Off The GRID | Episode 01, Siargao
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- čas přidán 28. 04. 2018
- 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
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.
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 CZcams 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 ?
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
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.
Watching this makes me wanna go back to Siargao, asap.
I remember the first time I've been to Siargao was in 1997 and the island back then was literally a virgin paradise .
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.
Locals in siargao can speak good english man! The kid just killed it.damn!
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.
Wow! can't wait for the next episode! 😊😊😊
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'm glad this came up in my recommended videos feed!
Wow! One of the best doc I've seen so far. Great job!
Very good presentation/ documentary about Siargao. Kudos.
This is amazing! Thank you for showing THE REAL side!!
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.
Bro this is so beautiful...just this documentary ALONE
Love and Respect Siargao 💖
Wow. By far, the BEST video I've ever seen about Siargao!
awesome documentary, put together nicely. keep up the good work
Fantastic work on this doc. Bravo and thank you.
Beautiful documentary! Thank you for your work, highly appreciated!
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.
Best documentary about Siargao.
such a meaningful documentary about siargao. thanks for this!
This should be on Netflix! Good job, guys!
This is amazing documentary
worth to watch before going to Siargao or any travel destination. Thank you for sharing Siargao .
Refreshing to watch. The type of content that makes CZcams worthwhile :).
I love your documentation about the magic wonders of siargao.
I just stumbled upon this, and oh boy! This is legit! I am hooked.
Thank you for this, really! You have given me an idea for my dissertation. Thank you 👌
Amazing film! Great information, great vibe and perfect insight. Thanks for sharing this!
This documentary is art! Thanks for sharing this experience 💖
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.
Yes sir!!
My family will be visiting Siragao in July. We cannot wait and hope to meet these folks 🤙🏽
I love the emphasis on keeping siargao as it is ... true to nature. hope it stays like this
A BIG THANK YOU FOR THIS DOCUMENTARY 💯💯
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
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.
This is so beautiful
dude awesome awesome!!! my mom was born here!!! i hope to be back to this island for good!!! thank you!!!
great documentary! im a subscriber now! keep making video sir!
Amazing Documentary. Wow, Hands down! Hope we can preserve Siargao`s amazing lifestyle and vibe. Keep it green!
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. :)
This is so good. I’m hooked. 💯
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
Ive been to Siargao twice this year. Pure Paradise👌
Love this documentary mabuhay kyo!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾
You showed everyone how to document it the right way!
A video that touches the heart. Great docu! Will book a siargao trip soon😉
Galing!
Thank you so much for the great documentary.
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 :)
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!
Great video - thanks a lot
Beautiful video, watched the whole thing! Siargao was my favorite destination in the Philippines, amazing people.. hoping for a sustainable development
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 :)
Nice, welcome back paco!
You nailed it!
Awesome. The "dark side" version would be worth seeing too.
Great job. Thanks, this documentary is really an eye-opening to really do a very smart, responsible and sustainable tourism. I really did enjoy watching this.
ofw from nagano,japan salute dude nice documentary
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!
I love this place so much. def. gonna go back after covid 19. Stay safe everyone and Godspeed
ayos. one love from Palm Springs
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
Wow! Nice information! Next year were going there to explore siargao!😀
Kudos! 👍
Good job for making a really awesome documentary about Siargao Island. I wish I can visit my family back there 😊.
thank you for this..real awesome stuff..this is the reality of what is happening to the island now..
Great documentary! I hope this could bring a huge awareness :)
Excellent documentary hope you’ll explore other islands as well and emphasis on environment must be the #1 priority. More power to you.
Very nice video blog man thanks for the upload and for visiting the Philippines God bless you and your family always!!!
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
Sir Paco im a videography hobbyist, still learning and exploring though. Im so happy to have stumbled upon your channel. Documentary is nicely done
Big thumbs up
great content sir!
great documentary thank you
Beautifully made documentary. It sums up as a people. Hopeful, Smiling and yet frightened to become our own worst monster.
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.
Bless you for making this film! )'(
This is Siargao. This is magical. This is us.
really a beautiful island! had surfed in cloud 9. i hope i could visit again.
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 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.
bucket list!
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 🇵🇭❤️👍
We philips from here in the Phil's. welcomes you people around the world to visit our country.
Sweet vid bro
panalo vlog mo dre,. authentic wlng arte.. salute
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.
I love that country
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.
Best documentary
God bless po
Mabuhay at Salamat po
thank you man for the awesome video. I'm definetly going there someday.
friend watching here, thanks sharing this video
You guys deserve more subs.