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Discover the Mystical Healing Festivals of Siquijor: A Journey to Traditional Medicine and Spiritual Wellness

Siquijor is a small island in the central Philippines known for its fascinating history of traditional healing practices. The island has gained a reputation as a place of magic and mysticism, where ancient rituals and natural remedies are still used to treat various ailments.

Traveling to Healing Festivals in Siquijor for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.

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HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR

Direct Flights from Manila, Mactan Cebu International Airport, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and more are being served to Siquijor. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia.

✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (MCIA)

By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia, and Philippine Airlines)

Board a plane going to Siquijor from Cebu.

At Siquijor Airport, ride a tricycle or rent a motorcycle to get to your destination.

Notes:

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

Cebu Pacific
Air Asia
Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

Cebu Pacific
CebGo
AirAsia Zest
Philippine Airlines

✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (PIER 1)

By Fast Craft or Fast Boat

CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE

From Cebu City, ride Oceanjet to Siquijor. The fast craft serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 5-6 hours. The fare is PHP 1600.00 per person.

At Siquijor Airport, ride a tricycle or rent a motorcycle to get to your destination.

✓ ENTRY POINT ORMOC CITY via LILOAN PORT

By Fast Craft or Fast Boat or slow boat

CHECK SCHEDULE & FARE HERE

From Ormoc, ride any of the boats at Pier 1 or Pier 3 to Cebu City. The fast craft serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 3 hours.

At Cebu City port, ride a taxi going to Cebu South Bus Terminal.

From the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, you can take a bus bound for Liloan Port. This port is located in Santander, a town at the southern tip of Cebu island. From here, you’ll take a ferry that goes straight to Siquijor.

You can board the bus with “Liloan Port” on its sign. If it’s not available, you can also take a bus with the sign “Bato via Oslob.” This bus will pass through Santander.

A ticket costs 410 PHP ($7) for an air-conditioned bus. The first trip is at 03:00, and there are bus departures every 2 hours until 21:00.

The ferry bound for Siquijor departs at 02:00, so even if you take the last bus, you still have to wait a few hours at the port.

✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU CITY to DUMAGUETE by Bus + Ferry

By Fast Craft or Fast Boat or slow boat

CHECK SCHEDULE & FARE HERE

At the South Bus Terminal in Cebu, there are regular buses to Dumaguete since this town is also a major destination in the south. For this first leg of the trip, the total travel time takes 6 hours, including a 30-minute ferry ride.

Ceres Bus offers hourly trips from 06:00 to 17:00 daily for 480 PHP ($8.50) per person. Note that you also have to pay for the ferry ticket to Dumaguete, which costs 120 PHP ($2.10).

In Bato Port in Santander, the bus will directly board the ferry bound for Negros Oriental. You will have to get off the bus, pay for your ferry ticket, and then sit in the ferry’s passenger seating area.

Once the ferry docks at Tampi Port, you’ll have to board the bus again. Dumaguete Port is still 40 minutes away. You can inform the bus driver or conductor that you wish to be dropped off near the port, which is just a few meters away from the bus terminal.

After that, board the ferry for Siquijor. You can either pick OceanJet, Montenegro Lines, and Aleson Shipping.

HOW TO GET AROUND SIQUIJOR

Getting around Siquijor is relatively easy, and there are several transportation options available for visitors:

✓ BY MOTORCYCLE (self-drive/rent)

Siquijor mode of transportation motor bike rental

Renting a motorcycle or scooter is another popular option for getting around the island. Rental shops can be found in most towns, and prices are typically around 350-500 PHP per day. Having your own transportation gives you more flexibility to explore the island at your own pace.

✓ BY TRICYCLES (rent for a tour) (color red)

Touring around the island for a day is Php 1600.00.

These are the most common form of transportation on the island. They are small motorcycles with sidecars that can accommodate up to three passengers. Tricycles can be found in most towns on the island and can be hired for a reasonable price. They are a great option for short trips around town or to nearby beaches.

Note: Make sure to rent the color red tricycles as they are the accredited tricycles for rent during tours.

✓ BY BICYCLE (rent)

Bicycles can also be rented for a reasonable price and are a great way to explore the island’s scenic roads and countryside. It’s also an eco-friendly way to get around the island.

Note: Make sure to rent the color red tricycles as they are the accredited tricycles for rent during tours.

✓ BY PRIVATE CAR OR VAN

For those who prefer more privacy or have a large group, it’s possible to rent a private car or van with a driver for a day or for the entire stay. This option is more expensive but can be convenient and comfortable for those who want to see the island’s main attractions in one day or those with a lot of luggage.

Philippines 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What’s in Healing Festivals in Siquijor?

Siquijor Island is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual traditions. One of the island’s most fascinating events is the Healing Festival, a celebration of the island’s traditional healing practices and spiritual beliefs.

The Healing Festival is a multi-day event that takes place in different parts of the island, usually during the month of April or Holy week. The festival features a range of activities and rituals that aim to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. These include traditional massages, herbal remedies, and spiritual cleansing rituals that are believed to have powerful healing properties.

Holy week celebration (bandilaan mountain view park and the villages of Cantabon and San antonio) – Healers and Herbalist from viasyas and mindanao come together to perform healing and participate in the preparation of concoctions made from a variety of tree barks, roots, herbs, insects and other ingredients. These are gathered during the 7 Fridays of the Lent season from the forests, sea, caves and cemetaries. Festival starts on a Holy Wednesday by gathering the final ingredients.

One of the highlights of the Healing Festival is the healing rituals performed by the island’s traditional healers, known as “mambabarang” or “mananambal.” These healers use a combination of prayer, herbs, and other traditional remedies to help people overcome a range of physical and emotional ailments.

The festival also features music, dance, and other cultural performances that showcase the island’s unique traditions and heritage. Visitors can watch traditional dances like the “tinikling,” a bamboo dance that involves rhythmic clapping and weaving through bamboo poles.

Healing Festivals Siquijor Island Product

One of the most popular activities during the Healing Festival is the “Bolo-Bolo” ritual. This involves blindfolding a participant and asking them to select an item from a range of different objects, such as stones or herbs. The healer then interprets the chosen object as a message about the participant’s health or future.

The Healing Festival is not only a celebration of the island’s traditional healing practices but also an opportunity for visitors to experience the island’s unique culture and traditions. The festival provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of the island’s people and their deep connection to the land and the spiritual world.

Overall, the Healing Festival is a fascinating and immersive experience that offers visitors a chance to explore Siquijor’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Whether you are seeking physical healing or simply interested in learning more about the island’s traditions, the Healing Festival is an event that should not be missed.

Estimated time to spend in the place?

You will spend around 3 hours – 7 hours in this place.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are allowed.

Are food and drinks available in the area?

There are establishments that sell food and drinks in the area.

How much are the Entrance Fee and Other Noted Fees?

Entrance Fee: FREE

Healing Festivals and Fiestas?

Siquijor
- Dilaab Festival on October 3-4
San Juan
- Bugwas Festival on August 27-28
Lazi
- Saing Festival on May 14-15
Maria
- Lubi Festival on May 23-24
Enrique Villanueva
- Pamukad Festivals on July 15-16
Larena
- Canoan Festival on May 2-3

Parking Space?

Available and is FREE.

When is the best time to visit the place?

Best time to visit is on any day of their opening days.

Exact Location?

Siquijor Island

How to Get to Healing Festivals in Siquijor?

If you are on a generous budget, I suggest to hire a tricycle or habal-habal tour guide. Their rate is around P1,600 for the entire Siquijor island which will take almost the entire day. This way, you can also visit other churches like the Santa Maria Church in the town of Maria and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Poblacion.

For more information, contact them at:

Facebook >> Website >>

You may also want to see 13 Best Things to Do in Ormoc, Leyte.

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TIPS, NOTES, AND REMINDERS

Bring extra clothes so that in every corner, the outfit is different.
Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowd.
Bring water so that you can’t be dehydrated.
Outside foods and drinks are prohibited
The hike is relatively easy, but make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the trail can be slippery and the weather can be hot and humid.