Located at the center of the island of Siquijor, the park's highest peak rises at 557 feet above sea level. The park which covers an entire area of the former Siquijor Reforestation Project, is home to numerous endemic fauna and flora. Other attractions include a shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, The Way of the Cross, five natural springs, caves and butterfly sanctuary.
It took us around an hour via local renred jeepney to reach the Bandilaan National Park. From Coco Grove Beach Resort in San Juan, we have passed the barangays of Tubod, Cansayang, San Antonio, Cantabon then to Bandilaan National Park.We had a brief stop-over at San Antonio which is famous for folk healing. Every Black Saturday, herbalist from all over the country meet in this barangay where medical potions are commonly prepared, using the traditional method practiced since the ancient times. A motley of tree barks, roots, herbs, dirt, insects (yes, insects) and other "secret ingredients are thrown into a large cauldron filled with coconut oil while participants gathered in a circle to mumble incantations to empower the brew believed to cure a variety of ailments. The herbal preparation takes place on Black Saturday, on the belief that with the death of Jesus Christ, entities and forces not of this realm, roam the earth and share their healing powers to those who seek their assistance. I could have stayed longer and took some pics and talk to some folks but my company is egging us to go because she doesn't feel comfortable with the atmosphere.
The road leading to the mountain is made up of lime stones. There are portions of the road however that are covered with asphalt but in most areas, our rented jeep has to traverse crooked and winding lime stone road.
Once you reach the foot of the mountain, there are slippery man-made cemented steps so visitors should take extra caution. There are only four of us who went up the mountains and you couldn't help but feel eerie. There are thirteen stations of the cross there (however, few of them are already broken) leading to the three crosses at the top of the mountain. Then, if you still have energy left, you can climb-up the metal observatory deck where you can have a majestic view of the entire island.
A tiring climb indeed specially if you are not properly propped-up to climb but nevertheless, one of the most exciting part of my trip in Siquijor.
Hey! It seems like we were there almost the same time. hahaha! Enjoyed the place very much and will be posting my entries there soon. Love the lighting on the first pic.
ReplyDeletesiquijor, siquijor! kelan ko kaya mararating to?
ReplyDeleteHello Lawstude. So? Have you seen any ghosts?
ReplyDeleteInteresting! There are so many places to explore!
ReplyDelete(:
I could only imagine the eerie feeling you had while in the mountain. Siquijor after all is famous for being a supernatural place. Glad you enjoyed your trip.
ReplyDeleteLovely sight but scary too. I dont like climbing but at least through your pics I can enjot the view. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteQuite lovely pics. I like them.
ReplyDeleteHello, I have been to Siquijor but we weren't able to go to Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park, because mainly due to the distance and time constraints we had. In Mt. For what I have learned, Bandilaan Nature Park, located at the highest peak of the island, had shrines, five natural springs, caves and butterfly sanctuary. We surely missed out a lot leaving those out.
ReplyDeletehmm, siquijor really is something. i'll definitely put this on my list. =)
ReplyDeletenice pics, btw. =)
Ganda. Ayos to. Sana makapunta ko dyan.
ReplyDelete@ ferdz - pag maganda kuha ko nakatsamba lang hehehe. anyways, i am looking forward to see those pics.
ReplyDelete@ zherwin - sabi ng mga mumu sa siquijor ay malapit ka na raw makarating dun. (just kidding) thnx for the visit.
ReplyDelete@ triple m - so far wala pa ko nakita pero meron ako nararamdaman. and when i look back at the pics i have taken, marami nagsasabi na may nakikita daw sila sa pix. yaikks.
@ kyels - yeah and i haven't even seen at least 10% of it. tnx for the visit.
ReplyDelete@ tina - thank you.
@ jenny - everybody can do it, i know u can too. thanx for dropping by.
@ ruth - thank you, ill try to post better pics soon.
ReplyDelete@ foxy - well there is always time to go back. in fact i am planning to go back there because i missed Cambugahay falls which is submerged at the lake because of the rains when i was there.
@ carlotta - i highly recommend the place if u like nature and old churches.
ReplyDelete@ ymir - salamat sa pagbisita.
Hey Lawstude, interesting pics you got in here. Kinda scary too like the one where you had a stop-over. I enjoyed this post keep it up.
ReplyDeletenice pics really...i love to travel a lot!...
ReplyDeleteYou gave a meaningful trip here...
can you add me in your list? thanks?
Masarap siguro pumunta jan pag holy week kasi may station of the cross. Pag pupunta ka inform us ha para sama kami.
ReplyDeleteDid you saw the ghosts and the aswangs. Might go there for my next Eastern holiday.
ReplyDelete@ kangel - thanx for appreciating the pics. maybe we guys could have a field trip or something. anyways, tnx for the visit and i have linked u too. take care.
ReplyDelete@ tina - korek, it takes a lot of effort to complete the station of the cross. sige inform ko kyo ng next libot.
ReplyDelete@ sidney - yeah, i thought i saw some, or maybe it was just my anticipating imagination. i highly recommend the place, mag-eenjoy ka tyak dun.
ReplyDeleteYou write very well.
ReplyDelete