Siargao Artiste in Residence: This is how cabin boy Florentino Das reached the island

“Das was not supposed to be in Siargao, but the currents brought him there,” says Martin Andanar, co-founder of Siargao Artiste in Residence (IAO AIR), finding a parallel to how they, he and the artists, found their way to the island. “When Das was stranded, my grandfatherwas the mayor. So when the property was sold, we immediately bought it in the Nineties. We’ve also set up a landmark [for Das].”

IAO AIR is an initiative that connects Filipino artists to art centres, residency programmes and art cooperatives in Europe and Latin America. Co-founded by Martin and his wife Alelee, the programme offers a chance for artists to live and be inspired by the pristine beauty of Siargao. Foreign artists under the IAO AIR programme stay in Tangbo, Siargao, for four to eight weeks to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and spirit of the island and its people.

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“Because of the exchange programme, Siargao will be re-introduced to the world not only as a surfing capital but as a haven for artists,” Alelee says. She adds that while Siargao is a hotspot for surfing, many islands, such as Tangbo, remain unexplored. “To me, most of Siargao remains a hidden gem. Sure, foreigners know about tourist spots, but there are still so many places to explore on the island, and this exchange programme is important in our mission to introduce lesser-known spaces.” IAO AIR has collaborated with two leading European art centres—the Port Tonic Art Centre(PTAC) in the south of France and NVS, an art cooperative based in Lisbon [Centro Cultural de Ambulante]. As of this writing, Filipino contemporary artists Jigger Cruz and Arvin Nogueras are in a residency programme with Port Tonic.

Related: This artist residency in Siargao is making waves in the local art scene by inviting foreign artists

“We started this residency programme about a decade ago to provide young artists from Asia, South America and Europe with a unique experience in a special place. Port Tonic is housed in a former shipyard directly on the Mediterranean Sea near Saint Tropez. It provides incredible light and colour,” says Paolo Scarani, the executive director and co-founder of PTAC.

“The south of France, especially in the 20th century, was home to many of the most important artists, including Picasso, who found inspiration here. The area has a very distinct and special vibe. We invite these artists to experience this place’s beauty and create new emotions through their art,” he adds.

Scarani explains that they don’t typically invite French artists to join the Port Tonic residency programme because they are already familiar with the environment. What truly interests them is seeing the reactions of those who come from different backgrounds and different areas. “For many Asian artists, for example, arriving in Europe can be a shock— but in a positive way. They must adapt to the local culture and environment, which helps them grow. This new energy can spark incredible work if they are truly artists,” Scarani observes.

For Port Tonic Art Centre co-founder and treasurer XavierSautier Magnan, the key to unlocking creativity is creating a supportive and confident atmosphere. He believes that artists thrive when they feel empowered and secure.

“To build a good artist, you must make them confident,” he says. “If you just put them in more challenging atmospheres, they become an element of the market, but if you put them in an ambience where confidence thrives, you can boost their creativity.

Siargao is facing several challenges, including the growing issue of gentrification caused by rapid tourism development in the area. When asked about it, the Andanars maintain that their focus is and will always be the welfare of the island’s residents. Their 10,000 square-metre property is in a fifth-class barangay, which, Martin explains, both hinders and helps their programme’s development.

“Fortunately and unfortunately”, he says, “the barangay where we are situated is still developing, which is why it’s not a full-blown tourist hotspot. Our property is one of the largest in the area, and the local government is still waiting for roads and infrastructure to catch up before further development happens.”

See also: Roots, the new Siargao restaurant with an interdisciplinary approach

Despite these challenges, the residency has been attracting positive attention. “We’ve been getting a lot of great feedback, and people we don’t even know are eager to visit this part of Siargao, thanks to the residency,” Alelee says.

For Alelee, one of the residency programme’s most significant contributions to Siargao has been its cultural and educational impact on the local community. “The locals get the opportunity to meet the artists, and there’s often great engagement there, especially with the barangay’s younger members. The children get exposed to art, talent and new ways of thinking—a huge part of our vision for them.” She continues, “I’m focused on educating the younger generation. I’ve seen firsthand how excited they are to interact with the artists and try things they’ve never done before. Some of the kids were holding a paintbrush for the first time. You never know where you might find hidden talent.” Alelee believes that the magic of Siargao can only be fully grasped when you’re there in person.

“My husband has always deeply loved the island and influenced me. When you visit the island yourself, you’ll understand exactly what I mean,” she says, adding that her feelings for the place have grown so deep and complex that words can no longer capture them.

“For me, it’s all about the connection between people. So when Ian Giron brought up the idea of the residency programme, I immediately said yes. My goal was to promote the island’s hidden wonders from the get-go. I would talk to my friends about it and encourage them to visit, but sharing this island with the rest of the world is the most important thing the IAO AIR can accomplish.”

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