Siquijor, Island province in Central Visayas, Philippines
Siquijor is a Philippine province in the Central Visayas region consisting of a tropical island off the southeast coast of Negros. The administration covers six municipalities distributed along the coast and connected by a circular road.
Spanish colonial administration organized the island for centuries as part of Negros Oriental until it became its own province in 1971. This separation followed local efforts for greater administrative independence within the Philippine republic.
The island takes its name from a Spanish word for fiery glow, referring to the shimmer of fireflies in coastal trees. Visitors today still encounter herbal traditions where healers gather special plants and prepare them during Holy Week.
Passenger boats connect the island several times daily with Dumaguete and take about one hour crossing the calm sea. The circular road can be explored comfortably with rented motorcycles or trishaws, with a complete loop taking half a day.
At the centuries-old tree in Balete Drive, freshwater flows from the roots and forms a natural bath where small fish gently touch the feet of bathers. Throughout the island, weathered stone witch figures stand by the roadside, recalling regional folklore.
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