Siquijor – Magical Paradise of Visayas
In the 16th century, the Spaniards called Siquijor Isla del Fuego or ‘Island of Fire’. They gave the name because of the abundance of fireflies that lit up the trees in the island during the night. The presence of fireflies indicates that the place has a healthy environment. This is the real magic of Siquijor.
Primarily, the province is famous for its sorcerers, shamans, and witches. Now, these stories are replaced with discoveries of its natural and cultural treasures. From enchanting beaches to Pre-Hispanic churches, Siquijor is surely a province worth visiting.
Demographics
1. Population –
87, 695 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 337.5 sq. km
3. Capital – Siquijor
4. Language/Dialect – Cebuano, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (6)
Famous For ...
Cantabon
Cave
The cave is filled with unique stalagmite and stalactite
formations. Though considered as the most famous cave
in the province, the cave itself has not been fully
explored.
Salagdoong
Beach Resort
It is a restful hideaway tucked in a cove, with fine,
white sand covering the shoreline and a nearby islet
providing a good vantage point of the beachfront area.
San Isidore
Labrador Parish Church and Convent
It is reputed to be the biggest and among the oldest
in the country and in Asia.
Cang-Isok
House
It is a century-old house made of bamboo and a local
tree called tugas.
Cultural
San Antonio
Village
Location: Siquijor, Siquijor
It is a village where elderly men and women are engaged
in the preparation of folk and herbal medicine during
the Lenten Season.
Century-Old
Balete Tree
Location: Brgy. Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor
Local residents believe that the tree is enchanted and
serves as the home of various elemental creatures. There
is water from an unknown source that flows underneath
it towards a man-made stream.
Man-Made
Cang-Isok
House
Location: Brgy. Libo, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
Made from native and indigenous materials like bamboo
and nipa sheets, this house is an interesting piece
of art and detailed engineering construction that surprisingly
withstood many storms in the Visayas region.
Bandilaan
Butterfly Farm
Location: Mount Bandilaan, Lazi, Siquijor
Totaling five hectares of land area, this butterfly
sanctuary is a breeding haven for some 54 butterfly
species and moths – all these in a lush 1,460
square meter botanical garden serving also as life support
for the butterflies in both larval and adult stages.
It is said to be the home of the butterfly with the
biggest wingspan in Asia.
Natural
Cantabon
Cave
Location: Brgr. Cantabon Siquijor, Siquijor
Discovered in 1985 by a group of foreign hunters, the
cave is 300 meters long and 10 meters wide, filled with
stalagmite and stalactite formations. At the center
of the cave is a small natural pond with crystal-clear
water. Though considered as the most famous cave in
the province, the cave itself has not been fully explored
Cagusua
Beach
Location: Maria, Siquijor
The beach is noted for its picturesque rock formation.
It is situated below a steep cliff, accessible by a
concrete staircase.
Salagdoong
Beach Resort
Location: Maria, Siquijor
Its main attraction to tourists is its location and
the view of the shore from the resort which makes a
tourist’s stay very peaceful and relaxing. The
resort also offers a tour around the scenic sights in
the province.
Capilay
Spring Park
Location: San Juan, Siquijor
Water used in the spring park comes from the mountains
of Siqjuijor. It has a pool with three chambers. The
upper pool where the springs are located, the second
one is where the swimming pool is, and the third one
is the laundry pool, also known as the "river"
which is located by the road. This park is accented
with big trees which could give cool shades to its visitors.
Kiosks are also found by the pool side for convenience.
San Juan
de Capilay Lake
Location: San Juan, Siquijor
A natural, spring-fed swimming pool situated at the
heart of the town plaza where local people converge
during weekends for a swim in the cool waters of the
lake or simply sit under the shade in the spring-park
and people-watch.
Mount Bandilaan
Nature Park
Location: Lazi – Siquijor, Siquijor
It is the highest peak in the province, rising up to
557 feet above sea level totaling 1394 feet high. Mount
Bandilaan provides many opportunities of exploration
such as cave spelunking, nature trekking and mountain
climbing. Other attractions in the area include a shrine
of Our Lady of Lourdes, Stations of the Cross, five
natural springs, caves and butterfly sanctuary.
Religious
St. Isidore
Labradore Parish Church and Convent
Location: Lazi, Siquijor
Declared as a historical landmark by the National Historical
Commission in the 1970’s, it is known as the biggest
convent in the country and in Asia. Conceptualization
and construction began in 1857 by Augustinian Recollects
and was completed by Filipino artisans in the year 1884.
Among the many features of the church are an old belfry
with its ancient bells still intact, intrinsic altar
design, hand sculptured images of the Station of the
Cross, and period pulpits that give the church a holy
and ancient ambiance.
St. Francis
of Assisi Church and Bell Tower
Location: Siquijor, Siquijor
The church was built from coral stones, cruciform, and
had a nipa roof. It has its own watch tower or bell
tower built to protect and forewarn the island folks
of approaching pirates and other adversaries.
Shrine of
Our Lady of Lourdes and Station of the Cross
Location: Mount Bandilaan, Lazi, Siquijor
These two popular pilgrim sites can be reached by trekking
a 200-step hill from the entrance of the Nature Park.
At the end of the station are three crosses and a metal
observatory deck which gives a commanding view of the
province.
Solili Festival
Place: Siquijor, Siquijor
Date: September 17
Taking after the traditions in the town of Lazi, the
Solili Binalaye is a marriage ritual where both parents
of the bride and the groom prepare a feast and take
turns in advising the couple on the realities of married
life.The rituals are depicted in a street-dancing competition
that serves as the highlight of the week-long Solili
Festival and Araw ng Siquijor Charter Day celebration.
Folk Healing
Festival
Place: San Antonio, Siquijor, Siquijor
Date: Good Friday – Black Saturday
Herbalist from all over the Visayas and Mindanao prepare
medical potions using the traditional method practiced
since ancient times. The herbal preparation takes place
on Black Saturday, on the belief that with the death
of Jesus Christ, entities and forces not of this realm,
roam the earth and share their healing powers to those
who seek their assistance.
Bugwas Festival
Place: San Juan, Siquijor
Date: Last week of August
The festival is the town’s way of celebrating
a bountiful and abundant harvest in honor of their patron
saint, St. Augustine. Bugwas means a spurt of water
coming from an underground source, which flows freely
in the open ground.
Dila-ab
Festival
Place: Siquijor, Siquijor
Date: October 1
Dila-ab suggests the distinct hospitality that the Siquijodnons
are popularly known for and the name the island was
once-known for as “Isla de Fuego.” The festival
also gives due recognition to the natural assets of
Siquijor and in honor of the town’s patron saint,
St. Francis of Asisi, who is known as a nature lover.
Lubi Festival
Place: Maria, Siquijor
Date: May 21
The town's "Lubi" festival reflects the indispensable
value of every coconut tree in the life of every Mariajanons.
As a constant staple in the life of every "Mariajanons",
from the copra meat to the drop of "tuba",
people knew how indispensable "Lubi" has been
to one's survival.
For a mystical wedding-add a dash of Siquijor
If you and your friends are dead set on planning your beach wedding and you’re racking up your minds on where it could actually be, why not look beyond Boracay or Palawan? Try Siquijor, southeast of the Negros Island, and you’ll get more than you bargained for—which is a good thing since it automatically translates to memorable and scary fun.
read more about Siquijor weddings ...
By Air-sea:
From Manila, take a direct flight to Dumaguete
or Cebu. From there, one can reach Siquijor via
ship or fast ferry. Ships from Cebu dock at Larena
while fast ferries and ships from Dumaguete docks
at either Larena or Siquijor.