Talk About What? In my brief conversation with Siquijor's LTO Chief, Sir Gerald, he expressed that what I was talking about (a software-administered enterprise (doing the work of an entire human department), emergence of autonomous A.I., cryptocurrency as an extinction death-knell for the fractional banking system, etc.) was unfamiliar to him but found it very engaging. He asked if I might be interested in giving a talk to his church congregation at the United Church of Christ (UCC). I said I'd be flattered. But after saying yes, I pondered to myself, "Talk about what?"
Topics to Choose From What do I talk about that his conservative church congregation might find interesting? More of A.I.? This would be interesting since just a week back, Chat GPT4, the most advanced language A.I., was launched. I thought about Burning Man - my radical odyssey in the desert. But the sex, drugs and rock & roll might be too racy for the conservative audience. Should I talk about Bitcoin? I recently bought a brand new motorcycle through my Bitcoin holdings boon.
After much deliberation, I decided that what I'll talk about is something unfamiliar to their life experience, especially if they haven't left the country, or if they did, if they only did so as a passing tourist.
Palm Sunday It took a few weeks before I was on the 'pulpit' of his small church community in Enrique Villanueva on a Palm Sunday to deliver my talk. Marky was with me to video my talk. Upon meeting the pastor, he intimated that since it was Palm Sunday, I should talk about something related to Palm Sunday. What? Am I to shift gear just before my intended talk into unfamiliar ground? My only reference to Palm Sunday was in the movie Jesus Christ Superstar where his devotees were singing, "Hosannah hey, Sanna Ho, Sanna Superstar". Thinking fast, I found a way to start off with Palm Sunday and segue into my intended topic.
Connected? While I was talking, I noticed a few nods in the audience, but apart from that, I have no way of knowing if what I said connected.
Lunch at Aquamarie Resort Sir Gerald invited me (and Marky), his driver, and the Pastor for lunch at his relative's seafront resort, Aquamarie. The food was a lot and filling.
The pastor quipped that my "Christ consciousness" invocation was novel and interesting.
The resort had a few interesting features - an off-road 4-wheeler (that could only be driven on the beach) and geodesic domes as guest cottages.
lunch at Aquamarie Resort
Ancestral Home Sir Gerald intimated that he was thinking of letting me stay in his family's ancestral home. It's abandoned but well-maintained. I said I would be interested.
Research Consultant He further intimated that he was thinking of having me a part of his organization as a business research consultant. I said I know tidbits of many things, but I don't specialize in any except perhaps yoga, web design and fitness. I also mentioned that as a general rule, what I am tasked with that I have no knowledge or expertise on, I make my own research to learn.
Ending Thoughts It was a day well spent - I gave an insightful and perhaps an inspirational talk to a church congregation, had lunch at an interesting resort and received potential offers that might give me new direction while in Siquijor. Saying NO to any of them is not an option. My new resolution is "Say YES to life!"
(April 5-8, 2023) During Holy Week, Siquijor hosts a healing festival where shamans from near and far congregate to celebrate and share their special gifts...more »»
(May 13, 2023) If I were to best describe the parenting I received, I would have to say Emergency Parenting - I just coined that up because there's nothing out there that even comes close. What is that?..more »»
More on Enrique Villanueva:
Enrique Villanueva Info
The Boulevard - Enrique Villanueva, in keeping with the 'Boulevard' craze that's sweeping the island, also developed a boulevard as its main draw. It's still raw as of this writing, but it's promising.
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 - 8:20 am, at Siquijor Port To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, 2 hours (arrive 10:20 am), P1200/business class To Cebu(Pier 1): P1600/tourist & open air, 4 hours (arrive 12:40 am), P2400/business class
Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, no Senior Citizen discount for online ticket purchase To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, 3 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 10 pm, P475/standard (Tourist, PHP 750) To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 10 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 5 am, PHP 605/standard (Senior P484), Tourist, PHP 770
Apekoptravel - at Larena Port to Tagbilaran: 1:00 pm, xxx hours, P750
Reserve through call or text: Cleare - 0938 283 4760 | Grace - 0936 534 6564 | Jessel - 0961 759 6711,
Pay via G-Cash: +63-917-880-1464, Email: momovillageadventure@gmail.com,
Facebook messenger: Apekoptravel. Enter your birthday and nationality to get discounts:
0 to 3 years old free,
4 to 9 years old will have 20% discount,
10 years old and above full price,
Filipino Senior Citizens will also have 20% discount
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