SIQUIJOR TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Siquijor | Brief History | Siquijor Descriptions
Historical and Cultural Attractions | Natural Attractions
Religious and Man-Made Attractions | Festivals and Special Interest Tours
BRIEF HISTORY
 Very little is known about Siquijor and its inhabitants before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. During its occupation, however, caves in the island yielded old China wares which would mean Chinese traders had arrived earlier. It is thought that the island was once thickly covered with molave or “tugas”, thus the island was called Katugasan by early folks. The lush vegetation in the hilly lands attracted great swarms of fireflies, thus trees were all lit up with the luminous creatures. Perplexed by the trees aglow with fireflies, the Spaniards called the place Isla del Fuego or Island of Fire. The inhabitants on the other hand believed that the island rose from the sea amid fire, thunder, and lightning, hence the name Isla del Fuego.
Esteban Rodriguez of the Legazpi Expedition in 1565 led the first Spaniards to officially “discover” the island. He was captain of a small party that left Legazpi’s camp in Bohol to explore the nearby islands which are now called Pamilican, Siquijor, and Negros.
Founded in 1783 under the administration of secular clergymen, Siquijor became the first municipality as well as the first parish to be established on the island. Siquijor was, from the beginning, administered by the diocese of Cebu. As for civil administration, Siquijor was under Bohol since the province had its own governor. The first Agustinian recollect priest, Father Vicente Garcia, arrived in Siquijor in 1794. Several years thereafter, a priest of the same order founded the parishes of Larena (initially called Can-oan), Lazi (formerly Tigbawan), San Juan (Makalipay), and Maria (Cang-meniao). With the exception of Enrique Villanueva, all of the present six municipalities were established as parishes in 1877. From 1854 to 1892, Siqiujor became part of the province of Negros Oriental, and became a sub-province in 1901.
In 1971, Siquijor became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 6398. The capital was officially transferred from Larena to Siquijor in 1972 through a plebiscite held on November 8, 1971 and confirmed through Proclamation No. 1075.
SIQUIJOR DESCRIPTIONS
The whole island of Siquijor was declared a marine reserve and tourist zone in 1978 by virtue of Proclamation No. 1810. As such, the island-province will be developed into a major tourist destination under the supervision of the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Known for its scenic beauty and archaic churches, Siquijor is also blessed with natural and historical attractions. Its unspoiled environment and the warm hospitality of its people never fail to beckon visitors from all over. The serenity of the whole province makes it ideal for a perfect getaway.
Siquijor Geography
Topography
Siquijor Island is mostly made up of limestone material and fringed by mangroves, white sandy beaches and coral reefs. It has approximately 102 kilometers of shoreline. With the exception of relatively flat coastal plains in Lazi and San Juan, most of the island’s interior is either hilly or mountainous. The center of the island is elevated, the highest point of which is the Mt. Bandilaan, rising at approximately 557 meters above sea level.
Coastal Area
The coastal zone around the island is 84.46 square kilometers. Mangrove area is 3.82 sq. km., shore area is 15.49 sq. km. and coral reefs is 800 sq. km.
Aquatic Area
Major fishing grounds are found throughout Siquijor Sea, Bohol Strait, and Mindanao Sea. Inland fishery includes fresh and blackish water. The province has 15 hectares of fishponds and 71 hectares of swamp lands.
Population
The people of Siquijor numbered 81,598 (2000 census), with an average annual growth of 2.19%. Major population centers in the towns of Larena, Siquijor, and Lazi.
The province has a literacy rate of 92.5% (as of 1989). This figure places Siquijor among the highly literate provinces in the country, with its educated citizens trained for any suitable job. The province has a predominantly young population with about 81% aged 15 and above. Dependency rate is 49.45%. Population density is 237.55 sq. km. (as of 2002).
Climate
In most parts of the province, it is dry from January to May and wet the rest of the year. The southern part of the province is dry from November to April and wet the rest of the year. Annual rainfall is 1.305% ml. with mean temperature of 27.8°C and humidity of 78%.
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HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Historical Attractions
Cang-Isok House (Enrique Villanueva)
A century-old house made of bamboo and “tugas”.
Cultural Attractions
San Antonio Village (Siquijor)
A village where elderly men and women are engaged in the preparation of folk and herbal medicine during the Lenten Season.
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NATURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Salagdoong Beach Resort (Maria)
Located 6 km. northeast of Maria. An idyllic hideaway tucked in a cove; fine, white sand covers the shoreline and a nearby islet provides a good vantage point of the beachfront area.
Cagusua Beach (Maria)
Located 12 km. from Lazi bordering Maria. It is situated below a steep cliff, accessible by a concrete staircase. The beach is noted for its picturesque rock formation.
Enrique Villanueva
Bataug, Camugao, Daquit Diving, Hunob, and Tulapos
Maria
Lapac, Minalulan, and Polo.
Enrique Villanueva
Cangbagsa, Nonoc, and Sandugan
 San Juan de Capilay Lake
A natural, spring-fed swimming pool situated at the heart of the town plaza where local people converging during weekends for a swim in the cool waters of the lake or simply sit under the shade in the spring park and people-watch.
Lazi
Balas-balas, Cang-abas, Gabayan, Siwil, Takbal, Talisay, Bacong, and Gulwanon.
Siquijor
Calalinan Beach Garden, Candanay Sur, Dumanhug, and Poblacion.
Cantabon Cave (Siquijor)
Located 10 km. from the town of Siquijor. Visitors endure about an hour-and-a-half of walking through little streams, small waterfalls while dodging hanging stalactites and protruding stalagmites. A spring and pool awaits the visitors at the limit of the cave, providing a cool respite. Despite its reputation as the most well-known cave in the province, no one has ever explored it to its very end.
 Enrique Villanueva Cave
Bitang; Binoongan; and Olave.
San Juan Cave
Cambasia Cave; Canghaling; Cangsiya; Lapac; and Napo.
Lazi Cave
Banahaw; Ilihani; Kalumbuyan; Kasawan; Lahong; Libo; Talayong; Tagmanokan; Catiroy; Cantino; and Canghunog-hug Cave.
Siquijor Cave
Baljo Cave; Eugenia Cave; Eugenia; Punong; Sam-ang; San Antonio; Canghunoghunog; Mt. Bandilaan; and Tulawog.
Maria Cave
Isa; Kanglayaw-is; Lapac; Lugcawan; Mainit; Marianico; Napayong; and Salagdoong.
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RELIGIOUS AND MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Religious Attractions
San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent (Lazi, Siquijor)
Reputed to be the biggest and among the oldest in the country, it has been declared a historical landmark by the Philippine Historical Commision.
St. Vincent de Ferrer Belltower (Larena, Siquijor).
Our Lady of Divine Providence (Maria, Siquijor).
Centuries-Old Catholic Churches
Situated in the towns of Siquijor, Maria, San Juan, Larena and Lazi. Century old churches offer visitors a glimpse of Siquijor's religious fervor in paying homage to the town's patron saints. Such reverence and devotion can be seen in the manner they preserved their churches.
Man-Made Attractions
Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park
Located at the center of the island province of Siquijor, the park's highest peak rised at 557 ft. above sea level. The park which covers an entire area of the former Siquijor Reforestation Project, is home to numerous endemic fauna and flora. Other attractions in the area include a shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, The Way of the Cross, five natural springs, caves and butterfly sanctuary.
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FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL
INTEREST TOURS
Festivals
Folk Healing Festival
(Lenten Season, San Antonio, Siquijor)
Herbalist from all over the Visayas and Mindanao meet in the town of San Antonio where medical potions re commonly prepared, using the traditional method practiced since ancient times. A motley of tree barks, roots, herbs, dirt, insects and other "secret: ingredients are thrown into a large cauldron filled with coconut oil while participants gathered in a circle mumble incantations to empower the brew believed to cure a variety of ailments. The herbal preparation takes place on Black Saturday, on the belief that with the death of Jesus Christ, entities and forces not of this realm, roam the earth and share their healing powers to those who seek their assistance.
Solili Festival
(September, Siquijor)
Taking after the traditions in Lazi, Siquijor, the Solili Binalaye is a marriage ritual where both parents of the bride and groom prepare a fest and take turns in advising the couple on the realities of married life. The rituals are depicted in a street-dancing competition that serves as the highlights of teh week-long Solili Festival and Araw ng Siquijor Charter Day Celebration.
Special Interest Tours
Enrique Villanueva
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary and Tree House.
San Juan
Bulalakaw Natural Forest; Bocaboc Islet; Cangsiray; Coco Grove; and Poo Hill.
Mt. Bandilla Butterfly Sanctuary & Tree Park (Siquijor & Lazi)
Established as a reforestation project in 1983, the area covers 243.90 hectares.
Kambugahay Falls (Poo, Lazi)
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Where to Stay in Siquijor | Brief History | Siquijor Descriptions
Historical and Cultural Attractions | Natural Attractions
Religious and Man-Made Attractions | Festivals and Special Interest Tours
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