This is a simple guide for those who want to travel to Siargao Island and learn their local language.

I strongly encourage any travelers (foreign or local) to learn Surigaonon when visiting the island. It is the best way to show respect for its people and for the island.

I hope you will learn the basic greetings and use them when you are in the surfing capital of the Philippines, Siargao Island.

Siargao Surigaonon Phrases

Basic greetings according to the time of the day.

Marajaw is equivalent to Cebuano’s maayo or good in English.

Buntag for morning, udto for noon, hapon for afternoon and duyom for evening.

  • Marajaw na buntag!
  • Marajaw na udto
  • Marajaw na hapon
  • Marajaw na duyom

To ask someone how they are doing.

Kumusta kaw?

  • Marajaw ra sab. – I’m fine.
  • Okay ra. – I’m okay.

To ask someone how they are doing more aggressively.

Nauno man kaw? – What happened to you?

  • Waya ra. – Nothing.
  • Tagpasuan ako kay arang ka langka! – I feel hot because it’s humid!
  • Tagtignaw ako. – I feel cold
  • Taggutom ako. – I am hungry
  • Tag-uhaw ako. – I am thirsty

What’s your name?

Simay imo ngayan? – What’s your name?

  • Ako si Ron. – I am Ron
  • Sin-o kaw? – Who are you?

Where are you from?

Taga hain kaw?

  • Taga Manila ako. – I am from Manila
  • Taga hain sab kaw? – How about you, where are you from?

Where are you going?

Haman kaw pasingod?

  • Pasingod ako sa tiyangge. – I am going to the market.
  • Pauli na ako sa bayay. – I am going home.

Have you eaten yet?

Nokaon na kaw?

  • Oo, nokaon na. – Yes, I have eaten already.
  • Waya pa. – Not yet.

Saying Thanks

  • Salamat karajaw! – Thank you very much!
  • Wayay sapajan. – You’re welcome.

I hope you find this article useful. Let me know if you visited any Siargao Island recently! How was your experience?

P.S. I have a Surigaonon Phrases if you travel to Surigao del Sur. It is a different version.

Traveling to Siargao?

Here are a few list of places where you can stay:

Written by Hernan Palang