Siquijor is an island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It became an independent province in 1971, with its capital in the municipality of Siquijor. The island was first sighted by Spanish explorers in 1565, who named it Isla del Fuego or "Island of Fire" due to the glowing swarms of fireflies among its molave trees. According to folk legend, Siquijor rose up from the sea during a great storm. Today, it has a population of over 91,000 speaking mainly Cebuano. The island has a tropical climate with rainforests, beaches, and attractions like the Lazi Convent, Cambugahay

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SIQUIJOR
Island of Fire
Nickname: 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 fromthe great swarms of fireflies that harboured in
the numerousmolave trees on the island. A folk legend also has it that many yearsago, when the
magical island of Siquijor wasstill 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 fromthe 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

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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
● 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%.

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GALLERY
POINT OF INTERESTS
LAZI CONVENT
CAMBUGAHAY FALLS
MT. BANDILAAN PEAK