Siquijor: Tulapos Mangrove Tree house
Entering the Mangrove Forest in Tulapos
It’s been rather busy with the month of November ending. But here’s to continue with the Siquijor series: After our brief sojourn in Salagdoong, we went back to the marketplace of the town of Maria for our hearty breakfast at the carinderias there. We also mapped out our next few stops as well. Next on our list, we have to go back up north and head to the Tulapos Marine Sanctuary.
A two-storey mangrove tree house
Our habal-habal roared its way up north and in about 20 minutes or so, we found our way to the shores of Tulapos. Its marine sanctuary is considered the biggest in Siquijor. It is also home to a large mangrove forest. And one of the hidden attraction in the area is a two-storey tree house enshrouded deep within the mangroves.
Traversing the footbridges
In truth, not everyone in Siquijor knows the whereabouts of this tree house. Fortunately, Og was there and soon found the path inside this mangrove forest. The sand was really sticky there and it was really hard to walk inside. Suddenly there was this chubby guy came from behind us and who asked who we were and where we are from. Turned out he was the caretaker of the area and he found it really peculiar that we just passed by him and seem to know our way there.
Door and chair at the topmost room
We chatted a bit and he told us that we have to register and pay a minimal amount of 10 pesos for the maintenance of the area. We reached the tree house and it seems to be badly beaten up. It’s not bad looking in fact I was impressed on how complex this tree house is. But it is sad that it seems the weather or storms had pounded it up badly that the stairs and some paths are badly damaged.
View of the sea and shoreline at this marine sanctuary
Good thing, our caretaker mentioned that the local government is currently raising funds to fix this tree house. It’s a very nice attraction and if people can actually stay here like a regular accommodation, I’m sure a lot of people would try it out. Imagine, living inside a forest of mangroves by the sea.
The adjoining house rooms and branches
As soon as the caretaker left we were on our own to enjoy the place and take pictures. Again, this is one of those instances I wish I had an UWA (ultra wide angle) Lens with me. Huhu. Anyways I tried going around the area which is quite an effort in itself already since your feet constantly sticks to the sand and if not, I try to avoid stepping on those little growing mangroves scattered about.
Looking down the Tree house
The main stairs on the ground already gave, so I had to climb on the side of the stairs and held firmly while I climbed. Then I made my way to the highest room of the tree house, still careful when climbing the stairs as I could see the exposed nails that were supposed to be attached on the opposite wall. There is a large bamboo bed, already covered with dried leaves spread out like a bed sheet, it’s obvious no one has been here for quite a while. I went outside the veranda and saw a nice view of the shoreline of this sanctuary.
An impassable hanging bridge
Looking down on the other side you could see how complex this tree house is. If this is on a good condition I would have been running around this place like a kid. I’m having here. I went down to the first story to the other side and checked the other rooms and kitchen. There are electrical outlets here and light sockets as well. Even a bathroom, toilet and sink. I guess they really build this to be a house and for whatever reasons, it was discontinued.
The kitchen area
On my way down, even if I was really careful, a step came off and as if reflex, I pulled myself back quickly so it didn’t fall off, along with me as well. That scared me a bit. So when I got out there, I headed to the caretaker and registered. I noticed that most of those listed in their log book aren’t locals, in particular, foreigners from Japan, Switzerland and Russia. That on the same day and their purpose is to dive. Wow. That must say something about the marine sanctuary here. I told the caretaker that one of the steps nearly tore off and that they should be careful on allowing people to go up there. It might fall apart. I really hope they rebuild that tree house.
Tags: Beach, Forest, Mangrove, Marine Sanctuary, Siquijor, Tree House, Tulapos
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at 9:33 am 
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November 28th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Looks like a hidden place in the middle of nowhere and a perfect spot to make a horror movie!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:16 am
aha! na-extra pa ang damuhong oggie sa first photo hahaha. nice account again my friend. and the images are great, haunting even. kung wala ako doon, i would be imagining how great it would be to wander there. i found it funny that the caretaker would wonder how we found the treehouse.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
This is a totally different trip, traversing between those huge mangrove trees. I’ve only been into a mangrove forest twice (in Palawan and in Bohol) but they are still on rehabilitation stage, dine-develop pa lang. The mangrove in Tulapos is a new story all together. Parang nakakatakot diyan magpagabi noh? Sana ma-maintain yung treehouse, mukhang nakakatakot nang akyatin eh. Tipong konting panahon na lang at bibigay na.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
anlamig siguro dito..
ganda tahaking itong mangrove forest.. lalu na ung daan sa first pic.. ^_^
November 28th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
lol @ Sidney hehe
marami kayang lamok jan? I wouldn’t mind staying in a place like this for a day or two as long as safe at walang pakong nakausli hehe
seriously I agree with you. Hope the government will spare a budget for this place. I think it’s worth it.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
It would be interesting to stay in the tree house for a night and it’d probably be fun to experience night breeze from the marine sanctuary. Yes, I do hope they’d rebuild the tree house too; better than letting it stay pounded and go to waste.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
the island itself is more like a haunted island due to endless tales. bad for tourism but very good for adventurers who prefer places not visited by tourists
hope to visit siquijor again someday
November 28th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
With all those needed repairs you mentioned, sounds like that caretaker isn’t really taking care of that tree house. hehe
November 29th, 2007 at 11:34 am
mala-quicksand ba yung sand? paanong sticky? di ko maimagine.
buti na lang the local gov’t is raising funds to restore that tree house. looks like fun to run around it.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:23 am
i get my travel fix from you ferdz. feel like i have been there myself with these photos. is there a place in the philippines you havent been?
i hope the govt raises enough funds to complete renovation.
December 1st, 2007 at 11:57 am
you know what? i’m really amazed at you. you really show places in the philipies that are great but unexplored. you give us ideas where to go. thanks ferdz!
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:34 am
i soo like the mangrove tree house!! ganda ganda talaga.. tapos ung view.. soo nice..
nice entry. ;p you always take your readers to nice getaways!
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Very nice pics of the treehouse
I am amazed - first time I’m seeing a 2 -storey treehouse !
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:12 am
exciting naman ang adventure mo. ang sarap siguro manirahan sa tree house wag lang bumagyo heheh… dami talaga magagagndang lugar ang pinas ngayon pa lang nadidiscover
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Reminds me so muc nof the one we have here in Pasonanca Park. But this one is more exotic and wild. It’s purely awesome.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
[...] hop in a habal-habal or an AUV, you’ll be in there in minutes. So after wandering around the tree house in Tulapos, we head forward north of the island to visit another marine and mangrove sanctuary, the Guiwanon [...]
December 4th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Wow, what an adventure! I hope they would be able to fix that house for those who want to see the wonderful place. Or huwag na lang kaya so that the place would be preserved.
Nice photos as always
April 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am
yes i love to stay in tree house especially nyt tym. dats why i i got in candaping home id rather visit to our tulapos mangroove.sikihodnon pod ko maria is my town. tnz see u soon.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am
sikihodnon pod ko maria is my town.candaping ko