Siquijor Serendipity

Monday, 13 September 2010 05:59

Discover the hidden wonders of the mystic island province of Siquijor as it marks its 39th founding anniversary in a weeklong celebration filled with cultural events from September 14-17. According to provincial governor Orlando Fua Jr., the founding day will serve as the launch of the province-wide festival called “Pasiugdang Siquijodnon” which will retrace the rich and undiscovered culture of Siquijor.

The gathering also features the municipal festivities such as San Juan’s Bugwas, Lazi’s Saging, Maria’s Lubi, Enrique Villanueva’s Pamukad, and Siquijor town’s Dilaab, as well as the St. Francis Of Assisi Church traditional marriage ritual called Solili Festival.

Fua said that the celebration is the best time to showcase the province’s heritage, natural wonders, and the innate hospitality of the townsfolk.

Other activities include sports tournaments, an agro-industrial trade fair, a beauty pageant, and various socio-civic events.

An emerging tourist hotspot in Central Visayas, the province boasts of a wide array of fine sand beaches and clear water in Salagdoong, Kagusuan, Candanay Sur and Dumanjug, Tubod, Solangon, and Paliton.

Its natural attractions include Mount Bandilaan Nature Park, Cambugahay Falls, and Cantabon Cave.

Because of its lush underwater life, Siquijor was declared a marine reserve in 1978, with Tulapos Marine Sanctuary and Guiwanon Spring Park as showpieces of diverse aquatic life.

Its iconic historic spot is San Isidro Convent in Lazi town, reputed to be the biggest and one of the oldest in the country which also houses the Siquijor Heritage Museum. Across it is the San Isidro Labrador Church, built in 1884 in coral stone, which was named by the government as a National Cultural Treasure and among the country’s most outstanding heritage churches.

Other picturesque centenarian religious edifices are the churches of Maria, San Juan, Siquijor and the bell tower of St. Vincent Ferrer in Larena.

The province is also noted for its folk healers or “bolo bolo” who use natural and herbal medicines.

With only a land area of 343.5 square kilometers and 102-kilometer coastline, Siquijor is the country’s third smallest province. It can be reached via Dumaguete City where guests board a one-hour fast craft ride to Siquijor port.

The province was created on September 17, 1971 when it was separated from Negros Oriental. – Article courtesy of Manila Bulletin