Siargao Rides the Waves to Recovery with 26th Siargao International Surfing Festival

On December 16, 2021, Super Typhoon Odette hit the Philippines, leaving Siargao Island devastated. Now, two months before Christmas, the teardrop-shaped island has proved its resilience as it opens the 26th Siargao International Surfing Festival from October 15 to 21, 2022.

During the surfing festival, local and foreign surfers as well as tourists from different regions in the Philippines gathered at The Boulevard and the popular tourist spot, Cloud 9 at General Luna to ride the waves, enjoy music from various local acts, dance the salsa, and experience the nightlife which Siargao is already known for.

Cloud 9 in 2018

Famous local surfers, such as John Mark Tokong and Nelbie Blancada, proved to be forces to reckon with as they won against surfers, Yuji Nishi and Anon Matsuoka of Japan.

While the waves of Cloud 9 ultimately tested the stamina of over 100 surfers across the world, tourists also flocked over at The Boulevard to join surfing masterclasses, enjoy yoga with the locals, and join a bar crawl at the heart of General Luna.

This signals a new beginning for Siargao’s tourism, with the surfing festival offering new opportunities for Siargaonons and entrepreneurs living in the island.

With the support from the national and local government through its war cry, Bangon Siargao, the island is expected to “rise” and regain its name as one of the best islands in Asia and one of the top tourist destinations in the world.