Behind the Paradise: Stories From Tawon-Tawin, Siargao

Behind the Paradise of General Luna

When people hear the name General Luna, they often think of paradise — white beaches, surfers from around the world, and Siargao being known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines.
But behind this image of beauty and tourism, there is another reality that many never see.

The Reality in Tawon-Tawin

In Tawon-Tawin, the native families continue to struggle with poverty, food insecurity, and limited opportunities.
Despite being close to a popular tourist area, life here is very different.

Access to higher education such as colleges and universities is extremely limited because these communities are far from the city center.
Many families rely solely on farming and fishing to survive, and most live on the hilly sides of the area where transportation is difficult and often unavailable.

Reaching the Families

Reaching these families is not easy.

In one of the videos shared by our volunteers, you can see how support truly arrives.
A volunteer rides a tricycle, similar to a motorbike, as far as the road allows.

From there, the journey continues on foot — walking uphill, carrying packages by hand, just to make sure the assistance reaches the families waiting at the top.

This is the unseen effort behind every act of giving.

The Hardest Choices

There are still more than a hundred families living in this area who need help.
Sadly, at this time, we are only able to support five families.

Making this choice is one of the hardest parts of our work.
Knowing that others are left waiting is painful, but we must work within what we can afford.

We do our best to reach those who are most in need, even when it means making impossible decisions.

My heart carries the weight of these choices every day.

Why This Story Matters

My own family once needed help too, but when I look at the lives of these families, I cannot imagine enduring the hardships they face daily.
Their strength, patience, and quiet resilience are humbling.

This story is not just about one family or one place.

It is about the hidden realities behind beautiful destinations.
It is about communities that continue to hope, even when help reaches them slowly.

And it is a reminder of why every small act of kindness matters —
because for these families, it means everything.