Siquijor looks to healing traditions and agri-tourism as foundations for sustainable growth

Excerpt from pia.gov.ph

SIQUIJOR, Siquijor (PIA) — Long defined by its reputation for mysticism, Siquijor is staking its future on a different kind of tourist attraction, one rooted in spiritual heritage, indigenous healing traditions, and the untapped potential of its agricultural landscape.

Local leaders and development officials say the island’s annual Healing Festival, held every Holy Week at Mount Bandilaan Nature Park, has become more than a cultural event. It is, they argue, a living expression of what makes Siquijor distinct and a platform for the kind of tourism that sustains communities rather than simply passing through them.

“Siquijor is not just a place of beauty, with our white sand beaches, pristine waterfalls, and rich forests, but also a place of deep spiritual heritage and quiet strength,” said Rep. Zaldy S. Villa, who represents the island’s lone district.

Villa said the island’s identity runs deeper than its natural attractions, pointing to generations-old healing practices and a faith tradition that draws both devotion and curiosity from visitors near and far.

That identity has not gone unnoticed. Japanese tourist Kayoko Yamahata, who visited the island during the festival, said the experience went beyond sightseeing.

“The green of nature and the spirit of the people, they really heal me,” she said. “Just arriving here, I feel my energy returning. Siquijor has a great healing power.”