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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)
- Enrique Villanueva
- Larena
- Lazi
- Maria
- San Juan
- Siquijor
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.
Places of Interest
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.
Festival
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.
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