Siargao’s easy-going vibe proves to be a draw, but unchecked growth threatens its soul

Old-timers speak of a Siargao that once felt raw and unvarnished, similar to what I would imagine what Itbayat, Batanes is today, a far cry from the island visitors encounter today. One of the earliest batch of surfers to ride the waves at Cloud 9 recalls the stretch now called Tourism Road as ‘puro talahiban’, nothing but tall grass swaying in the wind. Where there were once grassy fields now stand cafés, fusion restaurants, yoga studios and boutique resorts, symbols of the island’s transformation.

Naked Island

Kalinga’s Awichon Cultural Village is an accommodation that defines the very meaning of a homestay stripped of resort amenities yet filled with the comforts of home, and enriched with a heritage character, as it was built by the cultural bearers of Kalinga.

Awichon Cultural Village

In the present-day world we live in, screens are ubiquitous, whether it is a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or TV. Although these gadgets make our lives more comfortable, they also expose us to the exposure of blue light. This may cause eye strain, headaches, and interrupted sleeping habits. And that is where blue light filter glasses come in. They are created to prevent or absorb a portion of the blue light that is emitted by screens and to help prevent visual pain and fatigue when spending prolonged time in front of the screen.