TheLoneRider
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Siquijor
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Country > Philippines > Siquijor Island > Lazi
Date > 2023 > September
Activity > Slice of Life

Slice of Life

Together Forever Sep 11, 2023

Together Forever

Location Google Map: Lazi, Siquijor Island, Philippines

A Tale of 2 Pups
This is a tale of 2 sibling pups. Sure, siblings are for life. But their intense bonding from abandonment, hunger, thirst, exposure, loss of other siblings and perhaps even cannibalism makes their story compelling and their partnership, forever.

The Dumping Ground
On a winding lonely road between Cambugahay Falls and Brgy. Po-o, unwanted pups are abandoned by their owners - perhaps they can't handle too many dogs and there are no takers. I've seen it happen a few times as I often pass by this road. The pups are either run down by passing motorists or die of hunger/thirst/exposure. If they get lucky, they might actually survive by scavenging on the ravine across the street where people illegally dispose of their garbage. Luckier if a passing motorist is taken by their doleful look and adopts them (puppies are inherently cute ***).

A Litter of 7
Late August, I noticed a new dumping - a litter of 7 pups. Over the coming days, I've seen their numbers dwindle. Some died on the side of the road. Some died within the shallow trench where they sought shelter from the heat. I even saw the rotting carcasses of the pups in the trench. Finally after a week, the pups were down to 2. What amazed me was they were still alive and not even losing weight. A few locals I talked to said the surviving pups must have been eating their dead siblings to survive. That was initially shocking, but even man has done the same thing - Uruguayan Flight 571 in 1972.

Together Forever
the long and winding road where these pups were dumped

Together Forever
these 2 never made it out of the trench - it's speculated that the surviving pups ate the carcasses of their dead siblings in order to survive

Together Forever
this pup died from starvation, thirst and exposure

Checking Them Out
I would often stop by to see how they are doing. They would also wag their tails when they see me stop. They've identified with me and would follow me on my bike. I intentionally didn't cuddle them because I didn't want to be attached - I would just stop by and check them out. I even speculated that if I had land, I would adopt them - even though I don't like pets. On that imagined land, I will feed them, but they will not be caged or leashed. They will be free to roam the land. No animal should be held in captivity for me.

Coaxing Them to Cambugahay Falls
One time, I coaxed them to follow me all the way to Cambugahay Falls. I speculated that here, sympathetic vacationers would take pity on them and give them food - it would ensure their survival. But when I continued home, they also went back to their trench-home. At least they now know where people are and where they can source food.

Together Forever
they were able to follow me all the way to Cambugahay Falls

Tethered
Still, the days passed by and I would always see these 2 pups together - always together. When they sleep, they huddle with each other. They are inseparable - they might as well be tethered.

Together Forever
they huddle together when they sleep

Gone
One day as I was passing by, they were no longer there. Finally, they have been adopted. I'm glad they didn't suffer the fate of their siblings. I also hope they remain together forever as they have done so during this most challenging episode in their lives.

Ending Thoughts
These 2 pups have gone through a traumatic lot - abandoned, starved, drenched in the rain, no water, no shelter and seeing their siblings die in front of them. Inconclusive, but they probably ate their dead siblings too just to survive. They have been together through it all. They have been inseparable - always together even when they sleep. Their intense bonding has been tested like no other. Together Forever - so apt, so moving.

I can't help but be reminded of my own sibling episode. My younger half-brother told me point blank that next time I use his car, I should walk his dog - yeah, some fucked-up sibling dynamics. I haven't spoken to him since and have no intention to. I'd like to think that the puppy episode was a triumph of the human spirit, but no, it's the triumph of the tethered puppies. Sorry, I can't say the same for the triumph of the human sibling spirit.

*** Puppies are inherently cute until they grow up and become dogs - Azkal dogs (ordinary-looking street dogs) to be exact. Oftentimes, they are abandoned by their owners when they cease to be the cute little cuddy puppies - and they become the literal self-supporting street dogs rummaging the garbage bins. I really hope this doesn't happen to the 2 pups when they begin to look like Azkals.

UPDATE: (Sep 13, 2023) This is rather sad, but when I passed by the winding road, I saw them again. This is a week after I didn't see them anymore. My speculation is that the new owners realized they couldn't care for 2 pups and decided to bring them back to the 'winding road'. I'll keep updating this blog on developments.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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More on Lazi:

Lazi Local Info
  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 - Lazi just recently opened up its port with Kho Shipping plying the Iligan, Tagbilaran and Cebu routes.
Lazi >> Iligan City by boat

Lazi to Iligan City route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early April 2023. Before, going to Iligan City meant going to Siquijor Port, 30 km away. This also meant that on the way back, you have to be in Siquijor before 2pm to catch the last jeep to Lazi. With this direct route, there is no 'last trip' to catch.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Iligan City, Tu-Th-Sat, 6 hours, Lazi departure 5 am, arrival in Iligan City Port 11 am, economy P800, tourist P1100, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Iligan City
Lazi >> Cagayan de Oro by boat

Lazi to Cagayan de Oro route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Davao meant going to Iligan first, then bus to CDO and then bus to Davao City. Now, Iligan can be completely bypassed saving about 3 hours on the trip.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Cagayan de Oro, Tu-F-Sun, 6 hours, Lazi departure 6 am, arrival in Cagayan de Oro Port 12 noon, economy P1,100.00, tourist P1,400.00, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Cagayan de Oro
Lazi >> Dumaguete by boat

Lazi to Dumaguete route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Dumaguete meant going to Siquijor Port, 30 km away. This also meant that on the way back, you have to be in Siquijor before 2pm to catch the last jeep to Lazi. With this direct route, there is no 'last trip' to catch.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Dumaguete, M-Th-Sat, 3 hours, Lazi departure 1 am, arrival in Dumaguete Port 4 am, economy P300, tourist P500, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Dumaguete
Lazi >> CDO >> Davao City by boat/bus

Lazi to Cagayan de Oro route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Davao meant going to Iligan first, then bus to CDO and then bus to Davao City. Now, Iligan can be completely bypassed saving about 3 hours on the trip.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Cagayan de Oro, Tu-F-Sun, 6 hours, Lazi departure 6 am, arrival in Cagayan de Oro Port 12 noon, economy P1,100.00, tourist P1,400.00, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Cagayan de Oro

  2. Cagayan de Oro Port - arrival 12 noon. Take a jeep to East Terminal (Agora) to catch the Davao-bound bus
  3. CDO East Terminal (Agora) - take bus going to Davao City, 8 hours, PHP 875. This terminal is open 24 hours and there is always a bus going to Davao - no need to pre-purchase tickets
  4. Davao Bus Terminal - you'll arrive at the Davao Bus Terminal, close to SM City. From there you can take a cab ride to your hotel. There are many jeeps that will also take you to the Poblacion town center, 15 mins, PHP 12
Lazi >> Tagbilaran >> Cebu by boat

Lazi to Cebu entails a stopover at Tagbilaran - you only pay for one ticket (I've broken down the individual trips in case you're boarding from Tagbilaran). From the 5pm boat departure from Lazi, it would cost PHP 1000 (it's odd that it's cheaper to pay for the individual trips rather than paying for both...PHP 845 vs 1000) and take about 10 hours.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Tagbilaran, W-F-Sun, 4 hours, Lazi departure 1 am, arrival in Tagbilaran Port 5 am, economy P475, tourist P750, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Tagbilaran to Cebu

  2. Tagbilaran Port - arrival 5 am, layover 1 hour, departure for Cebu 6am (5 hours), economy P370, tourist P520
  3. Cebu Port - arrival 11 am

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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