Former Armed Forces chief lauds fellow Siquijodnons

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief now Ambassador to Brunei Gen. Alexander Yano congratulated his fellow Siquijodnons for achieving such remarkable success that is Isla De Fuego. 

Isla De Fuego is a 160-page travel guide book which serves as a directory for tourists, visitors and investors who need complete and updated information on the island’s tourism. 

Yano who visited Lazi in time for the festive season attended the launching of the book along with visiting guests, relatives and friends from abroad and across the region. 

 “I wish to congratulate my fellow Siquijodnons for coming up with the book that is handy and is a ready reference for everybody who loves travelling Siquijor”, Yano said. 

Yano, who is of Ligutom and Anoos descent, said he is always proud to be a son of Siquijor and that wherever he is, he is proud to tell anyone that a “Siquijodnon blood runs in my veins”. 

Yano further lauded the efforts of the provincial and local leaders in the development of Siquijor and for keeping its reputation as one of the safest places on earth to meditate, enjoy and relax. (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor with reports from Eda Lou T. Manigo) 

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Sales soar, orders galore for Siquijor travel book 
Isla De Fuego launched

SIQUIJOR, May 24 (PIA)---Expats, guests, locals and balikbayans alike recently joined a night of fun, food and cultural fanfare for the launching of Siquijor’s newest feat ‘Isla De Fuego – Island In The Sun’.   

The book which will be out in the bookstores and circulated among travel trade bodies over the coming weeks and months was warmly accepted by the consumers and tourism stakeholders in Lazi, Siquijor as they crowded around the town’s social center for their orders and on-the-spot purchases. 

DOT 7 Regional Director Rowena Montecillo who said the book launching was the first to be done in Central Visayas, turned over a check of P50,000 for her instant purchase of 50 books to Governor Shane A. Fua while Congressman Fua pledged an amount of P134,000 for his order of 134 copies which, he said, will be distributed to the 134 barangays in the province. 

Penned by four skilled retired educators, the book is a comprehensive and unified literature about Siquijor which has become a favoured travel destination for both domestic and foreign tourists in recent times. 

The four authors of the book are Dr. Aleli R. Abne, retired school division superintendent, Dr. Consolacion Aljas, retired English supervisor, Pura Jumadla, grammarian and retired district supervisor and Praxedes Tamayor, former Music supervisor. 

Dr. Abne said the book is a “work of art and a labor of love” while Dr. Aljas said the “opus is an answer to the people’s clamor” for a more definitive manual about Siquijor and its people. 

Jumadla meanwhile said the work is a collaborative endeavour of the provincial tourism council, LGUs, the barangay officials, and any Siquijodnon who contributed to the success of the book. 

Regarded as the brainchild of the governor, the book contains basic facts and salient features of Siquijor, directory where tourists can find places to stay and dine with, details of the six municipalities with information and glossy pictures to whet the appetite of travelers. 

Expressions of appreciation were delivered by the governor and the congressman who both urged everyone to promote Siquijor to the world and to be proud of our heritage which provides us with “a sense of reminiscence and camaraderie and the understanding of who we are and where we came from”. 

Sold at P1,000 per copy, the book also includes chapters on beaches, festivals, delicacies, tourist attractions and lesser known paradises in the island that are waiting to be discovered and lure every Siquijodnon from across the globe to come home every so often to celebrate the island’s beauty and bounty.   

It was also announced during the launching that a sequel of the book will soon follow, one which digs deeper into the mysticism of the island and tells more of the fascinating aspects about Siquijor. (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor with reports from Eda Lou Tangapa-Manigo)