Repairing a Broken Shoe

(Nov 14, 2023 Lazi, Siquijor Island, Philippines) Buying a brand new pair of shoes could go as little as PHP 350. Stitching a broken shoe costs PHP 300. For PHP 50 more, I can buy a new pair. Hmmm.....

But by discarding my old shoes, I add to the landfill, and deprive the local shoe repair man his livelihood. And by buying a new pair, I increase consumerism and exploitation of the planet's resources. It wasn't even a tough choice for me. As a general rule, I REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, REPAIR OR REPURPOSE. We all have to pitch-in in saving this beautiful planet.

Bread Improver

(Nov 3, 2023 Lazi, Siquijor Island, Philippines) Improve what? Isn't bread already perfect? Industries have become clever in marketing their goods, making something hazardous appear beneficial. I thought I'd look into it.

What exactly is a bread improver? What exactly does it improve? Moreover, what are its main ingredients? According to Google, a bread improver creates more volume by making a lighter loaf of bread (this means you buy the same size of bread but actually getting less bread because it's lighter). It also says bread improver is mainly for commercial baking (again, this means cost-cutting for increases profits - it's never about you). Additionally, "Some bread improvers contain enzymes or chemicals (potassium bromate) that can be harmful if consumed in large quantities." Last, and perhaps the most compelling, "Potassium Bromate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is a carcinogen.". Bread Improver anyone?

As a general rule, I make my own bread. Since I don't have an oven, I can only make flat bread on my wok. But at the end of the day, I know exactly what shit went inside my mouth.

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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

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

1. Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm




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. 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)
   
   

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 - 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
2. 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
3. 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

1. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?

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.

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.

1. Goodbye Siquijor April 18, 2024
2. January Chronicles: Bandilaan Meditation January 2024
3. My January Yoga Practice: A Journal January 31, 2024
4. Jan 2024: Squid, Balangawan, Margarita Pizza January 2024
5. December Chronicles: Yuletide Season December 30, 2023
6. December Snapshots: Bolo Bolo Dip, Christmas Lunch, Tuba Denizens, Friends Forever, Men Working, Cow / Crow December 1-30, 2023
7. Eggplant Bulad Pizza December 20, 2023
8. Canghaling Cave November 14, 2023
9. Kings and Queens November 13, 2023
10. Barangay Vote-Buying October 22, 2023
11. Real Estate Mapping October 1, 2023
12. Learning Cebuano: Oct October 1-31, 2023
13. Oct Food Hack: Pizza, Kinilaw, Coconut Bread, Fish Okuy, Carrot Omelette,Lemon-Grass Tea October 2023
14. Sep Snapshots: Fisherman, Granny, Pedicure, Big Fish, Garbage September 1-30, 2023
15. Sep Food Hack: Fish Tinola, Ratatouille, Chayote Omelette, Flat Bread September 2023
16. Together Forever Sep 11, 2023
17. The Cigarette Talk Sep 1, 2023
18. Siquijor Star Meditation Center Aug 31, 2023
19. The Lost Dogs of Siquijor Aug 27, 2023
20. Moving to a Bungalow! Aug 22, 2023
21. Aug Chronicles: CDO produce August 31, 2023
22. Aug Snapshots: Pan de Sal, Palpitate, Taho, Tuna, Pineapple August 1-31, 2023
23. July Chronicles July 31, 2023
24. July Snapshots July 1-31, 2023
25. Learning Cebuano: July July 1-31, 2023
26. June Chronicles June 31, 2023
27. June Snapshots June 1-31, 2023
28. Learning Cebuano: June June 1-31, 2023
29. May Chronicles May 31, 2023
30. May Snapshots May 1-31, 2023
31. Learning Cebuano May 1-31, 2023
32. In Search of a Cool Climate May 25, 2023
33. The 64 km Bike Ride May 16, 2023
34. Lazi Fiesta May 15, 2023
35. The Boulevard Opening May 5, 2023
36. April Snapshots April 1-30, 2023
37. Learning Cebuano...Again! April 1-30, 2023
38. Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
39. Exploring Siquijor with Marky Mar 25 - Apr 11, 2023
40. Siquijor Healing Festival April 5-8, 2023
41. The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023
42. Mar Snapshots Mar 1-31, 2023
43. Vigil for the Ghost Ship of Siquijor March 31, 2023
44. Judging an Essay on Gender Equality Mar 29, 2023
45. The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20, 2023
46. Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
47. Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
48. Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
49. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
50. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
51. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
52. Reasons to Get a Wife March 1, 2023
53. Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
54. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
55. Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
56. Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
57. The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
58. Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
59. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
60. Inguinal Hernia? Goodbye ABS! Feb 4, 2023
61. Jan Snapshots January 31, 2023
62. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
63. 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
64. Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
65. Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
66. 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
67. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
68. Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
69. Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
70. Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
71. Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
72. Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
73. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
74. Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010