03/02/2023
Salamat Siquijor 💚
Dear Siquijor,
Nibisita ko with a pure intention nga mo relax, mag explore, and to document kung unsa ka nindot inyong lugar.
When I arrived, I was greeted warmly sa mga locals. They made jokes about old folklore including “barang”. I personally thought it all became a joke now because di man sya tinuod. I also thought the same that’s why I am here in the first place.
When the locals I met made fun of it, I thought everyone, including my followers, understand that anything related to the old folklores associated to the island is simply but a joke.
My thoughts were backed up by your souvenir items. The voodoo dolls. The witch’s broomstick. I thought EVERYONE knew it is all a JOKE now.
But then I was wrong.
I did not realize that it still offends some locals. My joke about the souvenir I bought — a voodoo doll, with a caption, “Nakalimot ko'g pangutana sa mambabarang ganina da kun nganong rastaman”, offended some.
With that, my sincerest apologies.
The past few days were a bit heavy. I felt like I was walking on a thread. But I also did not mind too much because God knows my intentions. In fact, I finally understood why many tourists fell in love with Siquijor. The island is simply magical.
Today, while ga ready nako for my trip back to Bohol, a rainbow appeared. As if reminding me that not all adventures are sunny and fun. Sometimes, you have to stay in a room, because it’s stormy outside, so you can reflect. But at the end of the rainy days, naay rainbow nga mogimaw arun mag latay latay kas kamatuoran nga nag iningles naman diay kog taman sakong caption atay. Chariz.
Bitaw. It was one heck of an adventure. But all in all, I HAD FUN. I made a family here — ang LCK Siquijor Events and Tours Services and Swakihan Guesthouse.
Nabitin ko. Maong mobalik ko arun mang-wakwak. Oh CHAR LANG NA!
Maayong bunkag, Siquijor. Thank you for healing me. ❤️
