Peek Into the Beach Bags of the True Filipino Island Girls

City girls pack for Siargao like it’s fashion week. Danika Nemis, Elaine Abonal, and Ikit Agudo show us what real island girls actually bring.

By Biel Arevalo May 02, 2025

Danika Nemis’ Bag is as Busy as She Is

Danika Nemis Beach Bag — ^{1 Capricho elia bag. 2 Seabuds Cafe homemade granola. 3 sunnies face FluffBalm in perfect pink. 4 bali body tanning moisturizer. 5 ouai hair oil. 6 anker powerbank. 7 ultra violetTE au sunscreen}

Meet mom, entrepreneur, and content creator Danika Nemis. She carries her life in a solihiya Capricho. Inside, there’s no genre, just whatever keeps her going. Find a drink, a snack, sun care essentials, a power bank, and some beauty bits. It’s a multitasking bag for a multitasking life in La Union.

Elaine Abonal’s Bag is Ready for Surf, Family, and Beyond

Elaine Abonal Beach Bag — ^{1 ONE WEAVE BOHOL BAG IN FUSCHIA PINK. 2 BAND-AID ADHESIVE BANDAGES. 3 SUNGLASSES. 4 HYDROFLASK WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE. 5 VMV HYPOALLERGENICS ARMADA SPORT SUNSCREEN}

Mom and coach at Surfista Elaine Abonal lives where most people vacation—Siargao, where the waves are a daily rhythm. It’s no surprise she has a dedicated surf bag. But for everyday beach days, her go-to bag is all about practicality. Sport sunscreen, a towel, a flask for each family member, band-aids, sun protection gear, and even Filipino snacks. She’s ready for anything, and then some.

Ikit Agudo’s Bag is as Easygoing as Her Surf Life

Ikit Agudo Beach Bag — ^{1 Aloha collection pau hana reversible tote. 2 hydroflask wide mouth bottle. 3 nivea lip balm. 4 aveeno protect + hydrate sunscreen. 5 aloha collection mid pouch. 6 we are feel good inc. body sunscreen}

Ikit Agudo knows what a good beach bag should do: make life easier, not harder. Hers is full of practical gear for life in Siargao—sunscreen, a towel for after teaching surf lessons, a water bottle that’s always at the ready, and lip balm to keep things smooth after a long day on the waves. It might just be the only bag she needs.

“Taga-isla” is the favorite city-girl cosplay after a few days in Siargao, complete with extra-stuffed totes and a full color wheel of calachuchi clamps. But as you can tell, the real island girls carry only what matters. So, if you’re going to fake the fantasy, at least get the packing list right. The cheat sheet’s free.

Photos: ANKER, BALI BODY, CAPRICHO, OUAI, SEABUDS CAFE, SUNNIES FACE, ULTRA VIOLETTE, ALOHA COLLECTION, AVEENO, HYDROFLASK, WE ARE FEEL GOOD INC, BAND-AID, ONE WEAVE, SUNNIES STUDIOS, VMV HYPOALLERGENICS (via website), ELAINE ABONAL, DANIKA NEMIS (via Instagram), OLI BAYER, CAMILLE ROBIOU DU PONT, and MEGA ARCHIVES