Isla Del Fuego

Captivating. Enchanting. Surreal. Who would've thought such words could be used to describe the sleepy little town of Siquijor. It started off as an idea, a few scribbled words on paper, which eventually led to a summer voyage to the southern part of Cebu.

One moment we were spending idle hours in the confines of our home in the Summer of 2015, and the next thing we know, we've boarded a 7am bus bound for Dumaguete. The bus ride took about four hours. Then we took another hour-long ferry ride from Liloan Port, Santander to Dumaguete proper. We spent the night in town and, if ever you decided to stop over in Dumaguete too, make sure not to miss out on the food stalls gracing their famous Boulevard at night.

Siquijor, dubbed as Isla del Fuego or the Island of Fire, is about an hour away from the bustling town of Dumaguete. All my life, Siquijor had been synonymous to 'witchcraft' and 'gayuma (potions)'. But after I spent two days in this intriguing little island, I found out there was so much more to this place than that. I did not know what to expect as I boarded that ferry bound for the Island of Fire one summer afternoon. I was not prepared for the stretch of white sand that greeted us as we docked at Siquijor port. I was not prepared for the blueness of Salagdoong waters despite having seen numerous photos online; nor was I prepared for the majestic Cambugahay Falls, its beauty and tranquility.

Salagdoong Beach 

Cambugahay Falls

 Getting around the island is easy. You can hire a tricycle for a day to take you anywhere you want on the island. Or if you're a bit of a thrill-seeker, you can rent a motorbike and explore isla del fuego on your own.

Take a dip in Cambugahay falls with the locals. Satisfy the adrenaline junkie in you and dive off a cliff in Salagdoong Beach. Stop by at Cang-isok, the oldest house in siquijor, standing for over two centuries and counting. Walk among the luscious mangroves of Guiwanon Spring Park, where you can also rent a 'treehouse' during your stay. Experience the fish spa at the Old Enchanted Balete Tree. Visit Lazi Church---built in 1857 by Augustinian Recollects. Or just laze in a hammock by the beach (which I pretty much enjoyed doing during sunset hour at Coral Cay where we checked in for the duration of our stay).

Guiwanon Spring Park

Lazi Church 

Lazi Church altar

The view from our humble little cottage at Coral Cay

Guiwanon Spring Park

Cambugahay Falls

Siquijor island is many things, but 'unexciting' isn't one. If you want to escape from the fast-paced life you've known all your life and just get away from the hustle & bustle of the city, this sleepy town can be your little haven. 

Here's a short clip I made while lounging in a hammock by the beach right on time for the sunset: CLICK HERE

For ferry schedules, you can check these websites: Siquijor Directory & Schedule.ph