Good Things About Siquijor Being Dumaguete-based now, I had Siquijor in my radar. I hear very good things about the place. GIS specialist Al Duncan told me his best time in the Philippines was spent in Siquijor! Fellow Vipassana meditator Mabi wrote a story saying you can see through the water in Siquijor's pier. Of course, there's the allure of meeting the sorcerers from which Siquijor developed a reputation for...thus the moniker, The Mystic Island.
The Wedding Invite My schedule got a nudge when UPM (UP Mountaineers) Kram texted me an invite to his wedding on the island! With Siquijor just an hour away by ferry from Dumaguete, I was packed and ready to take off.
Kram Kram and I go back to our biking days in UP Diliman. He was a frequent visitor of Sagada and we'd go riding the single-tracks together. In the mountain biking community, he attained halimaw (monster) status when he biked from Manila to Bacolod! With his long hair gone, I guess he's ready to take on the more challenging chapter in this life -- being a Dad and a family man.
Clear Water Upon arriving at Siquijor's port and seeing through its crystal clear water, I realized Mabi was right. I could go swimming in the pier water of Siquijor. Try doing that at Manila's port harbor! It was love at first sight for Siquijor!
The Guests Kram and another UPM, Daddy-O (another halimaw), met me at the pier and we were off for Kram's 4pm wedding at the St. Francis of Asisi Church, just walking distance from the pier. At their house I met his lovely bride-to-be, Jill, their baby (yes, they already have a bouncy 2-month old baby boy), and the rest of his family and would-be inlaws. It was a warm and hospitable accomodation. We were even checked-in at Bulisan Lodging, just across the street.
The Wedding The wedding was what I consider ideal - small and simple, with only close members of the family attending. I think it was only me and Daddy-O who were not family. What followed was an alfresco garden reception after which we moved to their residence for the more informal gathering over beer and pulutan.
Bouncy Babies Like I said, Kram, "I hope you and Jill are blessed with more bouncy and healthy babies".
Tour of Siquijor The following day was earmarked for a tour of the island of Siquijor, hosted by Kram and his family.
Honey Salgado (Apr 21, 2010) Best wishes Kram n ur wife Jill!!!
Kram (Apr 30, 2010) ha-ha-ha, gulat naman ako. Halimaw ba? Thanks sa write-up!
Bernz (Apr 29, 2010) Congrats! :)
Sally (Apr 29, 2010) I like the bridal car! thanks for posting the pics. :) congrats krammy bear!
Jom (Apr 29, 2010) Congrats!
Ferch (Apr 29, 2010) uy congrats to Kram!
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(Apr 22, 2010) The following day after Kram's wedding, all first-time guests (including me), were taken around the island for a tour of Siquijor's wonders - from above the jeep...more »»
(Apr 23-24, 2010) Siquijor is located within the Coral Triangle - a dive area with the most marine biodiversity in the country. With 6 marine sanctuaries, and only 102 kms of coastline, everyone of them is accessible. Dive !!!..more »»
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More on Siquijor Island:
Siquijor Island Local Info
Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.
Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
Lazi to Siquijor Port - jeeps depart from the Lazi Port area. 5 jeeps, the last trip at 12:30 pm. Lazi to San Juan, P50.
Larena Port to Lazi - jeeps are unpredictable. As of this writing, there is only 1 jeep plying the Larena-Lazi route. This jeep leaves Larena for Lazi at 9:50am. After that, no more jeep. You'll have to take a tricycle to Siquijor Pob for jeeps going to Lazi
Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)
Food - these were suggested by a local to me
Lechon manok & liempo - roasted pork belly and chicken at Joel's in Siquijor Poblacion. I've tried this myself...yummy, even if the chicken was no longer hot
Bibingka - sweetened rice cake by Fidy's Bibingka (P30) in Sawang, Maria. I've come back for this and I buy for other people as well as 'pasalubong' - they love this
Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips(as of Jan 2023)
Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm
Aleson Shipping - at Siquijor Port, 6 am and 6 pm daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax
Siquijor - Tagbilaran - Cebu City Boat Trips(as of Jan 2023)
En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.
Ocean Jet - 2 hours, 8:20am, at Siquijor Port
To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, P1200/business class
To Cebu: ?
Lite Ferries - at Larena Port,
To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, P475/standard, 7pm, 3 hours, PHP?
To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 7pm, 7 hours, PHP 650
Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips(as of Jan 2023)
Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?
Siquijor - Cebu (Liloan) - Cebu City BUS Trip(as of Jan 2023)
There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Larena Port around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port (Sundays at 3 pm) for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) 10 pm.
Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because it goes around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena where it takes the ferry at 1 pm. This saves you the hassle and high transport cost of a tricycle. Besides, it's a long trip from the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.
Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island
These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat
Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Siquijor. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
Dumaguete - Dumaguete is a small charming progressive coastal town in Negros Oriental. Cafe and restaurants line the famous Boulevard Boardwalk. Tourist attractions include Japanese Shrine, Casaroro Falls, snorkeling along the southern coastline (Dauin, Masaplod Norte, etc), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes