Let’s Get Exhausted!

Siquijor is one of the provinces located here in Visayas. It is also called the Island of Fire or Isla Del Fuego. It is the place wherein large number of foreigners and even our fellow Filipino tourists and travelers coming from other regions and provinces visit and explore the place. The different attractions such as the white sand beaches and the fascinating falls are the very first reason why people came here in Siquijor. Aside from that, the island also contains different interesting stories about a certain place that made other people became curious and witness the real beauty of Siquijor.

Last March 18, 2017, we explored the different beautiful attractions located here in the Province of Siquijor. We really planned for that day. One of the plan was our group will take the tricycle going to the different places but luckily, Aleunel Padayhag was able to take his motorcycle that is why we contributed a small amount of money for some important expenses like gasoline. Before touring around, we were a little bit nervous because the Land Transportation Office might post a barricade and catch unlicensed driver like us. But still, we manage and thanks to the good Almighty God for there were no authorities blocking and catching unlicensed driver. We were also happy for God provided us a fine weather and a safe trip. 

Our first destination was the beach located in Nonoc, Larena, Siquijor. It was called The 72 Steps. In going to beach, travelers or tourists can either use motorcycles or vans. There are lots of motorcycles and vans that can be rented in the Province of Siquijor like the Nathandrei.

Upon going to the beach, we need to take the stairs. While walking down, the stairs were a little bit slippery and we need to take extra careful to avoid any accidents. We were really having fun for we tried to count the stairs because we were very curious if there were really a total of 72 stairs. Sadly, we only counted 69 stairs. Maybe, we are the ones that were mistaken.

In the middle, before reaching the beach, we were attracted by the huge tree with huge roots. We planned to take pictures when we reach the bottom but we weren’t able to take some photos on the huge tree for there was a sign that no one should enter the place for it is a private property. So, we continue going to the beach proper and finally, we reach the place and saw the white sand beach. We saw a lot of sailing boats also used by fishermen. There were houses in the place also and we were very disappointed for they have no comfort rooms. We concluded and knew that they have no comfort room for there was an odorous smell in some part of the beach.

Even though we were disappointed because of the smell, we were still amused by the huge rocks in the left side which added to the beauty of the place. We made it as our background and took a lot of pictures.

After touring around, we’ve concluded that the place was not yet fully converted by the developers and a few minutes later, we decided to go to another place. But before that, we need to take the stairs again and we were so really tired upon reaching the top. We were really catching our breaths at that time. Despite that tiring adventure, we were still happy for it became as a sort of a physical fitness activity which was very good for our body. 

Our next destination was the famous coffee shop in Larena, Siquijor called Triad. Before going to the place, my group mates and I decided to take one person at a time for the road was very complicated and dangerous. So, I took Guila and Farah to our next destination first. The road before reaching the Triad proper has a great view. The trees really add beauty and we really can’t avoid taking a lot of pictures.

When we arrived at the place, we were in great hesitation for we saw a lot of foreigners. We felt like we were out of place at that time. Thanks to the approachable cashier, who was also the friend of Aleunel, for he came towards us and entertained us very well. He showed the menu to us. When we were looking at the menu, we were laughing for we can’t afford the other food. When we were done looking at the menu, we called the personnel. We asked if we could order a soft drinks only because we were done eating already. Luckily, it was okay. So while waiting for our order, we tour and look around the place. 

The place was really cool and has a fresh air, maybe because it was located in a higher place. In the place, we could clearly see the town of Larena. We saw the institution named Siquijor State College, the hotel named Town View, the different grocery stores and houses. The Larena Port was very visible also. We took a lot of pictures while enjoying the view and the cold weather. After a few minutes, the order came. We drank the soft drinks but we can’t really enjoy it because it was too cold and the place was also cold. We were staying for some minutes but when we felt really cold, like we wanted to hug our group mates already, we decided to go to the town of Larena.

In the town of Larena, there is a snack court named Sweet Sensation. We rest there for a while and looked into their menu. The different foods for snack can be seen in the menu such as french fries, halo halo, siopao and many others. It was very affordable. My group mates and I decided to order Halo halo for we felt hot even though we were from the cold place called Triad. While waiting for our order, we decided to take a lot of pictures because in the place, there was a huge mirror where we can see our whole body. The order arrived and we enjoyed eating and cooling ourselves.

Lazi is one of the municipalities of Siquijor also. One of the best attractions in this town is the different fascinating falls such as the Cambugahay Falls, Locong, Balaskan, Kawasan and many others.

The falls that we’ve visited was the Kawasan Falls. It was located in Cangclaran, Lazi, Siquijor. Supposedly, Guila will accompany me but she can’t make it due to some circumstances so my parents were the one who accompany me. Upon going to the place, we were struggling because of the messy road. We were also having fun for some dogs tried to catch and maybe, bite us. When we arrived at the place, we paid 20.00 pesos for the entrance fee.

There is a forest before reaching the falls. Trees like mahogany and ipil-ipil are very abundant. We were able to walk in a bamboo bridge also. It was very exciting and scary. If you were a clumsy person, definitely, you will fall into the cold water.

The water was very cold and we really enjoyed jumping and splashing into the sparkling water. When we were taking photos, I jumped seven times for my Nanay can’t take the exact fall. I was very exhausted and I even requested her to have some rest first. At last, after a few jump, she took the best picture which I liked.

We discovered that the falls was being converted and maintained by the residents of the place only.

Our next destination was the famous river in Lazi, Siquijor named Bolo-bolo. Many people from different places come and visit the place for its clean, deep and refreshing water. In the lower part of the river, we saw lots of people, especially the Lazihanons washing their clothes. One of the reasons why the river Bolo-bolo was famous because it has also a clean spring with tank where many people fetched for drinking purposes. 

After touring into the different places in the Province of Siquijor, we went to Prince Hypermart to buy some school materials. This is the first hypermart in the Province of Siquijor. It is located beside the Larena Port and a food court named Portside. The hypermart contains different items such as affordable school supplies, groceries and brand new clothes. Sadly, we were not able to take some pictures while touring and looking at the different items because we were caught and warned by the management for they don’t want that it will be posted online.

After that, we went back to Siquijor State College to create our different outputs and projects for the coming final exam. This is the institution in which me and my group mates are studying. We were taking up Humanities and Social Sciences as our major.

Siquijor State College is the only state college in the Province of Siquijor. It is located in Barangay North Poblacion in the municipality of Larena. 

 The school offers different courses such as Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant and Management, Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Elementary and Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and many others. There are Junior and Senior student in the campus also. The Senior High students are required to choose their major; it can either be in Academic Track which includes Accountancy Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), General Academics (GAS) and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) or in the Livelihood Track which involves Tour Guiding, Agribusiness, Automotive and many others.

The school has talented and inspiring mentors also. They really mold the student to become a better person in the society. The different teachers and mentors always make sure that the student learned something before going out in their classrooms.

Our travel experience ended but the unexpected moments and experiences will be kept forever. As for our classmates, we made an unforgettable bonding that will never be forgotten. We were not just having fun at that time but we were also learning. We have learned that we should enhance and improved our communication skills towards other people. We should always remember that we belong in the society whatever our rank and status is. In addition to that, we have realized that we should always keep our body healthy and fit in order to survive climbing and walking in different places. 

Group Members:
Jadhele Sayre
Guila Bahian
Farah Grace Kilat
Aleunel Padayhag