Changes For April, the spotlight is on Lazi with the opening of its port. This opens up doors to commerce, trade, tourism and easier access. Optimism is in the air.
Lazi's Port Opens up to the Public
Lazi's Port Opens up to the Public
(April 1, 2023 Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines) After so much delay, the Port of Lazi was finally opened up to the public. This is a milestone. People of Lazi no longer have to commute the long trip to Siquijor or Larena ports to leave the province. This also makes Lazi an important municipality in Siquijor, serving the south side of the province as it becomes a conduit of interisland trade and commerce.
Secret Beaches of Siquijor
Secret Beaches of Siquijor
(April 2, 2023 Siquijor, Philippines) Siquijor is a small island with a coastline of about 100 km. Along that stretch are scenic views and vertical drops leading to secluded and obscure beaches anyone hardly ever goes to, or hardly ever knows.
Siquijor's Magical Potions Go on Sale
Siquijor's Magical Potions Go on Sale
(April 6, 2023 Siquijor, Philippines) During the Holy Week, Siquijor's public image as a enchanted island comes alive with the celebration of healers and their magical potions - for love, prosperity and protection.
Lechon Overdoze in Town Fiestas
Lechon Overdoze in Town Fiestas
(April 15, 2023 Siquijor, Philippines) The best lechon I've ever tasted was in Siquijor in 2010 - but no one sells it in public. One gets to eat it only during fiestas, birthdays and special occasions. Or, you can try the cockfight derby. After 3 months here, I finally got my chance to have some eagerly awaited lechon - at a town fiesta in Cang-Agong, courtesy of Marlon who tagged me along.
Police Checkpoint
Police Checkpoint
(April 17, 2023 Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines) When you see motorbikes clustered on a roadside with the drivers still on their bikes, as though they're all waiting, then it can only be a Police Checkpoint. Those who can't wait, turn back. This is a daily morning dance.
Grilled Lapiz Fish
Grilled Lapiz Fish
My fisherman neighbor caught some good-sized Lapiz fish. I ordered one grilled fish a night for dinner, every night until it ran out. P50...fresh caught, grilled and served. Nothing on the planet beats that!
Ending Thoughts While changes are taking place, deeply rooted tradition remains anchored - fiestas, magical potions and secret beaches. Siquijor grows but she keeps her identity.
(May 5, 2023) Lazi's boulevard has been on a an on-off construction phase for the longest time. Finally, an official opening was kicked-in, albeit, the Boulevard has not been finished yet...more »»
(May 1-31, 2023) May showers are here...plants are happy, the air is clean and the rivers are replenished. In Siquijor, it's fiesta time. Lazi, among other municipalities celebrate their fiestas...lechon, merry making and good tidings....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)
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