Bitcoin to Spendable Cash Having transferred Bitcoin from my private wallet to a Bitcoin exchange center, having it converted into Philippine Pesos and cashed it out for a GCash cash-in, I now had spendable money for a motorbike.
Honda Wave 110 Alpha I wanted to buy a brand-new Honda because it's reliable and I chose the Wave model because it was the cheapest at P47,700 and perhaps the most gasoline efficient.
Since the Wave Alpha was being phased out (thus the low price), none of the dealers (Du Ek Sam, Premio and Motorlandia) in Larena carried it.
Honda Wave 110 RSX I had to buy the next cheapest available model which was a Wave RSX for P64,500. It was a big price jump but I had no choice. I reverted back to Du Ek Sam Larena as the manager was recommended by Auntie - apparently, everybody was related to everyone. The manager, Ms. Daday, was accommodating and tried to make things happen for me.
The unit was not physically available but can be shipped from Dumaguete and be made available the following day. I was assured of my 2 concerns:
Same-day ride out - if the unit was there and payment was made, that I can leave the dealership with the motorbike with me
GCash payment - they will accept GCash as payment (an online money transfer)
Honda Wave CX 2014 model The following day, I met them in Lazi because the dealership had a caravan - community outreach with free tune-up and oil-change. I was ready to make the purchase, but Ms. Daday mentioned that a brand new Honda Wave CX 2014 model (9 years old) was discovered in storage at the Siquijor branch and can be had for only P35,000. That's practically half the price and I still get a brand new bike! I liked that idea better.
GCash Issue I talked to the Siquijor branch manager to confirm the details but there was one snag: no GCash payment. How could the Larena office and the Yamaha affiliate accept GCash but not Siquijor Poblacion? They are all owned by the same company.
Not taking NO for an answer, I called the home office. They promised to talk to the branch manager and sort out the problem. A few minutes later, the branch manager messaged me saying she can now accept GCash. So they could accept GCash after all!
So much time was lost that day because of the GCash issue that I had to make the purchase the following day.
At the Siquijor Branch Early the following day, riding with Kris on his motorbike, we went to the branch. There, I saw the motorbike. It didn't look brand new...more like a 2nd hand unit with torn upholstery, broken ignition switch and broken tail light. Apparently, it was just put on storage 'as is' for 9 years - no protection whatsoever to preserve the unit in good condition. I was dismayed but it was still a good deal. I still agreed to buy the unit, albeit half-heartedly.
The ignition switch was repaired and I even paid to have the oil changed (even though the oil was 'new', 9 years is a long time for oil not to be used. It would collect moisture which can ruin the bike). No cleaning was done on the bike - I had to take it 'as is'. I really didn't feel any effort on the branch's part to make the sale or to have its customer leave the place happy. The staff was helpful, but the branch policy itself seem to say, "Take it or leave it. I get my paycheck at the end of the month.".
Kris and I drove away with our own motorbikes. I was supposed to be happy and excited over the new bike, but the dealership experience was really a downer.
Kris and I were now ready to do an Easy Rider adventure
No Registration, No Use I thought that was the end of all the hassle. But there's one more. I cannot legally use the bike until after the 3-5 month registration process is completed. 3 to 5 months? And if apprehended by the LTO officers, it's a whopping P10,000 fine! I was told that the police are lenient but not the LTO officers.
LTO Chief I went out of my way to talk to the head of Siquijor's LTO (Land Transportation Office), Mr. Gerald. I've met him before and had a fleeting conversation with him. I find him to be a reasonable man and a man of integrity. Luckily, I chanced him at his restaurant. This is more or less how I presented the problem:
"Sir, I am law-abiding, but there are times when the law seems harsh and excessive. I am here to appeal to your sense of fairness and reason. I recently purchased a brand new motorcycle from an authorized dealer who will take 3-5 months to process the registration. The law states that I cannot use this motorcycle until the registration process is complete. This means not being able to use my motorcycle for as long as 5 months. And if I do, and I get apprehended, I am liable to pay as much as P10,000. Here is my question: For what crime? I paid for the bike, it's not stolen. I purchased it from an authorized dealer...not from any shady black market. And the registration process is already underway but the processing time is beyond the control of the dealer. Given that situation, was there a crime committed to warrant a P10,000 penalty? I appeal to your sense of leniency in enforcing this law."
Mr. Gerald, being a reasonable man, replied that he appreciates and understands the situation. He advised that I bring all the pertinent documents with me when I ride my motorbike and present them when requested by any LTO personnel. That's all I really wanted to hear. I didn't expect him to say "It's ok to drive around with your unregistered motorbike". It's enough for me to know that a reasonable man who has the authority, appreciates and understands the situation - and perhaps an unofficial gentle persuasion can be passed down the line in order for the law to be more meaningful and relevant.
talking to with Mr. Gerald
Ending Thoughts After going through peaks and valleys from Bitcoins's price to dealership negotiations, and LTO restrictions, I finally have this motorbike.
What's the next challenge? Learn how to drive one. I know how to ride a bicycle and that helps a lot. But I still have to develop reflex and muscle memory in gear shifting, foot braking, signals, etc.
Lessons learned along the way?
Money - having the money for a purchase doesn't mean all is well and dandy. There will always be hurdles. Expect the unexpected and keep moving forward
Level-up - when a bad decision is made that adversely affects you, level-up to the higher decision maker. Chances are, that higher person is smarter and reasonable.
Had I just accepted the "no GCash" policy of the branch manager, I would not have purchased the bike - and she can care less. So I talked to head office to call their attention, and the branch was made to accept a GCash payment (and thus enabling the sale to happen instead of losing it)
Talk to the Man - when your request is reasonable and logical, talk to the main Boss. Chances are, he became boss because he is also logical and reasonable. And it will not be too difficult for him to appreciate the situation.
Be grateful - once you have achieved your goal (buying a motorbike), pause and give thanks. Always be grateful
(Mar 20, 2023) It was a caricaturish movie-worthy turn of events that underscored Siquijor's moniker of being The Mystic Island. It all began with the missing PHP 7000...more »»
Siquijor Poblacion Info
Resorts - there are beach resorts in Siquijor Poblacion but the popular resort destination is San Juan.
Transport - from Siquijor Poblacion, jeep, tricycle and motorcycle rides are available. There are local jeeps that ply the couter-clockwise route to San Juan and end up in Lazi. From Lazi, another jeep takes the continuing counter-clockwise route to Maria, ending up in Larena. Between Larena and Siquijor, only tricycles are available. Tricycles charge between PHP 20-40 until San Juan Poblacion. Tricycles and motorcycles can be contracted privately at higher fees.
Siquijor Port - Siquijor Poblacion is the capital of Siquijor Island. It has the Siquijor Port which is the port of most inter-island ferries plying the Siquijor route. The other port is Larena Port.
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