Location :Locong Falls, Lazi, Siquijor Island, Philippines
Lazi's Natural Offerings In Siquijor, Cambugahay Falls is the mother of all waterfalls - for good reason. But eclipsed by Cambugahay should be a few other noteworthy waterfalls. Here in Lazi, there are a few unheard-of natural wonders - underground river, caves, waterfalls and springs. Locong Falls isn't too far away. While I'm in Lazi, I'll make it a point to explore all these natural offerings.
Locong Falls Locong Falls is relatively new as a tourist attraction. It was wilderness before and not even the local kids went there to play. In 2015 (?), the local government developed it to what it is now.
From my place, it's only 3.5 km and 45 mins on foot. Of course, I took my bicycle. From the main road, it's mostly uphill. Roads are paved but pockmarked by pot holes. At the barangay hall, I had to park my bike and pay P30 - guide is optional and perhaps extra payment (I didn't get a guide). The walk is about 100 meters along a narrow and rocky trail.
Upon my arrival, local kids and teenagers were already hanging out there.
Locong Falls is under-rated
TIPS:
bring food and refreshments - there is one long covered public table/bench for picnic. There are no vendors so bring your refreshments and food
wear footwear with traction - from the barangay hall, it's on foot and the narrow trail is rocky and could be slippery. To be on the safe side, wear hiking shoes but bring flip-flops for when you get there
bring empty water containers - there is a spring so you can bring some fresh and vibrant spring water with you (but you'll have to carry that on the way back)
bring a big towel to cover you up - there is no dressing room, no washroom
bring a dive mask - the visibility is clear enough to see below the surface
Ending Thoughts This is not a manicured destination for the ease of tourists - thank God! Locong Falls is raw in many ways. Enjoy the many 'jacuzzi' spots, enjoy the Tarzan swing and enjoy drinking the spring water. With tourism on the upswing, this waterfall may not remain pristine too long.
Kate Colliety (May 15, 2024) This is great, thank you so much. We had we great morning at Locong Falls and enjoyed every part of it. Still very much a tranquil spot on the busy island of Siquijor. We’ve loved exploring Siquijor. It’s really inspired us to write about the Philippines on our blog! Just a note, it may have been the same but do you pay a guide to take you down to the falls and they expect a tip on the way back up?
Gigit (May 16, 2024) You can be assertive and say you don't need a guide. But since the fee is only P50, I say 'yes' as a veiled help - some of them rely on this for their meal. I don't leave a tip though.
(Feb 12, 2023) Kundalini Shakti is the energy that lies dormant in the Muladhara chakra. When awakened, it rises up through the Sushumna nadi until it reaches the Ajna chakra. When this happens, a higher level of consciousness is reached and psychic abilities are realized. But how do you awaken the sleeping Kundalini shakti?..more »»
(Feb 28, 2023) The name spontaneously came up in a conversation with a local while talking about natural spring for drinking water. Without misssing a beat, I secured a big water container and biked out to the natural spring which happened to be close to my place...more »»
Resorts - Lazi has some beach/dive resorts on its west coast - Gabayan Riviera, Lazi Beach Club, Bahura Dive Resort. However, the popular area for tourist resorts are in San Juan
Transport - Lazi is the junction where the jeeps begin their clockwise route (Lazi-San Juan-Siquijor Port) or the counter clockwise route (Lazi-Maria-Larena Port). Because the jeeps are rare with about 2 to 3 trips/day only in the morning, it's practical to just have a motorcycle here in Siquijor. With its affordability (a brand new Rusi motorbike is as low as P45k), people just buy motorcycles...especially those who live up in the mountains.
The Boulevard - Lazi's main draw is its seaside cobblestone promenade. When the sun goes down, people gather here for eats, drinks, open-air, harbor view and the sunset
Lazi Port - Kho Shipping, the shipping line operating from Lazi Port, has stopped its service to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran and Cebu. Passengers can go to Siquijor Port or Larena Port for boat services out of Siquijor Island
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