Sunlight Air and The Henry Resort reveal a slower, deeper side of Siargao
SIARGAO, PHILIPPINES, July 22, 2026 -– 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.
From July 19 to 22, 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. Personally hosted by The Henry Hotels & Resorts Innkeeper Hanky Lee and Sunlight Air CEO Ryna Brito-Garcia, 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.
"Ryna and I have been intentional in choosing both the itinerary and the group. We wanted to bring together changemakers who don't just visit destinations, but help shape how people experience them. We believe every guest we invited embodies that," said Hanky Lee, Innkeeper of The Henry Hotels & Resorts, emphasizing that the group's composition was just as important as the itinerary itself.
That shared vision shaped every part of the journey. Beyond curating the itinerary, Sunlight Air and The Henry 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
A quick search for things to do in Siargao typically surfaces the usual highlights: surfing at Cloud 9, the tri-island tour to Guyam, Daku, and Naked Islands, or bar-hopping through General Luna. These experiences have rightfully earned their place on every visitor's itinerary, but the island holds just as much reward for those willing to step away from the crowds.
In partnership with Galatea Tours Siargao, Sunlight Air and The Henry 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. Guests paused to take in the scenery, walked barefoot across soft Bermuda grass, shared a leisurely boodle lunch, cooled off in crystal-clear waters, and enjoyed the rare luxury of having nowhere else to be.
Four hours passed almost unnoticed before the group 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. The stop was handpicked by Bianca, owner of Galatea Tours Siargao, who was eager to introduce guests to one of the island's quieter corners that remains largely undiscovered by many visitors. 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 at all, 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, Sunlight Air and The Henry partnered with Lokal Lab in The Hub, General Luna, for an immersive kinilaw workshop that began with a visit to the local public market. Sourcing fresh seafood and produce alongside residents doing their daily shopping, guests gained a glimpse into everyday island life while learning how Siargao’s culinary traditions are rooted in sustainability and community. 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. Returning to the workshop, guests prepared Siargao’s signature kinilaw using tuba vinegar and freshly squeezed coconut milk, gaining a deeper appreciation for the stories, people, and sustainable practices behind every flavor.
For those drawn to craftsmanship, Lokal Lab also offers weaving workshops led by local artisans who continue to preserve traditional techniques through practical, everyday pieces. Like the kinilaw workshop, the weaving experience invites visitors to connect with Siargao beyond its beaches, leaving not just with handmade souvenirs, but with new skills, meaningful conversations, and a richer understanding of the community that keeps these traditions alive.
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, Sunlight Air and The Henry partnered with some of Siargao's most beloved restaurants, inviting guests to experience the island one meal at a time. Rather than squeezing multiple stops into a single day, the four-day itinerary allowed each restaurant to become a destination in its own right, with every meal offering a chance to connect with the people and stories behind it.
The group started with a leisurely lunch at Kanin Baboy, known for its generous servings of Filipino classics led by its signature spicy lechon, and LOKA Siargao, a beachfront spot by Cloud 9 known for its wood-fired pizzas, comfort food, and laid-back cocktail menu. After an impromptu stop at Sea Green Café, where the group was warmly welcomed for coffee by its owner after meeting at LOKA Siargao earlier that day, they settled in for dinner at ROOTS Siargao, where a multi-course tasting menu celebrated seasonal ingredients, thoughtful flavors, and meticulous presentation. On another day, the group had lunch at Wild Siargao, where inventive, globally inspired flavors showcased the creativity that has made the island a destination for chefs and food lovers alike, before capping the evening at CEV Siargao, one of the pioneers of Siargao's dining scene, known for reimagining kinilaw and ceviche as plated mains built around the freshest catch of the day.
No culinary journey through Siargao would have been complete without a stop at Kermit Siargao, the island's go-to destination for handmade pizzas and fresh pasta long before Siargao became the food destination it is today. Today, alongside The Henry, it continues to embody the laid-back island lifestyle that invites guests to stay a little longer and savor every moment.
Together, these meals told a story that went far beyond the menu, one shaped by people who found a home in Siargao and chose to share their passion through food. 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 came away with more than a full itinerary; they left with a deeper understanding of what makes Siargao worth slowing down for. The purpose of bringing together this group of changemakers was to let the people who shape how Filipinos travel, eat, and tell stories experience the island’s quieter side firsthand—and carry that perspective back to their own audiences and industries.
The beauty of Siargao goes beyond its waves and well-known attractions. The island’s true magic lies in the stories, creativity, and passion of the people who call it home and work to preserve its natural beauty. Through meaningful conversations, local encounters, peaceful landscapes, and memorable meals, the group discovered a side of Siargao that goes beyond tourism.
Through collaborations with partners including Hertz Philippines, Galatea Tours Siargao, Lokal Lab, and several of the island’s homegrown restaurants—Loka, Kanin Baboy, CEV Siargao, Wild Siargao, and Kermit Restaurant—Sunlight Air and The Henry sought to create an experience that celebrated not only the destination, but also the people, communities, and local brands that make Siargao special. Adding thoughtful touches of comfort and craftsmanship to the journey were Messy Bessy, Bagoyan, Abel PH, and Primer Group of Companies, who contributed curated essentials and locally inspired items such as travel essentials and handwoven towels and bandanas for guests to enjoy throughout the trip.
One of the biggest takeaways from the journey was a renewed sense of hope. The group witnessed how businesses of all sizes are finding ways to contribute to the community—not simply for profit, but because they genuinely care about protecting and strengthening the destination they are part of. Siargao’s close-knit community showed how locals and people who have chosen to leave the cities to build a life on the island can co-exist, support one another, and respect each other’s crafts, stories, and purpose.
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 The Henry Hotels & Resorts Innkeeper Hanky Lee.
Reflecting on the experience, Sunlight Air CEO Ryna Brito-Garcia shared that the trip became an eye-opener for everyone involved. "This trip was an eye-opener for all of us. It 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 realized that, as an airline, we also play a key role to play 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 partnership with The Henry and its collaborations with local communities, championing experiences that create meaningful connections between travelers and destinations.
For the group, one word resonated most from the journey: hope. Hope that more people will appreciate destinations not only for their beauty, but also for the communities that protect and preserve them. Hope that more organizations will continue to support local initiatives. And hope that through collective action, destinations like Siargao can continue to thrive while keeping their character, culture, and natural beauty intact.
Sometimes, the best way to see Siargao isn’t by doing more. It’s by slowing down. For travelers inspired to experience the island beyond its well-known attractions, Sunlight Air Vacations, in partnership with The Henry Resort, offers thoughtfully curated packages that showcase the stories, people, and places that make Siargao worth savoring. Learn more at sunlightair.ph/vacations.
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The Henry Hotels & Resorts is a proudly Filipino boutique hospitality and property management company that curates distinctive stays rooted in character, creativity, and a strong sense of place. Each property is thoughtfully designed to reflect the culture, heritage, and stories of its destination, offering experiences that go beyond accommodations and inspire meaningful connections with local communities.
With a growing portfolio of hotels and resorts across the Philippines, The Henry believes that travel is most rewarding when it celebrates people, preserves local culture, and encourages guests to discover destinations through authentic experiences. Guided by its philosophy of "Like No Other," The Henry continues to redefine Filipino hospitality by creating spaces where every stay tells a story and every destination feels deeply personal.
Sunlight Air is a domestic boutique airline in the Philippines, dedicated to delivering exceptional service and seamless travel experiences. From its primary bases in Clark and Cebu the airline flies to select island destinations such as Siquijor, Coron (Busuanga), Siargao, and Boracay, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in the diverse beauty of the Philippine islands. It proudly operates a fleet of ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 aircraft, renowned for its efficiency, reliability, and comfort. With its high level of safety and operational excellence, passengers are ensured of an experience that is comfortable, enjoyable, and stress-free. From booking to arrival, it prioritizes customer satisfaction by providing personalized attention and top-notch assistance throughout their entire travel experience.