Lazi Church and Convent, Siquijor – A Creepy Insider Experience

March 20, 2020July 24, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BLOG, CHURCH, CONVENT, GUIDE, LAZI, SIQUIJOR, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL

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Walking inside the eerie halls of Lazi Church and Convent in Siquijor is a one of a kind experience..

The Land of Faith Healing: strange as it seems, travelling to the island of Siquijor will raise eyebrows once mentioned because of its reputation for the black arts. Even the older generations still practices and believes in witchcraft and sorcery; although at present time it is still practiced in a less prevalent scale.

Let Transit Pinas take you on a journey of unveiling what hides behind the peculiar stories and legends surrounding the mystic island of Siquijor and why you should start packing your bags and discover for yourself what awaits inside the Isla Del Fuego.

Nimbus 2018

Table of Contents

We alighted at the side of the road somewhere in Lazi. This area is overlooking the coastal areas in this southern part of the island. Then hysteric laughters echoed from inside the cafe and souvenir area.

Then it just struck me that this is where the famous broomstick photos I am reading from the internet are taken. We went inside to see some groups queuing up to have their flying poses taken.

From a small makeshift wooden platform, one can use the brooms provided which they call by several names like Ferrari and Lamborghini. Then from down below, a small window is where one can take photos of you jumping with the broom. Making it look like you are suspended in midair.

We also wasted no time and had our photos taken. It was a fun experience indeed. So make sure to drop by in Hapitanan before swimming in Cambugahay Falls, okay?

Lazi Church

Just a few more minutes after Hapitanan, gargantuan Acacia Trees came into sight. Lining up along the plaza providing enough shade to anyone passing by. Then the century old structures came into view. There was the barn-like appearance of San Isidro Labrador Church to the right. And the equally imposing and complimentary Convent to the left.

Being a UNESCO Baroque Church candidate, the San Isidro Labrador Church or commonly called as Lazi Church is now undergoing a major rehabilitation.

Galvanized roofs now lined up the whole perimeter area. But one can still see the coral stone facade flanked by tin roofing on the upper pediments. This was built in 1857 by Augustinian Recollects.

Here are some of the photos I have seen from Lakad Pilipinas entry about the Lazi Church before the restoration:

Lazi Church facade before the restoration. (Photo from www.lakadpilipinas.com)

Lazi Church interiors before the restoration. (Photo from www.lakadpilipinas.com)

Lazi Convent

Just across the road, the newly renovated Lazi Convent stood sentinel. Straddled across a 2500 square meters of land, this was once the biggest among its kind in Asia back in the days. This was finished thirty years after the town church was built.

The two-story structure was built in the traditional Bahay-Na-Bato style. The ground floor made up also of coral ricks similar to the church.

The second floor is made up of local hardwood with windows adorned in the traditional Capiz shells. The structure’s tin roof extends up to the apex that doubles the height of the imposing structure.

From the inside, creepy walls line up the ground floor which serves as a temporary makeshift church while the church is being repaired. Then a staircase leads to the second floor of the convent.

Everything inside is now carefully rehabilitated with the once derelict and dilapidated interiors restored to their formal glory. For instance, the replaced stained glass windows, waxed Narra flooring, up to the carefully polished balustrades.

One of the halls now serves as a museum that have several artifacts that is as old as the tales. The church and convent relics vary from antique saints, religious icons, scrolls, musty wardrobes of friars and priests, old books, typewriter, black and white photographs of the old church, and some haunting pieces of old hardwood.

Here are some of the photos I have seen from Lakad Pilipinas entry about the Lazi Convent before the restoration:

Lazi Convent before the restoration. (Photo from www.lakadpilipinas.com)

Lazi Convent second floor interiors before the res. (Photo from www.lakadpilipinas.com)

The history of this imposing structures really have a lot to tell since time immemorial. If only we could visit it back in the days to see how their daily lives went inside this halls.

We boarded inside the tricycle and proceeded to the much awaited cascades of Cambugahay Falls.

How To Get There

This is part of the Siquijor Tricycle Day Tour hosted by Kuya Raul Gom-os (09355965465)
- Siquijor Circumferential Road, Maria, Siquijor
- Entrance Fee: None
- Tricycle Tour: 1000php Standard Rate/Day Tour

Demystifying Isla del Fuego: From Black Magic Maria, love potions, Voodoo Dolls, broomstick rides, century old churches and convent, up to the stunning waterfalls and beaches. Let Transit Pinas take you on a day trip across SIQUIJOR as he uncovers the brighter side beyond the esoteric and peculiar charm of the province. Follow this adventure series into the Land of Faith Healing, as I ventured into my 56th province last September 09, 2018. Umari kamo niing matahum nga dapit!