Siquijor Day in the Philippines Date in the current year: September 17, 2024

Siquijor is the third smallest province in the Philippines, in terms of both land area and population. It is situated on the eponymous island within the Negros Island Region. According to a local legend, the island was named after Datu Kihod, an indigenous ruler of the island. When the Spanish first arrived in Siquijor, the ruler introduced himself by saying “Si Kihod” (“I am Kihod”), but the Spanish believed it was the name of the island. Over time, Sikihod transformed into Siquijor.

Other versions of the name’s origin claim it was derived from the Bohol word sequor, which means “to follow the waves”, or the native word quidjod, which can be translated as “the tide is going out”. The pre-colonial name of the island was Katugusan after the tugas (molave trees) that were abundant on the island. When the Spaniards arrived here in 1565, they named the island Isla del Fuego (“Island of Fire”) because of numerous fireflies that lived in molave trees and made them glow in the dark.

The Spanish Empire annexed Siquijor in the 18th century. The first Spanish settlement on the island, also named Siquijor, was founded by Catholic priests in 1783. It was administered by the Diocese of Cebu. Over the next century, Augustinian Recollects established more parishes on the island. As for civil administration, Siquijor was administered as part of the province of Bohol beginning in the mid-19th century.

In 1892, Siquijor was transferred from Bohol to the newly created province of Negros Oriental, and became the sub-province of the latter in 1901. After the outbreak of the Pacific War (the Pacific Theater of WWII), the island was occupied by Japanese forces in 1942. During the occupation, local guerrillas engaged in sabotage and even killed a Japanese civilian governor. By 1944, Japanese presence on the island was nominal at best. Siquijor was officially liberated in mid-1945.

After the end of the war and the independence of the Philippines, Siquijor remained a sub-province of Negros Oriental for some time. However, it was eventually decided to make it a separate and independent province because the culture of its inhabitants is distinct from that of the people of Negros Oriental. Siquijor officially became an independent province on September 17, 1971. The anniversary of its conversion into a province is now celebrated as Siquijor Day.