Sunlight Air and The Henry Resort reveal a slower side of Siargao

As more Filipinos trade packed itineraries for the unhurried pace of slow travel, Siargao is emerging as one of the country's premier destinations to experience it. Best known for its world-class surf, buzzing nightlife, and café culture, the island also holds a quieter side, one that rewards travelers who choose to slow down, especially from April to August when the waves are calmer.

Last July, Sunlight Air and The Henry Hotels and Resorts welcomed a curated group of guests from the travel, tourism, film, and creative industries for Where Stories Stay Still: A Siargao Changemakers Trip. The four-day immersive experience brought together individuals whose work influences how Filipinos discover destinations and engage with local communities, earning them the title Changemakers for their ability to inspire more thoughtful and meaningful ways of traveling.

Beyond curating the itinerary, Sunlight Air and The Henry Hotels also partnered with Hertz Philippines to provide seamless land transfers between Manila and Clark, as well as throughout Siargao, allowing guests to focus on experiencing the destination at an unhurried pace. Rather than racing through a checklist of attractions, the itinerary invited guests to linger and connect with the island through its people, culture, cuisine, and natural landscapes.

Exploring Siargao Beyond the Tourist Trail

In partnership with Galatea Tours Siargao, Sunlight Air and The Henry Hotels led guests beyond the island's usual tourist trail to Corregidor Island, originally known as Casulian Island. Roughly a 45-minute boat ride from Siargao, the island rewards visitors who take their time. A gentle 20- to 30-minute hike leads to sweeping panoramic views, though the journey there is just as memorable.

The group later made their way to the Malinao Mangroves, tucked into the quiet village of Malinao near Secret Beach. Part of Siargao’s expansive mangrove ecosystem, Malinao Mangroves showcases the island’s quieter side, with lush waterways, serene surroundings, and sightings of fruit bats that highlight the area’s natural charm. Exploring the calm waterways by paddleboard, kayak, or traditional baroto revealed an entirely different side of Siargao, defined not by adrenaline, but by silence, birdsong, and the peaceful embrace of the mangrove forest.

It was a fitting reminder that some of the island's most rewarding places reveal themselves only to those willing to slow down and learn from the people who know the island best.

Learning From Siargao's Local Community

Some of Siargao's most meaningful experiences aren't found in its landscapes but in the people who shape its culture and sustain its traditions. To offer guests a deeper connection to the island’s way of life, Lokal Lab in The Hub, General Luna, led an immersive kinilaw workshop that began with a visit to the local public market. The experience highlighted the importance of Siargao’s community-to-table practices, where locally sourced ingredients support small-scale fishermen, farmers, and producers whose livelihoods are closely tied to the island’s natural resources. At the workshop, guests prepared Siargao’s signature kinilaw using tuba vinegar and freshly squeezed coconut milk, deepening their appreciation for the stories, people, and sustainable practices behind every flavor.

Discovering Siargao's Culinary Scene

Like many who visit Siargao, the people behind some of its most celebrated restaurants first came for the island and stayed because they fell in love with its way of life. They brought their craft, creativity, and passion for cooking with them, helping turn Siargao into one of the country's most exciting food destinations.

To showcase this evolving culinary scene, the four-day itinerary allowed for multiple restaurants to become a destination in its own right. Each restaurant offered unique flavors and creative menus that left guests wanting to savor the moment longer:

Kanin Baboy – known for its generous servings of Filipino classics led by its signature spicy lechon

LOKA Siargao – a beachfront spot by Cloud 9 known for its wood-fired pizzas and laid-back cocktail menu

ROOTS Siargao – multi-course tasting menu celebrating seasonal ingredients, thoughtful flavors, and meticulous presentation

Wild Siargao – where inventive, globally inspired flavors showcase the creativity that has made the island a destination for chefs and food lovers alike

CEV Siargao – one of the pioneers of Siargao's dining scene, known for reimagining kinilaw and ceviche

Kermit Siargao – the island's go-to destination for handmade pizzas and fresh pasta

By lingering over each meal and getting to know the people behind them, the group experienced firsthand how the island's dining scene is as much about its stories as it is about its flavors, inviting future travelers to discover these restaurants not simply for what they serve, but for the stories they tell.

The Changemakers' Takeaway

By the end of the four-day Where Stories Stay Still: A Siargao Changemakers Trip, the guests left with more than a full itinerary, but with a deeper understanding of what makes Siargao worth slowing down for. By bringing together this group of changemakers, Sunlight Air and The Henry Hotels hope to provide another perspective of the island’s quieter side to the people who shape how Filipinos travel, eat, and tell stories. Through meaningful conversations, local encounters, peaceful landscapes, and memorable meals, the group discovered a side of Siargao that goes beyond tourism.

The experience was also a reminder that meaningful change happens when people come together. “Alone, an airline, a hotel, a tour operator, or a local business can only do so much. But together, as a village with people who believe in the destination and its communities, every effort can help move the needle and create a greater impact,” said Lee.

Sunlight Air CEO Ryna Brito-Garcia shared, "This trip reminded us that travel isn't just about bringing people to a destination, but about helping travelers connect with the communities that call these places home. We, as an airline, also play a key role in the ecosystem –supporting local businesses, celebrating local culture, and creating opportunities for destinations and the people behind them to thrive."

That shared commitment continues to shape Sunlight Air’s partnerships and collaborations with local communities, championing experiences that create meaningful connections between travelers and destinations.

Sometimes, the best way to see Siargao isn’t by doing more, but by slowing down. For travelers inspired to experience the island beyond its well-known attractions, Sunlight Air Vacations, in partnership with The Henry Hotels and Resorts, offers thoughtfully curated packages that showcase the stories, people, and places that make Siargao worth savoring. Learn more at sunlightair.ph/vacations.

This trip was made possible in collaboration with Hertz Philippines, Galatea Tours Siargao, Lokal Lab, and restaurant partners Loka, Kanin Baboy, CEV Siargao, Wild Siargao, and Kermit Restaurant. Adding thoughtful touches of comfort and craftsmanship to the journey were Messy Bessy, Bagoyan, Abel PH, and Primer Group of Companies.

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