Siargao. Between 2013 and 2015 the government ordered the removal of hundreds of old trees to make way for a new concrete road to Cloud 9. While many residents and resort owners criticized the destruction, they only had themselves to blame. Booming tourist numbers and large 4X4’s made the old, dusty road unviable.

Simply too many foreigners had put up a few cottages. The improved infrastructure, alongside slick website and social media campaigns, catapulted Siargao towards its inevitable future as Philippine’s Bali.

Photographer: Matias Olivieri

# Through the Lens

Written by: Olga Garcia

ENGLISH

A WINNING BATTLE AGAINST PLASTIC How fulfilling it is to see that the island is going towards a more sustainable future.

Since the 1st ​ of January, sing​ le-use plastic has been banned at any sales point in all barangays of General Luna, except the islands: Catangnan, General Luna (Poblacion 1,2,3,4,5), Malinao, Tawin-Tawin, Consuelo, Corazon, Magsaysay, Libertad, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz and Cabitoonan. Fr​ om now on you have to bring your own eco bags and containers.

The new ordinance has been so far a tremendous success as a greater percent of the inhabitants of these barangays have taken the banning seriously and have changed their habits in a month’s time.

This may seem a small achievement but it is a very significant step that will certainly cause an impact on the way of thinking of many visitors.

Cheers to everyone who is fighting for a greener Siargao, the battle continues!

MATIAS OLIVIERI, BE SIARGAO’S PHOTOGRAPHER, WENT AROUND THESE SALES POINTS AND CAPTURED HOW THE PEOPLE OF GENERAL LUNA HAVE BECOME ECO-FRIENDLY!

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Through the Lens #

IT IS KNOWN THAT “​SHOPPERS WORLDWIDE ARE USING APPROXIMATELY 500 BILLION SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS PER YEAR. THIS TRANSLATES TO ABOUT A MILLION BAGS EVERY MINUTE ACROSS THE GLOBE, OR 150 BAGS A YEAR FOR EVERY PERSON ON EARTH.”, ACCORDING TO OCEAN CRUSADERS.

17#

# Through the Lens BISAYA

NAHIBAL-AN NGA “ANG MGA MAMALITAY SA TIBUOK KALIBOTAN NAGGAMIT OG MOKABAT 500 KA BILYON NGA KAUSA GAMITON NGA PLASTIK KADA TUIG. ANG PASABOT NIINI USA KA MILYON KA MGA BAG KADA MINUTO SA TIBUOK KALIBOTAN, O 150 KA MGA BAG KADA TUIG SA KADA TAWO NIINING KALIBOTANA.”, SUMALA SA OCEAN CRUSADERS.

USA KA DUMADAOG NGA SANGKA BATOK SA PLASTIK Makalipay gayod tan-awon nga ang isla padulong sa malahutayong kaugmaon.

Gikan pa sa Enero 1, ang mga kausa gamiton nga plastik gidili sa bisan hain nga baligyaanan sa tanang mga barangay sa General Luna: C ​ atangnan, General Luna (Poblacion 1,2,3,4,5), Malinao, Tawin-Tawin, Consuelo, Corazon, Magsaysay, Libertad, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz and Cabitoonan. ​Sukad karon kinahanglan magdala nag kaugalingon nga mga eco bag ug mga sudlanan.

Ang bag-ong ordinansa dako usab nga kalamposan kay mas dakong porsyento sa mga lumulupyo niining mga barangay ang miseryoso sa pagdili ug mi-usab sa ilang mga gawi sulod sa usa ka bulan.

Daw gamay lang kini nga kalamposan apan dako kaayo kini nga lakang nga makapatandog sa panghunahuna sa mga daghang mobisita.

Si Matias Olivieri, ang photographer Be Siargao, milibod niining mga baligyaanan ug mikuha kon giunsa sa katawhan sa General Luna nga mamahimong ecofriendly!

Pahalipay sa tanan nga nakigbisog para sa mas lunhaw nga Siargao, padayon ang pakigsangka!

18#

THE REAL

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Photographer: Matias Olivieri

# Be careful

Written by: Christophe Bariou

ENGLISH

WINDY SEASON, JELLY SEASON When Habagat, the Southwest Wind, slowly fades around October to give room for Amihan, the Northeast Wind, rainy season is around the corner. Alongside this dramatic change of weather conditions, comes several natural phenomenon. One of the most irritating of them might surely be the Blue Bottle invasion.

In September/October and until March/April, rainy and windy season hits Siargao, winds are turning and blowing from the Northeast. Amihan modifies a lot of the everyday life, a strong and constant on-shore wind is not very keen on surfers as it crushes the waves, on the other hand, it is delightful for kitesurfers…

It brings rain to water the crops and rice fields, and big swells. Unfortunately, Amihan also bring ashore many jellyfishes, one of the most common is called the Blue Bottle Jellyfish.

Every day during rainy season, we have reports of sting accidents on fishermen, surfers, kitesurfers, divers and even random beach bums.

Talking about this typical gas chamber, it can be shaped in two different ways, left or right handed. As efficient as a sail, depending on the direction of the wind, some Blue Bottles will go towards the open ocean, exploring many other currents and seas. While the other ones will be carried straight to the shore, thus towards their death as they will land on the beaches.

What are Blue Bottles exactly? Surprisingly they are technically not jellyfishes but “siphonophores”, which are invertebrates close to jellyfishes.

Comparable to corals, Blue Bottles are not one animal but a multitude of small organism called “person”. Blue Bottles are like a small city with many different persons having different purposes and specializations, some are feeding, some reproduce, some sting and some have a gas-filled bag. This is how we recognize the Blue Bottle, with 20# its main gas bubble on top.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON IS CALLED THE BLUE BOTTLE JELLYFISH

Be careful # Many of us have already experienced a Blue Bottle “jellyfish” sting. It is very hard to avoid and to predict exactly where they will be, but you can be sure the most infected areas are the most exposed ones to the onshore winds like Cloud 9, Pacifico, Pisangan surf spot and in essence, all of the eastern coast. On the contrary, it is rare to find an armada (name for a big group of Blue Bottles) in south surfing spot like Guiwan. Before heading out, it is smart to first check the beach for dead jellyfishes, but you never know for sure until you are actually there.

ARE THEY DANGEROUS? WELL, BOTH YES AND NO Are they dangerous? Well, both yes and no. No, because it is extremely rare that a Blue Bottle sting causes death, most of the time it is a moderate pain of a burning sensation that goes away after few minutes, leaving itchy red marks for a few days. On the other hand, yes, it can be more dangerous.

Sometimes, depending of the number of stinging persons in a Blue Bottle, the pain caused by the venom can be much stronger. You can feel the pain travelling to other non-affected parts

of your body and experience severe fever, shock, an irregular heart rate and a feeling of suffocation, leading to other accidents if you are particularly sensitive or prone to allergies and heart issues.

This said, do not worry too much!

These situations are extreme and mostly never life threatening. Ask around and you will find out that a Blue Bottle sting is very common. What works in case of a sting? There are a lot of myth around what to do in case of a sting.

To pee or not to pee? Regarding Blue Bottles specifically, studies show that peeing is not efficient and even counterproductive as they can stimulate the venom… For the same reason, vinegar is not recommended as well. The treatment recommended by the “Australian Resuscitation Council” is much simpler, “to rinse the wound well with seawater to remove microscopic stinging cells, then use hot water or ice for the pain”.

Now you know!

Be careful # BISAYA

PANAHONG MAHANGINON, PANAHON SA BOKYA Inig hinay kawagtang sa Habagat nga mao ang Hangin gikan sa Habagatang Kasadpan, atol sa Oktubre, para mosulod ang Amihan nga mao ang Hangin gikan sa Amihanang Sidlakan, duol na ang ting-ulan. Uban sa kalit-kalit nga kausaban sa kondisyon sa panahon, adunay pipila ka mga natural nga talagsaong panghitabo. Usa sa mga labing maka-irita mao siguro ang pagsulong sa Blue Bottle Jellyfish o Tayuha.

Panahon sa Septembre/Okbutre ug hangtod Marso/Abril, ang maulanon ug mahanginon nga panahon moigo sa Siargao, ang kahanginan motuyok ug mohuyop gikan sa Amihanang Sidlakan. Ang Amihan dakog mausab sa pang-adlaw-adlaw, ang makusog ug mapunayon nga hangin paingon sa baybayon dili maayo sa mga surfer kay makaguba kini sa mga balud, sa pikas bahin, nindot kini para sa mga kitesurfer…

Magdala kini og ulan para mobisbis sa mga pananom ug kahumayan, ug mga dagkong swell. Apan sa kaalaot, ang Amihan magdala usab og daghang mga bukya, ang usa sa labing kumon mao ang gitawag nga Blue Bottle Jellyfish o Tayuha. Kada adlaw inig tingulan, adunay pagtaho og aksidente nga mapikitan ang mga mananagat, surfers, kitesurfers, divers o bisan kinsa nga libod-suroy sa kabaybayonan.

Unsa man gayod ang mga Blue Bottle Jellyfish o Tayuha? Makatingala pero dili gayod sila jellyfish o bukya kondili mga “siphonophores”, mga walay dugokan sama sa mga bukya. Susama sa gasang, ang mga Tayuha dili lang usa ka hayop kondili daghan nga gagmay nga mga organismo nga gitawag og “persona”.

Ang Tayuha pareho ra sa gamay nga syudad pero may lain-lain nga mga persona nga may lain-lain nga katuyoan ug espesyalisasyon, ang uban pangkaon, uban pangpadaghan, uban mpikit ug uban may sudlanan nga puno sa hangin. Makaila kita og Tayuha sa mosunod nga paagi, ang iyang sudlanan sa hangin anaa sa ibabaw.

Kini nga sudlanan sa hangin, mahimo nga maporma sa duha ka paagi, pawala o patuo. Sama ka mapuslanon sa layag, magdepende sa direksyon sa hangin, ang uban nga Tayuha padulong kanunay sa dakong kadagatan, moadto sa laing mga sulog ug mga dagat.

Samtang ang uban nila maanod lahos sa baybayon, ug usab sa ilang kamatayon sa ilang pagdagsa lapyahan.

ANG USA SA LABING KUMON MAO ANG GITAWAG NGA BLUE BOTTLE JELLYFISH O TAYUHA

Daghan na nato ang nakasinati og mapikitan sa Tayuha. Lisod kaayo likayan ug matag-an kon hain gayod sila, pero makasiguro kita nga ang labing apektado nga lugar mao ang labing abli sa hangin padulong sa baybayon sama sa Cloud 9, Pacifico, Pisangan surf spot ug sa ato pa sa tibuok kabaybayonan sa sidlakan. Sukwahi niini, talagsa lang makit-an ang mga armada (ngalan sa dako nga pundok sa Tayuha) sa mga surfing spot sa habagatan sama sa Guiwan. Sa dili pa mogawas sa dagat, maayo gayod nga tan-awon una ang baybayon kon may patay ba nga mga Tayuha, pero dili gihapon ka makasiguro hangtod tua na ka didto.

Delikado ba ni sila? Oo ug dili. Dili, kay talagsa lang gayod kaayo nga ang Tayuha makapatay, kasagaran igo-igo lang nga kasakit nga mao ra og pamati sa mapaso unya mawala human sa pipila ka minuto, ug magbilin og katol nga hubag-hubag sulod sa pipila ka adlaw. Sa lahing bahin, oo, pwede usab nga delikado. Usahay, depende sa gidaghanon sa persona nga makapikit sa Tayuha, ang kasakit nga gikan sa lala pwede nga mas grabe. Makabati ka sa kasakit nga maabot sa lain bahin sa lawas nga dili apektado ug makasinati ka og grabe nga hilanat, kakugang, ug paspas nga pagpitik sa kasingkasing ug pamati nga dili makaginhawa, nga maoy makahinungdan og lain nga mga aksidente kon sensitibo o talandogon ka sa mga allergy ug problema sa kasingkasing.

Karon nga nahisgotan kini, ayaw kaayo kabalaka! Kini nga mga sitwasyon talagsaon ug sagad dili peligro sa kinabuhi.

Pangutana lang ug makahibalo ka nga ang mapikitan sa Tayuha sagad kaayo.

Unsay makatambal kon mapikitan? Adunay daghan sulti-sulti kon unsay buhaton kon mapaso. Ihian o dili ihian? Mahitungod sa Tayuha, ang mga estudyo nagpakita nga ang pag-ihi dili maayo ug makadaot gani kay makapalihok kini sa lala… Sa samang rason, ang panglutong suka wala usab girekomendar. Ang tambal nga girekomendar sa “Australian Resuscitation Council” kay simple lang, “hugasan pagayo ang samad gamit ang tubig dagat para matangtang ang mikroskopikong selyula nga makapaso, unya gamitan og init tubig o yelo para sa kasakit.”

Karon nakahibalo na ka!

23#

# Be mystic

Written by: Christophe Bariou

ENGLISH

TALES FROM THE PHILIPPINES EPISODE 2

While we set foot this year of 2019, we would like to share with you a new saga of articles: Tales from the Philippines. The Philippines are the only Christian country in Asia and one of the most devoted in the world. This unique devotion is impressive even to historic Christian countries like Italy, France or Spain, especially when some Filipino crucifies themselves during Holy Week. Surprisingly though, Filipinos are also very superstitious and many ancient, or pagan some would say, beliefs are still strong in our culture. Every month, we will tell you all about some of the scariest, strange yet popular Filipino monsters or creatures.

NOT SPOOKED YET? Stay tuned next month to discover everything about other Filipino creatures…

24#

DUWENDE

SIRENAS

Duwende is a typical filipino monster, they are a type of goblin/dwarf living in rural area looking like little humans. They live in the jungle, under a tree or under a mound of earth but also in houses. These little tricksters are not necessarily evil creatures. There are two types of Duwende: the ones who bring luck or good fortune and the ones that are playing tricks or pranks. All matter how you treat them, if you ask permission when going through a potential Duwende lair with these words “Tabi, tabi po” paying respect and apologize for disturbance, they might grant you good luck or if you are a farmer, give you abundance of crops. On the other side, if they feel disrespected, they will play you tricks and even steal some of your belongings.

Sirenas are well known throughout the world and the Philippines are no exception. Similar to other cultures, the Filipino Sirena, extremely beautiful but also vicious and bloodthirsty, are half woman half fish. They will usually hide near rocks by the shore, perfect spot to sing with their irresistible voice to attract fishermen or sailors and turn their boat into a shipwreck. Humans are very easily hypnotize by them so it is said that as soon as you hear what sounds like the voice of a Sirena, you should immediately cover your ears to avoid drowning and being eaten alive. Sometimes, what could save you is when a Sirena falls in love with you.

It is rare, but possible and in this case, it will become devoted, docile and faithful to you forever.

TIKBALANG Tikbalang are demons described as half human and half horses. There are 2 different point of view of this creature, in the northern regions, is it not considered as evil or demoniac but more as a nuisance, indeed they are tricksters and will enjoy disorienting travellers. The solution when you feel that a Tikbalang is driving you crazy?

Turn your shirt inside out and ask them to stop bothering... In the southern regions, they are demoniac. They will crush to death anyone that is annoying them and will lurk around villagers to rape woman so they can breed more monsters. Nonetheless, there is a way to tame them if you cross their path, pluck one of their three abnormal long hair in their mane and the Tikbalang will be your slave forever.

# Be mystic BISAYA

MGA SUGILANON GIKAN SA PILIPINAS IKA-DUHANG BAHIN

Sa atong pag-abot sa tuig 2019, gusto namong ipaambit sa inyo ang bag-ong serye sa mga artikulo: Mga Sugilanon gikan sa Pilipinas. Ang Pilipinas mao ang nag-inusarang Kristiyanong nasod sa Asya ug usa sa labing deboto sa kalibotan.

Makapahingangha kining linahi nga debosyon bisan sa mga karaan nga Kristiyanong nasod sama sa Italya, Pransiya o Espanya, labi na nga adunay ubang mga Pilipino nga magpalansang inig Semana Santa. Pero makatingala hinuon nga ang mga Pilipino matuotuohon usab ug daghang mga kinaraan, o pagano pa matod sa uban, nga mga pagtuo ang kusog gihapon sa atong kultura. Matag bulan, magsugilon kami ninyo og pipila sa labing makahadlok, kahibulongan apan sikat nga mga Pilipinong ungo o linalang.

WALA PA KA MAHADLOK? Pagpabilin para sa sunod bulan aron mahibal-an pa tanan mahitungod sa uban nga Pilipinong linalang...

DUWENDE

SIRENA

Ang Duwende maoy sagad nga linalang nga Pilipino, klase kini sila sa linalang nagpuyo sa bukirong lugar nga mao ra og gagmay nga mga tawo.

Nagpuyo sila sa lasang, ilalom sa kahoy o ilalom sa bundo sa yuta ug sa mga balay. Kini sila nga manglipatay, dili sagad daotan nga linalang. Adunay duha ka klase sa Duwende: kadtong magdala og swerte o maayong palad ug kadtong mga manglipat ug magbinoang. Ang importante lang unsaon nimo pagtrato sa ila, kon mananghid ka inig agi sa puy-anan sa Duwende ilitok ag mga pulong “Tabi, tabi�, nagrespeto ug nangayog pasaylo sa kasamok, basin tagaan ka nila og swerte o kon mag-uuma ka, tagaan ka og daghang ani. Sa laing bahin, kon ma-insulto sila, dula-dulaan ka nila ug lipaton ug kawaton ang imong mga butang.

Ang mga Sirena o kataw nailhan sa tibuok kalibotan ug apil na usab sa Pilipinas. Sama sa ubang mga kultura, ang Pilipino nga sirena, gwapa usab tan-awon pero mabangis ug uhaw sa dugo, katunga babaye ug katunga isda. Sagad sila magtago sa kabatoan duol sa baybayon, ang perpektong lugar para mokanta uban sa ilang dili kabalibarang tingog para makadani og mga mananagat o manlalayag ug makapasangad sa ilang mga barko. Ang mga tawo dali nilang madani mao nga giingon nga kon makadungog ka og tingog sa Sirena, kinahanglan dayon nimo taptapan ang imong dalunggan para makalikay nga malumos ug makaon nga buhi. Usahay, ang makaluwas nimo mao nga kon ang Sirena maibog nimo. Talagsaon lang kini, pero posible ug kon mahitabo gani, mahimo kini silang mahalaron, matinumanon ug matinud-anon sa imo hangtod sa hangtod.

TIKBALANG Ang Tikbalang mga demonyo nga katunga tawo ug katunga kabayo. Adunay duha ka pagtan-aw mahitungod niini nga linalang, sa rehiyon sa amihanan, wala kini giisip nga daotan o yawan-on, pero samok lang, kay sila manglipatay ug malingaw sa pagpasalaag sa mga biyahero. Ang solusyon kon tan-aw nimo gibinoangan ka sa Tikbalang? Baliha ang imong t-shirt gikan sa sulod ug ingna sila dili ka samokon... Sa rehiyon sa habagatan, sila mga yawan-on. Ilang pisaton ang bisan kinsa nga nakasamok nila ug nagpahipi sila sa mga baryo para manglugos og mga babaye para makahimo pa silag daghang ungo. Bisan pa man, adunay pamaagi sa pagpaanad nila kon imo silang masugatan, ibta ang usa sa tulo sa mga abnormal ug tag-as nga buhok sa ilang balukag ug ang Tikbalang mahimong ulipon imo hangtod sa hangtod.

25#

AVAILABLE AT Raw Sharkika Mama’s Grill Gasa Souvenirs Emerald Resort Ocean Pacific Inn Mamon Surf Shop Kermit Surf Resort Jose’s Shop Pacifico Lokal Taboan Burgos Siargao Surf Academy Malayah Hostel and Shop Jabines General Merchandise

HIGH PERFORMANCE WATERPROOF NATURAL ZINC SUNBLOCK MADE IN SIARGAO ISLAND

MARAJAW SURF

Be tuned #

BE A VOLUNTEER Grom Nation: Empowering kids Saturady and Sunday: Join the groms on their weekly beach clean up and afterwards give them tips on how to surf. Meeting point: Burgos and General Luna. Contact them for the exact location.

USEFUL INFO WHILE IN SIARGAO

Contact: +63 909 641 2994 (Josh) Instagram: @gromnationsiargao Gwapitos, Kermit and The Sun Crew takes you to Island hopping while beach cleaning-up Sunday: Join Gwapitos crew and Kermit’s on a beach clean-up, every once a month, while Island hopping in Daku and Naked Island. Get free BBQ, boat ride and lots of fun.

Contact The Sun Crew: +63 912 059 8781 Instagram: @TheSunCrew Facebook: TheSunCrew SEA Movement: Environmental awaerness Saturday: Join their Beach Clean-Up and have fun with the SEA patrol crew. Starting 3:40pm at Greenhouse.

Cleaning begins at 4pm.

Contact: +63 995 877 2389 seamovementph@gmail.com Facebook: SEAmovement.

Siargao Masaya: Access to Education Saturday: Go around the island with their mobile library and have a charming time story-reading to the kids. You can also donate to the organization or sponsor a child school year. Meet the crew at 8am at the market.

Contact: +63 939 431 8886 Facebook: SiargaoMasaya The Sun Crew: Surf and sustanibility programs They clean the beach in Pacifico every saturday, followed by surf lessons with the local children. Meeting point: Wemar’s Surf Shop at 9am.

Contact: +63 912 059 8781

BOATS From Dapa to Surigao City • Hasta la Visa- 5:30am • Fortune Angel 1 – 5:30am (Fast Ferry) • Evaristo and Sons – 6:30am • Fortune Angel 2 - 11am • MV Yohan Cruiser – 11:30am • LQP Express - 12pm • Evaristo and Sons – 1:30pm From Surigao City to Dapa • Fortune Angel 1 - 5am • LQP Express - 5:30am • MV Yohan Cruiser - 6am • Evaristo and Sons - 10am • Hasta la Vista - 11am • Fortune Angel 2 - 11am • Evaristo and Sons - 3pm From Cebu to Surigao City • Medallion Transport (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) - 8pm From Surigao City to Cebu • Medallion Transport (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) - 8pm Note: due to weather conditions, national festivities and other events the time schedules may change. You can now buy tickets of Yohan in front of Deli Street.

VISA SERVICES Surigao City, (086) 310-0800 Open from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 18:30 pm

HOSPITAL •G eneral Luna Emergency Clinic 24/7, located in Purok 4 close to Palawan Shop +63 918-926-3112 • Dapa District Hospital +63 917 597 2050 (Not visiting on Saturday and Sunday) • P ilar District Hospital

PHARMACY •G eneral Luna, Purok 1, 100 m away from the municipal hall • I n Dapa, near the terminal

EMERGENCY NUMBER • Police Chief Inspector +63 998-967-4823 • Municipal Police (GL) +63 998-549-4147 • Ambulance (GL) +63 912-187-1239 • Coast Guard +63 917-821-4072 • Fire Protection +63 998-590-4303

ATM • D BP in GL across the Roman Catholic church • D BP in Dapa town • Western Union Service, National Highway in GL • E ast West Bank, in Dapa town

POST OFFICE

MONEY EXCHANGE

Every municipality on the island has one

• Palawan shop

27#

# Be low & high MARCH

Be a player # Tides for Port Pilar

LT▼

HT▲

LT▼

HT▲

1

8:22

14:25

21:30

3:05

COEFF. 47

2

9:42

15:36

22:23

4:12

56 65

3

10:33

16:27

23:03

4:55

4

11:12

17:08

23:37

5:28

74

5

11:46

17:43

-

5:57

80 85

6

12:17

18:17

0:07

6:24

7

12:47

18:48

0:36

6:50

87

8

13:17

19:20

1:04

7:16

86

9

13:47

19:51

1:32

7:42

83

10

14:18

20:25

2:00

8:08

78

11

14:52

21:02

2:28

8:36

69

12

15:32

21:45

2:59

9:07

60

13

16:21

22:41

3:34

9:43

50

14

17:28

-

4:19

10:31

44

15

18:58

0:03

5:27

11:42

45

16

20:31

1:53

7:14

13:19

55

17

21:41

3:20

8:54

14:51

71

18

22:35

4:17

10:01

15:59

87

19

23:21

5:01

10:53

16:54

101

20

-

5:40

11:38

17:43

111

21

0:03

6:17

12:21

18:28

113

22

0:41

6:53

13:02

19:11

110

23

1:19

7:28

13:42

19:54

100

24

1:56

8:03

14:23

20:36

86

25

2:31

8:38

15:04

21:19

70

26

3:08

9:14

15:48

22:07

54

27

3:47

9:54

16:40

23:07

41

28

4:36

10:45

17:49

-

33

29

5:55

12:02

19:24

0:36

35

30

7:57

13:50

20:51

2:27

43

31

9:22

15:12

21:50

3:39

53

SUDOKU

Don't give up, you can solve it!

6

8

3

2

4

7

1

5

8 4

7 9

3 1 8

1

9

6

8

2

8

5 1

3

3 4

3

5

9

8 4

2 9

3

6

4

1

7

8

5

APRIL LT▼

HT▲

LT▼

HT▲

COEFF.

1

10:13

16:07

22:32

4:21

63

2

10:50

16:48

23:06

4:54

73

3

11:22

17:24

23:37

5:22

81

4

11:52

17:57

-

5:49

87

5

12:22

18:29

0:06

6:14

90

6

12:52

19:02

0:34

6:40

90 87

7

13:22

19:35

1:03

7:07

8

13:54

20:10

1:32

7:34

81

9

14:30

20:49

2:02

8:03

73

10

15:11

21:34

2:35

8:36

62

11

3:14

9:15

16:00

22:32

52

12

4:04

10:06

17:06

23:53

45

13

5:20

11:22

18:34

-

48

14

7:11

13:06

20:04

1:32

58

15

8:44

14:39

21:15

2:52

73

16

9:48

15:48

22:10

3:47

88

17

10:38

16:44

22:56

4:31

100

18

11:21

17:32

23:37

5:09

106

19

12:03

18:16

-

5:46

107

20

12:42

18:57

0:16

6:21

103 93

21

13:20

19:38

0:53

6:56

22

13:59

20:18

1:29

7:30

81

23

14:38

21:00

2:04

8:05

67

24

15:19

21:45

2:41

8:40

53

25

16:05

22:40

3:21

9:19

42

26

17:04

23:55

4:10

10:06

35

27

18:24

-

5:25

11:16

35

28

19:51

1:29

7:16

12:59

41

29

20:57

2:42

8:44

14:31

50

30

21:46

3:30

9:37

15:32

61

LT▼: low tide HT▲: high tide COEFF.: coefficient full moon new moon

ENIGMA

Move one matchstick to get another correct equation

29#

MATI OLIVIERI PHOTOGRAPHY

@mati.olivieri.surfph @mati.olivieri

SURF LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICE

“CAPTURING AND LEAVING MEMORIES FOR ALL THOSE WHO CROSS IN FRONT OF MY CAMERA ”

* SIARGAO BASED *

Feel free to write or call me: +63 (0)928 728 1319

MAP

(don't)

SIARGAO ISLAND

Be lost #

ALEGRIA BEACH

TAKTAK FALLS

SANTA MONICA BURGOS

SAN BENITO SAN ISIDRO PACIFICO TAYANGBAN CAVE POOL

SUGBA LAGOON PILAR

MAGPUPUNGKO

ROCKPOOLS ROCKPOOLS

CLOUD 9 TOWER

DEL CARMEN Sayak Airport

GENERAL LUNA

DAPA

GUAM ISLAND DAKU ISLAND NAKED ISLAND

SOHOTON SOHOTON CAVE

s i t s e r the

a secre&t

explore urself ! o y t i d fin

31#