Magical SIQUIJOR!

People equate Siquijor to kulam and things mystical like anting-ating, gayuma, to name a few. The island's reputation as a place of magic and sorcery attracts tourists and keeps them away. For our travel group, we 'braved' it out. We knew that we were going there, by hook or by crook.

We booked our early morning ferry ride to Siquijor on our last day in Dumaguete City (we were leaving for our land trip to Ilo-ilo City early evening). Wala kaming early arrangements. We just went there. Bahala na. Good thing, it was the rainy season when we went there that's why everything was discounted. Everyone wants to get a piece  of the lean tourist season. 

Dahil nga konti lang ang pumapasok na turista, we got a good bargain sa transportation arrangements. For the whole day, the min-van's ours that will take us to different spots in the island. As we were heading to our first tourist spot, aminin man o hindi, everyone in the group was genuinely excited, parang naka-sugar rush.   

From the Capilay's Spring Park, we looked for a good place to have brunch. Our driver told us that there's no fast-food restaurant in the whole island only small eateries na naka-kalat sa kunsaan-saan. He took us to the garage of a house which serve Nilagang Baka at Giniling which was swimming in tomato sauce with green peas and potatoes. Laman-tiyan na rin.

Then, we went to the Siquijor's famous tourist spots: the really old Balete Tree, ang Simbahan ng Lazi (finished in 1884), the Cambugahay Falls and the beach resort where we had our lunch of fried chicken with gravy, buttered chicken, lechon kawali and beef tapa. Not bad.  

Before we knew it, it was already time to go. Wala na kaming oras para puntahan ang mga lugar na may mga 'manggagamot' na gumagawa ng mga gamot at pati, gayuma. We never intended to meet any mangkukulam nor anyone into the 'trade.' It's enough that our driver had spooky stories which he willingly shared with us. And it didn't matter if they're true or not. We chose to believe and to lap up every single detail of the stories. Nandun ang magic. Siquijor's mysteriously delicious.