What Siargao's Fiesta Taught Me About Leadership

If you can't beat them, become them.

For almost nine years of doing business in Siargao, it is very common for me to hear this rant from business owners about their staff— “They said they can’t go to work because they are celebrating fiesta.”

Last Monday, we decided to close our cafe (Sinag Snack Bar)to make way for the most anticipated event of the locals of Siargao every year- - hosting the fiesta!

The Zapanta family lives in Sta Cruz and all the Sinag Snack Bar staff are hosting with their own lechon (roasted pig), the usual superstar of the grazing table. Personally, I am not a huge fan but that meant there’s more for others (haha). As someone living with diabetes, my staff knew the best dishes for me would be vegetables and fish, which they don’t often serve in fiesta. It is very common to have more meat (pig, chicken, or buffalo) and lots of carbs (pansit, puto) on the table. Also, it is expected for everyone to overeat and that’s quite concerning for my blood sugar! :)

But I would still go to the fiesta either way because the joy of participating in a local scene and seeing my staff outside work having fun beats the anxiety that I won’t enjoy the food as much as others. However, it sometimes slip my mind how thoughtful this family is that they would prepare a specific dish for me.

On the recent one, Chris and Richard, the husband and wife combo of our cafe told me “Ma’am, may isda para sayo!” [There’s grilled fish for you!”] while Peter, brother of Richard, our assistant manager, cooked chopsuey to make sure I would also eat my heart out!

For many visitors on the island, fiesta meant going to random houses and having free lunch while doing karaoke. For the locals, at least for the Zapanta family, it meant honoring their patron saint and letting more blessings in, even if it meant impracticality for others. Gelyn, one of our housekeepers, had a 50-kilo lechon which probably costs at least ten thousand pesos, more than a month’s worth of salary.

You might think why spend this much money when you can save it?

Simple.

Because they believed it will always come back a hundred fold. Not because money will just fall on their laps one day. But they have seen it over and over again— how blessings multiply when being shared.

And against all the logic, it is such a fascinating mindset to have.

What leadership meant on the island

I remember this conversation with a previous colleague and fellow business owner before— leading meant drawing boundaries professionally and commanding authority all the time.

At the back of my head, something must have happened to her to conclude that. I have seen how many business owners or leaders were “betrayed” by people they trusted through gossips, theft, and complacency. Admittedly, I’ve also been taken advantage of before.

This philosophy was also my truth years ago because I was still obsessed with title, education, credentials, KPIs, and performance metrics until I was humbled by leading this team. I thought I would make them follow me by showing them how smart I am.

But leadership is deeply contextual and human. Now, I carry this universal rule when it comes to leadership and it’s so simple I almost missed it — practice kindness. Not the “kind” like being soft, but to be extremely honest without breaking a genuine connection. And that my friends need a long practice.

In the book of Brene Brown, she reiterated that vulnerability, trust, and empathy are prerequisites for courageous leadership, even though they do not guarantee that people won't disappoint or betray us.

In a small island, the local culture plays a huge part in leading a team. As an ex-corporate girly in the city, I thought I had to try harder to earn respect and even courtesy… but it was given freely by the locals. What I had to learn is that understanding how people live and the reason why they work is a huge part of building trust.

Every time I would visit their homes, there’s always food on the table, a new appliance, or a better kitchen, while they happily tell me it is the fruit of their labor from Sinag. And the mothers, mostly the housekeepers, would chat casually in the laundry area how their children have found work or graduated from school.

As a coach, I am amazed how much untapped talent the locals have, only if leaders or business owners would give them space and opportunities to grow. And against the popular business advice, actually treating them as family— like people— resulted to loyalty and grit I have never seen before. And yes, that sometimes means letting them celebrate their fiesta, and joining the fun!

My tummy was definitely full but my heart just expands a little more realizing that the mutual trust and respect we built over the years gave me reassurance— that one day of not opening the business is not a loss. In fact, mirroring their mindset, it always comes back a hundred fold.

The best leadership lessons I've learned didn't come from an MBA or a management book. They came from running businesses, making mistakes, and choosing people over ego—again and again.

That's exactly why I created Leadership Lab: a practical leadership experience for organizations that believe people are their greatest investment.