A Brief History of Siquijor Island

Before Spanish contact, Siquijor was inhabited by Visayan peoples who practiced animistic beliefs and traded with neighboring islands. Archaeological evidence suggests settlements dating back centuries.

Spanish explorers first recorded Siquijor in 1565. The island was named "Isla del Fuego" for the mysterious lights sailors saw at night.

Spanish missionaries built the churches that still stand today, including the famous Lazi Church and Convent. Christianity took hold, though traditional beliefs persisted alongside it.

After Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States in 1898, Siquijor came under American administration. Public education expanded, and English became widely spoken.

Siquijor became a separate province in 1971, having previously been part of Negros Oriental. Today it's the third-smallest province in the Philippines with a population of about 96,000.

Tourism has grown significantly in recent years, though the island retains its laid-back character.