Who We Are
A truly transformative space is never built alone — it’s born from the shared energy, passion, and heart of a team moving together.
At Pahulay, the magic lies not just in the island’s beauty, but in the hearts of the people who bring it to life. Each member of our team carries a deep sense of purpose in what they do — whether guiding you in the waves, holding space on the mat, preparing nourishing meals, or tending to the details that make you feel at home. This isn’t just work to us — it’s a calling. A shared devotion to presence, care, and connection. With open hearts and grounded energy, we move as one — creating a retreat space where you feel truly held, seen, and supported every step of the way.
Founder of Pahulay — space-holder, surfer and 700-hour certified yoga teacher.
There was a time Zola couldn’t imagine doing it for another 10 years — the overworking, the burnout, the silent disconnection. Coming from an addiction background and carrying years of emotional weight, she knew something had to change.
Through therapy, she began to peel back the layers. Her path led her to India, where she immersed herself in the mindful disciplines of yoga and meditation, becoming a 700-hour certified teacher — not just to teach, but to truly heal.
Years later, Zola found herself drawn deeply into the practice of Yin Yoga — the stillness, the surrender, the nervous system reset so few of us allow ourselves. She discovered that slowing down isn’t weakness — it’s a radical return to presence. This philosophy became the heart of her practice and the soul of her teaching: grounded, nurturing, intuitive, and honest.
Alongside this inner transformation, Zola fell in love with surfing. The ocean became her moving meditation — a space to feel free, alive, and fully present. For her, Yin Yoga and surfing are like yin and yang — one invites deep stillness, the other channels powerful movement. Together, they bring balance.
Eventually, she found home on the island of Siargao — where the rhythm of the waves mirrored the rhythm within. On her way to a surf session, Zola crossed paths with Pepoi — a soulful surfer and local legend on the island, lovingly known as “Dr. Ding.” Now living together on Siargao, they move through life with intention, purpose, and flow.
Meet Zola
Meet Pepoi
Owner of Pahulay — also known as “Dr. Ding”, surfer and head coach of Pahulay’s wave-riding experience.
Raised in the bustling city of Cebu, Pepoi spent his early years welding under the sun, working long hours while quietly dreaming of waves. When he returned to his hometown near Cagayan de Oro, he began surfing the rare waves that appeared just once a year in front of his home — enough to spark a fire he couldn’t ignore.
In 2018, with nothing but passion and determination, Pepoi followed that dream to Siargao — arriving with no money, but everything to give. He fell in love with the island and never left.
Now, Pepoi is not only a gifted surf instructor but also famous across the island as “Dr. Ding,” known for his fast, flawless surfboard repairs and unmatched attention to detail. His workshop is a hub for locals and travelers alike, and his love for the ocean lives in every board he brings back to life.
With "Surf is my Religion" tattooed across his chest, Pepoi teaches with passion, humility, and deep respect for the sea.
One year ago, he met Zola on her way to surf, and a new wave began — this time a shared one, they are rooted in love for each other, a natural flow, and a vision for something bigger than themselves.
Meet Svenja
Mental Coach, Dance & Movement Educator
Svenja’s heart’s mission is to reconnect you with your inner power and your emotional experience.
With empathy, clarity and ease, she guides you to understand your feelings, accept them and use them as invaluable signposts. As a former “high-functioner,” she knows how easy it is to lose yourself in the hustle of daily life, work and expectations—and how profoundly healing it can be to truly feel again. In her sessions she weaves together free dance, mindful bodywork and emotional self-exploration to create a space where you can arrive fully in yourself—authentic, vibrant, powerful.
She also shares deep, practical knowledge about emotions and mental processes—clear, applicable, and crafted to create lasting change in your life. She helps you realize that you don’t need to search outside—what you’ve been seeking has always been within you.
Svenja and Zola share a soulful friendship that has lasted over 16 years — a connection that has grown even deeper since life brought them both to Siargao. Though they hadn't spent regular time together for many years, their parallel journeys of healing, growth, and self-discovery have only strengthened their bond, making their reunion all the more powerful and meaningful.
Meet Krissi
The magic behind the scenes
Sometimes life brings people together in the most unexpected ways. Zola met Krissi one year ago on the island of Siargao, and through a serendipitous conversation, they discovered they not only shared a deep love for mindful living and the ocean — but also came from the same small village in Germany. Same age, same hometown, yet their paths only crossed thousands of miles from where it all began.
Since that day, Krissi has become more than a friend — she’s the quiet powerhouse behind Pahulay. While Zola leads the retreat and holds space on the front lines, Krissi works diligently behind the scenes, grounding the vision with her thoughtful precision and steady presence. She handles the logistics, oversees communication, and ensures every detail flows with purpose.
Together, they form a rare and beautiful team — one rooted in shared origin, deep trust, and a united devotion to creating something meaningful.
Meet Jenni
Jewelry Designer & Creator of Jen Jewelry
Jenny’s journey is one of heart, intuition, and quiet determination. Originally from Germany, she had long dreamt of creating her own jewelry brand — a vision that stayed close to her heart until one life-changing journey led her to the Philippines.
What began as a personal quest to reconnect with herself became something far greater. When Jenny arrived in Siargao, she instantly felt at home. The island’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, and deeply kind people stirred something within her — a sense of belonging, inspiration, and strength.
That feeling lives on in every piece of *Jen Jewelry*. Designed with love and intention, her creations are more than accessories — they’re wearable memories. Each piece carries the spirit of the island: warm, free, and full of life.
At Pahulay, Jenny will host a creative charm jewelry workshop, where you’ll craft your own meaningful piece by choosing from a beautiful selection of island-inspired charms and combining them with fine chains. No experience needed — just your intuition and intention.
This isn’t about making jewelry from scratch, but about pausing, tuning in, and choosing what speaks to you. A quiet moment of reflection through creation — a simple, soulful practice to reconnect with your inner voice and carry your retreat experience with you, long after you leave.
Meet Mati
Photographer - Surf, Soul & Island Life
There’s a quiet depth behind Mati’s lens — the kind that only comes from a life lived boldly and in tune with nature. Originally from Argentina, Mati set off on a one-way journey in 2015 with little more than his camera, chasing not just new landscapes, but a new way of living.
His travels eventually brought him to Siargao, where the raw beauty of the island and the rhythm of the waves sparked something lasting. Here, he found not just a home, but a canvas — and has since become one of the island’s most recognized visual storytellers.
At Pahulay, Mati doesn’t just take photos. He sees you. He captures energy, movement, connection — the fleeting moments that would otherwise go unnoticed. Whether it’s out in the surf or during a sunset session in the garden, his photography holds emotion, memory, and magic.