Siquijor, An Island Southwest of Bohol

Siquijor is an island located southwest from the island of Bohol. My former classmate said Siquijor could be the younger sister of the bigger brother Bohol. But, it could be the other way around. That was he thought.

Anyway let's get back to the facts. My former classmate always had it in his mind, that if he has the resources and financial capacity, he would also have Siquijor as his home island. The people are very friendly and honest. That's if you just leave your things inside the car and go somewhere else. The local people wouldn't dare steal it. Never mind stopping the car's engine on a hot sunny day to keep the cabin cool. No one will steal the car too.

The people are very much soft-spoken that to the point you never know that the person you are talking to is already mad at you. That if at least you only listen to the tone of the voice. But if you listen carefully to the words spoken and that's another story.

Here is a vantage point of view on some areas of Salagdoong Beach. Some local words to know. The local word salag means "nest".

It could really mean that it is a nesting place of some type of bird species.

A coastal view from the town going to Enrique Villanueva,a municipality in the province of Siquijor.

A more that a century-old coastal house. It is still owned by the decendants of the original owners. It did changed roofs many times but the main structure stayed the same. What kind of wood was used here? It is even termite-free!

Here in the town of Enrique Villanueva, we can observe those bare lands in the middle. Grasses seem not to grow very well on those patches of land. Only some few types of trees grow there. Locals don't exactly know why and it is something mystical about this island.

Of the many natural attractions to the island is this cave called Cantabon Cave. It can be found almost in the middle of the island near the peak. My former classmate has not gone inside. The cave has many enchanting stalactites and stalagmites. It is worth seeing someday.

Tourists could rent those cottages in the town of Siquijor. Yes, the town is also named Siquijor. The local dialect spoken is a version of Cebuano "repeats". Like a single word, only repeated twice. Like the cebuano word balod which means shaky seas. The locals here say it as balod-balod. The meaning is still the same but they repeat it twice. Not all words though.

The highest peak among the mountains of Siquijor. The place is called Bandilaan. Annually, every summer during Holy Week, the place here is must go for those who seek a cure for their respective illnesses.

From a vantage point of view here, the islands of Cebu, Negros, Camiguin, Bohol and even Mindanao (towns of Dapitan to Calamba Misamis Occidental) can be seen on a very clear early morning. That if, the trees around haven't been that tall enough to cover the watch tower.

One of the fascinating places to visit is a place called Kanheron, a Western Ranch-Style hotel facility and museum in Siquijor. Two Cebuano word combined, kanhe which means yesteryears or olden times and karon which means now. That literally translates to "yesteryears here now". Isn't that amazing that Cebuano words also evolved into more complex words? If you are a native speaker of Cebuano and you don't know this Kanheron, then you could be a man of yesteryears.

One of the oldest churches in Siquijor, built by the Spaniards during their days of colonial rule.

Clearly local materials were used to built the church.

The church has suffered from many earthquakes and stresses from it are generally much obvious. Only time and another earthquake can tell if it would still be standing. But, one thing is for sure that the local people's faith and culture still remain strong even before the Spaniards came. The islanders are very friendly people and they don't want any trouble of whatever kind.

Here is the coast of Lazi, the locals told my former classmate that once that part over the mountain does look and resemble like a big crocodile. But that was then and today it looks like a lizard. Who knows what it would look like in the not-so-distant future?

If you really want to know how to explore the island and know about its mystical secrets, You might be enchanted to live there for a lifetime.

Cambugahay Falls is in the town of Lazi. One could act like Tarzan here. There is a rope and you hang unto it and release yourself in the middle of the pool.

It's a favorite among locals and tourists.

You can spend the whole day, pool-hoping around as you like.

There is always a place for everybody. Don't you worry. It isn't over-crowded here.

See and it isn't filled with swimmers here.

From the view from San Juan a town of Siquijor Island, an island of Negros named Apo Island an be seen. Apo Island is said to be a good place for coral reef watching. Turtles can also be found.

Apo Island can be seen from the mouth of the rock.

A favorite place to visit is the centuries old Balete tree. Here, a water flows from underneath the tree and locals made a pool nearby. Then there's this local fish that eats the dead skin from your feet.

The more fish that nibbles at your feet, it only means the more foul your feet is.

The Island from afar is Negros Island where the city of Dumaguete is.

This resort is a good place to relax after a day of exploring the island.

Bonus Picture: Solangon Beach is one of the less developed places as of 2016 and yet it could be someday be best place to explore. It is near the ongoing airport construction site of the island of Siquijor.

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