by Will Yap

Siquijor is a small circular island located between southern Cebu and Bohol. Its landscape shifts from calm coastal plains to dramatic cliffs and lush forests, giving it a well-known reputation as a “healing island.” The weather is typical of the Philippines—tropical and warm year-round, with sunny days during the summer months and rains in the monsoon season in the second half of the year.

Unlike more popular island destinations in the Philippines, Siquijor remains largely unspoilt—fewer crowds and a slower pace of life where its people have remained genuine and warm. The island is small enough to explore in a day, yet it offers a diversity of natural beauty. Adding to the island’s charm is its deep connection to folklore and the mystical. Siquijor’s history continues to fascinate visitors, beginning with pre-colonial trade prior to the Spanish discovery in 1565. Originally, the island was known as “Isla del Fuego” (Island of Fire) due to the proliferation of fireflies that swarmed the island at night.

Some trips arrive as a surprise, and this Siquijor getaway proved to be a welcome respite. Known for its healing traditions centered on spiritual and herbal remedies, Siquijor is definitely a place to revisit—an island that offers both spiritual calm and a laid-back beach lifestyle.

Slow, quiet mornings while enjoying the view at Sunset Restaurant, Coco Grove Beach resort.

Our party was flown via Sunlight Air, a boutique domestic airline designed for inter-island travel in the Philippines, with refurbished cabins offering wider legroom. The airline has a no-overbooking policy and complimentary in-flight snacks, small details that make the forty-minute flight from Cebu more relaxed and enjoyable.

Sunlight Air operates a fleet primarily consisting of ATR72 turboprop with a capacity for 68 passengers.

Upon our arrival at Siquijor Airport, our party was greeted lavishly with dancers and drummers ushering our welcome. We were then driven to Coco Grove Dive and Spa Resort, where we were billeted for our stay. After traditional welcome drinks, we were hosted for lunch at the Sunset Restaurant before settling into our fine accommodations to rest and prepare for a sunset yacht cruise, followed by an enjoyable dinner with a fire dance show to cap the evening.

The lush greenery path walk of Coco Grove Beach Resort emanates tranquility.

This peaceful corner makes every walk back to the room feel welcoming.

The following day, we explored St. Francis of Assisi Church, the island’s oldest cultural landmark, a stone’s throw away from the Siquijor Port. The church was founded in 1783 and was originally made of nipa palm fronds. In 1795, the church building was developed, with coral stones used as its main structural material by Spanish missionaries. Named after St. Francis of Assisi, the church reflects the island’s spiritual roots, with its patron saint known for his affinity for nature.

The famous St. Francis of Assisi Church made from Seastones welcomes guests in Siquijor’s main port, the Poblacion port.

Lunch after was at Paliton Beach, where we feasted on fresh seafood while lounging idly by the shore. Our next stop was the Mystical Balete Tree, a popular spot known for its ethereal atmosphere, gigantic roots, a spring-fed natural pool, and a “fish spa,” where tiny fishes nibble off exfoliating skin from your feet—a truly immersive and relaxing experience that blends natural wonder with folklore myth. The Balete tree signifies growth, renewal, and our sense of place.

Tourists and locals alike enjoying the free fish spa at the Enchanting Balete Tree.

Next on the agenda was Cambughay Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall with clear, fresh turquoise waters and pockets of natural swimming pools. The falls cascade into three shallow pools ideal for swimming, diving, and even rafting. Surrounded by dense rainforest and limestone formations, it has a certain magical vibe.

That picture perfect Cambugahay falls. A must destination when visiting Siquijor.

Salagdoong beach,famous for its clear waters and pristine white sands in a crescent shaped beach cove.

Our final stop was Pitogo Cliff in San Juan, overlooking the Sulu Sea, just in time for the much-awaited stunning sunset view known for its peaceful atmosphere. Characterized by steep cliffs dramatically plunging into deep blue ocean waters, the cliffs are mantled in lush vegetation, mostly tropical palms like pitogo (native cycads), hence the location’s name. The Pitogo Cliffs face westward, giving front-seat views of the sunset, while the sound of waves crashing against limestone rocks offers a serene escape.

Little keepsakes with big folklore energy: voodoo doll souvenirs straight from mystical Siquijor.

If you’re planning your own Siquijor escape, book that flight, take that break, and let the island do its healing.

***

Starting December 15, 2025, travelers can now fly directly to Siquijor with Sunlight Air, eliminating the usual Dumaguete–ferry route. The new service offers direct flights from Cebu and convenient connections from Manila and Clark to Siquijor’s newly upgraded airport, supported by the provincial and local governments. To mark the launch, Sunlight Air is offering an introductory one-way base fare of ₱1,988 for Cebu–Siquijor flights, making the island’s beaches, waterfalls, and cultural heritage more accessible than ever.

This writer Will Yap basking in the sunset view of Pitogo Cliffs.

by Jing Ramos

Istanbul is a transcontinental city positioned between Europe and Asia, known for its rich history and upbeat modern identity. The city features a unique blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture and has a bustling metropolitan life straddled along the Bosphorus Strait. Like Rome, it’s an old city built on seven hills. In fact, Istanbul’s gradient characteristic originates from the Roman Empire. The cobblestone streets of Istanbul were crafted by Albanian craftsmen commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecit in the 19th century, giving the city an old-world charm.

The lobby of the Pera Palace Hotel exudes old world charm.

Stephen Aznar, who organized this brief interlude in Istanbul, couldn’t have chosen a more interesting address—after all, location is paramount. We were right in the heart of Beyoglu, a historic and vibrant neighbourhood on the European side of Istanbul. Cultural landmarks such as the Galata Tower, historical buildings, art galleries, numerous churches, and an engaging atmosphere of fascinating restaurants and cafés surrounded us. Not far from our apartment stood the iconic Pera Palace Hotel, built in 1895 for passengers of the Orient Express. Designed by French-Ottoman architect Alexander Vallaury, the hotel’s opulent architecture is a hybrid of neo-classical, art nouveau, and oriental styles. Famous names have graced the hotel’s registry, including Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, and writer Agatha Christie, who reportedly drew inspiration from the hotel for her novel Murder on the Orient Express. Other notable visitors included Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Stephen Aznar by the Galata Tower in Beyoglu.

The interiors of the patisserie were given a facelift by renowned interior designer Anouska Hempel.

The china served in the cafe were naturally pink, a favorite color of the Atataturks.

Stepping into the patisserie of the Pera Palace Hotel is a journey into the Belle Époque—a dreamlike era when the art nouveau period flourished. This French-style bakery features a predominantly pink ambiance with cranberry tones, moiré silks, and velvet cushions. Interior designer Anouska Hempel refreshed the café’s interiors in 2013, enhancing its original design, and the result is “the glamour of a bygone era.” Dessert history spanning Istanbul to Anatolia includes a varied range of baklavas, rice pudding, and Turkish delights from the Ottoman Palace, as well as patisserie products, biscuits, tarts, and cakes that made their way to Pera in the mid–19th century. That particular afternoon, our guilty pleasure consisted of Turkish tea with a traditional caramel éclair and a lotus tart served on pink china—a favourite color of the Atatürks.

Tracey Emin’s Bazen/Sometimes, inkjet mounted on foam board 2009

The Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art, located in Istanbul’s business district within the Beybi Giz Plaza building, is Turkey’s first contemporary art museum established to support the development of contemporary art. The museum is nonprofit, founded by Sevda and Can Elgiz, and houses the family’s private collection, showcases temporary exhibitions, and serves as a platform for young and emerging artists and curators.

Currently on exhibition is Season of Mirage, which explores the thin line between dream and reality through current works by Turkish artists and selections from the museum’s private collection. A journey through the layered world of art, the exhibition—named after a mirage—offers a visual feast shaped by artists’ observations of the modern world. The interplay between clarity and uncertainty provides viewers with an opportunity to transcend time and explore both past and present. And although the city of Istanbul remains deeply rooted in its glorious past, the present reveals a collective artistic voice expressing concern over societal challenges, vividly depicted in the images of Season of Mirage.

This writer, Jing Ramos soaking up the atmosphere at the Patisserie .