Mystic Siquijor

I was invited recently to visit Siquijor Island to be part of a team tasked to train local leaders in political mobilization and communications.

Since it would be my first trip to the island famous for its rural legends like the manananggal and manggagamot, I consciously put any judgement about the island and its people prior to my visit, although I made a research about what Siquijor province and its six municipalities can offer a tourist cum trainer like me.

I discovered an island rich with the bounties of the seas and the mountains and a people with a history which they can be proud of.

Here are some of the photos I took while visiting the island.

This is what the century-old church looks from the inside.

The photos below are taken outside of the Siquijor church.

The marker posted outsideof the church indicating a short history of
Siquijor church.

In Siquijor, foodies can experiment with different flavors from the sea or enjoy

local and traditional roasted pig. There are also island-grown vegetables and fruits.

Above is Saang, a local shell with delicious meat prepared by simply 

pouring boiling water over it. After eating, you can bring home the shell as sourvenirs.

Fresh fish cooked with local ingredients. Sarap!!1

Above is my favorite, gelatinous rice eaten with hot chocolate.

Mangoes organically grown in the island are sold in the farmers market 

near the Siquijor municipal hall.

This roasted pig must have enjoyed the way it was cooked as the lechon 

baboy was smiling before it was eaten.

I found myself and several friends enjoying the beach sans the tourists

It was great that way, we were able to enjoy the beauty of the beach, 

the clear waters without the hassle of other tourists. The place may not

look, smell, or sound like Boracay but it surely has its own beauty which

I will not exchange for free-trip to the now over-rated beach of Kalibo.

These dogs greeted us when we visited the secluded beach.