Most people come to Siargao for the waves. But there is a different side of the island growing fast. A small but serious art scene is taking shape here, with local and international artists making work that has nothing to do with surfing. The Siargao Artiste in Residence (IAOAIR) program, co-founded by Alelee Andanar and Martin Andanar in 2020, brings foreign artists to the island for four to eight weeks at a time. The goal is simple: let them live and work here, then show what they make. The first Manila exhibition happened in November 2023 at Talyer 15, and a second followed in May 2024 at the same space inside Henry Hotel in Pasay City. If you are planning a trip and want something beyond the beach, this is worth knowing about.
The residency is not just about bringing people in. It also sends Filipino artists abroad to places like the Port Tonic Art Center in France and NVS (Centro Cultural de Ambulante) in Lisbon. That exchange matters because it puts Siargao on a map that most travelers never see. The program is based in Santa Monica, a municipality on the northern side of the island. The area around a surf spot called Tangbo is where most of the community engagement happens. Locals there describe it as feeling like General Luna did 25 years ago — quieter, less developed, and more connected to daily island life.
What the Art Scene Actually Looks Like
The gallery itself is the most visible part of the scene for visitors. Alelee Andanar built a dedicated space — 108 square meters — to display pieces from artists who have gone through the program. It is open to the public, which means you can walk in and see work that came out of someone living on the island for a month or two. That is a rare thing in a place this small.
One example is Italian artist Stefano Serretta, who showed a series called “These Remains” at IAOAIR. He made portraits using Philippine and foreign banknotes, exploring ideas about value and place. Spanish visual artist Juan Perdiguero Trillo spent eight weeks at Neverland Siargao and created pieces that directly benefited the Santa Monica community. Uruguayan artist Juan Manuel Rodriguez Arnabal and Italian artist Federico Tosi also completed earlier residencies. As of the latest reports, Filipino contemporary artist Jigger Cruz and artist Arvin Nogueras were in residency with Port Tonic.
When to Visit and What Changes Your Trip
The art scene does not have a fixed season. Residencies run year-round, and the gallery is open whenever an exhibition is up. But the timing of your visit matters for a different reason. Siargao has a dry season from March to October, which is when travel is easiest. The wet months from November to February bring stronger waves for surfers but also rougher seas and more rain. If your main goal is to visit the gallery and explore Santa Monica, the dry season gives you better road conditions and more reliable transport.
There is also the question of how you plan your day. Carlo Tanseco, a Manila-based artist who works extensively on Siargao, starts his studio days around 7:30 in the morning. He paints only in natural light because colors look different under artificial light. That is a small detail, but it tells you something about how artists here work. The relaxed environment helps with creative thinking, but the actual work happens early. If you want to see an artist at work, morning is the better bet.
One more thing to keep in mind. The residency program is still young. It started in 2020, and the first Manila exhibition was only in late 2023. That means the scene is growing, but it is not a polished tourist attraction. You are visiting a working program, not a curated gallery district. That is part of what makes it interesting, but it also means you should not expect a full schedule of events or a visitor center.
Getting There and Getting Around
Santa Monica is on the northern end of Siargao, about 45 minutes to an hour by tricycle or van from General Luna, where most tourists stay. The road is paved for most of the way, but some sections can be rough, especially after rain. If you are staying in General Luna, the easiest option is to hire a tricycle for a half-day trip. Negotiate the price before you go. Most drivers will wait while you visit the gallery and explore the area.
For those coming from Dapa, where the ferry from Surigao City arrives, Santa Monica is about 30 minutes north by tricycle or habal-habal. The route passes through Burgos, where you can stop at the Lokal Snackbar if it is open. That snackbar was started in 2017 by Lokal Lab, a grassroots NGO that supports local farmers and artisans. It is a good place to grab food and see another side of the island’s creative community.
If you are driving your own motorcycle, the ride from General Luna to Santa Monica is straightforward. The road follows the eastern coast for most of the way, with views of the ocean on one side and coconut groves on the other. Fill up on gas before you leave General Luna. Stations are fewer once you head north.
What to Actually Do There
Visit the IAOAIR Gallery
This is the main draw. The 108-square-meter gallery shows work from artists who have completed the residency. The pieces change depending on who is in residence and what exhibitions are being prepared. You can expect painting, sculpture, and mixed-media work that responds to the island. The gallery is open to visitors, but it is worth checking the IAOAIR Instagram page for updates on current shows before you go.
Explore Tangbo and Santa Monica
The surf spot at Tangbo is where the residency does most of its community work. Locals describe the area as feeling like General Luna did decades ago. That means fewer crowds, quieter beaches, and a slower pace. You can walk the shoreline, watch surfers on a break that gets less attention than Cloud 9, and see how the northern part of the island lives. It is worth a half-day even if you are not there for the art.
Look for Carlo Tanseco’s Work
Tanseco is a designer and visual artist who splits his time between Manila and Siargao. His studio has a view of the sea, and he works in natural light starting early in the morning. His series “The Anthropometric Man” was shown at Art Cube Gallery, and his “Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi” exhibition reimagined Filipino snack packaging with positive wordplay. He keeps a notebook at all times to capture ideas the moment they come. If you are interested in contemporary Filipino art, his work is a good entry point to what is happening on the island.
Support Lokal Lab’s Initiatives
Lokal Lab is a grassroots NGO founded by Analyn Dulpina, Mark Pintucan, Iris Aroa, and Kara Rosas. It started with the Lokal Snackbar in Burgos in 2017 and has since expanded into farming programs, artisan support, and a youth journalism club called PASALO that ran from 2020 to 2021. The group also runs Tropical Academy, a learning hub for ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods. If you want to see how the island’s creative community connects to farming and local culture, Lokal Lab’s website has details on current projects and how to get involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IAOAIR gallery free to visit? ▾
How long do artists stay in the residency? ▾
Can I meet the artists during their residency? ▾
Where is the IAOAIR gallery located? ▾
What kind of art does the residency produce? ▾
Is the art scene only for serious art collectors? ▾
Plan Around What Is Actually Happening
The art scene on Siargao is real, but it is not a major tourist attraction yet. That is exactly why it is worth your time. You are seeing something early, before it becomes a stop on a packaged tour. The gallery in Santa Monica, the residency program, and the work of artists like Carlo Tanseco all point to a creative community that is growing on its own terms. If you are already heading to the island for the surf or the beaches, carve out a morning to go north. You might not find a polished exhibition space with set hours. But you will find something more interesting — a place where artists are actually making work, and where the island is becoming more than just a wave.
If this was useful, you might also want to read our guide to getting around Siargao.
Sources
Savor Siargao’s Flavors: Dining at Oceanic Restaurant — A look at another side of Siargao’s creative scene, this time through food.
Siargao vs Baler: Which Philippine Surf Paradise Reigns Supreme? — A comparison of two surf destinations if you are deciding where to go next.
Siargao Artiste in Residence: Alelee and Martin Andanar, Ian Giron. Tatler Asia, 2024.
Sparking Creativity and Connecting Cultures: One Woman’s Passion for Sharing Siargao’s Soul with the World. Lifestyle Asia, 2024.
Chasing the Light: Designer and Visual Artist Carlo Tanseco on Painting in Siargao. Vogue Philippines, 2024.
In Siargao, Grassroots NGO Lokal Lab Draws Inspiration from Island Cultures for Development. Vogue Philippines, 2025.
