Mystical Siquijor

So it was Day 2 for me and my friend in the Island of Fire - Siquijor. And I really loved the serenity of the place. We devoted Day 1 for a much needed rest. We stayed at Ate Lorna's End of the World, that's a resort by the way.

I saw a trike driver/guide named Kuya Joam in a forum and texted him weeks before the trip. I booked our Siquijor countryside tour on our 2nd day and he quoted 850 pesos for the whole day tour - no rush (it's up to you if you wanna give him a tip). I asked him beforehand if he could give us a map of Siquijor and he obliged - he got it from the Provincial Capitol. Kuya Joam arrived at the resort 10 minutes earlier from our 9 a.m. call time and off we went to explore the mystical Siquijor province and its 6 towns in a day.

Kuya Joam - 0927.693.2095

source

First stop was the San Juan de Capilay Spring Park in the town of San Juan. Take note that the End of the World resort is located in San Juan and during our Day 1, we went to San Juan's town center to buy some stuff and we saw this spring park but didn't knew what it was then. Later on we would find out that it is a natural spring situated in the town plaza. The spring is from the mountains and they made it into a swimming pool which is open to everybody who wants to take a dip - free of charge. It is quite deep and the water continuously flow out to the sea.

Capilay Spring Park

quite deep

Next was the Century old Balete tree in the town of Lazi. We went around the tree and saw three young men having their merienda. They were munching on some coconut still on its husk. They gave me some and we chatted till we finished our munchies.    

Century old Balete tree

tambay habang kain ngg niyog

Next was the San Isidro Labrador church / Lazi Church, still in the town of Lazi. The church was constructed in 1884 using local materials such as hardwoods and coral stones. This is very evident on the exterior walls of the church. I noticed that the images inside the church were covered in a deep purple cloth. I don't know of those traditions so I asked Kuya Joam for the reason of covering such cloth. He said that they traditionally cover these images every Holy Week. I asked him why and he didn't know the rationale behind it. 

Lazi church

quiet Holy Monday

images were covered because it was Holy Week

made up of corals

Across the street is the San Isidro Labrador convent. It was reported to be the biggest and one of the oldest convents in the Philippines. The Spaniards started the construction in 1887 and was completed in 1894. Today, it serves as the house of the parish priest and the office for the school administrators of their parochial school. 

You don't need to pay an entrance fee if you don't intend to see the convent's museum on the second floor. We met the convent's caretaker and she toured us inside the structure. She's been there for 30 years now and haven't received any monetary payment for her services. She said that it's all because of her deep faith and love to the Lord. 

former Lazi convent

second floor

currently the dining area of the priest

first floor

Cambugahay falls in Lazi was next. For the first time, I paid a 15-peso parking fee for our tricycle. But still no entrance fees here. There were three levels of waterfalls and each one has its own charm. I particularly love my jump from the waterfalls  and my vine ride a la Tarzan.

Cambugahay falls

can't wait to jump eh?

that was me in the water after the jump

my second jump

We were about to go to Salagdoong beach when I invited Kuya Joam for lunch. It gave us time to chat a little and I asked him for a particular image I saw somewhere. I described it to him and he immediately knew what I was talking about. He said that the image might be covered just like in Lazi church but we still went on the Our Lady of Divine Providence church in the town of Maria. The church is made of tabique or bricks. We arrived there a little after 12 noon. It was still quiet. No one hindered us in entering the church premises. Deep inside I was hoping that the image was uncovered. 

We entered the church and it was quiet. I was busy taking photos of the interiors while Kuya Joam came to me rushing with a sweet smile on his face, "Di pa siya naka-cover Carla!". I immediately went towards the image and examined it. All then I saw it - the image of St. Rita de Cascia or the Black Magic Mary. The image was wearing a black gown while holding a skull on its right hand and an inverted crucifix on the left. I looked at it and stared at the eyes. It was so piercing and it felt like it was speaking to me through its eyes. I googled it and saw different interpretations for the image and St. Rita herself which I can't confirm.   
                 

Our Lady of Divine Providence Church - Sta. Maria

uncovered images - we are lucky

the image I was looking for

Salagdoong beach was next and still in the town of Maria. While we're on our way to the beach, Kuya Joam pulled down on this long stretch of trees. He asked us to pose for him but we couldn't do the pose he was asking for and boy was he frustrated. 

A few minutes later, we arrived at the beach. We paid an entrance fee of 15 pesos each (Kuya Joam was free of charge).  As soon as I saw the beach, I couldn't help but get giddy like a kid. I didn't do a research prior to this trip so I didn't know that there were some cliff diving points here. Only when Kuya Joam told us that I learned about it. I peeked on how high it was and without so much thinking about it, I told them that I want to jump. And I did it! That thing they called cliff diving jumping that's so fun!        

in pain

in vain

Salagdoong beach

second-level cliff

mid air dive jump

We had a great time at the Salagdoong beach and next destination was the Century old house in the town of Enrique Villanueva. What's more amazing is that it is still functional up to now. It was siesta time so we didn't had the chance to talk to the caretaker of the house. And then I saw the beach and the waves. It was bigger than what Salagdoong have. I asked Kuya Joam if I can swim for a while and if the caretaker would mind and then he said, "Lalangoy ka ulit?". Laughter everywhere.   

I did enjoy my time in Maria beach except for the sharp corals on the seabed. After fulfilling my beach addiction, we went to the nearby Tulapos Mangrove Sanctuary. While I was taking some photos of the mangroves, Kuya Joam bought some bukayo. It was Siquijor's version of pan-de-coco for 6 pesos a piece. It was huge and delish! And we hoarded 10 more for our breakfast the next day (which we finished after the tour and became our dinner).      

Century old house - still functional

used for fishing

tempting waters

can't resist eh?

freshly-baked

bukayo

mangroves

We had a slow trike stroll around the Town of Larena. We saw the Larena port and Kuya Joam, born and bred in Larena, couldn't help but be passionate about the town. After that we went to the Provincial Capitol in Siquijor town. We saw a nearby souvenir shop and found out that they sell gayuma and other oils and herbs for pasalubong.    

Our last stop was the St. Francis of Assisi church and bell tower in the town of Siquijor. It is made of stone and cruciform. The bell tower stands independently from the church in the middle of the plaza. The images inside were covered as well.   

St. Francis of Assisi Church - Siquijor Church

covered images

St. Francis of Assisi Bell Tower

We went back to End of the World resort just in time for the sunset. It was the perfect way to end our whole day stroll around the whole province of Siquijor. Generally, the people are gentle and quiet which reflects the whole jive of the province. It was serene. Originally, we planned to stay only for a night. But after experiencing Siquijor's charm, we extended for one more night.  Siquijor is a perfect place to relax and forget about the world.

We met a cute couple in the resort, Mark and Stephanie. We chatted most of the time during our stay in the resort. When we were about to leave for Dumaguete, Stephanie asked me if what was our plan. I said, "Que sera, sera". Then she invited me in her hometown in Zamboanguita to attend Apo Island's fiesta. And we were thrilled!           

Check Siquijor accommodations here