by Maria Eleanor E. Valeros, #newmedia specialist
SIQUIJOR, CENTRAL PHILIPPINES — Siquijor was first named “Katugasan,” which obviously was derived from the local name of the molave trees that cover its hills.
However, the Spaniards who were said to be mesmerized by the swarms of fireflies they found in their expeditions, led to the earlier naming of Siquijor as “Isla de Fuego” (island of fire).
Later on, Siquijor developed its new name after a native term “kiphod” spelled quiphod by the Spanish settlers, to refer to the ebbing of tides. I heard first from drunken neighbors the song: sa lungsod Siquijor/kanding may beautiful; and from them who are not afraid to spread stories about black magic, potions and incantations, healers and voodoo dolls. Initially, it thus gave the shiver! But I’d finally come to Siquijor on the occasion of the International Year of Mountains in 2002 as a jump-off to a climbing pursuit beyond what the rugged mountains of Cebu can offer.
Siquijor, as a destination, is like a pill you have to gulp down to end that feverish spell of longing and seeking. Many would whisper I would be missing out on so many things if I skip Siquijor in my trek-next list. So on June 15 of 2002, I entered into the Mount Bandilaan Nature Park. Bandilaan is the highest peak of the Malabahog mountain range rising at 557 feet above sea level. I was almost reliving scenes of the “Blairwitch Project” film while pitching my tent at a designated campsite. There were sets of eyes that shone in the dark watching intently at our every move, as silhouettes of crooked branches and spine-like twigs created an eerie outline over the site. When my companions and I turned on our flashlights at the pairs of eyes, they were lovely “marals” (civet cats) attracted by the smell of our to-go food packs.
Hours back, I had a dip at a pool created by gushing waters of Cambugahay Falls. I’m really wondering why it’s not cambuhagay. After all, buhagay is the Cebuano term for “pouring out” in a strong, rushing manner.
Siquijor is known worldwide for its ancient churches dating back 1886. I checked the one with the largest convent in the Philippines in Lazi.
Lately, I was back in Siquijor. I could not fight off the urge to do a repeat. Whiff of the mystic winds is still there dominating the air. Siquijor continues to enthrall visitors with its bewitching beauty and spellbinding charm; my feet tickled again by the spews and sloshes of turquoise waters; admiring one gorgeous sunset and the murmuring wind caught entangled in a web of mangroves; stars on their lethargic hiccups, the wind directing perfectly the roll and pull of the mast of that journey.#
TRAVELEANORISM 