Keith Pelayo Lancaster

Where your favourite place to visit here at Siquijor island?

Visitors, please respect the Philippines 🇵🇭

In light of the recent events happening in Siargao, it is important to remember that the Philippines must always remain for the Filipino people first. Its culture, traditions, values, identity and communities deserve to be protected, respected and preserved.

As someone raised between both the British and Filipino worlds, I understand different cultures, mindsets and perspectives. Tourism can bring opportunity, connection and growth when it comes with humility, respect and good intentions. Most foreigners who visit the Philippines are good people who genuinely appreciate the country, its beauty and its people.

But respect must always go both ways.

No visitor, regardless of nationality, religion or background, should enter Filipino communities believing they can intimidate locals, disrespect businesses, exploit islands, or impose outside conflicts, extremism and entitlement onto peaceful communities. The Philippines is not an extension of another nation’s politics, social behaviour or cultural conflicts.

These islands belong to the native people of the Philippines. Their voices, safety, traditions and way of life should always come first.

Places like Siargao, Palawan, Siquijor and many other islands are loved because of their warmth, simplicity, faith, hospitality, culture and community spirit. Not because they are playgrounds for outsiders seeking chaos, exploitation or superiority.

Calling for accountability, fairness and mutual respect is not racism, hatred or division. It is about protecting balance, preserving identity and ensuring locals never feel like strangers in their own homeland.

The Philippines can welcome the world without losing itself.

Respect the people.
Respect the culture.
Respect the islands. 🇵🇭

And please remember — you are a visitor in the Philippines. This is the Philippines.

Kusog Kuya Keith Pelayo Lancaster

Peace

The Philippines must always remain for the Filipino people first & its culture, traditions, values and identity deserve to be protected and respected.

As someone raised between both British and Filipino worlds, I understand different cultures, mindsets and perspectives. I believe tourism can bring opportunity, connection and growth when it comes with humility and respect. Most foreigners who visit the Philippines are good people who genuinely appreciate the country and its people.

But respect must go both ways.

No visitor, regardless of nationality, religion or background, should come into Filipino communities believing they can intimidate locals, disrespect businesses, exploit islands, or impose outside conflicts, attitudes and extremism onto peaceful communities. The Philippines is not an extension of another nation’s politics, culture or social behaviour.

These islands belong to the native people of the Philippines. Their voices, safety, traditions and way of life should always come first.

Places like Siargao, Palawan, Siquijor and many other islands are loved because of their warmth, simplicity, culture, faith, hospitality and community spirit. Not because they are lawless playgrounds for outsiders seeking chaos, exploitation or entitlement.

Calling for accountability, fairness and respect is not racism, hatred or division. It is about protecting balance, preserving identity and making sure locals are never made to feel like strangers in their own homeland.

The Philippines can welcome the world without losing itself.

Respect the people. Respect the culture. Respect the islands. 🇵🇭

Kusog Kuya Keith Pelayo Lancaster

“TOURIST ASSAULT SIARGO SHOP” 🗞️🚨

My thoughts on the issues involving foreigners in parts of the Philippines lately.

Firstly, my mother is Filipina, my wife is Filipina, my children are Filipino, and I’m a Filipino citizen with a Filipino passport. I also live, work & contribute here. But at the same time, I was raised in the UK around Western & Many other different cultures and mindsets, so I understand how a lot of them think.

I’ve also been blessed enough to travel around the world, and what worries me is seeing the same patterns that damaged places like Bali and parts of Thailand slowly appearing here — heavy partying, disrespect, exploitation, broken morals and people losing connection with culture, family and community.

Filipino people should always be protected and prioritised in their own country. The Philippines should never lose its identity just to satisfy tourism or outside influence. What makes this country special is the kindness, values, faith and hospitality of the people.

The Philippines will always be a top destination because of its beauty, unique places, amazing food and culture. Personally, I don’t think we need to become a party destination. When Filipinos drink, they laugh, eat, dance and sleep. A lot of foreigners — especially young men — drink with very different intentions.

And to be clear, most foreigners who visit the Philippines are respectful people who genuinely love the country. But there’s a difference between people who come here to appreciate the culture… and people who come looking for partying, chaos, exploitation and no accountability. It just seems those specific bad ones are always attracted to the same islands.

I don’t know what the exact answer is. Maybe stricter alcohol rules could help filter the type of people who come there. I’ve been to islands like Camiguin where public drinking is heavily regulated and you hardly see issues there. I think my home island Siquijor also does a great job maintaining balance by limiting parties to certain times and areas. We’re not known as a party destination, yet you can still enjoy nightlife. Palawan and other islands I’ve visited seem to have a healthier balance too. Maybe the islands can learn from each other. It just seems like time & time again headlines and articles about the same issues in the same places keep occurring. Also we have Filipino friends there that are telling us about how bad it is for them too.

Protect Filipino culture & people 🇵🇭❤️

- Shaun Pelayo