Off The GRID | Episode 01, Siargao
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- Опубліковано 17 жов 2024
- In our first #OffTheGRID episode, we dive into the island paradise of Siargao, land of the endlessly-barreling Cloud 9 and home to a new breed of surfers from all over the globe who find it quite difficult to leave. Many of them have set up shop here, watching Siargao rapidly grow from a quiet surf town to a bustling tourist destination in just five short years. Its residents open up to us about its growing pains-impending dangers range from waste management to overcrowding-and how they’re fighting to keep their home as pleasant as when they first arrived.
gridmagazine.ph/TV
#OffTheGRID is a new docu-series looking deeper into the issues behind our country's most popular destinations. Our host, Francisco Guerrero, sets the tone: “As travelers, we often talk about what we take home; we should also ask what we are leaving behind.”
Look out for the next episode on CNN Philippines.
Produced by Tripleshot Media Inc. & GRID Magazine.
Special thanks to Kermit Surf & Dive EcoCamp Siargao and Bayud Boutique Resort.
Big thanks to our friends Gianni Grifoni, Manuel Melindo, Gaps Sabuero, Niño Barbers, Pia Lopez, Marja Abad, and SEA Movement.
#GRIDwashere
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Finally, a video that hits a cord in me. I've been developing a small resort on the northern end of Siargao and have seen a huge transformation in its growth. I must say that the biggest problem by far are the LGUs. I always tell my friends that the Philippines is a land of rules, laws and regulations but it seems most are ignored. Waste management is a tremendous problem. Just 15 meters from the entrance to Tak Tak falls you will find a huge open dump. I contacted the municipal officials about it and they did nothing. In fact I spotted their tractor dumping trash there! We informed DENR and to this date nothing has been done about it. This is just one example. Local corruption is still rampant despite the national government's attempt at reducing it. Vote buying is blatant. Just recently I had contacted our Barangay Captain to let him know there were people stealing sand from the beach. He sent a runner to investigate (so I thought). It turns out this official took money to allow the thieves to come in and take the sand. I'm not talking about a couple sacks a local villager needed. These people had a huge dump truck with 15 guys filling sacks. This attitude from the LGUs is going to kill Siargao. Thanks again for this great video and I apologize for the rant.
Absolutely agree. The city officials should uphold the law against throwing trash anywhere and should have a centralized dumping station for waste management and recycling
It's *chord*.
Well, maybe there is in a while the same action as for Boracay.. Duterte say, Siargao is closed, "clean up and dont mess it up again or you will loose another holidays season" + people at the LGU getting exchanged. Maybe, those harsh actions are sometimes the only thing that works.
Can't all the resorts come together and try to build an incineration plant for example?
As a foreigner who is married to a Filipina and has lived here most of my adult life, you’re asking for trouble. These motherfuckers will put a bullet in you so fast you’ll never know what happened, then you’ll end up on the wrong end of the grass, and no one will give a shit.
Boy, this video really made me so homesick and now dying wanting to go home for good. I have not been home since 1977, and got caught in the materialistic way of life in America. Watching this documentary, made me realized how much I missed the simple life living in the island. Honestly it hurts. This video reminded me when I was young, I used to take my summer vacation in my father's island, Bohol. I remember how I would be with my cousin and his friends spending time in the crystal clear water in a little inner tire tube snorkeling, spearfishing, and best of all eating crabs and fishes we caught raw. We would would be in the water for hours and all over. Every now and then, we would scare each other off with a shark, that 3 or 4 of us would be fighting to climb the tube and in the process just flipping the tube over. We're out in the salt water so long that by the time we get back to the shore we would be so sunburned that all you can see are our eyes and teeth. This was simple life and such a good times. I would give my arm and a leg just to do it all over again.
Please preserve Siargao, I just had the best time of my life there so far last week.
"People only see business opportunity, but they do not embrace the lifestyle" -- This statement, though.. EXACTLY what happened to Boracay and it's sad! Thank you for this video! It's both scary and empowering! We should do our own job to protect our natural resources and our country. I just hope people would be more considerate about these kind of stuff. :( #sadphilippines
Brilliant documentary. Thank you. The last time I was in Siargao was in 1997. The very first time was in 1994. I was a young Fil-Am California Boy going to college in Cebu. I picked up that issue of Surfer Magazine before I left for the Philippines and came across the article with Evan Slate and Chris Malloy surfing Cloud 9. I think that issue was 1993? 25 years ago???? Holy smokes...
The article was really vague as to how to get to the location. After doing much research speaking with locals (no UA-cam back then and the internet was just being developed) I decided to try to find Cloud 9 with my classmate-also a Fil-Am from California. We had to take an overnight ship ride from Cebu City on like Gothong Lines or something and slept on the ships deck with hundreds of other people. It got us to Surigao at like 6 am. We then had to wait to pack in a “Pump Boat” with dozens of locals with their chickens and other animals with them. It would be packed and I recall having to try to hide from the Coast Guard so that they wouldn’t prevent the pumpboat from launching due to overcrowding. Lol. It got so stuffy we ended up going up to the boat’s deck exposed and getting sunburned for being out in direct Philippine su for 4 hours until we reached Dapa-the Western side of Siargao Island.
We then jumped on to another packed vehicle. This time it was an oversized jeepney. That was so packed we sat on the ROOF of the jeepney and held on for dear life as it zoomed across the island at 50mph. We literally had to duck the overhang of coconut trees or get beheaded! hahahaha. When we finally got to GL we then packed all our gear and boards onto a Tricicad. There were other families on it (like 9 of us on 1 Tricicad!) so we literally just hung off the side of the vehicle with just one foot and one hand hanging on until we finally reached our destination. And man was it ever worth it!
In 1994 there was only 1 resort at the time. An Australian owned resort called “The Green Room”. The place was awesome and so were the staff. I visited 3 x during my stay there. There were never more than a couple of tourists. First time there were only 2 other surfers from Australia. Second time was a family from Australia. The third time? I actually don’t recall anyone else there! The walkway was far from being built yet and everyday I surfed Cloud 9 it was empty! It was actually kind of eerie! hahaha. I recall surfing Rock Island and Stimpy’s all my myself as well as “Daku”. Absolutely no one out. On our last trip I took my now wife to the island and had a guide take us to a couple of uninhabited islands near “Daku”. We went skinny dipping as there wasn’t anyone else around. It was friggin awesome!
I haven’t been back there in 21 years. I have actually left like 4 or 5 surfboards there with the locals but moved away after I graduated and hadn’t been back since. As the years have gone by, I speak to more and more people who have visited there. Watching this documentary makes me smile but it also shocks me as how Cloud 9 is now “Crowd 9” lol. Growth and discovery is inevitable but it is really nice to see that the community is trying to preserve the beauty that is Siargao...
Thanks again for a beautiful documentary!
(PS this is my teenage daughter account-just in case you look up my profile. Lol)
My first trip there, was in '74, when I was a U.S. dependent, going to high school at the Navy base, in Subic Bay. It took us 4 days, just to get there. Very similar sounding trip, as yours. Back then, no "surf camp" or resorts. Just a few ex-pat Aussies (non-surfers) hanging out...trying their best to keep the tropical paradise secret, to themselves. Which I never revealed. But, ya know what? We discovered so many good surf spots in the P.I., back in the early '70s. We were the first to surf Baler, La Union area and Pugapud...among many others...that I won't mention. I've returned numerous times, over the last few decades. But, I've always gone to other spots...because I've seen what Crowd 9 has turned into. Surfer magazine (as well as all surf publications & their sponsered pro-surfers), "resort-oriented" businesses...and especially, the airport, ruined Siargao. The grueling trip of years past, kept the crowds away. But...there's still quite a few places like Siargao out there...just not with the resorts, tourist setting, or hype. It will always be a very special place to me. Hopefully, their local citizens will save it.
Pag sure ba?!
Thanks....great story
Thanks for this one ! Kuya do you still surf ?
Very nice, in depth and emotional. I spent 15 years in and out of Korea and saw it grow through many of these issues, and now I am in the Philippines. I am more hopeful for the Filipino communities because they have such a verve for life! Development is inevitable, but we have progressed light years ahead in technology and waste management. If other nations realize that our responsibility is to the world and not just our own backyard, then we can all help together.
Thanks for this. I was there for a month around 25 years ago. A guy from Sydney had built the first surf camp there and I was in the first group he took. The island I visited is unrecognizable in this video. One of my proudest life achievements is that I named 'Stimpies'. We would go out each day looking for new breaks and came across Stimpies going nuts at about ten foot. At that time the show Ren and Stimpy was popular... and so it became.
Ian Montgomery 🙏🙏🙏 my favorite spot! Always wondered why stimpies was named as such
Was that place “The Green Room”. I visited 3x back between 94-98. I think that was the only resort back then!
Kaia R. Yeah I think that was the name of it.
Sorry Ian, but you should have seen it back in 1974, '84 & '91. All the "comforts of home", now. And, all the insane crowds to go with it. Inevitable...but, still a shame. Hopefully, it won't go the way of Boracay. Siargao is not the only place like this, in the P.I.
1Bonzer4ss I am sure it was fun in 74 as it was in 1990 when I was there as it most likely still is today for many. My comment just was relating that naming a break and having it stick nearly 30 years later for me is pretty cool.
I visited Siargao in 2016 and it truly is a magical little place. I hope it’s charm remains constant throughout any future development
I remember the first time I've been to Siargao was in 1997 and the island back then was literally a virgin paradise .
Watching this makes me wanna go back to Siargao, asap.
I can understand the vibe that Gianni is saying and it was what I felt when we were there in Siargao for a company outing. Great memories and amazing place. Thanks for this documentary.
Absolutely loved this documentary. I am a Filipina born and raised in London and I can't wait to explore this beautiful place solo next month, travelling sustainably, this film was truly inspirational and heartwarming, love what you guys do and the message you share through your content. :)
Promise! Siargao is different! Their’s something in this place that you cannot explain, its local, the foreigners, the domestic travelers. The island is sofantastic! Prayers ko for Siargao will be, sana ma retain yung vibe na hindi mo ma explain in words. Been here. From October 19 to 22. From Davao.
I recognize Eloy! I just got back from Siargao and miss it so much. Thank you for focusing on the people of siargao and raising awareness of what we need to do to keep this beautiful island as it is.
Wow. By far, the BEST video I've ever seen about Siargao!
Locals in siargao can speak good english man! The kid just killed it.damn!
I’m really surprised this only got 80+k views. This is an eye opener and such a informative documentary about Siargao that hopefully will create more awareness to people living and will be visiting the island. Great job on this documentary and Well done 🇵🇭❤️👍
Very great documentary on this paradise island 🌴😀. I’m coming for a visit in March...and I will coming as a tourist because I’m from Cali. But I watched so many videos on Siargao and this one by far gives me a way better understanding of this Island. I will treat Siargao with respect as I do to every place that I visit. I cannot wait to experience the Phillippines beauty has to offer.
I've really enjoyed watching this video. It shows a major problem that I've experienced wherever I have been traveling in the Philippines. It all starts with the right mindset, of locals, tourists and government. Also it's great to see that people are doing their part by cleaning up the area, and I hope that all the collected trash just doesn't end up on the big pile of trash that was shown in the video. The Philippines should make waste management one of their priorities, together with informing all people to contribute to preserving our planet. Siargao surely has something magical, something I hope to experience myself in the future.
Proud Siargaonon here. We are so thankful that tourist really love our place like magic as you say so.. hope we can help each other to protect it. Thanks for this vlog.. great job bro
Scrolling the playlist of OFF THE GRID, expecting to see another episodes of a documentary film featuring another island in the Philippines, but I see none. It's been 3 yrs na pala for the OFF THE GRID episode 1 siargao. It was a nice video, it's like watching a short film where they invested time and effort in gathering informatiom and editing the whole footages they took in siargao. Hoping to see more #OFFTHEGRID episodes🙏 #fortheLOVEoftheSEA
Great intro...the government and the citizens must act in cooperation to preserve our natural resources or else our future generations would not get a chance to enjoy it...not just in the ph but around the world
I love the emphasis on keeping siargao as it is ... true to nature. hope it stays like this
Good to see a documentary on UA-cam vs the usual vacuous vlog. Hits most of the issues facing this and other natural preserves around the world - greed, infrastructure, poverty and what not. In Belize a few months back I was sad to see the disaster that Caye Caulker is. In Panama's autonomous 300 Kuna Yala islands, one sees something quite different - the Kuna people controlling their own fate and not allowing development from outside. At least when I was there 6 years back. Though large scale proselytization from overseas is jarring. I'll be in Siargao for the first time in a few weeks, and I expect to enjoy the natural beauty of the place and the people, but also expect to see the erosion of nature and culture as I have seen elsewhere from the Americas to Asia. Food, survival, money. How does one address these anywhere in the world?
Been there myself and really got a sense for where the island is now and where it's gonna be in a while. This documentary reflects all of that! Great work!
Refreshing to watch. The type of content that makes UA-cam worthwhile :).
We philips from here in the Phil's. welcomes you people around the world to visit our country.
this has got to be one of the best documentaries I've watched in a long time. very well executed and narrated. thank you for this :)
I been in siargao for about few months,For working and also for me to discover a thing that we called “soul searching”.I remembered the moment when i really had to bike from JL going back the place which i’had worked ,luckily i meet some few people who are nice ,the locals.
Siargao is underrated island ,i know the local government really cop out whats the need of siargao,but one thing i dont like is the transportation and of course the medical thing i mean the proper hospital for the tourist and of course for the locals,i known some people they told me they had hard time when it comes in the hospital,.I hope one day or some of this days that the local authority will have a proper medical facilatation ,not just for the local but for tourist .
Given a time and enough budget i’ll like to come back there.
Writing frm 🇳🇱
Gorgeous video and not shying away from the problems of the island, which there are a lot of due to its growth. I used to live on Siargao and it was the most wonderful home to me, I hope the people there now continue to fight for its beauty.
This is really beautiful, sir! Why have I just seen this now? Please keep on creating and showing people how beautiful the Philippines is. Kudos!
Wonderful to see this, Mick Ford and I ran OSA - Optimum Surf adventures, we were the Green Room close to Cloud 9. We were done with Philippine Airlines went out of business. I love the people, the island and the time in my life where we felt we helped people find one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. And the surf is incredible. Thanks for bringing me up to speed on Siargo - Marcus Lethlean
This is Siargao. This is magical. This is us.
This documentary was the reason why I decided to visit Siargao. But people don't visit Siargao. The stay! Like me haha. I wanted to travel the Philippines. I ended up staying one month in Siargao. The results you can see in my video. Thanks for inspiring me!
Best documentary about Siargao.
2019? hope off the grid does another episode on siargao, kind of an update on how the locals, LGU's, and restaurant owners kept siargao, and probably another episode on another island or city, such great documentary filmmakers, pure.
Every video I saw was all about the beauty of Siargao, but in this video I saw it all.
I think it is the best way to address problems to begin with a solution to it make it more beautiful and preserve.
been hoping to go & check on how is it at Siargao for a decade now...
There is something w/ Siargao when I first read about it ...saw pictures of it that I can't seem to just say "ok...that's awesome" and just go on to wanting to visit some other place instead.
I got invited to join trips to some other tourist spots but declined.
This year, my son said he'll book me a flight to anywhere I'd want to go locally ...&, yes!
I chose to be booked a flight to Siargao!!!
🎉😍
Tnx for this vid! 🙏🏼
Tinapos ko tlga ung 25mins+ & felt good that u were able to present the equally important thing that every tourist should not forget to bring with them.
➡️ RESPECT towards the people, culture/community & the very island itself.
Kudos! 🎉
I love this place so much. def. gonna go back after covid 19. Stay safe everyone and Godspeed
Really great episode with focus on environment and sustainability. Here's hoping the magical mix of ingredients that makes Siargao special can bring it into the future unharmed.
Great documentary....like Wilmars laid back modest attitude. Too many instagram/vloggers bloggers in siargao now....maybe this corona virus thing will slow down tourist numbers and give people a better perspective on life.
Thanks for bringing this up, making people aware of the consequences of rapid development without proper planning and insight. Leaders (local and national govt and NGOs) have to step up and regard the people and environment more than their own interests.
Excellent documentary hope you’ll explore other islands as well and emphasis on environment must be the #1 priority. More power to you.
With development (which includes tourism) comes issues such as pollution. With development comes a growing economy where everyone needs to push for and enforce rules, laws, processes and systems to protect the environment. Hopefully the government will be effective with the pressure from the locals. The alleged clean countries have had decades, centuries or more to try and deal with pollution. Siargao, the government and locals will need to make progress immediately. Like within a couple of years. That’s a monumental task which probably needs quick slow growth measures. I pray for y’all to succeed but human greed is always a reality. I do hope to respectfully visit and surf there as I am a full blooded Filipino born and raised in Southern California. I’m very proud of these action oriented Siargao locals.
Amazing Documentary. Wow, Hands down! Hope we can preserve Siargao`s amazing lifestyle and vibe. Keep it green!
One of the last frontier in the Philippines, it’s very unfortunate that some people will take advantage of its residents for their own benefits. It is very sad and very disturbing.
Sir Paco im a videography hobbyist, still learning and exploring though. Im so happy to have stumbled upon your channel. Documentary is nicely done
Awesome. The "dark side" version would be worth seeing too.
ofw from nagano,japan salute dude nice documentary
Beautiful documentary! Thank you for your work, highly appreciated!
best documentary about siargao i've watch so far, we can immediatly see that u've put a lot of work in making this doc. great work brother. im sharing this vid. on all my social media, your vid. deserves a lot more attention. you should do the same kind of documentary on other places in the philippines. or like show the good sides of places like Sultan Kudarat, who's got such a bad rep. nyway great work :)
I am proud that many people discover and find parts of the country in their adventures, but i hope that the government is able to take away from previous tourist destinations in the Philippines and create the infrastructure to the support the growth of tourism. It would be a shame if places such as Siargao went the way of Boracay.
i am here for my research and it helps a lot❤️ This kind of documentary deserves a recognition and it should be watched by young people for knowledge.
Very good documentary. For someone living outside of the Philippines for more than two decades now, this is an eye opening story. Hopefully it does not turn to another "Bo....y"
worth to watch before going to Siargao or any travel destination. Thank you for sharing Siargao .
I just got back from Siargao. The wakepark was amazing. Very fun place.
One of the reasons why there's less locals developing their lands there is because of the very expensive processing fees for starting up business and for applying for building permits. Its also quite surprising that as an engineer from outside the island cannot supervise his own project as they only "restrict" this to engineers from general luna who will ask for a big pay just for a signature. This should be addressed so that more locals can develop their lands and businesses. The LGU should comprise of people who have the love for the island and its people, and not with corrupt and greedy men.
Corrupt and greedy men are the only reason LGU's exist.
dude awesome awesome!!! my mom was born here!!! i hope to be back to this island for good!!! thank you!!!
Best documentary
God bless po
Mabuhay at Salamat po
Nice of you guys to have visited our country. I am from here but I can only afford to watch the beautiful awesome scenery through my laptop computer internet connection. Thank you.
This should be on Netflix! Good job, guys!
what?! i just saw this now.. your script writing is really superb! i love how the story goes until the end..I LOVE Siargao. I hope to come back when it is already allowed.
My family will be visiting Siragao in July. We cannot wait and hope to meet these folks 🤙🏽
SIARGAO ISLAND, such an amazing paradise.
Hope to see Siargao developed with a real resort planners and responsible architecture et al in the long run. Such a great waste to see it go anyway but proper. Duterte should really create an agency specifically to look over resort areas, develop it properly, nourish and protect them. Our natural resources and environments are a treasure for generations.
such a meaningful documentary about siargao. thanks for this!
Beautifully made documentary. It sums up as a people. Hopeful, Smiling and yet frightened to become our own worst monster.
Love and Respect Siargao 💖
Beautiful video, watched the whole thing! Siargao was my favorite destination in the Philippines, amazing people.. hoping for a sustainable development
I like the idea if maintaining the island feel of siargao. I am hapoy that this local group and also Gianni are conscious if their environment and is doing something to influence the local community to help preserve the ir community. I hope the gvt will equally be involved esp if they are promoting siargao as a surf capital of PI.
This is great documentary
Thank you for sharing your work
Been there ones you come you dreamed of staying forever. The ambiance and the vibe is just totally different from other.
17:44 the 3rd woman from the left is sunny, The founder of nature kids of siargao. She's so nice she helps kids to be responsible she also helps the community. I want to volunteer soon at your foundation. Hi sanny!
Family planning is an issue too ....man theirs a lot of kids just running around
Thank you so much for the great documentary.
Amazing film! Great information, great vibe and perfect insight. Thanks for sharing this!
Great Documentary.... true we cant stop development... but there should be a system, policy and laws for growth. Only the national government and local government can implement these long term investment to Siargoa. A carbon copy of what happend to the other island resort, Boracay. Local leaders dismissed the urgent need for change, until the national government stepped in and placed strict laws, policy and invested infrastructure for long term growth.
heartwarming video, i do hope we learn from the horrors of boracay and keep our nature beautiful and sustainable!!! i still have to see the magic of siargao, unfortunately el nido and coron is following boracay route, something needs to be done to stop it from becoming another cesspool!!!
I love your documentation about the magic wonders of siargao.
Dope documentary bro. As a skateboarder since the 80’s, Siargao always feels like home. Skate/Surf vibes. I hope they can keep the big corpo’s out.
Hello
Great and very informative caption. I was there back in 2008 and wow!!! It’s changed back then I sold a trolling fishing rod & reel to Wilmar…It won’t surprise me next a big SM Mall 😢 in this beautiful island
Subbed and two thumbs up
Ive been to Siargao twice this year. Pure Paradise👌
Wow! watching your vlog gave me goosebumps. I hope and wish that Siargao will not end up like the "other island".
Great video I have never been to suirgoa. But I bought two lots there today. Can't wait to visit
You showed everyone how to document it the right way!
Bro this is so beautiful...just this documentary ALONE
Im not a surfer, but i dont know why this really interests me,, the editing,the topic,the content is really shouting even though its perspective is very calming,
Late comment : Facts; More TOURISM Locally or Foreign it will be a huge huge POTENTIAL transformation changes. First and Foremost, it will provided JOBS to those LOCALS that BRING FOOD to their Family Table and at the same time.. impose " RESPECT " local Island and their Culture. To put these all in perspective, local people are more productively in FINANCIAL stable that most LOCAL unfortunate people DO NOT NEED to Work-abroad to provide their FAMILY NEEDS to SURVIVE just to meet their DAILY NEEDS. Kudos Siargao Island one of the known Philippines Paradise for TOURISM AS WELL AS FOR BRILLIANT SURFING LOVERS.
Very well done... Thank you.
I hope Siargao keeps the island vibe... It's just right... I hope next time someone visits the view isn't spoiled by some big corporation's hotel/resort...
Keep the guests from all over the world coming, visiting, enjoying the island... I just hope the infrastructure to handle waste/thrash is in place or planned to be in place...
It would be a shame if Siargao becomes another place where no one wants go anymore because people didn't take care of it...
Keep doing what you're doing, man...
Peace!..
what a coincidence, i plan to go learn surf in oct 2018 exactly on kermit surf package and now i know exactly the owner of it! great video, love it!
I just stumbled upon this, and oh boy! This is legit! I am hooked.
This is so beautiful
I salute the docu host, he is really eloquent. This docu is very informative for someone like me who haven't gone to Siargao yet. Interesting topic.
A video that touches the heart. Great docu! Will book a siargao trip soon😉
2 years after, wala pa ring Episode 2 hehe Sayang ang traction ng episode 1. Ang ganda pa naman sana. I remember watching this video multiple times when it was released.
I love that country
We were there last month and I think the trash problem can be used to make electricity by using Gasification plant system, no smoke stack
Its not that simple. I work as an HVAC for a local waste to methane gas company, the equipment, maintenance, and knowledge required is extremely high. This is an island, not a 1mil populated city
Bless you for making this film! )'(
Good job for making a really awesome documentary about Siargao Island. I wish I can visit my family back there 😊.
really a beautiful island! had surfed in cloud 9. i hope i could visit again.
friend watching here, thanks sharing this video