Siquijor Road Trip Scenes

These are not Siquijor’s popular spots. In fact, they are just ordinary road scenes on the island but nonetheless they are equally important because they also tell us about Siquijor.

Pit Stop First Before The Trip.

Our multi-cab driver had to gas up before we begin our four-hour road trip of the island. We stopped by a store that sells gasoline and diesel in one-liter soft drink bottles. For a minute you would think that it’s an ordinary sari-sari store selling soft drinks, but this one is actually selling gas in “tingi-tingi”.

The San Isidro Labrador Parish Church at Lazi

The San Isidro Labrador Church

As inscribed in a plaque found on the church's front wall, the parish of Lazi was established by the Augustinian priests in honor of San Isidro Labrador in 1857. Its church, which was constructed under the supervision of Father Toribio Sanchez, was finished by native artisans in 1884 and the belfry a year later. The San Isidro Labrador Church is another picturesque building in Siquijor. Its façade is a combination of coral stones and wood planks. The front entrance is covered with fishing net. I suppose it serves the same purpose as the rope curtain of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church. The church looks so simple outside, but inside it’s a different thing.

Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay Falls is located amidst a flourishing forest on an elevated area about two kilometers north of Lazi town, Siquijor. Our multi-cab was almost spurting as we reach this destination. There were eight of us in our group, plus our guide and the driver, and our cumulative weight appeared to test the engine of our vehicle. Nevertheless, we arrived in our destination safe and sound.

The Giant Balete Tree of Siquijor

When we hear the word Balete, most of us would readily associate it with the enchanted and the supernatural beings like “kapre” and “tikbalang” (that’s “tayhu” to the Ilonggos), or where sorcery rituals are usually performed, and if we are superstitious then most probably we would avoid getting near this tree. However, this is not the case with the giant Balete Tree in Barangay Campalanas, in Lazi town of Siquijor. Instead of being a thing to be avoided by people, it is one of the island’s popular tourist attractions. 

Siquijor, Siquijor (Part II): Parish Church of St. Francis of Assisi

This is the old stone church of Siquijor, Siquijor, which founded by the Franciscan priests on February 1, 1783. The construction of the stone church was started by Father Setten, a secular priest, and was under the supervision of Father Alonso de los Dolores from 1795-1831. Its adjoining convent was similarly built of stones, too. Its belfry is a separate building located at the plaza. It was also intended as a watchtower for pirates who frequently raid the shores. The church is not as big nor as grand as the other old churches found in various towns of Panay and Negros, but it shows its own quaint character.

Plants cling on to der life on the church facade and on the rooftops

The church is not as big or as grand as the other
old churches found in various towns of Panay
 and Negros, but it shows its own quaint character.

They use ropes as curtains on every door of the church. This is to ward off the
 “angry birds” that do not hesitate to bombard the interior of the church with their droppings. 

This plaque details in Tagalog the history of the parish church

The church belfry stands separately on the further left of the church, near the shore. It served as a lookout of the villagers against sea pirates who occasionally raided the town.

Siquijor, Siquijor (Part I)

The weather was all bright and sunny during our trip to Siquijor, so we enjoyed the boat ride very much, or at least I did. I occasionally glance at my other companions, they seem to have fallen asleep, or more likely pretending to sleep most of that time like what I was doing. Anyhow, no one got seasick, which was good since we needed the energy to cover everything in a short time. 

Siquijor Via Dumaguete

Early this December, my sister and I went along with our cousins and their girlfriends to Dumaguete. One of my cousin’s girlfriend was to attend a wedding there, and the rest of us went along to check out the place. The plan of the group was to just roam around, enjoy the place, food and whatever experiences that Dumaguete has to offer. Then suddenly someone remembered that Siquijor is just nearby, in fact it’s less than an hour away from Dumaguete City by boat. So then it was by unanimous decision that Siquijor was to be included in our itinerary.