Siquijor: Scarily Nice

After all the "stories" we have heard and seen on TV, most people would think twice (or a hundred times perhaps) visiting the island alone. But not me. I was, in fact, ecstatic to see what's in there.

The only way to get there is by sea. There are ferries servicing the sea route from Cebu and Dumaguete (Delta and Oceanjet for the fast craft).

From Dumaguete, I booked the 11AM trip but ended up having the 1PM ride as waves were reportedly slamming the Siquijor port. We were then forced to dock in Larena town. It was a 2-hour crazy trip as everyone was throwing up. I didn't know how sea sickness felt until that day. I almost gave my puke bag a gunk of my brunch. haha.

As I set my first step on the Island of Fireflies, I came across a very nice Manong Jeepney driver who helped me look for a place to stay that met my criteria: inexpensive but cozy.

WHERE I STAYED

Royal Cliff Resort (West coast Siquijor) will greet you with their botanical/forest-like garden. It has five homey cottages with really nice spacey porches, ideal for drinking at night. Rooms have screened-window so you do not have to worry about those bugs and mosquitoes. Rates start at P850 a night for two people. But the room was actually big enough for four. For inquiries, you can contact 482-5038 or visit their website at www.royal-cliff-resort.de.tf. They also have nice corals for snorkeling?

TUBOD BEACH

The photo above is from Coco Grove Beach resort shoreline (one of the high-end places to stay in) adjacent Royal Cliff. It has along white sand stretch ideal for relaxing. I was the only one there which makes it extra special. That's the kind of beach I am really looking for. I rented a habal-habal to accommodate my day-trip itinerary. The plan was to tour the entire island but due to time constraint, I didn't get to see the north-east part which was okay as nothing was really happening there.

OLDEST BALETE TREE

First stop was the oldest Balete tree (hundred years old) in Siquijor. The mini-pool has warm water full of small fish but I don't think it was made for swimming. It's more of an added accent or something.

OLDEST CONVENT IN ASIA

Down south in Lazi town, Rustom, who was my driver, took me to the oldest Convent in Asia. Just clicked some photos for souvenir. I also went to see St. Francis of Assisi Church, just right infront of the convent, where I witnessed a local church wedding. It was a little different from what we have in Manila. First, it started way too early in the morning, everyone was like really, really quiet and yeah, the creaking sound of the wooden floor added to that eerie feeling.

SALAGDOONG BEACH

Then I went East coast, Salagdoong Beach. As per my research, this is the most picturesque beach on the island. Indeed it is. Salagdoong has fine white sand, clear turquoise water and massive corals to explore. During weekends, locals and tourists flock the area. I was the only one there which made it like my own private resort. You just have to pay a minimal amount of P30 for the picnic shelter and parking fee for your motorbikes/cars.

SPELUNKING

One of the highlights of my trip here was the Cantabon cave spelunking. There are alot of caves in the island but this is the most convenient and well-known of the bunch. From Salagdoong, you have to pass Maria town all the way to Mt. Bandila-an. It's a 30-45-minute ride where you get to see the entire island from above while crossing the rich forest. We went to the town's baranggay hall and met the Brgy. Captain who was very accommodating. He was the one who looked for my cave guide. I spent P250 for the guide and P50 for the helmet (which is by the way a must). Jandrel was a 14-year old boy who has been doing tours since he was 8. I felt uncomfortable getting him as he was young and skinny and wouldn't be of much help if something happens to me or what. But later I realized underestimating an 8-year experienced guide could not help me enjoy my trip. He was after all knowledgeable and cracked jokes I sometimes couldn't comprehend. It was a 2.5-hour caving to and fro. It was pitch black dark, slippery, waist-high water, and the rocks are pretty deadly. I bumped my head above the hanging stalactites and without my helmet I could have gotten alot of head bruises or injury. We were laughing about it everytime I hit my head on something. 

It was part of my itinerary to meet a healer (albularyo/mangkukulam) just to feed my curiosity. I have previously arranged a meet up (or eyeball. haha) with one but it never happened as I would miss my trip back to Dumaguete. And so I just asked Rustom to drive through the town where the mangkukulam people reside. Was I scared? Hell yeah... at first. But when I passed by San Antonio village, everyone's normal like the rest of us doing their thing.

I therefore conclude (thesis??!) that the stories you have heard and the things you have seen on TV may be true but it is a seriously unfair remark that we generalize this belief to all the people of Siquijor. One thing is a fact, Siquijor boasts one of the nicest beaches in the country, with rainforest you rarely see nowadays, and caves waiting to be explored.