Since high school, I have always been known as the “girl from Siquijor.” At a time when social media was still in its embryonic stage, not many of my classmates have traveled to Siquijor and only knew of the place as scary or the island of mambabarangs (sorcerers) because of television shows such as Magandang Gabi Bayan's Halloween specials. It used to offend me when people associate Siquijor with black magic but I soon realized that people make these kinds of associations because they never had the opportunity to travel to the island and learn about the place. Which to me, meant I was in a better place than them to let them know about our island, and correct any misconceptions. So, I started “educating” my classmates, my friends, and my acquaintances of the island by answering their questions and telling them stories. One of the questions I get asked a lot is — How do I get to Siquijor? In jest, I go home to Siquijor riding a broom. Haha. I wish it was that easy, but, unfortunately, it isn't. We do not travel to Siquijor riding brooms. We have several options, and, I'll tell you, none of them is super easy and relaxed.
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