FILIPINOS FOR NATURE

_{“This island does not simply heal, it remembers. It remembers the bond between people and sea, between faith and earth, between past and future. And in remembering, it teaches us to heal too.”}

Some places leave you with memories, while others leave you with lessons. Siquijor, often called the Island of Healing, feels like both, a journey into nature’s embrace and a rediscovery of what it means to live in balance.

From the moment I stepped onto the island, there was a calmness in the air. The sea shimmered in hues of blue and green, fishermen tended quietly to their boats, and children laughed by the shore. It wasn’t just beautiful, it was grounding, a reminder that life can be simple yet deeply connected.

_{Siquijor Map}

_{Photo by: Philippine Travel Guide}

Walking with Nature

At Cambugahay Falls, I found myself sitting by the rushing water, its sound washing away the noise of the outside world. People swung from vines, plunging into the cool basin below, but even in their laughter, there was respect, an understanding that this waterfall isn’t just for play, but for life. Further inland, Mt. Bandilaan rose with quiet dignity, its forest trails alive with birdsong and the scent of wild herbs. It felt like stepping into a living classroom where patience, resilience, and harmony were the lessons.

The island’s coral reefs told their own story. Snorkeling in their waters, I saw colors I didn’t know existed, corals, fish, and sea life thriving because communities chose protection over exploitation. Paliton Beach at sunrise was my favorite place; the sky painted in gold as the sea whispered a steady rhythm, reminding me of the delicate balance between people and nature.

_{Cambugahay Falls}

_{Photo by: Philippine Travel Vlog}

Tradition and Healing

Siquijor’s healing reputation is often wrapped in mystery, but when you listen closely, it’s less about magic and more about memory. Local healers, the mananambal, use plants gathered from forests, roots steeped in rituals, and practices handed down through generations. Their healing connects body and spirit, but it also connects people to the land that sustains them. Even amulets and herbal oils, misunderstood by many outsiders, carry stories of resilience, of how people safeguarded their ecological knowledge when science had not yet arrived.

_{Herbal Medicine}

_{Photo by: The Lone Rider}

Heritage of Faith

My journey also led me to Lazi Church, its coral stone walls standing strong since the 1800s. Built with hardwood and skill passed from hand to hand, it felt less like a building and more like a sanctuary for memory. The ancient acacia trees outside stretched wide, as if sheltering the generations who have prayed beneath their shade. Inside, the silence was profound, teaching me that faith and sustainability are not separate paths, they meet in reverence for what is given and what must be preserved.

_{Lazi Church}

_{Photo by: Filipinos for Nature, Inc.}

_{San Isidro Labrador Parish Church}

_{Photo by: Filipinos for Nature Inc.}

Why Siquijor Heals

As I left the island, I realized that healing here isn’t just about remedies or rituals, it’s about relationships. Between people and sea. Between past and future. Between culture and nature. Siquijor heals by reminding us of the balance we often forget, urging us to slow down, breathe, and reconnect.

In its waterfalls, I found peace. In its reefs, I found wonder. In its churches, I found grounding. And in its people, I found wisdom.

Siquijor is not only a place to visit. It is a place that teaches. A place that heals. And most importantly, a place that reminds us that what we protect today will heal generations tomorrow.

_{Monkey Beach}

_{Photo by: Filipinos for Nature Inc.}