Summer is almost over for primary learners, as such elementary and secondary. However, semestral vacation is only about to begin for college students.
Mid April my family went to Siquijor, and it’s our first time to be able to visit that Island. We used to spend summer together on a long road drive to different islands in the country. This year, only with our daughter as my son’s classes are still on going, so we tagged along a very close family friend, Godfather of our son, to make the activities more fun.
“ Siquijor is overrated! “ as my daughter of fourteen years old described. She has been in and out of the country multiple times, and being able to live just four to five hours away from Boracay Island, she was not impressed nor fascinated at all about Siquijor, especially that it was very challenging to get a spot on a ship to cross our Toyota hi-ace van, via RORO, that we had to stay overnight in Dumagute. Good thing for us, we had the chance to see the thermal mountain, refresh at Pulang Bato Resort which has three magnificent falls and enjoyed a fine dine at Sans Rival Bistro, maker of the famous pastry Silvanas.
Reaching the mystical island, I was taken aback why there are too many foreign tourists in Siquijor, as much as or more than Boracay actually has, and that they look very comfortable and at peace in the Island, riding on scooters, sand bathing even in the middle of foot-walks, or that why Anne Curtis frequents it according to locals.
More than the majestic falls, which naturally spring wherever you set your foot on, or the white beaches, and the lively nights, the locals are nowhere comparable for me. The people of siquijor are like gems more valuable than the Island itself, they reminded me of how helpful Japanese are. They possess smiling welcoming faces and extending arms, like every tourist is a huge blessing! Siquijor beaches aren’t as developed as Boracay or Bohol and I haven’t seen even a single five star hotel, as the normal types of accommodation are apartments, dorms, small resorts, or even residential converted into hostels, but the human service— extraordinary! I remember returning to our accommodation past midnight and the rain was pouring, but the caretaker had to stay awake just to open the gate to let our van in. It might be a part of the service— but not all are like that, they would usually just leave the gates open, watch you do the thing and que sera sera. Coming from a day tour in Cambugahay Falls, and Salagdoong Resort, near the 200 hectares man-made forest, we tried our luck seeing another falls almost 6PM and though it was getting dark, the folks were too kind to welcome and guide us in trekking for about fifteen minutes saying, “Okay pa yan, basta’s makikita pa ang daan.” Business hours until 5PM only.
The beauty of siquijor is not something bare eyes could appreciate, but it is heart-melting for tourists like me who believe that the epitome of tourism isn’t merely the landscapes but is genuinely felt in the warmth of the people. Did you know that I was a bit worried I would be encountering wicked witches or sorcerers, but it’s the total opposite. The natives seem not really comprehend how famous they are, not just in the Philippines, but in many countries.
I believe, that tourism is something huge in that Island, the Philippine government through the Department of Tourism, the Public Works and Highways, Department of Energy, should exert more effort to boost the folk’s business either through livelihood financial extension, improving the road to poblacion, and oh, most basically, the power, since it is put under state of emergency due to lack of energy supply. Either way, the local government has to exert better initiatives to aid islanders who rely on the tourists as primary source of living.
As for me, we had the best of whatever the people are coined by— and I understood now why the Island is mystical— because you will be tamed to revisit, not just to fairy-walk.
