Country > Philippines > Siquijor Island > Siquijor Poblacion
Date > 2010 > Apr
Activity > Traveling

Apr 21, 2010

Kram's Siquijor Wedding

Location : Siquijor, Siquijor Island, Philippines

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.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Island Tour of Siquijor

(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 »»

Next Freediving story:

Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries

(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 »»

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)

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/7:30? or 9:00? pm
Ocean Jet - 40 mins,at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net, 6:00am/6:00pm, P350/pax (tourist/open air), P580/pax (business class)
Atlantis Yohan Express - Siquijor Port or Larena Port?
Aleson Shipping Lines - Siquijor Port, P200/reg, P250/a-c, 6:00 am daily, 1:30 pm & 6:30pm M-Sat

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 (Bato) - 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 (no Sat). P420 for boat, P275 for ferry to Bato, Leaves Siquijor Poblacion at xxxx, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique, 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 for Bato, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City 10 pm.

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
Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.