My Siquijor - Isla del Fuego

By Rebecca Torres
Resource person: Grace Sumalpong
Photos by Rebecca Torres
Siquijor, Philippines
April 26, 2021




Siquijor  in Central Visayas, is a marine paradise, a prime  advocate of  nature preservation and also the healing capital of  the Philippines.  It was named Isla del Fuego (Island of  Fire)  by the Spanish colonizers in the 17th century as the island is like a ball of fire  with its eerie glow at night when seen from afar from the sea because of  the many fireflies swarming in the island’s numerous  Molave trees.

To reach Siquijor,  the take off point is from the port of  Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental via a ferry or fast craft with  less than an hour trip across the  Visayas Sea.  Motoring around the whole island of  Siquijor covering the six towns of  Siquijor, Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, and San Juan  can be completed in a day.  Summer between February to May are the best months to visit the island.

Fun  Activities in Siquijor

1.       Swim, swim, swim  and snorkel in the pristine waters and powdery  white sand  beaches and admire  the beautiful sunset  of   Paliton and Solangon Beaches  or  Salagdoong Beach   with cliff jumping for the more  adventurous ones.



2.   Visit old churches like the  St. Francis of  Assisi Parish Church i n

      capital town of  Siquijor,  founded in in 1783,   with its adobe belfry located

      separately  from the  church  which served as a watch tower to easily spot

      invaders.   In the town  of  Lazi is the St. Isidore Labrador Parish

      Church built in 1884 and  across the  church is  the Lazi  Convent, the

      biggest and oldest convent  in  Asia  erected in 1887.



3.   Snorkel and scuba dive at  the Tubod Marine Sanctuary , fronting the

      beach in  Coco  Grove Resort in San  Juan,  which protects  coral reefs

      and seagrass and expansive marine life such as the clown fish (Nemo),

      sea turtles, potato head  groupers and giant clams



4.   “ Tropical Flora Treasure Hunt ” at the Coco Grove Resort in San Juan to

      find and have a photo op amidst  the  colorful flowers  such  as the 

      bird of  paradise, which resembles a bird’s beak,  peach, white  and red

      gumamelas, lobster claws,  torch ginger plant, bougainvillas, kalachuchis 

      and the pandanus palm tree,  its fruit like an  oversized pine cone.



5.   Savour fresh catch of    seafood like grilled tanguigui, tuna steak and

      mahi mahi and  fresh sea urchins  whether in a restaurant or by the 

      roadside eatery along  the beautiful white sand seashore.



6.   Taste and bring home premium otap (oval shaped elongated puff pastry

      sprinkled with sugar), a  Siquijor delicacy, from  Elena’s Bakery in

      Talingting, Enrique Villanueva.  Another “must try” snack is the pugon 

(clay oven) baked coco bread with bucayo (grated coconut) delicacy  of  

      Lilibeth’s Pan Bisaya, a roadside hut bakery aloBarangay Bino-Ongan

      also in Enrique Villanueva.

7.   Appreciate the interesting collection of  Kanheron (which means “Then

      and Now”) Ranch ’s western cowboy memorabilia and artifacts and

      original wood artwork gallery.



8.   Walk through bamboo and wooden planks in the Guiwanon Spring

      Park in Luyang,  Siquijor that preserves and protects the mangrove

      forest beside  the coastline, opening up to a  spectacular view of 

      the sea.



9.    Dare to walk   down a  rugged path to reach the three  tiered cascading

       Cambuhagay Falls,   located in Lazi, where one is rewarded after the

       short trek with a refreshing dip in the  clear turquoise  natural spring.



10.  Experience the healing ritual of  a  Bolo bolo healer  who blows a

       bamboo straw into a glass filled with water and  magical stones over

       one’s head or across your back to draw out negative vibes and to cure  

       one’s ailments.



11.   Be awed by the towering 400 year old Balete Tree in Lazi with hanging

        vines and roots which is said to be enchanted.



12.   Submerge your feet in the man-made pool underneath the old Balete

        tree for a foot spa where small fishes bite off the sole of  your tired

        feet.



Once the domestic travel restrictions due to the covid pandemic will be relaxed,   Siquijor as a vacation destination is a paradise to enjoy!