SIQUIJORIsland of FireNickname: Mystic Island

HISTORY

September 17, 1971

● Siquijor became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No.

6398. The capital, formerly Larena, was transferred to the municipality of

Siquijor in 1972 with Proclamation No. 1075.

The island was first sighted by the Spaniards in 1565 during Miguel López de Legazpi's

expedition. The Spaniards called the island Isla del Fuego or “Island of Fire,” because the

island gave off an eerie glow, which came from the great swarms of fireflies that harboured in

the numerous molave trees on the island. A folk legend also has it that many years ago, when the

magical island of Siquijor was still nowhere on the face of the earth, a great storm engulfed the

Visayan region, and a strong earthquake shook the earth and sea. Amidst the lightning and

thunder arose an island from the depths of the ocean’s womb which came to be known as the

island of Siquijor, hence the name Isla del Fuego, or "Island of Fire." Oddly enough, in modern

times, highland farmers have unravelled giant shell casings under their farm plots, supporting

the theory that Siquijor is indeed an island that rose from the sea.

LOCATION

ABSOLUTE LOCATION

09° 12´ N 123° 30´ E

RELATIVE LOCATION

E Southern Negros

SE Cebu

SW Bohol

N Zamboanga Peninsula of Mindanano

GEOGRAPHY & TOPOGRAPHY

TOTAL LAND AREA

34,350 hectares (343.5 km²)

3rd smallest province in the Philippines

DIVISIONS

Municipalities 6

Barangays 134

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

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● Mostly made up of limestone rock material

● Fringed with coral reefs

● The interior is either hilly or mountainous

● Highest point on the island reaches 628 m (Mt. Bandilaan) in elevation

● Ocean depths between Siquijor, Bohol and Minadanao are in neighbourhood of

640 m

ATTRACTIONS

Lazi Convent

Cambugahay Falls

Bandilaan Natural Park

Butterfly Sanctuary

FESTIVAL

*Festivals that focus on healing rituals where incantation are sung while the old folks

make potions out of herbs, roots, insects and tree barks

DEMOGRAPHY

POPULATION

91,066 (as of 2010 by NSO)

LANGUAGE

Cebuano 96%

Others 4%

*English is often used as a second language. Spanish words are spoken and

understood. Tagalog language is understood and used only in response to one who

speaks it, but never used by the native Siquijodnons in everyday casual conversation

CLIMATE

Very Tropical

2 seasons – dry from January to May and wet the rest of the year.

● Annual rainfall is 1000 to 1300 mm with November having the heaviest rainfall

and April having the least.

● Average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and humidity of 78%.

GALLERY

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POINT OF INTERESTS

LAZI CONVENT

CAMBUGAHAY FALLS

MT. BANDILAAN PEAK

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