Siargao Dream Getaway: How Philippine Airlines Made It Happen

That familiar ding sound that signalled us to secure our seatbelts stirred deeper excitement in me. On board flight PR 2875 bound for Siargao from Clark, we made a few rounds above the sea between Dinagat Island and Siargao Island before getting the final clearance to land amidst the thick rain clouds cloaking the island’s airspace. The piercing bilateral ear pain speaks of our continuing descent and alas the rugged beauty of the Siargao’s mountainscapes unveiled in full green glistening. Most of us know, that Philippine Airlines Q400 pilots are one of the best trained and certainly brave regarding limited runway and visual-manual approach. 

I never set foot on this island, despite having visited all the 82 provinces of the Philippines. Pre-pandemic opportunities led me to visit other destinations in the region like Dinagat Island. Siargao, timeline 2016-2018, is beginning to stir the internet with its unspoken magical island charm. No direct flights at that time, when everyone else needs to endure the hours of ferry ride from Surigao City Port, or a longer commute if hailing from Butuan Airport. Now, the island teeming with establishments that feed the island hunger of tourists of all walks of life. A lot of visitors always tell me after their stay, “You have to experience Siargao, it is way different than Boracay (which I despise)”. This statement lingered in my mind rent-free for years.

The thud against the Sayak Airport’s runway lifted my fears. Finally, we made it! Before disembarking, our dearest team PAL had the team collected in front of the cabin and had a meaningful meeting with Capt. Reynaldo Puig, a Kapampangan pilot. Next, is setting foot officially on the nation’s surfing capital – Siargao. Wheeling our luggage to our respective van, we are now aboard for a three-day adventure. Consider below your 3-day itinerary in Siargao!

LAMARI 

The beginning is our late lunch at Lamari. This hotel and restaurant was founded last 2018 and features a Spanish-inspired menu and Filipino-inspired aesthetics. It is famous for its open-air dining hall and alfresco nooks beside its private pool. Our culinary affairs began with our pre-orders that arrived in a few moments. I ordered Beef Salpicao that features tender medium rare meat cubes drizzled with heavenly umami-rich sauce. The house salad came with a nice flavorful dressing coupled with the crisp and crunch of the salad greens speaking of its freshness. We had an opportunity to order coffee after. During our visit, the second deck is vacant, hence, we are able to roam around and feel the place. Suggest slathering on insect repellant lotion.

BAHANDI

Finally, we are to check in at Bahandi. A Kapampangan-owned 3-star resort. After signing forms, we are assisted in our tropical island-inspired rooms. Bahandi, in Surigaonon, means “treasure”. Hence, the five things I treasure about my room are the ceiling fan (not a fan of air conditioning), the warm shower, the black-out drapes, the bidet, and ample power outlets. Plus, the wifi connection is strong and reliable. Each room also features a private balcony with seats, desks, and hanging rack. We had ample time for rest and recovery before our dinner. This is also my opportunity to discover the travel set we received from Philippine Airlines. 

BRAVO RESTAURANT 

On this trip, I refrained from prechecking the destinations before the flight to keep the excitement rolling. Our next stop is Bravo Restaurant for dinner. Alighting from the van, a short walk through a decorated and dimly illuminated pathway leading to the main dining hall. Welcomed by a traditional hut style transformed into a modern high-ceilinged open-air structure stabilized by light blue-green wooden posts. Ready for our group’s arrival, a long table setup was ready. Subdued warm lighting kept us relaxed and calm. Soon, orders are arriving. We began with their Croquetas de Hongos which came with a nice bite and balanced potato-umami goodness. Their surprisingly good Cauliflower Bites caught our attention with their crispy texture and deep-fried veggie aftertaste. The Patatas Bravas led off nice herby-spicy flavors that coated my palate. One after the other, I sipped my Bloody Mary cocktail with its nice fiery-tomatoey zing. Capping our dinner with a Chicken Teriyaki bowl was the best for the night! Well-seasoned slabs of grilled chicken meat coupled with green beans and its sauce splattered more umami oomph. I would definitely go back here for that teriyaki bowl! 

The restaurant is located within the Bravo Beach Resort and also offers rooms, villas, indoor skate bowl, event venues, diving and surfing packages. Contact them with below details: 

SURFISTA SIARGAO

The next day began with early surfing lessons with Surfista Siargao. Before 6:00 AM, we were whisked to Cloud 9 where Ms. Elaine Abonal-Bayer was waiting for us in front of Loka Siargao Bar. Instructions began momentarily after every participant donned the Surfista student rashguard between the coconut skyscrapers. In less than half an hour, I saw them paddling at the beginner’s friendly surfing area. The sun was still shy yet we at the shore felt the humid atmosphere. Ms. Idda, Ms. Dhal, and I enjoyed watching our team of learners battling the gentle waves and ocean breeze. I grabbed this down moment to fly my DJI Mini 4 Pro drone to catch aerials, and I was surprised at how clear the waters were. But the time is up! We have to return for the Island Hopping activity ahead. Ms. Elaine and her team of instructors were so engaging and supportive. Everyone definitely had a blast! Enjoy the love of surfing with Surfista Siargao and below are their contact details:

TRI-ISLAND HOPPING 

Guyam Island

With the sun peering through the cloudy skies, we got a great start! The engines revved on our party boat (when I say party, the team indeed partied!) and off we sailed hovering over the clear turquoise waters of the General Luna Sea Port. In less than half an hour, we are docking at Guyam Island. Iconic for its coconut tree island core teemed with reggae music, day huts, and picture interests surrounded by calm clear waters. It was indeed an island paradise. 

Guyam Island Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/82ZUw5RrpmPviNud6

Naked Island 

Moving next is the Naked Island, famed for its fine white sand. It is actually a sandbar, a treeless island surrounded by the welcoming waters of Siargao. You would see foreigners enjoying sunbathing here, lots of beach bummers, and of course, those active ones running around the sand bar. 

Naked Island Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5B1uawTJRFtX5nod6

Lunch at Daku Island 

But the highlight of the trip was Daku Island, the largest of the three, where we feasted on a traditional boodle fight—freshly grilled seafood, juicy mangoes, and steaming rice laid out on banana leaves, all to be enjoyed kamayan-style. With the ocean breeze, laughter, and the taste of the island on our fingertips, it was a true feast for the senses, capturing the essence of island life in Siargao. A heavy downpour limited our movement but the magic of Siargao has not dampened our spirits. Loved every moment of it. But we have to leave the island. One by one ran back towards our boat-enjoying the surreal experience. 

Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xD1ibyCgRe8zAuF6A

The afternoon was spent resting and recovering as the rain ensued. We missed the afternoon day tour to the famous Catangnan Bridge, the sunset at Cloud 9, Coconut Road, Secret Bridge and Panghungawan March. I think this is a clear sign that I should be back in Siargao! Thank you Ms. Dhal of Guide To The Philippines, she arranged a surprise warm bowl of Arrozcaldo during the afternoon heavy downpour. Love this gesture.

Bayani Restaurant for Dinner 

Bayani Restaurant, located within the charming Harana Surf Resort in Siargao, offers a tropical dining experience that features dishes from Mindanaoan regions. The restaurant’s ambience is both laid-back and naturally elegant, providing diners with a serene atmosphere surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The ceiling fixtures were made of woven rattan and arranged strategically creating an overall charming and stunning floating design. This night’s dinner theme is more of nostalgic tastes plus the flavorful dishes of Mindanao. We are served with Lumpia Platter featuring lumpia shanghai and the heavenly lumpiang gulay offers a delightful crunch with fresh, flavorful fillings, perfectly paired with tangy vinegar dip. The Bangus Sisig is a smoky, umami-rich twist on the classic, with flaked milkfish crisped to perfection and brightened by calamansi and chillies, sadly, it is served with egg, a big no-no for a Kapampangan like me. The Chicken Adobong Puti, cooked without soy sauce, highlights the sharp tang of vinegar and garlic, resulting in a clean yet deeply savory dish. The Pyanggang Satay, with its rich, charred coconut curry coating, brings an earthy smokiness that lingers on the palate. The Beef Kulma came with melt-in-your-mouth beef plus the coconut-infused curry bursting with warm, aromatic spices. Finally, the Cauliflower Kare-Kare reinvents the peanut stew with a hearty, nutty sauce, perfectly complemented with bagoong. Do not forget this restaurant, and below are the contact details:

After a day’s activity and full of dining experience, cap your day with a soothing massage. You can contact our recommended female therapist at this number +63 915 661 6733, available for hotel room service. Make sure to book hours in advance to reserve your timeslot. According to Ms. Anne of PAL Corporate Affairs, the massage service came in with consistent pressures that soothed her aching back. 

TROGON’S PERCH

Waking up still with a continuous downpour, I felt quite sad that we would miss again the daytour. We were supposed to catch up early but went on with the original itinerary. After finishing our breakfasts, we checked out and headed to Trogon’s Perch before our departure. We drove almost an hour northward towards Barangay Pacifico. Little that we know, we were now approaching Trogon’s Perch. As planned, we had our brunch here in which I enjoyed a bowl of fresh Yogurt with Tropical Fruits and Granola Topping. The resort is located on a rocky cliff featuring its own infinity pool offering views of the Pacific Ocean, its welcoming restaurant and dining hall and the amenities plastered in chalk white. After a group photo with the owner, we reassembled each respective van and drove back to the airport. The story of Trogon’s Perch is somehow the same as our own legendary “Ibong Adarna“.

DEPARTING SIARGAO

Finally, we arrived on time at Sayak Airport. Wheeling in our luggage until we claimed our respective PAL PR 2876 tickets back to Clark. It is official. We are saying goodbye to this surreally beautiful island. Siargao indeed casts magic on every guest that sets foot within its realm. We had a rainy adventure, yet, the island deities and spirits beckon us back. We are blessed that we have Clark-Siargao direct flight with Philippine Airlines.

Going back is always a breeze. Convenient and Hassle-Free. IKYK. 

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SIARGAO MADE EASY

There is so much information and posts about Siargao online. Searching different platforms will definitely provide you with overwhelming details and narratives. Fret not! Guide To The Philippines is here to make your Siargao experience convenient and hassle-free. Book a tour with them and fly to the nation’s Surfing Capital in class. Fly with heartfelt care on board with Philippine Airlines and fly via Clark straight to Siargao. Depart from one of the most beautiful airports in the world and arrive in the nation’s surfing capital, in class and in style, convenient and hassle-free!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My heartfelt thanks to Ms. Anne Tiongco, Ms. Idda Aguilar, Ms. Alea Sol-Cruz, Ms. Abigail Cruz and Ms. Dhalal Maaño for taking care of us at Siargao, from checking in to take off to landing and back. Dakal a salamat!

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