Seeking Siquijor
Long before TV celebrity Anne Curtis forayed in Siquijor, it has been in the bucket list of countless travelers who are being held back by the aura of mystery enveloping this charming island province.
The now-trending social media videos shattered the apprehensions and became an open invitation to travel bugs from all over the world to set foot in the island.
It is the land of beaches, witches, and itches—travel itch in particular—which will magnetize you to tarry a little longer or return soon.
Getting there is fairly easy, as it can be accessed from Dumaguete or Cebu City via fast craft or a slower and more chill roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel cruise.
Pit Stop 1: Siquijor. The sea gateway to the province, guests will be immediately awed by the powdery white sand and azure water right at the jetty.
A mandatory stop just outside the port is the postcard-pretty San Franciso de Assisi Church for a snapshot and a brief prayer for the safe journey.
The capital town, urban center, transport hub, you can rent a four-wheel vehicle or motorcycle here to navigate the scenic 100-km circumferential road.
Pit Stop 2: San Juan. Much like a smaller counterpart of Boracay’s Station 2 with its tourist vibe, you shouldn’t be staying anywhere else.
A chic, intimate and inexpensive place to be your home is Hiraya Beachfront Inn which has an enviable front row seat to a vast powdery stretch. It also boasts of mouth-watering fusion dishes of Western and Filipino favorites, and transforms into an al fresco beach bar at sunset and beyond.
And just like any tourist haven, it teems with international cuisine due to the foreigners who have made it their home. Feast on authentic pizzas and pastas at Dolce Amore Italian Restaurant and Resort which blends Mediterranean dishes and tropical lodging.
There are also a wide array of more flashy hotel resorts and a couple of dive shops for scuba divers.
Instagrammable natural getaways you shouldn’t miss are Paliton Beach which has Bali-like swings, Pitogo Cliff Nature Park, and Capilay Spring Park at the public plaza.
Pit Stop 3: Lazi. A nature and culture hub, the town takes pride in the massive San Isidro Labrador Church and the Lazi Convent, the oldest and biggest in Asia, and recognized as a National Cultural Treasure. Located just across each other, it will transport you back in time with its 19th-century Old World charm.
But before reaching the place, swing by the Century-Old Enchanted Balete Tree for a fish foot spa, and Hapitanan for souvenir shopping of novelty items, including healing herbal oils and potions. And of course, do the Harry Potter-like witch broom trick shot.
A tourist spot which got shoved into the limelight with the recent visit of Anne Curtis and followed by other celebrities is the Cambugahay Falls tucked in the town’s upland. The multi-tiered cascade which now receives over 1,600 tourists, is immensely popular for its “Tarzan swing” and the “Fairy Walk” which has garnered over 112 million views on social media.
Deeper into the woods is Mount Bandilaan National Park, a 212-hectare forest reserve at 557 meters above sea level, and is the highest peak in the province. On its apex is15-meter viewing tower which has an unobstructed panoramic view of the entire island while enjoying the crisp mountain air.
Pit Stop 4: Maria. Don’t get tricked by this seemingly obscure town as it is home to a tourism gem—Salagdoong Beach which has a confluence of jagged rock formations, crystal-clear waters, and powdery white coves.
It is also a go-to spot for an adrenaline-filled cliff dive of varying heights from a wooden diving board, where Curtis made a 30-foot leap.
Lying within a forest a few kilometers from the road, the government-owned beach park also has modest food outlets and basic lodging facilities if you wish to stay longer.
Pit Stop 4: Enrique Villanueva. This coastal town may appear to have an endless stretch of mesmerizing horizon, but don’t blink lest you miss Lilibeth’s Pan Bisaya, an unassuming roadside bakery which is Siquijor’s sought-after specialty for pasalubong—the torta or a cake-like fluffy bread.
Sample some of its fresh breads baked the old-fashioned way and feel free to have a small talk with the amiable owner.
Pit Stop 4: Larena. Named after a former Negros Oriental governor, this rurban town is Siquijor’s secondary port and commercial center.
At the roadside mangrove forest and boardwalk park, you can gaze at the silhouette of the neighboring provinces across the sea and the undulating peaks above.
Drive up to upland Larena Triad Restaurant where you can dine or sip coffee or ice-cold beer while admiring the mesmerizing vista.
After all is said and done, seeking Siquijor is like falling for an enchanted spell which will linger for a long time.
