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Country > Philippines > Siquijor Island > Enrique Villanueva
Date > 2023 > April
Activity > Slice of Life

Slice of Life

The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023

The Talk at United Church of Christ

Location Google Map: United Church of Christ, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor Island, Philippines

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
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!"

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

The Talk at United Church of Christ
The Talk at United Church of Christ
The Talk at United Church of Christ
The Talk at United Church of Christ
The Talk at United Church of Christ
The Talk at United Church of Christ

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More on Enrique Villanueva:

Enrique Villanueva Info
  1. 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.

  1. Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)

Food - these were suggested by a local to me

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
  4. Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
  5. Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map
Siquijor
Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm

    2. Montenegro Lines, Siquijor to Dumaguete

  2. Aleson Shipping - at Siquijor Port, 6 am and 6 pm daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax

    3. Aleson Shipping, Dumaguete to Siquijor

  3. 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)

    Ocean Jet

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.

  1. Ocean Jet - 2 hours, 8:20am, at Siquijor Port
    To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, P1200/business class
    To Cebu: ?
  2. 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)
  1. 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.


Sugbo Urban

Sugbo Urban

Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island

These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat

  1. 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)
  2. 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
  3. Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
  4. 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
  5. Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.

Blogs

Siquijor Blogs
Siquijor Island
  1. Sep Snapshots: Fisherman, Granny, Pedicure, Big Fish, Garbage September 1-30, 2023
  2. Together Forever Sep 11, 2023
  3. The Cigarette Talk Sep 1, 2023
  4. Siquijor Star Meditation Center Aug 31, 2023
  5. The Lost Dogs of Siquijor Aug 27, 2023
  6. Moving to a Bungalow! Aug 22, 2023
  7. Aug Chronicles: CDO produce August 31, 2023
  8. Aug Snapshots: Pan de Sal, Palpitate, Taho, Tuna, Pineapple August 1-31, 2023
    9. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
  9. July Chronicles July 31, 2023
  10. July Snapshots July 1-31, 2023
  11. Learning Cebuano: July July 1-31, 2023
  12. June Chronicles June 31, 2023
  13. June Snapshots June 1-31, 2023
  14. Learning Cebuano: June June 1-31, 2023
  15. May Chronicles May 31, 2023
  16. May Snapshots May 1-31, 2023
  17. Learning Cebuano May 1-31, 2023
  18. In Search of a Cool Climate May 25, 2023
  19. The 64 km Bike Ride May 16, 2023
  20. Lazi Fiesta May 15, 2023
  21. The Boulevard Opening May 5, 2023
  22. April Snapshots April 1-30, 2023
  23. Learning Cebuano...Again! April 1-30, 2023
  24. Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
  25. Exploring Siquijor with Marky Mar 25 - Apr 11, 2023
  26. Siquijor Healing Festival April 5-8, 2023
  27. The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023
  28. Mar Snapshots Mar 1-31, 2023
  29. Vigil for the Ghost Ship of Siquijor March 31, 2023
  30. Judging an Essay on Gender Equality Mar 29, 2023
  31. The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20, 2023
  32. Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
  33. Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
  34. Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
  35. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
  36. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
  37. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
  38. Reasons to Get a Wife March 1, 2023
  39. Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
  40. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
  41. Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
  42. Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
  43. The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  44. Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  45. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
  46. Inguinal Hernia? Goodbye ABS! Feb 4, 2023
  47. Jan Snapshots Dec 31, 2022
  48. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
  49. 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
  50. Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
  51. Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
  52. 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
  53. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
  54. Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
  55. Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
  56. Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
  57. Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
  58. Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
  59. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
  60. Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010

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