The Mr. Know-It-All (a.k.a. The Friend You Don’t Need)

We all have that one “friend” who seems to know everything. Talk about traveling? He’s “been there.” Mention investing? He suddenly becomes Warren Buffet. Share a personal problem? He’s magically a life coach.

But here’s the catch: when you look closer, this so-called Mr. Know-It-All has nothing to show for it in real life. No stable job, no investments, no achievements, no actual foundation. Just endless stories, unsolicited advice, and the habit of riding on other people’s resources.

Let’s be real—this kind of friend is not only annoying, but also draining. Here’s how to identify and avoid them before they suck out your energy (and maybe even your wallet).

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🚩 Signs You’re Dealing with a “Mr. Know-It-All”

1. They Always Have a Story

Whatever you say, they’ve “experienced it” too.

• You: “I went to Siargao last summer.”

• Them: “Oh yeah, I’ve been there three times. I actually know a local who owns a resort.”
  (Spoiler: he doesn’t.)

2. They Give Advice They Don’t Follow

They’ll tell you how to handle money while being broke themselves.
They’ll coach you on relationships while being in toxic ones.
They’ll “teach” you about career success while having none.

Basically: they talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

3. They Live Beyond Their Means

They want to look sosyal, eat fancy, and hang out in expensive places—but always at someone else’s expense. Drinks? They “forgot their wallet.” Trips? They’ll tag along but let you shoulder most of the cost.

They’re not just know-it-alls, they’re freeloaders in disguise.

4. They Use Friends as Their ATM / Access Card

They keep connections not for genuine friendship but for perks. Need a free meal? They know who to call. Want to go to an event? They’ll find someone with passes. Planning a night out? They’ll let you pay “this time” (which is every time).

5. They Crave Attention, Not Growth

At the end of the day, their “knowledge” is just for show. They don’t grow, they don’t level up, and they don’t take responsibility. It’s all about appearing smart, relevant, or superior—without actually working for it.

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🛑 How to Avoid (or Handle) Them

• Set boundaries. Stop letting them freeload. If they “forget” their wallet, let them handle their own bill. If they can’t, maybe they should sit this one out.

• Don’t feed their ego. If they keep bragging or one-upping, just smile and don’t engage. The less attention they get, the faster they get tired.

• Limit your time. You don’t need to cut them off completely if you don’t want to—but you can limit your exposure. Protect your peace.

• Stick to real friends. Real friends don’t compete with you, use you, or drain you. They clap when you succeed and stand by you when you fail.

Friendship should be built on respect, support, and honesty, not on ego and freeloading. If you’ve got a “Mr. Know-It-All” in your circle, ask yourself: is this friendship lifting me up—or weighing me down?

Sometimes the best way to grow is to stop giving your energy to people who only take, take, take. After all, life is too short to spend it with people who think they know it all—when in reality, they’ve got nothing at all.

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The 10 Types of Fake Friends You Need to Watch Out For

Not all friendships are built on loyalty and love. Some are just… fake. Let’s be real—everyone has encountered a “friend” who turns out to be more stressful than supportive. They laugh with you today but gossip about you tomorrow. They hype you up in public but secretly envy you in private.

Here’s a rundown of the different types of fake friends you’ve probably met (or maybe you’re realizing now that you’re surrounded by them 👀).

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1. The Backstabber

They’ll smile with you during group selfies but roast you in the group chat you’re not included in. They know your secrets—and use them as chismis material the moment things go sour.

These are the ones who give “loyalty” a bad name. Trust them once, and you’ll regret it forever.

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2. The User

They only message you when they need something. Concert tickets, homework answers, connections for work, or even just a free ride. Once they get what they want—boom, ghost mode.

Their friendship motto? “What’s in it for me?”

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3. The Jealous Type

This is the fake friend who secretly hates your wins. Got promoted? They’ll say, “Sure ka deserving ka?” Bought a new phone? “Ah, installment ra na noh?” No matter what you achieve, they’ll downplay it to make themselves feel better.

Instead of clapping for you, they roll their eyes in silence.

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4. The One-Upper

Nothing you say can impress this person because they always have to “top” your story.
You: “I just went to Siargao!”
Them: “Oh, I’ve been to Bali, Maldives, AND Santorini.”
You: “I bought a new phone.”
Them: “Mine is the Pro Max Limited Edition 1TB Ultra HD Infinity Gauntlet version.”

Relax, friend. Nobody’s competing here.

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5. The Ghoster

These are the friends who disappear whenever life gets tough. When you’re happy, they’re there to join the fun. But when you’re crying at 2 AM or need someone to lean on? Radio silence.

They only show up when things are convenient for them.

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6. The Gossip Machine

If your life were a teleserye, this “friend” would be the entertainment columnist. They know everything about everyone—and somehow, your personal issues end up as their favorite topic.

Don’t be fooled when they say, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” By tomorrow, your story will have reached three barangays.

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7. The Competitive Friend

They’re not just happy being your friend—they want to beat you at life.
You buy new shoes, they buy a more expensive pair.
You hit the gym, they suddenly become a fitness influencer.
You post a selfie, they upload five with better lighting.

They don’t celebrate your progress—they treat it like a scoreboard.

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8. The Negative Nancy

Whatever you do, they’ll always find something wrong with it. Start a business? “Lisod kaayo, lugi ra ka ana.” Start a relationship? “Di na mulungtad.” Post something online? “Corny kaayo.”

These people don’t cheer you on; they pull you down. Sometimes, it’s not advice—it’s just disguised envy.

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9. The Seasonal Friend

They’re only around during the “fun seasons.” Birthday parties? They’re present. Outings? They’re game. But when it’s time to help you move houses, support your passion project, or comfort you after heartbreak—suddenly, they’re MIA.

Basically: they’re a fair-weather friend, not a forever one.

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10. The Snake

The deadliest type of fake friend—the one who pretends to care while plotting behind your back. They act supportive in front of you, but the moment you turn around, they’re twisting stories, planting doubts, or even sabotaging your opportunities.

With a smile on their face, they’ll say, “I’m happy for you.” But in their heart, they’re whispering, “I hope you fail.”

Friendship should build you up, not tear you down. Fake friends may wear the mask of loyalty, but eventually, their true colors show. The best way to deal with them? Distance. Protect your peace.

Remember: it’s better to have two real friends who stick by you, than ten fake ones who drain your energy.

So ask yourself: are you surrounded by true ride-or-dies, or just people pretending to care?

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The 10 Types of Friends We All Have

Friendship is one of the best gifts in life. Friends are the people who keep us sane, laugh at our bad jokes, eat with us when we’re broke, and roast us like there’s no tomorrow. But let’s be honest—friends come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. Some are blessings, others are a test of patience, and a few are simply there for the drama.

Here’s a hilarious yet real breakdown of the different types of friends you’ll definitely recognize in your barkada (or maybe even yourself!).

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1. The Borrower (a.k.a. “Utang is Life” Friend)

This is the friend who never shows up empty-handed—not because they brought something, but because they’re about to borrow from you. Whether it’s money (“hulam lang gamay, bayaran ra nako”), a charger, an extra T-shirt, or even your last piece of chicken joy, they’ll always find something to ask for.

Example: You lent them ₱100 for jeepney fare in 2019. To this day, you’re still waiting for the payback… but hey, you’ve already accepted it as a friendship tax.

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2. The Foodie Friend

We all have that one friend who plans their entire life around meals. They’re always saying, “Asa ta kaon?” or “Luto ta something, uy.” This friend knows every food park, every trending milk tea shop, and even the newest Korean BBQ spot in town.

Downside: They will 100% say, “Dili ko gutom” but end up eating half of your fries. Upside: You’ll never go hungry when you’re with them.

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3. The Mysterious Vanisher

One day, they’re super close. You chat every day, you hang out often, they even tag you in memes. Then suddenly—poof—they’re gone. Weeks later, they show up acting like nothing happened: “Uy, kumusta na?”

You: “Bro, last time I saw you, it was still summer. It’s Christmas na!”
Them: “Haha bitaw, busy lang kaayo ko.”

Sure, Jan.

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4. The Over-Sharer

This friend does not believe in “TMI” (too much information). They will tell you every single detail of their life—from their latest crush to what they had for breakfast, and even their dog’s weird bathroom habits.

The good part? You’ll never run out of stories to listen to. The bad part? Your brain now has information you never asked for.

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5. The Latecomer

Filipino barkadas always have one. If the call time is 3:00 PM, you already know this friend will arrive at 4:30… sometimes later, sometimes not at all. You love them, but you’ve also learned to lie about meet-up times.

“Bro, kita ta 1 PM ha.” (Your actual plan is at 3 PM.) Works every time.

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6. The Self-Proclaimed Life Coach

This is the friend who suddenly becomes a motivational speaker whenever you’re down. “Just trust the process, bro.” “Sis, manifest lang your dreams.” They say all the right words—but in reality, they can’t even fix their own love life or finish their to-do list.

But hey, at least they make you feel better… even if they don’t follow their own advice.

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7. The Drama Queen (or King)

Small inconvenience? They’ll treat it like the end of the world. Their crush didn’t reply in 10 minutes? “Wala na, dili na siya interested.” Someone cut in line at Jollibee? “Ginoo ko, this country has no hope.”

It’s exhausting, but also kind of entertaining. Your group chat would be boring without their daily teleserye.

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8. The Meme Dealer

Forget CNN, forget GMA News—this friend is your true source of information. They don’t just send memes, they flood your inbox. Every morning, you wake up to 27 unread messages, and all of them are TikToks, Facebook reels, and screenshots with captions like “HAHAHAHA.”

Do you complain? No. Because deep down, you love it.

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9. The Always-Broke Friend

The friend who never has money but always has plans. They’ll suggest “Let’s travel!” or “Mag-coffee ta sa Starbucks!” but when the bill comes, suddenly it’s, “Uy, ikaw na lang usa bayad ha, next time na lang nako bayaran.” Spoiler alert: “next time” never comes.

But hey, they bring good vibes. And somehow, you still keep covering for them.

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10. The Ride-or-Die

Finally, the rarest gem of them all—the true friend. The one who sticks by you through heartbreaks, embarrassing karaoke nights, failed diets, bad haircuts, and even your dumbest life choices. They’ll tease you mercilessly, but also defend you like family.

If you’ve got at least one Ride-or-Die friend, you’re luckier than most.

Friendship isn’t about having perfect people around you—it’s about having a mix of personalities that make life messy, hilarious, and unforgettable. From the borrowers to the drama queens, from the foodies to the latecomers, each type of friend adds color to your story.

So the next time you’re with your barkada, look around and try to spot these types of friends. And then ask yourself: which one are you? 👀

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#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.

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