As someone who considers Siargao her second home, Nadine Lustre shares a deep connection with the island, and she firmly believes that Siargao is far too “magical” to be reduced to a mere nightlife and hookup spot.
Screengrab: Dogshow Divas
During her recent guest appearance on the Dogshow Divas podcast, the actress mentioned that starring in her series Love, Siargao was her way of reframing the social media narrative that the island, located off the north-eastern coast of Mindanao, exists solely for nightlife and fling culture.
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“So, parang ‘di naman ‘yun kasi talaga ‘yung reputation talaga nung isla. So, you know, parang nag-oo ako dito sa project na ‘to, in some way hoping na makilala nung mga tao kung ano ba talaga ‘yung Siargao,” Lustre shared. “Nakakalimutan na kasi talaga natin kung ano talaga ‘yung energy na kapag pumunta ka doon—na alam mo naman ‘yung sobrang magical nung isla na kapag nagpunta ka doon, meron siyang parang healing powers.”
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Lustre has been visiting the island regularly since 2017 before fully transitioning to island life in 2021. Since then, she has treated Siargao as her home base and Manila as her workplace. The 32-year-old actress also met her boyfriend, French-Filipino businessman Christophe Bariou, on the island, which deepened her affection for the destination.
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The surfing capital of the Philippines first captured international attention back in the 1990s when its clean, powerful waves drew avid surfers to its shores.
It broke into the Philippine mainstream through the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Siargao, which highlighted the island’s pristine lagoons, bohemian lifestyle, and vibrant nightlife.
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Siargao further solidified its global fame after receiving accolades from prestigious international travel outlets. In 2019, Condé Nast Traveler named Siargao the best island in the world, while TIME magazine featured it on its list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places.
Today, Siargao remains one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Beyond its natural beauty, it has become a vibrant social hub where travelers connect with locals and international visitors alike—and for some, even find love.
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The island even features a famed matchmaking gathering spot: the Catangnan Bridge, colloquially dubbed the “AFAM Bridge” across social media, where crowds gather every late afternoon to watch the sunset and mingle.
Yet, while many flock to the island looking for romance, Lustre found something far more grounding—peace away from the suffocating pace of her city life as an actress.
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“Parang nakahinga ako nung nag-Siargao ako. Nung nagpunta kasi ako doon for the first time mga 2017 ‘yon, parang hindi ko masyadong iniisip ‘yung fact na ‘yon, pero nung nandoon ako, pakiramdam ko mas nakahinga ako,” Lustre explained. “Tapos after the pandemic, nung bumalik ako ulit doon nung 2021, doon ko parang na-realize na parang, gusto ko nang tumira dito, kasi ang ganda nung energy tapos ang layo sa city.”
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Lustre’s series Love, Siargao taps into this exact allure. The romance drama explores the famous local lore known as the “Siargao Curse”—the belief that anyone who steps foot on the island will either extend their stay indefinitely or find themselves hopelessly drawn back time and time again.
ALSO READ: Nadine Lustre, Alden Richards Make Viewers Swoon in Love Siargao
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