Siquijor: Nature and heritage at Lazi
Cambugahay Falls
When we arrived in Casa Dela Playa in Sandugan, Larena, we didn’t waste much time to be back on the road again. After checking our beach front house, leaving some of our things and being friendly with the resort dogs. Yes I said dogs (there’s a really friendly and cute one there)! We hopped on our AUV and decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at the municipality of Lazi down south.
Cambugahay multi-step falls
From Larena, we headed to the direction of the port since we’re gonna use the inner mountain road of Siquijor. It was a pleasant 20-30 minutes ride going up the mountains. The weather changing from sunny to rainy but still offers some panoramic view of the island. Soon we were descending the road after the municipality of Po-o and sooner came to a halt when we reached the jump-off for Cambugahay Falls.
Cambugahay plunge pool
There is a short flight of stairs going down the falls. This one and only falls in the island as I’ve seen doesn’t really surprise you with it’s towering heights as the other falls we’ve seen lately. It’s actually a low series of multi-step falls. A humble scenery I may add. Unfortunately at that time, it rained early morning making the usual aqua-green waters of this falls turn into mocha brown.
Fallin’ over Cambugahay Falls
It must be nice to just dip in here when the water is calmer and greener. In fact some foreign tourist that came down here were already on their swim wear only to be disappointed that the water wasn’t that conducive for swimming at that time. Nevertheless, the falls is still picturesque at certain angle and still can be a relaxing sight like these two lovers we saw who were pretty enjoying their time with nature.
Gigantic Acacia Trees
Just a few more minutes drive from Cambugahay Falls is the town of Lazi where the Lazi Church also known as the St. Isidro Labrador Church and Convent is located. Upon alighting from our AUV, what I immediately noticed first were these gigantic acacia trees that seems to serve as a natural shade. I wonder how old these trees are, must be there already when the church was made. And it was nice to retain them even if a road was constructed between the two structures.
St. Isidro Labrador Church
I made my way to the Lazi Church and found its facade and structure all in all quite unique for its kind in the Philippines. The lower part is the usual cement and stones but the upper part is made of wood that seems like a barn with colored windows. I like the look of its church from its old stained and faded paint walls and its pinkish color.
Switches on the wall
Going inside, you could already sense the fusty smell of the environment. It’s not that bad, but rather appealing complement to its old age. I read from the marker outside that his church, started its construction in 1857 by Augustinian Recollects, and finished by Filipino Artisans twenty seven years after. No wonder the church have such artistic quality on its final design.
Old wooden doors with penetrating light
The church interiors itself is impressive in a vintage way. I just have to say I really like the old texture of the walls here. Very spacious and I could see the ceiling has been a home to a lot of birds. The blue ceiling is also decaying.
Lazi Church altar interiors
I imagine this church to be really grand when it was new. Just look at the details of the design on the ceilings,the patterns and the pulpits. The altar looks big as well than the usual. The lighting at that time in the afternoon is also perfect. I like the drama of light penetrating through those old doors. This is church has quite a character. I’m not surprised when it became a National Treasure in the 70’s.
The oldest and largest convent in the Asian Region
Just across the church is the Lazi Convent, considered as the oldest in the Philippines and largest in the Asian Region. Constructed in 1887, it is a two story stone house structure and has a U-shape when seen from the top. During the early times after it was built, it was considered a rest and recreation place for the friars.
Old convent interiors
The second floor of the convent holds a museum of religious materials and artifacts since the church was built. Really interesting and you should see it if you are there. Photography is not allowed in the area. Other than that, you could check out the inner structure of the convent, which at that time seemed to be undergoing some constructions, judging from the presence of wood planks and cements in the area.
Colored windows at Lazi Convent
On the right U-side of the convent where there’s this interesting colored windows, we met with the current caretaker of the convent, a perky old lady going by the name of Aling Soseng. I heard she was telling stories to Oggie who was trying hard to compose a shot of the windows and when I arrived at the scene she started telling me stories as well about being a caretaker and some about her life. A really lively and friendly old woman. As if the minatamis na saging incident at Lake Sebu wasn’t enough. After touring the museum which was about to close that time, Aling Soseng came by and gave us some suman. And when we were about to leave, she gave us the whole bag of those native suman. We were really diffident on taking that bag but it was hard to refuse a kind offer. Gahd, do we really look hungry all the time?
Tags: Cambugahay Falls, Churches, Convent, Heritage, Lazi, Siquijor, Structures, Waterfalls
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 at 5:19 pm 
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November 20th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
aha! got here first! anyway, saan nga ba ang bagong daan, hehehe. esep, esep, esep…
November 20th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
bai, that last bit made me LOL. either we look like seraphims who can make do with a meal or mendicants who haven’t eaten in days, hehehe.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
ang ganda ng church nila.. parang kahapon lang ung dating ng building…
November 20th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I like the picture of the acacia tree. Awesome!
November 20th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
the biggest convent in asia is in siquijor? and yet siquijor is known for the aswangs.
but with your pictures, i’d really like to go to siquijor.
and the church reminded me of a church in bohol
November 21st, 2007 at 7:12 am
baka nakyutan lang sa inyo
anyway nakita ko pa lang pics dito sa post na ito in love nako sa siquijor lalo na sa acacia trees, lazi church at convent. parang saya tumira jan sa kumbento hehehe 
November 21st, 2007 at 8:50 am
ferdz alam mo ba kung anong order and convent na yun? nice pictures as usual. sarap naman lagi gala ka.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:33 am
Very interesting entry, Ferdz, but I was drawn to your story more. I am not sure, but it appears that you have started to enjoy writing as well. There is fluidity to your style, almost prose-like if I may add. It really complements your wonderful photos.
Life is good. Enjoy every bit of it.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:07 am
the church’s interior is beautiful, how i wish we can restore these gems, sana instead of building new ones we can just restore them.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:16 pm
my housemate (an avid fan of yours as well, who also made an effort to register and vote you on that PhilWeb award) and I were just talking about you the other day, mostly, because of the amazing places you’ve been too and I was like, “goodness gracious lahat na ata ng dako ng Pinas nagalugad na ni Ferdz eh, kamusta naman yun.!” A good write-up and a good set of images about Siquijor is a good way to further boost the tourism in this place. I mean, anyone who would see your photo essay would have no reason NOT to explore the place. O diba gandang contri yan. keep it up.
ang mga Pinoy talaga mahilig mamahagi ng food, no? part ng hospitality natin yan. love the 10th shot for that nice angle. the acacia tree reminds me of my days in UPLB, daming ganyan sa campus. tawag namin dyan, fertility tree, hehe!
November 21st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Bigla ako naiingit kasi di ako napunta sa Cambugahay Falls buti na lang nagpunta ka (para na ring nagpunta ko dun).
Yung sa Lazi Church sana i-restore nila yun no kasi ang ganda talaga ng church kaya lang talagang parang napabayaan na lalo na yung second floor at roofing. Sayang kung matutuloy ang sira noon.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
type ko yung colored window!
ang galing ng mga pictures siyempre pati photographer hehhe
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 am
i love all the series as always
fave pix is the first one
kind regards!
November 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 am
that window looks so pretty. and inviting. and eerie. all at the same time. how, i have no clue.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 am
wow again for nth time. siquijor remains a mystery to me. these pics really make me want to go there.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:01 am
Nice shots. They truly preserved the Spanish heritage of this place
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:20 am
Great pictures again!
Postcard perfect! You really know your trade!
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 am
wow! siquijor naman… love the giant acacia tree…
nice set ferdz…
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Hi Ferdz….thanks sa pag visit mo sa province ng mother ko ha…I can see that you were indeed in love to the place..
Sana if you plan of visiting the place again..ako na ang maging tour guide nyo…..
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Mukhang may mumu jan sa acacia tree na yan,lol
Beautiful photos as usual
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
So mystical like an ancient kingdom. I wonder why not so many movies are filmed in these exquisite locations. There should have been many by now.
November 22nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
nakarating din ako siquijor dati pero ilang oras lang. sidetrip lang from dumaguete. gusto ko syang balikan
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:37 pm
I just love those colored windows, are those capiz shells? I also love the fact that they still have those ancient gigantic acacias–hopefully they won’t be chopped in the name of modernization!!
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:19 am
Beautiful!!!!
I love waterfalls. The sound of the water is grand…it shuts out the other noises we hear.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Hi, Ferdz! Thanx for mentioning Larena. I remember I have a friend whom I meet in Cebu and naging dating katrabaho ko rin sa brokerage dito sa Manila. He’s from Siquijor and hometown niya is Larena. I lost it in my mind until I read such word here in your post. So, when I get there, I should visit my friend. I think he was going back to his hometown…
Oh, by the way, nice photos as always…
November 27th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I’m always amazed by the size and magnificence of these old churches and the adjacent “conventos”. I wonder how grand they looked at their prime.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:34 am
agree ako sa’yo n SIQUIJOR a very beautiful place… merun din ako pictures ng SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR CHURCH AT CONVENT ng LAZI… it was taken last dec 2005..and im proud to say n mama ko taga LAZI SIQUIJOR at ako n din….. mas masaya pag fiesta MAY 15…. the HUMBA (also known as the adobong baboy), the LECHON
and most of all the place….
July 24th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
mingaw kaayo ang lazi!