How Small Purchases Make a Big Impact in the Island
Tourism is one of the top sources of livelihood in island provinces like Palawan, Aklan, and Surigao del Norte. But most of the economy isn’t driven by five-star resorts or large corporations. It’s small-scale sellers, craftspeople, fishermen, cooks, and local service providers who carry the weight of day-to-day survival.
In places like El Nido, the woman selling handmade buri hats outside the tricycle terminal might be supporting three generations under one roof. In Siargao, a family that started drying fish by the shoreline now bottles their own artisan bagoong and delivers it around town by bicycle. In Boracay, a tiny shop tucked into a back alley may be the only place left still selling hand-embroidered “barong” shirts made by artisans from nearby Aklan.
Every 150-peso purchase can mean something. Groceries for the day, or materials for the next set of handmade items.
THE SHIFT FROM TOURISTY TO THOUGHTFUL IN BORACAY
If you’ve been to Boracay in the last few years, you’ve probably noticed two things: it’s still as beautiful as ever, and it’s fighting hard to preserve that beauty. After its 2018 rehabilitation, the island began a slow but meaningful transformation.
Many businesses shifted toward sustainability. Local brands emerged selling bamboo toothbrushes, reusable water jugs, and upcycled beachwear. But these efforts thrive only if travelers choose them.
One great example? The Boracay Talipapa. It’s a microcosm of the island’s supply chain. Local fishermen, vegetable farmers, artisanal sauce makers, and grill masters all work hand in hand here. When you choose to dine at one of these humble, family-run stalls instead of a large chain restaurant, you’re directly contributing to a network of real people who rely on that purchase to keep their livelihoods afloat.
Even the smallest vendor inside the talipapa has a story. Every meal here tastes better because it’s seasoned with effort, legacy, and hope.
SIARGAO WHERE EVERY PESO BUILDS A DREAM
In Siargao, the surf may steal the spotlight, but the island’s beating heart lies in its people. With the rise of eco-conscious travelers and digital nomads, small enterprises have blossomed.
Take, for example, the woman who sells handmade earrings using driftwood and sea glass she collects on early morning beach walks. Or the crew behind a start-up café that sources beans from Mindanao farmers and reinvests a portion of its profits into school supplies for local kids.
Even more inspiring are the younger locals who’ve returned home to Siargao, choosing to stay and build instead of leaving for big cities. When you support their businesses, even with a simple coconut coffee or a keychain, you’re voting for their vision of a thriving, sustainable hometown.
CRAFTED BY HAND, SHARED IN THE HEART OF EL NIDO
El Nido has long been a poster child for Philippine paradise, but beyond the towering cliffs and turquoise waters lies a vibrant community of creators and changemakers.
Look beyond the beach and you’ll find hidden workshops where local woodworkers shape furniture using sustainably sourced materials. You’ll meet young mothers crafting abaca bags while watching their kids play nearby. You’ll find small wellness brands using traditional herbs in
their handmade soaps and oils.
And if you take time to visit the local market, you’ll see just how tightly knit El Nido’s daily economy is. Fishermen trade their catch with vegetable growers. A taho vendor shares his spot with a fruit seller. There’s a rhythm here, a quiet symphony of cooperation that powers the town behind the scenes.
Every peso you spend here, when spent thoughtfully, sustains this symphony. And when you finally leave, we hope what you carry isn’t just a woven bag or a bottle of local oil.
We hope you take home the memory of laughter over breakfast with your homestay host. That gentle rhythm of island life where everyone knows each other, and your small choices echo across shorelines and sari-sari stores.
So if you’re planning your trip to the Philippines, remember: luxury is about making choices that feel good and do good, too. And if you want a place that reflects that, come find your little corner of joy with us.
Happiness is the promise we make, to our guests, our team, and the islands we call home.
We’ll be waiting. With stories to share, slippers by the door, and a whole lot of sunshine.
