What could I say? “You’re a real beauty, oh beloved Siquijor!”
When I was a kid, my grandma used to tell me stories of the place she came from—a place of mystic and magic. Stories about a creepy place in Central Visayas where most Filipino long ago would not dare to go. Too afraid of the darkness that they say lies within. Imaginations be told for which only a curious mind and a strong spirit dares to unfold.
Siquijor has a long-time reputation of being the place of sorcery which both attracts and repulses visitors—but it’s mostly the latter. Their festivals mostly focus on healing rituals where incantations are sung while the old folks make potions out of herbs, roots, insects, tree barks and etc. Hearsay, locals share a story or two about folk legends pointing to the existence of witchcraft and witches on the island. As far as I know, they are also known for making effective love potions. Ohh.. intriguing isn't it?
Siquijor is the 3rd smallest province in the country. Long ago, it was part of Negros Oriental. An interisting fact from Wikipedia says that the Spaniards called the island “Isla del Fuego” or "Island of Fire", because the island gave off an eerie glow, which came from the great swarms of fireflies that gathered in the numerous molave trees on the island.
I never told any of my family members that I will be going to Siquijor. My mom would certainly freak out if she knew I will be heading to that coast. But, never in doubt, I wanted to see and know if the stories and the legends are really true. If setting a foot on that place would make a difference. So without much ado, I bought the plane ticket a year advance (much cheaper - since I came from Mindanao), head straight to the airport (on the day), rode a bus (to Dumaguete) and bwalah... Siquijor, your a foot away already.
I could say, the whole planning and travelling won’t be that easy if not for my friend who had lived long enough in Dumaguete. Siquijor is just southwest of Dumaguete. She planned the itinerary for the whole eight days length vacation: two days in Siquijor, four days in Dumaguete, a day in Cebu and the other day was spent inside the plane and transport vehicles. Quite tiring to think but I tell you, it’s really worth every muscle ache and penny.
We are a group of 8 from Dumaguete. We left Dumaguete port at 8:00 AM in the morning and after an hour and a half boat ride, we reached Siquijor at 10:30 AM for a fare ride of PHP 115.00 only.
Before reaching Siquijor, we already managed to contact Kuya Dennis, our #driver #guide #storyteller #professional photographer during our whole stay in the island. It costs us Php 1,800.00 whole day rental fee to and fro any destinations we visited.
At the port, we were greeted by the local drivers and (I guess) the local tourism officers who offered a ride/tour within the island for a price ranging from 600 to 1800 depending on the capacity of the vehicle. They also gave us copies of the map and list of hotel accommodations with numbers.
Kuya Dennis assisted us by showing us the detailed map of the whole island and let us point the sequence of places which was on our bucket list. After the brief discussion, we went to our first stop, St. Francis Church. (photos below are the sequence of places we went.)
Day 1: August 25, 2016 (Thursday)
St. Francis of Asisi Church, Siquijor, Siquijor
I was shocked at first why we are walking and not riding away from the pier for about two minutes since we got there. Well, here's to why... our first stop is few steps away from the port says "Welcomes to Siquijor."
"Welcome to Siquijor" just outside St. Francis of Asisi Church
Guiwanon Spring Resort
Guiwanon Spring Resort/Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
Before going to our next destination, we stopped by at Jo's Inato for a quick lunch.
Just me across the road to Salagdoong...
Cang-Isok House, Enrique Villanueva
This reminds me of my grandma's old house at the farm. Here in the Philippines most houses in the province are made out of raw materials mostly from trees and grasses readily available in the field. Below is a typical huge "Nipa" hut in the province. But what's unique to this house is that it's a century old and still standing amidst natural unfriendly weather it has surpassed.
a century old house - one of the oldest in the Philippines
Just me across the road to Salagdoong...
Salagdoon Beach Resort at Maria, Siquijor
you can jump by the ciff...
St. Isidore Church at Lazi, Siquijor
St. Isidore de Labrador Church, Lazi, Siquijor
Church of wooden flooring (inside St Isidore Church at Lazi)
Just across the street is this beautiful "ancient looking" convent
Cambugahay Falls
this is the place for tarzan jump shots people!!!
ready to get the taste of toe-tickling kisses of fishes just beneath this century old Balete Tree...
Tori's Paradise Resort
After a long day of riding, jump shotting, eating, trekking, swimming and jumping in the middle of nowhere, you can enjoy a good view and comfortable sleep at Tori's. Since Siquijor is not yet too much crowded with tourists, most of its resorts are semi-exclusive (for me). Good view of the horizon makes you wish that the day would never end (sigh).
exclusive resort, ain't eh?!
dip into this saltwater pool
(warm and soothing for an evening swim)
Day 2: August 26, 2016 (Friday)
I intend to wake up early, have an early walk and witness the natural changing hues of dawn to sunrise but sad to say, I was not able to catch a glimpse of that particular moment. But here's a photo of the sun high above the horizon which appears to be in the color of sunset (too yellow)--which is odd for me.
The photo below is raw and unedited but since my camera auto balances the light effects it still appears bright in the register. Just well, the sun is still beautiful no matter how bright it is.
Tori's Paradise Resort at sunrise,, beautiful ain't it?
just look at the powdery white sand, kissed by the early waves
savor the exclusive view and the kissed of the morning sun in this semi-deserted island
(just the place I need...)
Bandilaan Nature Park
Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park is the well - known hotspot of the Siquijor Province being the highest peak of the Island towering with 557 meters above sea level (MASL).
just... ah... ah... great view, fresh air and feels like I'm on top of the world!
carefully watch your step as you descend
want a sip? it's cold and refreshing...
The whole Siquijor trip only cost me roughly Php 1,800.00 which includes food, transportation (land and sea) and accommodation. The only setback of the trip was the boat ride going back to Dumaguete. I've never been seasick my entire life, but that ride made me dizzy, really!!! Locals said that the time of the day we chose to ride the fastcraft was really time for heavy waves out in the sea. Feels like the boat is somersaulting--gush my head was aching while I hear noises of someone vomited behind my back.
Needless to say, Siquijor is a flaunting riches in natural beauty. Many of its attractions are the powdery white sand beaches which outlines the 102 kilometer coastline, caves, waterfalls, and many more. It's an awesome place that makes you rethink what you have usually believe in the first place. MAGIC? Yes, it is! I'm totally bewitched by its beauty. LOVE POTION? Dude, it's true! You will be magnificently inlove with it too.
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