* The mystic island of Siquijor

[Kano]

The mystic island of Siquijor


Manila Bulletin March 31, 2010


For a place masked by sorcery and witchcraft, Siquijor's mystic eeriness is the perfect prologue for a picturesque island intrinsically woven into vast bodies of azure-green waters. Back in the 16th century, Spanish sailors nicknamed Siquijor as "Isla del Fuego" (island of fire) because of fireflies among foliages bathing the landscape in ghostly luminescence. This sense of mystery still remains today, only this time it's more of a quirk than an aversion.

Siquijor is a tiny, laid back island where life is simple and tourists are much welcome. It lies slightly apart from the Visayas off the southern tip of Cebu and about 22 kilometers east of Negros. The island is mostly made up of limestone rocks fringed with mangrove trees, fine white sand beaches, and coral reefs. A haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, Siquijor's numerous caves, springs, and rivers makes it a potential eco-tourism site.

An idyllic tropical paradise

Owing to its somewhat isolated location, far from the more popular tourist islands like Boracay and Cebu, Siquijor has remained relatively unspoiled by tourist crowds. With a number of modest inns dotting the coastline, travelers can rent a small cottage along the shore for a few hundred pesos a night, while several resorts and hotels located along the beach cove provide first class accommodations.

The island's relatively small size makes it easy to tour by public transport, rented vehicle, or even on foot. Siquijor's coast has a number of scuba diving sites, some of the resorts have certified dive operators who will take guests on day trips to places such as Sandugan Point and Tambisan Point, both known for their coral reefs and abundant marine life.

At Paliton Beach, there are submarine caves where travelers can marvel at the sight of sleeping reef sharks while at Salag-Doong Beach on the eastern side of the island, divers have occasionally reported seeing manta rays and shoals of barracuda.

Towering above the beaches is the majestic Mount Bandilaan, the highest peak in Siquijor. Rising up to 557 feet above sea level, totaling 1394 feet high, Mount Bandilaan provides many outdoor activities such as cave spelunking, nature trekking, and mountain climbing. The mountain springs and rivers found in the base and nearby terrain are also a must see.

Black magic versus good magic

Tales of witches and shamans aside, Siquijor is a peaceful island with zero police records of carnapping, kidnapping, and  highway robbery. Siquijorans are known to be very warm and friendly people. As a matter of fact, the local government of Siquijor has come up with a positive twist on the province's mystical repute.

Every Good Friday, herbalists from Siquijor and all around Visayas and Mindanao gather in the town of San Antonio to participate in the annual staging of the Conference of Sorcerers and Healers, also known as the Folk Healing Festival. During the festival, the healers mix and compare medical potions made from tree bark, roots, herbs, dirt, and insects.

The event is culminated by the mixing of a mother-of-all-potions in a large pot filled with coconut oil. As the potion is stirred participants gather in a circle and mutter chants said to permeate the potion with extraordinary healing powers.

To say the least, whether you believe in witchcraft or not, the island of Siquijor possesses a kind of magic so enchanting that tourists from all over are enticed to see. Mystifying in every angle, Siquijor is a destination of picturesque sunsets, unexplored coves, and stunning sites just waiting to be discovered.