Patrick's on the beach FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Although most of your questions will be answered as you read thru our web site pages. Here are some answers to questions commonly asked.

What does Patrick’s on the Beach feel like?
How safe is Siargao Island?
Do you have a meal plan?
Is there air conditioning?
Is there TV or phone in the room?
Do your cottages have ocean view?
What money should I bring?
How about Credit Cards?
What are the tipping conventions?
Will I need formal clothes?
Are there snakes and insects and other poisonous things?
What about electrical hook-ups?
What is the Island’s political system?
What language do they speak on the island?
Do I need to rent a car?
What is the Weather like?
Do you have a swimming pool?

What about LOVE & Romance?

What does Patrick’s on the Beach feel like? BACK TO TOP	A cozy, intimate, informal resort where everything you might want to do is available, but no-one pushes anything - A place to come and truly unwind and 'decompress' for a while! Over 60% of our guests are repeat visitors, probably because all our guests leave with renewed vigor and a sense of calm. Read what guests write about us in our web guest book.
How safe is Siargao Island? BACK TO TOP	Siargao and surrounding Islands is probably the most peaceful part in the entire Philippines or Asia? People are extremely friendly and helpful. The local fellows like to drink at night at the local discos or Karaoke bars and can be rowdy with each other or get jealous over the girls.
Is there air conditioning? BACK TO TOP	Although we offer air conditioned cottages but there is very little need for it. There are plenty of cool breezes. The temperature is 80 to 89°F (25 to 32°C) during the day, and 75 to 80°F (22 to 25°) at night. It can get a bit cooler at times especially during the raining season December & January. All cottages are outfitted with fans.
Do you have a meal plan? BACK TO TOP	We can offer a meal plan for groups or individuals. Our guests love to choose from our huge menu of a sumptuous selection of local and international dishes and daily specials. At every meal you enjoy a different experience. There is not a large selection of restaurants on the island and without any doubt Patrick’s is the best. That is what we hear from our guests and visitors and we enjoy hearing it
Is there a TV and a phone in the rooms? BACK TO TOP	We have no telephone land lines but we have cell phones serviced by Smart and Global. If you have no cell phone we're glad to place your local or international calls for you with our cell phone or you may rent a cell phone or use our internet café for communication. Some of the air conditioned cottages have satellite TV where you can choose from over 50 channels including HBO and all International channels like CNN, Fox, BBC, DW, etc.
Do your cottages have ocean views? BACK TO TOP	Yes, all of our cottages are right on the beach with a fabulous view from a large porch overlooking the ocean, a huge reef with tremendous waves and neighboring islands. The view from Patrick’s beach is simply spectacular.
What Money should I bring? BACK TO TOP	The best money to bring is Philippine Pesos or US$ cash. Siargao is one of the few places left on Earth without an ATM Machine or Banking facilities — part of its unique character, we think! The closest bank with an ATM machine is in Surigao City (2hours by ferry). At Patrick’s we change money of all kind of currencies including US$ Traveler,s Checks. as well as cash Australian dollars, Euros, Swiss Franks and British Pounds.
How about Credit Cards? BACK TO TOP	To the delight of many visitors we at Patrick’s accept all major credit cards – Visa, Master Card, American Express etc. At a 5% fee we even give cash advance on your credit card.
What are the tipping guidelines? BACK TO TOP	Tip at your discretion for drivers, guides, and restaurant servers. Tipping of course is highly appreciated especially from foreigners as Philippine people seldom tip. A small service charge of only 5% is automatically added on your bill at Patrick’s.
What about Clothes? BACK TO TOP	The dress code on Siargao is definitely informal. Bathing suits are not recommended in town. You can have dinner at Patrick’s without shirt or in your bathing suit. Siargao people tend to be rather modest in public. You won't see many people walking around town in bathing suits either.
Are there snakes and insects and other poisonous things? BACK TO TOP	Most likely you will not encounter any snakes unless you hike into the jungles or into the rice fields. Since we are in the tropics we do have mosquitoes but most of the time they are not around since we are located right on the Pacific ocean and the breezes blow them away. All rooms are outfitted with mosquito nets and screened windows just in case one of them likes your blood type. Apart from that there is the occasional bug just like anywhere in the world.
What about electrical hook ups? BACK TO TOP	Voltage here is 220V, we do have adaptors just in case you bring along your electric shaver or hairdryer (most people use the natural hair dryer - the breeze on the porch). Most plugs are American style.
What's the island's political system? BACK TO TOP	Siargao is a part of the Philippines but is run by the elected governor who lives in Surigao City. Local affairs of each town (municipality of which Siargao has 9) is managed by the elected Mayor. Each town consists of several villages called Buranguy and the village is overseen by an elected Buranguy captain who settles disputes among the villagers.
What language do they speak on Siargao Island? BACK TO TOP	On Siargao they speak Siargaonen which is a dialect associated with Visyan the second main language after Tagalo. English is known by most locals but many are shy to speak it.
Do I need to rent a car or motorbike? BACK TO TOP	For short trips the most common and inexpensive transportation is by jeepney or by habal-habal (that is an extended motor bike). Siargao Island is huge about 452 spkm. The only paved road is from Dapa to General Luna about 16 km and there is a short section paved from the airport to Dapa. For touring the island you can rent a Patrick’s van for as little as P1500 or US$30 per day. Travelling around Siargao is safe and lots of friendly people wherever you go. We also offer chauffeur driven vans for as little as P2000 or US$40 per day. We also rent motorbike for as little as P600 per day or US$12
What is the Weather like? BACK TO TOP	Generally 80°F to90°F, sunny with light trade winds. Expect rain in December and January and quite a bit cooler at night.
Do you have a swimming pool? BACK TO TOP	Yes, a huge many miles long natural one (The Bay!) but no artificial pools. At low tide we have a 2 natural pools where you can swim and soak at any time.

Love and Romance - Filipino Style

Many Visitors have come to Siargao and to Patrick’s on the Beach and found their life time partner. One of the greatest positive points of filipina-pinay, is the fact that in the Philippines, your age difference is usually NOT a problem! In fact, to most ladies in the Philippines, and to their families, the belief and hope is that if you are an older gentleman, that you are much less likely to be a "playboy", and also that you will take much better care of your fiancée. The oldest guest we had was 75 years old and he found his 21 year old sweet heart on Siargao Island.

The Filipina girls or Filipina women are world known for there stunning beauty. Filipinas are not only beautiful women but a delight to be around because of the famous Filipina disposition and personality. Many of our visitors who have married these Filipina beauties, swear they make the best wives in the world, not only beautiful, but loyal, loving and faithful past death. Andreas the owner of Patrick’s on the Beach is married to Elizabeth one of those beautiful Siargao Ladies. You will sense their wonderful and harmonious marriage when you visit Patrick’s on the Beach.

Don’t worry if you are older or overweight, like half the population of the western world. Women here have the highest respect for age and weight is a plus to some here. Most Filipinas prefer older and mature guys, however, young guys are welcome too. Filipinas adore foreigners with a long nose, the longer the nose the more attractive you are to them. Many call the foreigners “long-nose”. Unfortunately they have a tremendous insecurity problem about their own flat noses and probably that’s why they like foreigners with a long nose.
Love and romance is serious business with these conservative Filipino women. Romance and eventual marriage is a preoccupation, especially for young Filipina girls. But your average Filipina is cautious about how she conducts herself, especially in the provinces like Siargao Island, where every one knows everything about everyone.

Virginity is sacred in this Catholic country. Women are taught there virginity is a jewel. Filipino men are not interested in marrying a non virgin. In this culture the woman is responsible to not only herself but her family for protecting that virginity. Many are badly hurt by men who lie and promise marriage, with no intention of ever marrying them. They know the risk they are taking by trusting a man who want to have sex before marriage.
The Philippines seem like a neighborhood rather than a country. If a married or single woman strays, everyone knows it. Filipino men are reluctant to marry a non-virgin even if they are the one who took the virginity! If they could get them to break the rules maybe someone else can too. These young Filipina girls who stray, are called "soft noses," in some areas.

So Filipina women know it is their responsibility to guard their virginity. If they don't, they often pay a serious emotional and social price. If you are involved with a girl who is not a virgin in this culture, you are running the risk of getting involved with an emotionally unstable woman. She has broken the cultural rules and disobeyed her parents orders.

So when you come to Siargao respect their culture and don’t take advantage of the girls who fall in love so easily with a foreigner. They let you know right away in no uncertain terms that they want to commit themselves to you. Please remember always: “The Foundation of good Communication is Honesty!” If you look for romance and really want a partner for life in the Philippines do it right from the beginning and you will experience a life long joy.

When you visit Patrick’s on the Beach with the intention to find a partner for life let us know. Don’t be surprised when many ladies will want to meet with you. It is the dream of most ladies here to connect with a foreigner. People delight when you openly advertise that you are looking for a wife.

The Filipinos and Filipinas are communal, interdependent not independent. When you marry one you marry the family at least the mother and the father, the siblings too usually. That is trite, indeed, but true. Be sure that you can deal with what is expected, almost required, a right of the Filipino family whose child is married to a man, foreign or local. If you can't let it be known from the start of your relationship with your Filipina. If she is a "true Filipina," the relationship may not develop. If it does she may not be happy in it, but you will never know. Common sense is your best guide to finding a Filipina bride, a Filipina wife for life who is happy and you can make happier.
Selecting your partner for life is one of the most serious decisions you will ever make. So if you have that in mind, consider a trip here there is no better place for a vacation than this beautiful tropical island of Siargao. It could be the best expenditure of your time and money you ever make.