Life has a way of leading us to unexpected places, and for 26-year-old Pat Poblete, that place was Siargao, a tropical island in the Philippines known for its pristine beaches, world-class surf, and barefoot vibe.
What started as a spontaneous decision to escape the chaos of city life turned into a transformative journey of self-discovery, adventure, and finding a new home in the heart of the Pacific.
This is the story of how one girl’s leap of faith led her to a life she never imagined—a life where each day feels like a new adventure and the island’s rhythm becomes one with her.
Pat grew up and spent most of her life in Manila. She comes from a family of doctors, but becoming one never sparked her interest. Seeing her family pursue careers in the medical field, it seemed like they had their whole lives planned ahead. Because of this, Pat felt she was meant to do something different, making her curious about her real purpose in life.
Being the most adventurous in the family, she liked taking risks and doing things differently. She loves art, being active, and traveling to new places, and is always happiest when she is by the beach and surrounded by nature. Before moving to Siargao, she worked a corporate job at a marketing agency. Now, she works as the General Manager of Loka Siargao, located in Cloud 9. Outside of work, she spends her free time surfing, painting, and enjoying the beauty of the island.
“I’ve been coming here to Siargao every year since 2019. During those trips, I’d stay for 1-2 months at a time, and ever since, I fell in love with the island, the culture, and the people—it left me always wanting to come back for more,” says Pat.
It was during one trip where she met Angela Lopez and Charles Tiu, the owners of Loka Siargao. They were in the same surf group, so they got to hang out and spend a lot of time in the water together. During her last day in Siargao, the couple asked her if she wanted to work on the island as Loka’s manager.
”It was the best and most unexpected surprise ever. I flew back to Manila and went through the whole interview process, and in just 2 weeks of being back home, I booked a one way ticket to Siargao, packed my bags, and started my life here,” recalls Pat on her move to the island.
She continues, “Having this laidback lifestyle, and working in the service industry here in Siargao allowed me to meet so many people from around the world. I hear a lot of stories about how they came here to embrace what the island has to offer: unique experiences, friendships, community, and love. Because of that, I feel extremely grateful to call this place home.”
She had to unlearn old habits while also learning to be more present, more appreciative of the community, and embrace the slow, simple island life. The island sparked her creativity and pushed her way past her comfort zone, which created so many possibilities. Managing a 100-seater restaurant and leading a team of almost 30 people isn’t easy, but it has taught her patience, intuition, and the importance of creating a space where people feel valued and heard.
Her most favorite part of living in Siargao is the community and the culture. She met the happiest and warmest people, the ones who are so content with life because they are surrounded by everything they need—friends, family, and nature.
Siargao captured Pat’s heart, and she can’t wait to see where this adventure takes her next. Here’s to new beginnings, to living life with intention, and to the magic of this beautiful island.
