1. Cambughay falls - kinamandagan The island of Siquijor is known for its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscape. It is infamous for its rich natural beauty as well as historic landmarks that still stood tall up to this day. There is a shroud of mysticism and tranquility within the island that people have come to visit. You can feel the fresh air rustling the leaves of the trees and the tropical weather makes it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. One of the perfect spot to enjoy Siquijor is Cambugahay Falls. One of the island’s main attraction that even people within the island spend their time with their families to relax. LOCATION: The Cambugahay Falls is located just 2 kilometers outside the town of Lazi which is another historic town in the island. HOW TO GET THERE: Getting to the town of Lazi is easy since the town is one of the island’s biggest municipality. Going to Cambugahay Falls is nothing short of breathtaking. As you go up to the 2 kilometer road, you will be seeing the wonder that nature has granted Siquijor. Even though it is 2 kilometers away from the falls there is no worry of getting lost since you can always hire a motorcycle driver to get you to the place. You can negotiate with the motorcycle driver when it comes to fees. If you do have a car with you, road signs all point out straight to the falls. And if that does not help you, locals are willing to help by pointing you the way. ENTRANCE FEES: Once you have reached the destination, you will have to walk down 135 stone steps without any guardrail after paying your parking cost of 10 to 20 pesos for cars and 5 to 10 pesos for motorcycles. There are two vendors in the area who will offer refreshments when you get back. One of which will collect the parking fee. There are no entrance fees for the falls. THE ATTRACTION: By the time you are done climbing down the 135 stone steps, you are sure to enjoy the clear blue waters of the multi-tiered waterfalls that is Cambugahay. Clean and fresh water rush through each waterfall that flows down towards smaller lagoons There are three tiers that make up the entire waterfalls. All of which flow right down into a small stream. You can simple lay down into the fresh and cool shallow waters to help you cool off from the trip down from the stone steps. The water comes from natural springs and watersheds from the rain forest up above the mountains and ends downstream of about 3 kilometers where it goes out into the Lazi Bay. 2. Bandilaan Butterfly Sanctuary Have you ever heard of the legend that tells of butterflies paving the way for your wishes to come true? Yes, folks believe that you tell your wish to a butterfly once you’ve captured it and then let it go; the butterfly will fly to the heavens and the higher being shall grant it for you. Well, in that case, you might want to try wishing at the Bandilaan Butterfly Farm found within the Mt. Bandilaan National Park in Siquijor. Create your wishlist now! LOCATION Mt. Bandilaan, Lazi, Siquijor HOW TO GET THERE The most convenient way to travel to Siquijor is from Manila to Dumaguete via plane and then from Dumaguete to Siquijor itself via ferry. Arriving at Siquijor, take a jeepney or motorbike going to the town of Lazi. You can ask the guide to take you to the Mt. Bandilaan National Park. THE ATTRACTION The entire Butterfly Farm spans a total of 1,460 square meters (equivalent to 5 hectares) land area. It composes of a botanical garden as huge as entire space. It houses 102 species (as per record) of butterflies and moths that feed from the garden itself. This attraction is believed to hold the record of having a butterfy with the largest wingspan in Asia. One is sure to enjoy this tourist spot not only because of its physical magnificence but also with the courtesy and knowledgeable staff of the Farm who take you through the sanctuary tour. They have been trained by Professor Jumalon. He founded the ‘Julian Jumalon Foundation’ that took care of such sanctuary way back when it started in 1970’s. Once you get inside the Butterfly farm, you will surely be amazed at the thousands of butterfly species glimmering in different shades of colours, filling the entire area with the brightness and vigour. These butterflies are not only found in the local or native land; there are those that known internationally. Such species include but are not limited to the following: • Moths of Two Continents • Attatus Atlas (known to be the most huge moths the world has) • Kalima (sometimes called the dead leaf butterfly) • Snow Butterflies (from the Swiss Alps) • Birdwing Butterflies • Philatelic Butterflies (usually seen on stamps) • Philippines Moths As you move along from one specie to another, the staff may tell you some interesting facts about them. They have been carefully educated to provide the best service as well as knowledge to the tourists. The Butterfly Farm also features an enclosure where the larvae dwell until they reach metamorphosis. The butterflies have surely thrived in such clean and ecologically-balanced area that has been for the years of its existence. Just imagine an array of butterflies painting the greenery of the farm. Such amazing wonder! In fact, it’s wonder has already spread outside Siquijor Island. It has already been featured in national news. It has also been visited my many students via numerous educational field trips. It has further attracted many tourists on top on the whole public that flock the place. So are you ready to fulfil your wishes? Don’t worry, if you aren’t allowed to catch the butterflies in your hands, just go near them and whisper your wish. Now, that’s far more of a catch than throwing coins in wishing wells. 3. Cantabon cave Cantabon Cave is more than the ordinary. It has not been commercially developed—giving people more reason to explore its natural marvel. Famed for its impressive group of stalactites and stalagmites among 45 other caves in the island, the trail to its very end can be difficult. Experiencing the unexploited grandeur, however, is surely worth the take LOCATION: Siquijor, Siquijor HOW TO GET THERE: The best way getting to Cantabon Cave entails you a one-hour plane ride from Manila to Dumaguete, another forty-five(45) minute ferry ride to the island of Siquijor, and some nine(9) kilometer travel to Barangay Cantabon via a motorbike or what people would often call as “habal-habal”. ENTRANCE FEES: Now, the next thing you have in mind is the cost to enjoy a whole day of fun. An entrance fee of 10 pesos will be charged and if you wish to have trekking guide with you, you’ll need to pay an additional of 300 pesos which already covers the use of gear such as flashlights and helmets. WHAT YOU CAN DO THERE: Mountain climbing, in addition to trekking, is an excellent way to enjoy your trip. From preparing your gear down to the last minute of discovering the cave, the excitement will keep you. Another fascinating way to spend the day in Cantabon Cave would be to explore the various rock formations in the walls of the cave. THE ATTRACTION: The cave measures at a length of 30 meters and a width of 10 meters. The inside is a dark room that highlights a huge range of glittering icicle-like stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the cave’s ceiling and formed by continuously dripping water that contains calcium carbonate. The cave also boasts of its perfectly undisturbed body of water running along the way that people dub as a ‘natural pool’ Visitors say it’s indeed a rocky travel along those slopes and areas where you have to bend over to avoid bumping into the formations. A quick note would be to equip yourself with durable shoes that can endure rocks and secure your helmet in place. Moreover, travellers often say that it takes about two (2) hours to explore the whole place to and fro and that it wouldn’t be complete without taking shots of the beauty the cave beholds. Cantabon Cave’s existence is dated back in 1985 during its discovery by some foreign hunters that thrived in the place. Stories don’t really tell of mystifying folklores except that Cantabon is just sitting next to Barangay Antonio which they describe as a “voodoo place”. Nevertheless, the trip to this cave is breath-taking and would continue to leave awe to its visitors. 4. Tubod Marine Sanctuary, Municipality of San Juan, Siquijor Province Situated on the southwestern side of the island, this 7.5 hectare protected area was originally declared in 1989 through Municipal Ordinance 07-1989. A series of amendments in the ordinance and changes in the management body re-established it as a protected area in 2003 through Municipal Ordinance 15-2003. This fringing reef is characterized by a long stretch of white sand, a large algal and sea-grass bed in the flat reef and followed by a slope dominated by branching growth forms of live hard corals. This MPA is also houses the Coco Grove resort and Sea Explorers dive shop. The MPA is managed by the Tubod Fishermen’s Association which is an organization of local people. It is also assisted by the Municipality of San Juan, the provincial government, the Tubod barangay local government unit, Coco Grove Beach Resort, and the Coastal Conservation and Education (CCE) Foundation. Established in 1989 by merit of municipal ordinance #7-1989, the Tubod marine sanctuary encompasses more than 7 hectares of teeming coral reef with intermittent sandy areas and seagrass beds. Situated in front of the southern section of Coco Grove Beach Resort this sanctuary is a boon to the surrounding areas as it provides a nursery for fish life and it also ensures that fish stock is constantly replenished as this abundance inevitably spills over into the adjacent reefs and coral slopes. The sanctuary is easily accessible from the beach of the resort and you can either enter from the shore or use a boat and moor on to any of the buoys placed conveniently on either side of the sanctuary. Within the sanctuary, which is clearly marked by a line of white buoys all along its boundaries, motorized boats are not allowed to enter or anchor and no fishing whatsoever is allowed. 5. Lazi convent Philippines is known to be rich in church traditions and is evident in the numerous churches we have, almost anywhere in the country. And in every church sits a convent beside it. Let’s jump into a moment of peacefulness by taking a short trip to the Lazi Convent in Siquijor Island, acclaimed to be Asia’s largest and oldest convent. LOCATION: Lazi, Siquijor HOW TO GET THERE: Most visitors take the Manila-Dumaguete-Siquijor route via plane and ferry, respectively. From the port of Siquijor, you need a tricycle to take you to the Lazi Convent. Another option would be to take a jeepney. Some tourists observed though that the way to the convent is taking longer than usual not because of rocky roads but because the drivers take their time which in turn is not a worry in this not so fast-paced however splendid town. THE ATTRACTION: The Lazi Church and the Lazi Convent are situated right next to each other. The church still holds mass until these days and if you’re lucky, priests can take you for a tour at the convent. Thus, it is indeed open to every local and every visitor who wishes to experience inner peace amidst the busy travel. The only cost you would spend for is Php20 if you would like to hop inside the museum inside the convent. Apart from the giant trees of acacia that surrounds the place, the breathtaking baroque architecture of the church and the convent will definitely give you a high regard of your history. To provide a more vivid picture, Lazi Convent stand high, shaped in “U”, encompassing an area of 50 x 50 meters. Complementing its remarkable architecture are the stones that compose the lower part of the structure and the hard wooden panels that make up the upper portion. Thus, sometimes, it is often called “bahay na bato”. The pink shade of the façade has become faint and made it more classic. This place was built by the Augustinian Friars way back in 1887. It served as their dwelling as well as a place for leisure. Spending several moments of your time inside the church and the convent allows you to experience tranquillity like no other. Travellers say that the moment you get inside the church and the Lazi Convent, you are welcomed by an undisturbed atmosphere that makes you want to get in touch with your inner soul. Moreover, as you step inside the museum located on the second floor of this convent, you see a number of very old religious objects such as an antique typewriter, saints carved out of wood, and a diary of one of the friars can be seen inside. And in an instant, you seem to find yourself back in the 19th century. But savour the moment while you can because photography within here is not permitted. The convent is maintained by a woman caretaker, who many would say gladly offer you native delicacies that you shouldn’t refuse to it as it does fill in your stomach. To date, the lower ground of convent has been utilized as a school building. Siquijor in general had several folklores but none in specific has been told of the Lazi convent. However, if there’s one word to tell of this landmark, it would be “legacy”.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 01:41:25 +0000
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