Siquijor 2015

Siquijor is a small island in Central Visayas (Region VII) which you can circumnavigate in half a day. Black magic (mangkukulam, mangbabarang) and mythical creatures (aswang, manananggal) were widely believed to have existed in the area, and this belief helped build the island's rich folklore and its reputation as a mystical island. Siquijor has often been overlooked when planning visits to its more popular neighbor-provinces (Dumaguete, Cebu, Bohol), but a trip to the Island of Fire was certainly one for the books.

How to get there

The closest airport is Sibulan in Dumaguete City. From Sibulan, take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port (15 minutes) then take a fast craft or a ferry to Siquijor Port (1 hour if you take the fast craft, 1:45 hours if you take the ferry). From Siquijor Port, there are tricycles that can take you to your hotel, or you can pre-arrange for a pick-up courtesy of the hotel, which we did.

First glimpse of these turquoise waters around Siquijor Port made me wish that the island would remain overlooked so that it would remain pure and untouched.

Where to stay

We stayed at Tori's Backpackers' Paradise, owned by Tomas, who, if I remember correctly, is from the Czech Republic, and his Filipina wife, Ria. The inn is in Maite, San Juan, about 45 minutes from the port. It offers very basic accommodations--a bed, an electric fan, a table, a chair, and a small shower room inside a hut--but if you're only looking for a place to crash at the end of a long day of touring, then Tori's is the place for you. They also offer good food at reasonable prices, although serving time does take a while.

Rate: PHP 550/night

St. Francis de Assisi Church

Siquijor Island Tour

We had arranged a tour of the island for PHP 1,000 with the tricycle driver who picked us up from the port. The tour began at 5:30 in the morning.

Our first stop was the Old Enchanted Balete Tree, said to be 400 years old. No entrance fees, but donations were highly appreciated. The water in the pool comes from a spring, and when you place your feet in the water, fish will converge around your feet and nibble on your dead skin cells. A free fish spa, hey.

San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent-turned-school

Cambugahay Falls, Lazi, Siquijor

No entrance fee, though you have to make a donation to the lifeguard-slash-guide.

On our way down the steep stone stairs, I expected to find a falls that looked like this:

Expectation (Photo grabbed from Google Images)

Only it had rained the night before, so the falls looked like this:

Reality

Oh well.

Salagdoong Beach Resort, Maria, Siquijor

Cottages for rent at PHP 100.

Visitors could cliff-dive off a 20-foot concrete ledge, but since we were the only two guests at the beach, I decided against jumping. Maybe next time. :D

While Siquijor doesn't have beaches with powdery white sand and a thriving night life, its small-town vibe certainly has its charm. Life there is simple and quiet, which provides a much-needed break for all of us city-dwellers who are caught in the middle of the hustle and bustle that we sometimes forget to find happiness in simplicity.

29-30 July 2015