ESTEL Magazine

28/02/2026

ESTEL Issue 21 is coming!

Earth Month release. Festival Season hit during editorial of this issue. El Nido culture from the barangays to the big stage.

We need your help picking the cover — both shots are from Ati-Atihan Festival in Barotuan, one of 19 barangay festivals across El Nido.

Option A or Option B?

Drop your vote in the comments.

Issue 21 hits stands Holy Week.

17/12/2025

🏄🏻‍♀️ CHOOSE OUR NEXT COVER.

ESTEL — Issue No. 20 | Coming to Print (Jan–Feb)

Amihan winds are in. Surf season is here.
Kids still play outside — not because they’re told to, but because the environment invites it.

What better lesson in ecological living than sitting on a board, waiting for waves?
Nature sets the pace. A nosedive reminds you who’s in charge. You get back on, quieter, more aware.

This issue also speaks to family travel — choosing places where shared time happens outdoors, rhythms slow down, and learning comes from being present together.

10/10/2025

ESTEL Issue 19 is heading to print but first... 📣

This issue celebrates Youth • Movement • Community — from Sitio Tandol’s Teen Sharks to the pulse of El Nido’s emerging athletes, environmental champions, and cultural movers. Our cover reflects this energy: the spirit of play, the spaces that shape us, and the young people pushing beyond limits.

We have two strong cover contenders:
🌿 A – Forest Run (photo by .dlh) — a quiet, powerful moment on Lio’s forest trail.
🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️ B – Beach Group Run (photo by ) — the Teen Sharks in motion, embodying grit and community on the shoreline.

Both are compelling — help us choose which story leads the issue.
👉 Drop your vote (A or B) in the comments or DM us.

03/03/2025

Working on Issue 18- Cover choices. Going to print tomorrow.
CHOOSE #1, #2, or #3

02/04/2024

Swales- A Regenerative Water Management Tool

08/03/2024

El Nido is full of inspiration. A quick dig on a neighbor and friend as I continue to try to understand sustainable and regenerative building.....

In 2014, following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) in the Philippines, Gener conceptualized a design for a traditional Filipino bamboo dwelling engineered to withstand the increasingly severe storms brought about by climate change.

The design features a sturdy framework of intertwined curved bayog with an overhanging roof that doubles as the walls. Tao Philippines has employed this design widely for guest lodging, as well as on a larger scale for schools and community hubs. "Tuka" is a Filipino term referring to the beak of a bird.

See more of Gener's works here- Palawan Paraw - Reviving A Relic of Filipino Culture

Peek cute illustrations of his design here

Palawan Bamboo

07/03/2024

There's you're next ESTEL Magazine cover photo.

In this season, we go into another El Niño season with water being the topic of discussion. We wanted to introduce the carabao (water buffalo), our national animal, as a character on the vacation of tourists and not completely strip El Nido to simply limestone photos.

We met Kuya Dexter, who companions this playful two-year-old and chatted about the implications of water and its visibility to a rural community that makes 300-400 meter trips from barrio household to water source. With tourism in full force, water pressures are more visible and, for many operators, a huge operating expense. Regardless, the waters are part of what bring folks over.

Welcome to the Philippines, a land celebrated as the 'Best Island in the World,' yet also bearing the weighty title of the 'most-disaster-prone country in the world,' according to the World Resources Institute. In this season, we find ourselves in drought.

LET US KNOW WHICH COVER YOU'D LIKE #1, #2, #3, #4 😁

14/12/2023

🌱 Discover the Journey of Regeneration at Tutubig Eco-Garden 🌿

Join David Esteban and Dona Tumacder on their remarkable journey with Tutubig Eco-Garden in El Nido and consultation with Shyo Sayajo. Amidst the pandemic and the years after, they embarked on transforming a 4,403-square meter property into a permaculture space. Dive into their story of challenges, learning, and adaptation. Embrace the principles of permaculture design, water management, and eco-friendly development. Get inspired by their vision for a regenerative future. Read more about their exciting journey and eco-endeavors.

Over the past few years, amidst the pandemic, David Esteban and Dona Tumacder-Esteban, the proud owners of Tutubig Eco-Garden, embarked on a remarkable journey...

18/10/2023

Introducing Issue 16 of ESTEL: Aerial Views and Earthly Stories

Welcome to Issue 16 of ESTEL, where we soar above the ordinary and dive deep into the heart of El Nido's most captivating stories. This issue celebrates our land, our place in it, and the innovative ways we are building a sustainable future.

The Cover Story: A Bird's Eye View with Ignacio Sayajon
Our cover features breathtaking aerial views of El Nido's landscapes and a few projects from climate resilience planner, Ignacio Sayajon. These images are not just visually stunning; they provide case studies to the challenges and opportunities we're.

From Bean to Bar: The Chocolate Journey
Discover the intricate process of chocolate-making, from the cacao bean's humble beginnings to the luscious bars that melt in your mouth. This story is a tribute to the artisans who pour their heart and soul into every bite. Thank you Reiza.

Permaculture Principles: Cultivating a Sustainable Future
Learn about the principles of permaculture and how they are being applied in El Nido to create self-sustaining ecosystems that benefit both the environment and its inhabitants.

Mushroom Magic: The Fungi Revolution
Meet the local mushroom producer and agripogi Zandro, who is giving insight into shrooms.

Alien Circle Crops: Unraveling the Mystery
Dive into the enigmatic world of circle crops and discover what they reveal about our land and its potential. Joke but maybe not...

Binhi Mindful Practice: Planting Seeds of Consciousness
Experience the transformative power of mindfulness and how the Binhi practice is helping individuals connect with themselves and the world around them. Thank you Gia.

Household Action: Small Steps, Big Impact
In our next issue, we'll delve into the everyday actions households can take to make a significant difference in their environmental footprint.

Choose Our Next Cover!
As we gear up for our next issue, we invite you, our readers, to be a part of the journey. Among the stories we've teased above, which one captivates you the most? Which story deserves the spotlight on our next cover? Let us know!

Taytay Tales and More...
Apart from the stories mentioned, this issue also brings tales from Taytay and many more insights into their attempts as sustainable tourism and ideas on how to present tourism in their municipality.

And of course, if you feel compelled to share and let others know what we're attempting to do we always appreciate that.
Thank you thank you!
Option 1: thenest.aerial
Option 2: Terence Ver S. Angsioco
Option 3: Quesada Virus & Partners Asiapacific
Option 4: thenest.aerial
Option 5: Miguel Quesada Virus & Partners Asiapacific

02/05/2023

Issue 15 Cover

Up for a vote, giving homage to the folks over Dewil Eco-Mangrove Association, stewards and hosts to the beautiful mangrove forest in Dewil in eastern El Nido.

Choose between covers 1, 2, and 3 as noted in the photo caption.

📸🙏🏽thenest.aerial

21/02/2023

CHOOSE THE NEXT COVER

Issue 14 Focuses water as a topic- wastewater, regenerative water, water sports, and turtles trying to get to the water.

Topics included
- Regenerative Water Cycle and the Sustainability of Tourism El Nido
- 4 core spheres of economic activities, tourism, and wastewater
- El Nido Marine Turtle Conservation Network

Comment and choose the next photo:
1. Turtle x Duli Beach Resort
2. Papaya Beach x dlh creative content
3. Sand Bar Lagen x dlh creative content

14/02/2023

As more International options open up in the busy town of El Nido, decides to stay authentic to not just the Filipino taste, but the overall Filipino dining experience.
Great food (usually good for 2), excellent service, affordable price and an enjoyable ambiance await you in this not-so-busy part of Rizal St., El Nido. Mabuhay!