Guide to Siargao

GENERAL LUNA (GL) is just a small town at the edge of the world. It is safe, clean and
friendly, the laid back kind of place where you could stop by for two or three days and not want
to leave for a year. It is undeveloped and unspoiled, and that's the charm of it.

SURFING - Just up the road at Tuason Point, is world class Cloud 9, the best surf break (a
barreling right hander) in the Philippines. A short boat ride out in the lagoon beyond, takes you
out to Rock island, Stimpy's and a few more breaks, stretching right up the east coast to Pilar,
Pacifico and Burgos. Just a short walk from the town is the Cemetery's, and Jacking Horse, and
depending on the season there's even a mellow break in front of Dako island, right in front of GL
itself. When you can see the waved breaking on Dako island from GL, you'll know it's pumping
at Cloud 9.

The surfing season starts from August to March, but you might be lucky and catch a good wave
at any time of the year. In October, an International Surfing contest is held at Cloud 9, with
world class and local participants (who are learning fast).

The sea bed drops to 500 meters, then to 1500 just a mile off Tuason Point and the reef. Just
thirty miles off GL, it is 10,000 meters deep. (That is Mt. Everest plus another 3000 feet).
Typhoons in season pass GL to the North East, and they bring the big waves in from the deep
water.

But there is a lot more to do in GL if the surf isn't up.

BOAT TRIPS - Not to be missed is a full day boat trip to Sohoton Lagoon. A magical place,
overhung by Jungle cliffs where you can swim into caves with bats, strange fishes, stalactites and
rock oysters, weird corals, pitcher plants, cycads and wild orchids. But take a flashlight and go
when the tide is low during mid day. The only entrance to the lagoon is through a natural cave
tunnel, hanging with stalactites and with strong currents. The cost is around P500 per person, but
it well worth it.

You can organize your boat trips and get a take away cold box with ice, soft drinks and beer, on
a sale or return basis, plus a good, solid, packed lunch for a day out from the PUB.

Around GL, you should pop across the lagoon to Guyam, the perfect palm-fringed islet, Dako
and it's white sand beach, coral reefs and friendly villagers. Or visit Pansukian (Naked Island)
a white sand spit with coral all around. A day trip to all three should cost around P600. If you are
feeling brave or foolhardy, try rocky, jungled Hanoyoy, and see if all the talk about buried
treasures and wok-woks (forest spirits) are really true. Beyond Dako are La Janosa, Mamon and
little Antokon, with crystal clear water, coral reefs and white sand, rolling breakers and friendly
villagers for about Php700 return.

Down towards Union from GL is Pansukian Resort (Rambo's)- very up market. Until the bridge
across to Union is repaired, you'll have to call a fisherman's boat to ferry you or you can swim
across. You could stop in Latitude 9 resort, by Union, which has a good beach and good
refreshment at Neneng's in town.

Up the coast, just past Pilar, is Magpapungko, and it's natural rock swimming hole. Scoured
clean by every tide, it is a great place for a picnic. Beyond, you could go to Pacifico, Burgos or
Alegria, all with great beaches and surf breaks. You could visit all three in a day for about P800.
Jun Gonzales has surf camps in Pilar, Pacifico and Burgos, and knows more about that coast than
anybody. Dipo Richard has an amazing bamboo resort and makes revolutionary bamboo finish
surf boards in Burgos, where the wind and waves sometimes give surf when ti's not working at
GL. there are cottages to rent at Alegria which has a beautiful beach.

On the west coast of Siargao are Kaob, Poneas island and Del Carmen (Numancia). Kaob, with
it's own secret lagoon, pristine corals and beaches. Poneas island has a whole slew of coral
islands, jungle and limestone mountains. Del Carmen, frindged with mangrove forest, one should
not miss the famous crocodile.

MOTORCYCLES & JEEPNEYS - A Habal-habal motorcycle is literally, the kind of joyful

coupling pigs do-Makin' bacon- You'll see why when you see a full load of local passengers-
they take about six Filipinos but only two or three of you. A full day trip, all around the island,
will cost around P600.00. Often, there are organized jeepney day trips for groups, with food and
beer, to the waterfalls, caves, beaches, surf breaks and one or two secret places, depending on
who's taking you. You could rent a motorcycle in GL, for about P600/day, and get around the
island yourself. There are few road signs, so take a compass. Otherwise, you could get around by
the regular jeepneys, but they tend to arrive and depart at strange times.

You can get a habal-habal to Cloud 9 from opposite Lalay's in the main street for about P50 per
person (P75 at night), and jeepneys to Dapa from Maridyl's. A habal-habal to Dapa should cost
around P100 or the jeepney's only P10.

DIVING & SNORKELLING - There's plenty to see (fish, corals, sea snakes, etc, but no big
sharks) snorkelling on the reefs around Guyam and Dako (you can just drift with the current
along the drop-off). Around Pansukian, the coral reefs are great, (even better at night time) and
you can explore reefs in front of Tuason Point (but please not under the break itself), and in La
Janosa and Mamon. The Mayor of GL (the Ex Mayor now, for technical electoral reasons only)
personally and forcefully stopped dynamite and cyanide fishing in GL some years ago. A marine
reserve is planned for part of the lagoon to re-establish the reef and fish population for divers and
snorkellers. A huge underwater cave with four to five separate entrances was recently discovered
under the first rock islands in front of Tuason, and the Blue Cathedral just off Caridad, north of
Pilar. Underwater visibility and topography are outstanding.

FISHING - The sailfish and blue marlin season, when the big fish (sailfish to 40kg, marlin to
200) cruise the deep water only a mile or two out of GL, really hums from March to early May.
But you could fish for coral trout, large snappers and other reef fish anytime, or get a local
fisherman to take you out to the Payao, a floating fish attractor about five miles beyond Guyam,
and troll for bolis (skipjack) or Barilis(yellow fin tuna). You can catch tanguigue(Spansih
mackerel), huge Pacific tuna, and morang (dolphinfish). In the lagoon, you can get Bayo (Long
toms)- they're fun to catch but a little too bony to eat.

SAILING - GL lagoon must be one of the safest, easiest and most pleasurable places to sail
anywhere in the world. See if you can persuade Pirate Pete or Visayan Andrew to take you for a
fast sail and a few beers around the lagoon. You could try renting a paddle barota (15minutes to
Guyam if you ever get the hang of it).

SWIMMING - Well, perhaps swimming in GL at low tide isn't the greatest, but try it at high
tide or at down or dusk, when the water is freshest, or at night when the moon is out and the
water is phosphorescent. You can get to Guyam in about half-an-hour if you are fit. Dako has the
nearest very very good swimming beach at any tide, and the swimming at Mamon is like being a
virgin olive in a very dry martini.

CAVING - There is a huge cave at Consuelo, with stalactites, stalagmites, rock crystals, piles of
bat guano, a million bats and even a huge python, but you'll have to be fit to get there. There's
another at Malinao, on the way to Union.

JUNGLES - Siargao is one of the only islands in the Philippines where tarsiers (small lemurs or
bush babies, extinct almost anywhere else) are still common. See monitor lizards six feet long,
hornbills, parrots, yellow and black lorikeets, kingfishers, and other birds nobody yet knows the
names of.

BASKETBALL - This must be the Filipinos' most popular sport, and even if they're not that tall,
they are probably a great deal better- join the boys in a game in the street, or catch a match at the
municipal stadium.

CRICKET & RUGBY - Don't exist yet in GL, but with that many Aussies, and even a Pommy
bastard or two, who knows? Footy? Aussie Rules? who cares?

COCKFIGHTING - Filipino cocks are quite small, but you will often see a GL man proudly
stroking his cock in the street. Cockfights are on Sundays, about 1pm, out of town, just past
N&M and Jade star. It's a great day out, if you're not a vegetarian. If you can understand the
betting, win a little bit, but not too much - it's the local's only chance to make a bit extra, so don't
beat the bank. Tip - bet on and watch for the owner's T shirt, not the bird - after a bit of rumpus,
both contestants look tattered and patchy.

MOUNTAIN BIKING - Ask thePUB for a mountain bike rental, and try some cross country
biking. There is an International Mountain Bike Competition held in March every year, but to
tell the truth, it's more like surfing than biking at that time of year, in the wet season.

SITTING AROUND - Probably the most popular active sport in GL, it's remarkably relaxing,
restorative and healthful. Watch the fishermen at down, the clouds and the waves in the day, or
the moon at night. it's up to you if you just sit and think or just sit.
SICKNESS - There is not Malaria in GL. Some big, fit visitor will tell you they caught dengue
fever, but most would call it Flu. Alcoholism is rife.

SHOPPING - At Maridyl's, on the main street, you can get general supplies, fruit, vegetables,
snack, etc. Rosita's probably has the best medicines. Marcha's (go down behind Maridyl's and
turn one block left) stocks hardware, bamboo hats, stationery, and all sorts. There are many sari-
sari stores scattered through the town, which sell odds & sods, fresh fruit in season, Tuba wine,
etc., and there are bakeries opposite the church and beside Rosita's which do hamburger rolls and
fresh sweet breads.

Most mornings, about 6am, 9am, and noon, jeepneys to go Dapa, where you can get most
things(but no banks-you'll have to make a day trip to Surigao for that- go at dawn, come back at
noon).

FOOD, DRINK, NIGHTLIFE - At Maridyl's or Lalay's in the main street, you can get cheap
beer, Filipino food, and take in the street scene or another action video. Ruth has great chicken &
pork barbecue, just between the two. Out at Cloud 9, you could try Snag Miguel's beach bar and
restaurant, or 5 Lyns cafe in Katangnan, The Green Room or Jungle Reef and maybe Veneria's
Karaoke/disco. In the evening, after nine, try the Melvinbo Disco, for sweaty group bopping, or
Seven-Eleven Karaoke/Restaurant (the restaurant isnt' up to much, but the singers are great and
you could even try a song yourself), in town. They are a bit primitive, but good fun. Opposite
Seven Eleven is El Nino Loco, a bit of an up-market bar.

But, if you want a really good quality feed at reasonable prices (Prawns or fish steaks in batter or
banana leaves, curry, spaghetti, fish soup, mash, salad, etc), ice cold beer, breakfast (try Surfer's
superfry), the infamous game of Squares, pool, backgammon, or chess, good music, great chat
and a pleasant atmosphere, you must of course go to thePUB. It's down by the sea in GL itself.
Go down the main street to the school, turn left, right at the end of the concrete, and straight on,
or turn 2nd left after the bridge coming from Cloud 9.

GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE - GL people are very friendly and hospitable, if sometimes a
little shy. Smile and you'll get a radiant smile back. The girls are very beautiful and very
charming, but well bahaved. There is no hooker scene in GL, and nobody wants one. Fishermen
often picnic by the beach or on Guyam, and may invite you for a shot of Tanduay rum, Kulafu
medicinal wine, tuba coconut wine or pa-oroi strong nipa wine. Beware, they are more
intoxicating than they seem. Try kinilaw, fresh fish steeped in vinegar, lemon joice, ginger and
onions, refreshing and delicious. They might ofer iro, dog stew, which is worth trying (once),
litson (roast pig) or kanding (roast goat), worth trying anytime. Get a lad to climb a tree for fresh
butong, coconut juice straight from the nut. Try Halo-halo, a great refresher with ice, condensed
milk, fruit and all sorts of other stuff. Poot-poot, featured as a delicious dish in all the guide
books, is actually a tiny fish, salted, rotted down, and fermented, exclusive to GL, and in great
demand throughout the Philippines, but perhaps not quite to your taste.

GETTING TO GL (and back) - The super cat leaves CEBU to SURIGAO via Maasin on Leyte
most mornings, for a four hour trip arriving in Surgao after lunch, and returns in the afternoon.
Overnight boats leave Cebu in the evening, arriving Surigao in the early morning and go back
the next night, except for mondays. Air Mindanao has sparse schedle from Cebu to Surigao.

Buses come and go to Surgao from Davao (for Samal Island resorts, Lake Sebu (T'Boli people),
Mount Apo, etc and on to General Santos for a quick 48 hours run to Manado in Sulawesi
(Indonesia)and for Butuan and Cagayan de Oro (Camiguin Island).

Fast boats (Aska Queen, Fortune Jet, Tropical Queen) all take about 1.5 to 2 hours P100. Leave
Surigao for Dapa on Siargao Island about 5:30am, or just rest a bit and catch one of them on the
second, noon run. In an emergency, or if one or all of them have technical problems, check out
the pier at Bilang-bilang in Surigao for small lanchas (pumpboats/outriggers) sailing to Dapa.

STAYING IN GL - Close to town centre is Pisangan , just across the bridge towards Cloud 9
and turn right. At the other end of town are N&M Resort, Jade Star and BRC, all a bit quieter
and by the beach, Out at Cloud 9, there is Cloud 9 resort itself, the Green Room, the Jungle Reef,
Ocean and Earth, etc.

COMMUNICATIONS - You probably came to get away from it all at the edge of the world,
but there is an international telephone and post office in the Municipal Hall and Loloy Torres
will help you phone from his house after hours and at weekends. The Cybernet Cafe at the
Leomondee Hotel in Surgao is the best, but there are others if that's offline or crowded.

BANKS - If you need to top up on cash, You'll have to go to Surigao, to the PCI Bank RCBC or
Equitable Bank. They both have ATM machines where you can use Visa, Cirrus and local cards.
There is a money changer opposite Visayan Marketing.

SURIGAO - If you are stuck in Surigao or just want a break, in the city or catch sports and
news on cable TV, try Metro Pension Plaza or Jannex, or The Gateway, which is a tad more
expensive.

At night, a good sleazy experience can be had at Valerie's or Eve's dancing girls joints, and it's
even sleazier around the corner in places like Irish Jane's. Try the Chicken barbecue stands by
the pier in Bilang-bilang. Get good food with live singers and bands at Mack's Foodland, Coco
Cabin, jannex or Frank Lloyd's or Ling Wan for good local food. There is very good food at The
Greenery by Metrobank. Try the Baho KTV if you feel like joining in with raucous 50s/60s sing-
alongs.

Get your visa renewed in an hour at the Immigration office near Philcom (photocopies on the
corner, pay at the Treasury Office, left of City Hall, second floor at the right hand end of the
back building). Buy most things at Jerry's or Palma supermarkets, boating/diving/fishing gear at
Visayan Marketing, electronics at Pat's opposite Mack's foodland, film at Karjel's and medicines
at Mercury Drug. A tricycle trip in town should cost P2, but be a bit more generous at night.

Article adapted from "the PUB Guide to General Luna" 2nd Edition

Getting There
From Cebu City, it can be reached by a 45-minute flight via Philippine Airlines five days
weekly; by a 12-hour overnight boat trip which departs every evening on weekdays. From the
mainland there are motor launches playing the major island barangays daily or SeAir Now Flies
3 times a week to SIARGAO from Cebu.

Once in Siargao, adventure-seekers and beach lovers who have only heard of Boracay and
Dakak will be surprised to see the wonders of this Island. The truly remarkable sites and
attractions are as diverse as the topography of the islands and islets. Most activities are be
enjoyed.

About Siargao

Experience the best of the Philippine Islands as you visit Siargao. Found on the eastern
shoreline of the Philippines, facing the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Deep, Siargao offers
virtually the best of what this country has to offer -- coral reef islets, white sand beaches,
emerald lagoons, mangrove rivers, palm trees, rice fields, rainforests, cliffs, and caves.
Geography

Because Siargao is in an isolated location, this teardrop shaped island has remained relatively
unspoiled over the centuries leaving its unparalleled beauty unharmed as well. Siargao Island
has a total land area of 30 km. x 25 km. The highest elevation of the island is 291 meters above
sea level. The western and southern parts are mostly large expanses of mangrove swamps, in fact
is has the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao. The other parts of the island are blessed
with rainforests, islets, and lagoons.

The weather here is constant year-round with an average temperature of 30° C. Although there
are no great variations in the climate, Siargao (as the whole Philippines) only have the rainy
season (December to February) which is characterized by periodic rain showers, and the dry
season. Siargao Island is influenced by the winds and currents from the Pacific Ocean,
intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait.

It composed of municipalities of Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, San Benito, San
Isidro, and Santa Monica.

People

There are approximately 200, 000 residents in Siargao Island. The locals speak Surigaonon, a
dialect of the Visayan language, though they can also communicate fairly in English and
Filipino/Tagalog. They are predominantly Roman Catholic. Being surrounded by bodies of
water, the people earn their livelihood mostly from fishing. Since coconut is also abundant in the
place, copra farming is also common among inhabitants. People in Siargao are naturally
hospitable, friendly and peace-loving plus, they are also keen in keeping their environment clean.
Isn’t a wonderful place with warm people just perfect!

Wonders

There is a wide range of wildlife in Siargao. There is the tarsier, for instance, which is the
smallest primate in the world, the Philippine macaque and the green turtle.

Siargao is also known for its rich underwater life. No wonder, tourists just could not get enough
snorkeling and scuba diving to see right in their very eyes the coral reef and rare species of fish
and other sea creatures. Sometimes, whale sharks might just show up as you tour around the
neighboring islands.

Speaking of nearby islands, you sure would not want to miss island hopping around Siargao.
With its equally beautiful and unexploited “neighbors”, you are making the most of Mother
Nature’s gifts when you tour to Daku, Guyam, Naked, Caub, Twin, and Bucas Grande Islands!
There you can explore caves, discover exotic birds, or simply experience paradise far away from
the noise and hurly burly of the city.

Siargao: Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Now who’s in for a more exciting and adventurous trip? Having the title as the Surfing Capital of
the Philippines, tourists and locals alike flock to ride on the great waves that hit the Siargao
coasts.

During southwest or Habagat monsoon from August to November, Siargao surfing reaches its
peak as the wind goes offshore.

Cloud 9

Cloud 9 is known to the world as one of the best surfing destinations in Siargao for its thick,
perfect, hollow tubes that international surfers call it a special wave. The provincial government
sponsors the annual Siargao Cup held in Cloud 9. Best surfers from around the world gather here
just to experience the perfection of this great wave.

Where else in the world would you want to go? Definitely, only Siargao can give the most of
your vacation.

Municipalities of Siargao Island & its Current Population:

    Places                                   Population                 ESTIMATED POPULATION OF

FOREIGNERS

1.)  Dapa                             19, 508                              3 %                   

2.)  SOCORRO                      17, 932                              3 %
3.)  DEL CARMEN                   13, 558                              2 %                             
4.)  GEN. LUNA                      12, 347                            25 %
5.)   PILAR                             8, 401                              5 %
6.)   SANTA MONICA                7, 757                               3 %
7.)   SAN ISIDRO                    6, 058                               2 %
8.)   SAN BENITO, &                 4, 750                               6 %
9.)   BURGOS                          3, 043                               5 %

Grand Total Population                93, 354                                         53 %