The Spanish called Siquijor, during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, the Island of Fire or Isla del Fuego. The beautiful island is often associated with mystic traditions. Nowadays the more holistic approach of the island is setting in and the beautiful wide stretched bounty beaches , lush nature and waterfalls offer a possibility of a different approach in tourism. The island is commonly known as The Healing Paradise. Siquijor is the third smallest province in the Philippines. As well in terms of population as land area.With only as few as 280 people per square km, the island is a quiet place, even int he touristic season between the months October and May. With three seaports the island is within reach of all the neighbouring island. The main road on the island is well maintained and takes visitors around the island in a short time. A side road takes you through the mountains. And new concrete roads are build everywhere to make the island even more accessible. During the Spanish era starting in 1783 when the Spain annexed the Philippines, the town of Siquijor became the first municipalityas well as the first parish tobe established on the island. Administrated under the diocese of Cebu. For civil administration Siquijor was under the neighbouring island Bohol where the governor was seated. In 1974 the first Augustinian priest arrived on Siquijor, within a few years parishes in Larena, San Juan, Lazi and Maria were founded. For a long time Siquijor has been part of Negros Oriental Province, only to become a sub province in 1901. The Americans obtained rulership over the Philippines when Spain ceded the archipelago to the USA with the treaty of Paris where the American Spanish war ended. A unit of the American Cavalry division was situated on the Island. Appointed by the American military governor James Fugate, a scout with the Californian Volunteers of the U.S. Infantry, was governor over the island of Siquijor for over 16 years. Implementing and organising development programs on the island. Although Siquijor was not near the centre if any military action during World War II, the island was under heavy shelling by the Japanese army between 1942 and 1943. The then Lieutenant Governor of the Island Nicolas Parami refused to pledge alliance to the Japanese was taken from his home in Lazi to Larena and never heard from again. Guerrilla forces, led by Iluminado Jumawanin, assassinated the Japanese governor Shunzo Suzuki in October1942. In June 1943 the Japanese forces finally left Siquijor leaving puppet governor Sebastian Monera ofSan Juan in charge. Again it was the Guerrillas that executed him. The liberating troops arrived on Siquijor in 1944. After battles at sea in which the destroyer USS Renshaw (D-499) was damaged by a Japanese Submarine, and combined battles on land by Filipino military forces and guerillas Siquijor wasliberated in the mid 1945. Siquijor became an independent province on 17 September 1971. And Siquijor Town became the official capitol of the new province. General Information Siquijor is an island in the Visayas Region, located South of Cebu Island and Negros Island across the Cebu Straight. From a certain point of the Island one can overlook even Mindanao inthe far distance. Siquijor has a 102 kilometres coastline, containing rocks, mangroves and white sandy beaches. Mount Malabahoc is the highest point of the island. It reaches about 628 metres (2,060 ft). Siquijor is a coralline island and the giant clam fossil (tridacna) is often found when farmers plough there land. Even on the hilltops you can find shells. Geologically speaking Siquijor is a relative ‘new’ island. The average temperature on Siquijor throughout the year is 27.6 ºC (81.7 ºF) Siquijor has two different climates. A very short dry season from one to three months and a long wet season which is characterised by not very heavy rainfall. The municipality of Lazi has a significant amount of rainfall during the year. Even in the driest month. Languages spoken on Siquijor are Cebuano, and English is often used as second language. Filipino is understood, but rarely used. Ninety five percent of the Island residents are known to be Roman Catholic, the remainder belong to other denominations. Siquijor is well known for its fiestas and festivals with a focus on healing. During those festivals old islanders harvest herbs and roots and tree barks to make potions. Folk legends are shared. For the tourist visiting Siquijor probable the waterfalls, caves, white sandy beaches and coral reefs are the most appealing to visit. On this website you will find all the tourist hotspots, documented with videos and photos, to give you a good impression of the Healing Paradise. Welcome to the beautiful Island of Siquijor. Popular Spots in Siquijor Island, Philippines St Francis of Assisi Church/Bell Tower/Convent ( located somewhere inside the School Campus ) – Siquijor , Siquijor – Picture Taking and others Paliton Beach, San Juan , Siquijor – Ocean View/Sunset View/Sunbathing/Swimming/Picture Taking Capilay Spring Park , San Juan, Siquijor – Swimming at the Spring /Dine and Karaoke at the Restaurant Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary, San Juan, Siquijor – Snorkeling/Scuba Diving/Sunbathing/Swimming/Sunset View Lugnason Falls, Napo , San Juan – Swimming/Picture Taking and others Marelle’s Underwater World Museum, Tubod, San Juan – Shell Collections Picture Taking and others Old Balete Tree, Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor – Fish Spa and others Hapitanan, Lazi , Siquijor ( Overlooking View of Lazi ) – Flying Broom Picture Taking and others Lazi Old Convent , Lazi, Siquijor – Picture taking and others St Isidore de Labrador Church and Mother Mary Grotto, Lazi , Siquijor – Candle Lighting, Picture Taking and others Lagaan Falls, Lazi, Siquijor – Water Jumping, Picture taking and others Cambugahay Falls, Lazi, Siquijor – Water Jumping, Swimming/Picture Taking and others Kagusuan Beach, Minalulan, Maria, Siquijor – Sunbathing/Swimming/Picture Taking/Hammocking and others Salagdoong Beach and Manmade Forest , Maria, Siquijor – Swimming/Snorkeling/Sunbathing/ Cliff Jumping Lilibeth Pan Bisaya , Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor – Local bread and others Cang Isok House, Enrique Villanueva – Picture […]
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