#SiargaoCurseIsNotReal: When Vacation Friendships Blur into Something More

Social media has been buzzing lately about the so-called “Siargao Curse” — the idea that when people meet in the island paradise of Siargao, they often form deep connections that don’t survive once reality sets back in. But one viral post is making people question if this “curse” is even real, or if it’s simply a case of misunderstood feelings and mismatched expectations.

It all started when a man named Jerome shared a heartfelt Facebook post titled “The Love That Ends Before It Begins.” Along with photos of him and another man named JM, the post described their short but meaningful connection while joining a tour in Siargao.

“Many people call it the Siargao curse—you meet someone, connect deeply, maybe even fall in love, but when real life comes back, you return to being strangers again. Meeting someone in Siargao taught me that not all connections are meant to last. Some people come to give us unforgettable memories, to remind us what love feels like, and to teach us the beauty of letting go when destiny leads us back to strangers again.”

The post went viral, with many people sympathizing with Jerome’s feelings. But it also stirred controversy when JM, whose face was initially blurred but later identified by people who knew him, responded by calling Jerome’s perception “delusional.” According to JM, there were no sparks, no romance, and no deeper feelings — only companionship.

Jerome’s Side of the Story

In a follow-up explanation, Jerome clarified several points:

• He and JM were both solo joiners in a Siargao tour and stayed in separate rooms at Marco Suites.

• They bonded by sharing meals, splitting expenses, and exploring Siargao together.

• There was no physical intimacy involved, and JM never “used” him.

• What Jerome interpreted as kindness, care, and humor gradually grew into feelings of affection.

Jerome admitted that he may have confused kindness for love, a common experience for people who are hopeful romantics. He reflected:

“I know that kindness can be mistaken for love, and love can hide in kindness, yet both hold power to heal or hurt… maybe I was delusional, living all those fantasies that never exist, believing that his kindness was love.”

Eventually, Jerome apologized publicly to JM for breaking his trust by posting photos and sharing a narrative that painted their bond as something more than it was. He closed his statement by saying:
#SiargaoCurseIsNotReal — what happened was not a curse, but rather his own misinterpretation of friendship.

The Psychology Behind “Vacation Love”

Jerome’s experience highlights a very real phenomenon psychologists call the “holiday romance effect” or “situational attraction.”

Here’s why it happens:

1. Heightened Emotions in Travel – When people travel, especially to beautiful places like Siargao, they are already in a heightened emotional state. The excitement of new experiences makes them more open to forming connections.

2. Limited Time Frame – Knowing that the connection has a “deadline” (because the trip ends) often intensifies emotions. This can make ordinary gestures—like sharing food or laughing at jokes—feel more significant than they might in daily life.

3. Projection of Feelings – Sometimes, we project what we want to feel onto the person we’re with. In Jerome’s case, JM’s kindness was interpreted as affection, when in reality it may have been simply friendliness.

4. The Illusion of Intimacy – Spending concentrated time together in a small group, especially in a picturesque setting, can create an illusion of intimacy. What feels like love might just be the bond of shared experiences.

From a psychological perspective, both Jerome’s and JM’s feelings are valid. Jerome genuinely felt something real in his heart, while JM genuinely did not feel any romantic connection. The clash isn’t about who was right or wrong — it’s about how differently two people can perceive the same set of experiences.

Why the Story Resonated with So Many

The reason Jerome’s story went viral isn’t just because of the drama — it’s because many people can relate. How many of us have mistaken friendliness for romance? How many have felt sparks that the other person never felt?

Jerome’s vulnerability touched a nerve because it exposed a universal truth: sometimes love is one-sided, and sometimes kindness can be mistaken for something deeper.

The Takeaway: Siargao Isn’t Cursed

At the end of the day, there’s no “Siargao curse.” The island doesn’t cause connections to fizzle — human expectations and perceptions do. What Jerome experienced wasn’t a curse, but a very human moment of hope, vulnerability, and misunderstanding.

If anything, his story serves as a reminder:

• Be mindful of boundaries. Not every connection is romantic, and respecting someone’s privacy is important.

• Validate your own feelings, but don’t impose them. Your emotions are real, but they may not always match the other person’s.

• Enjoy the moment. Sometimes, the people we meet on our travels aren’t meant to stay forever — they’re just meant to remind us of the beauty of human connection.

And maybe that’s not a curse at all. Maybe that’s just life.

Siargao Island remains a paradise — a place of waves, sunsets, and unforgettable encounters. What people call the “Siargao curse” is really just the bittersweet truth of fleeting connections: they’re magical while they last, but they don’t always follow us home.

#SiargaoCurseIsNotReal — it’s just love, kindness, and human hearts trying to understand each other.