Dear foreign readers, do you know that an island in the Philippines was included in Time Magazine’s 100 unique destinations in its “World’s Greatest Places of 2021” and Vogue Paris’ Top 10 Summer Island Getaways of 2021? Allow Tita S to tell you about these recognitions.
Siargao, a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea, was chosen as one of the 100 unique destinations to visit in 2021. It is located in the province1 of Surigao del Norte2, in the Caraga3 Region4 of Mindanao5, in the Philippines. It has a land area of about 437 sq.km. (169 sq.mi.). It has one of the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao, particularly in the municipality6 of Del Carmen7, covering 4,871 hectares.
It has excellent surfing conditions, particularly during the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat, from August to November. Local and international surfers call its municipality6 of General Luna8 the “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines”, with surfing pros enjoying the challenging waves in nearby Tuason Point area as well. Siargao was also named by Surfer as one of the “Ten Best Surf Trips of All Time” in 1995.
Source of photos in collage: https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/?ref=page_internal
SIARGAO: ONE OF TIME’S GREATEST PLACES OF 2021
In 2021, Time Magazine chose destinations not only for their beauty but their ability to adapt, build, and innovate amidst the pandemic in order for them to be safe, while offering unique and interesting experiences.
A Time article, written by Duncan Forgan, cited Siargao as a popular destination among “a dedicated band of surfers lured by consistent waves”. It also mentioned new features of this island like new cell towers for improved data connectivity, and satisfactory experiences in Inara Siargao Resort (a 5-suite, bed-and-breakfast boutique resort owned by Natalia Zobel).
Siargao joins Athens, Dubai, Hawaii, Maldives, Oslo, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Zurich, among others, in the list of 100 greatest places to visit in 2021. For the complete list, go to https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/.
SIARGAO: ONE OF THE 2021 TOP SUMMER ISLAND GETAWAYS BY VOGUE PARIS
Siargao made it to the top 10 most charming islands to make the most of the 2021 summer season by the renowned fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue Paris.
It was chosen as one of the 10 top islands. Jade Simon, Vogue Paris’ lifestyle editor, described Siargao in a June 19, 2021, article as a destination that “offers soaring one-on-one with wild nature, populated more guest houses with their feet in the sand rather than five-star palaces … Jacking Horse or Pacifico beaches are ideal for groping the waves. And for the less sporty, the natural pools allow you to splash in turquoise water”.
The 9 other best islands in the world which offer tranquility and paradisiacal beaches are:
* Canggu (Bali, Indonesia)
* Fourni Island (Greece)
* Isla Holbox (Mexico)
* Lanzarote Island (Spain)
* Manshausen Island (Norway)
* Ponza Island (Italy)
* Principe and Sao Tome (west African Coast)
* Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands)
* Vis (Croatia)
For Time Magazine, the information was obtained from https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/, https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1147834, https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/07/22/21/siargao-among-time-magazines-worlds-greatest-places-for-2021, https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/travel/796613/siargao-among-time-magazine-s-list-of-100-world-s-greatest-places-of-2021/story/, https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/22/siargao-is-among-time-magazines-the-worlds-greatest-places-of-2021/, https://www.cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2021/7/22/Siargao-2021-TIME.html, https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/travel/inara-siargao-resort-hotel-natalia-zobel and the Wikipedia page “Siargao”9 and the Wikitravel page “Siargao”10.
For Vogue Paris, the information was obtained from https://www.vogue.fr/lifestyle/article/les-10-iles-ou-partir-en-vacances-cet-ete-2020, https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145729, https://www.cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2021/7/2/Siargao-Vogue-Paris-top-islands-summer-vacation.html, https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/03/siargao-among-vogue-paris-list-of-10-islands-to-go-on-holiday-this-summer/ and https://philstarlife.com/living/352941-siargao-vogue-paris-10-islands-summer-holiday.
Want to know more about Siargao? Read my posts:
* Cloud 9 – NOW YOU KNOW: CLOUD 9 (Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
Source of photos (other than titastravels): https://www.facebook.com/shaka.cafes/photos/
* Cloud 9 Boardwalk and Surfing Viewing Deck – SIARGAO’S CLOUD 9 BOARDWALK AND SURFING VIEWING DECK (Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines)
* Daku Island, Guyam Isand and Naked Island – SUN, SAND AND SEA AT GUYAM, DAKU AND NAKED ISLANDS (Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
Source of photos used in photo-collage: https://www.facebook.com/pg/kermitsiargao/photos/?ref=page_internal
* Magpupungko Beach, tidal pools and rock formations – MAGPUPUNGKO BEACH, TIDAL POOLS AND ROCK FORMATIONS (Pilar, Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
Sources of photos featured in the cover photo-collage (top-bottom, l-r): https://www.facebook.com/pilarsiargaoisland/photos/1249364468407724, https://www.facebook.com/pilarsiargaoisland/photos/a.676742392336604/678577168819793/, https://www.facebook.com/pilarsiargaoisland/photos/2311152788895548 and Wolfgang Hagele, own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, created 28 April 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siargao#/media/File:Magpupungko_Beach_high_tide.jpg
* Palm Viewpoint – FOR NATURE LOVERS, DO NOT MISS PALM VIEWPOINT (Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
* Sugba Lagoon and Kawhagan Island – SUGBA LAGOON-KAWHAGAN ISLAND TOUR (Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)See a related post:
Source of photos (other than titastravels): https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos
* Shaka Cafe – A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE AT SHAKA (Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
* CEV – CEV: Ceviche Heaven in Siargao
The source of the bottom left photo in the photo-collage is https://www.facebook.com/cevsiargao/photos/?ref=page_internal. The rest were taken by Tita S Travels.
* S.E.A. Movement – Seniors, Now You Know: S.E.A. MOVEMENT – FIGHTING TO PRESERVE SIARGAO!
For more information and photos of Inara Siargao Resort, visit its Instagram account @inarasiargao or see Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/43108503?source_impression_id=p3_1636353203_CIFdQ%2B5tle%2BDx4f9.
The source of photos in the cover photo-collage (other than titastravels) is https://www.facebook.com/kermitsiargao/photos/?ref=page_internal.
So, dear foreign readers, will you include Siargao in your travel bucket list when international travel will be promoted by the Philippines?
Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear from you regarding Siargao.
See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Travelers – Foreign Travelers Ask, Now You Know, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!
Do share this post with your Facebook friends, follow me by clicking on the bottom right corner of your device, and do not forget to like this post. Thank you.
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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, those not familiar with the terms used in this post, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:
1A province is the primary administrative and political division in the Philippines. It is the second-level administrative sub-division of a region4. There are 81 provinces (called lalawigan) in the Philippines. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and by an elected governor. In the Philippines, a province is divided into cities and municipalities6 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays11, formerly called barrios. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Provinces of the Philippines.”12
See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE PROVINCES IN THE PHILIPPINES?
2Surigao del Norte is a province1 in the Caraga3 Region4 of Mindanao5, in the Philippines. This province comprises two islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande, in the Philippine Sea, and a small area at the northeastern tip of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur to the south. It is the second northernmost of the Mindanao provinces, and is an important transportation hub between Visayas (the central part) and Mindanao (the southern part of the country). It was founded on June 19, 1960. It has 20 municipalities6 and one component city13, its capital, Surigao City. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Surigao del Norte.”14
3Region XIII, or the Caraga Region, is a Philippine region4 located in the island group of Mindanao6, with Butuan as its regional center. It has five provinces1: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte2, and Surigao del Sur; 6 cities: Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Caraga.”15
4A region is an administrative division based on geographical, cultural and ethnological characteristics. Each region is further subdivided in provinces1, composed of cities and municipalities6 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays11, according to the Wikipedia page “Regions of the Philippines”.16
See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE THE REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES?
5Mindanao, commonly known as Southern Philippines, is one of the 3 major geographical divisions of the Philippines, located at the southernmost part of the country. It is the second largest island group of the country and covers 6 administrative regions: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), CARAGA3 Region4, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), and Zamboanga Peninsula. It is composed of 22 provinces1 and 33 cities. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Mindanao.”17 The 2 other major geographical divisions of the Philippines are Luzon (in the northern part) and Visayas (in the central part of the country).
6A municipality is small, single urban administrative division, or local government unit (LGU), in the Philippines which has corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by law. It is a unit under a province1, subdivided into barangays11, and is called town, or bayan.
In the Philippines, a municipality is headed by a mayor, a vice-mayor, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan (legislative branch). It can enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern its jurisdictions. It can enter into contracts and other transactions through its elected and appointed officials, and can tax as well. It enforces all local and national laws. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Municipalities of the Philippines.”18
7Del Carmen is a fifth class19 coastal municipality6 in the western part of Siargao Island, in the province1 of Surigao del Norte2, in the Caraga3 Region4 of Mindanao5, in the Philippines. It was founded as a parish in 1635 and as a municipality in 1920. It was formerly called Numancia until 1966. It currently has 20 barangays11. It is the home of Sayak Airport, the island’s main airport.
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/SiargaoMangroveCenter/photos/a.438516019645383/438515489645436/?type=3&theater
It has the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the Philippines, covering more than 4,000 hectares! No wonder it is a good habitat for diverse marine life like the king crab and saltwater crocodile!
And you know what? Out of 54 mangrove species worldwide, 44 are found in Del Carmen! Amazing!
The information was obtained from https://www.visitdelcarmen.com/,
https://www.facebook.com/SiargaoMangroveCenter/photos/a.438516019645383/438515489645436/?type=3&theater, https://www.philatlas.com/mindanao/caraga/surigao-del-norte/del-carmen.html and the Wikipedia page “Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.”20 Visit its website: www.visitdelcarmen.com
8General Luna is a fifth class19 municipality6 in the province1 of Surigao del Norte2, in the Caraga3 Region4 of Mindanao5, in the Philippines. It is the home of world-renowned Cloud 9 waves, so this town is called “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines”. It was formerly called Cabuntog, and currently has 19 barangays11, 15 of which are located on Siargao Island, while 4 are on the other outer islands. The islands of Anahawan, Daku and La Januza are within its jurisdiction. The area is protected within the Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS) under Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Area System Act) of 1992. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “General Luna, Surigao del Norte”21 and “Siargao”9.
9“Siargao,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siargao
10“Siargao,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://wikitravel.org/en/Siargao
11A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines, headed by a barangay captain, aided by a Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council). It is the native Filipino term for a district or village. It was formerly called a barrio. In a metropolitan area, a barangay is an inner city neighborhood, a suburb, or a suburban neighborhood. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Barangay.”22
12“Provinces of the Philippines,” accessed July 17, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines
13A component city is a type of city in the Philippines which does not meet the requirements of a highly urbanized city23 and is under the jurisdiction of a province1. If such a city is located along the boundaries of 2 or more provinces, it shall be considered part of the province of which it used to be a municipality6. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Cities of the Philippines”.24
See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: HOW MANY CITIES ARE THERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
14“Surigao del Norte,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surigao_del_Norte
15“Caraga,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caraga
16“Regions of the Philippines,” accessed July 17, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippines
17“Mindanao,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindanao
18“Municipalities of the Philippines,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Philippines
19A fifth class municipality in the Philippines is a town with an average annual income of PHP15,000,000 to 24,999,000 for the previous four calendar years, according to the Wikipedia page “Municipalities of the Philippines”18.
20“Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Carmen,_Surigao_del_Norte
21“General Luna, Surigao del Norte,” accessed October 13, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Luna,_Surigao_del_Norte
22“Barangay,” accessed July 9, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay
23A highly urbanized city (HUC) is a city with a minimum population of 200,000 inhabitants, as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority, and with the latest annual income of at least PHP50 million or US$1 million, as certified by the City Treasurer. There are currently 33 such cities in the Philippines. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Cities of the Philippines”.24
24“Cities of the Philippines,” accessed April 2, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_of_the_Philippines
Tita S Travels 
