It was in late October 2003 when I first stepped on this very mystic island of Siquijor. I was encouraged to accompany a close friend (jun-jun) who also happened to have a relative (Opaw) who is a native of Siquijor. I was very eager to go with him because I wanted to see for myself how the so-called “magic” of the island works and how it is done. Though I already have heard of some stories before, I really crave to witness those by myself.

After my application for a vacation leave was approved, I prepared myself for the scheduled trip to the island. All the way from the southern part of Mindanao, Philippines, we passed by Cotabato City, Pagadian City, Ozamiz City and Plaridel of Misamis Occidental (as this was the nearest way to the island in 2003).

After a two-day uninterrupted bus and boat trips, finally, we reached Larena, Siquijor. There to meet us is Opaw. At first I was afraid to mingle with people of the island, of course except to Opaw for I know he will also become a good friend of mine. At first meeting, he already gave me some warnings, about not to be obtrusive and look at locals straight in the eye, refrain from staying out too late at night, and to watch what I eat. Afraid of what might happen to me if I will do such things, I kept his reminders in my mind (anyway I’ve got nothing to lose if I believe in those).

After another 30 minutes of multi-cab ride, at last, we reached Opaw’s residence. It is about 7 to 10 kilometers from Larena. Though it is only about 7pm, no one is traveling the road except us (even I myself don’t know the reason why). Upon reaching Opaw’s house, we ate dinner. After that, we stayed outside to ask him of some stories I’ve heard about the people and of the island in general.

Opaw shared us almost all stories he knew. According to him, although these are already passed-on from generations to generations these are true stories. One thing he shared us which really caught my adventurous mind, is according to him, a personal experience.

The story goes this way. Opaw, when he is still about 30 years old, is used to be a fisherman since their village is along a shoreline. As a fisherman, his earnings normally depend on the fishes they caught daily. The waters around Siquijor is not always giving them a good catch hence his wife always complains to him on how would they be able to sustain their living with his very little income. Sad to say, Opaw has not finished college that is why he cannot find a better source of income. His wife’s complains always bring quarrel. A shattered life, as he describes it, is what they are living.

Opaw has heard much from his wife. He decided to go to Cebu City to continue with his life there. He is also a fisherman at Cebu that time. Opaw met a woman (Editha) whom he describes as a very loving and understanding person. Editha and Opaw fell in love with each other. This incident in Opaw’s life was not kept secret to Opaw’s former wife. She is very angry because she believes that she is more beautiful than Editha and that Opaw has already an obligation with them. The anger of his former wife has made Opaw’s life more miserable. He is also very afraid because he knew that his former wife has a relative who is known to be a very dangerous sorcerer (name withheld) in Siquijor.

Opaw’s fears come to reality. He began feeling unexplainable heat and bodily pains. He cannot sleep at night even for just 5 minutes and also can’t eat. This situation has made him terribly sick. Even doctors in Cebu City cannot tell what Opaw is exactly experiencing that time. He is physically fit medically speaking.

Opaw could no longer bear his agonies so he decided to go back to Siquijor to seek the help of a healer/sorcerer. The healer/sorcerer he knew is according to Siquijor locals is more experienced and dangerous (name also withheld). After consulting, he was informed that he was cursed thru a sorcerer and the only remedy is to go back to his original family as this was the main reason for putting curse on him. Upon knowing such, he immediately rushed to his former wife and requested that the curse put on him be removed and that he promised not to go away anymore. That very night, still, Opaw couldn’t sleep. The healer/sorcerer also pointed out that Opaw was very lucky for it was still very early that he found out that he was cursed. If it could have been later, Opaw could have lost his own life.

The following morning, Opaw’s wife left home to go to Punong (a mountainous area of Siquijor and about 10 to 15 kilometers from Opaw’s residence). It was only after that time when Opaw can already sleep and eat well. The unexplainable heat and bodily pains he’s feeling were totally gone. He has gradually recovered from that unknown sickness. Opaw’s true-to-life story has truly made our hairs stand.

Much to our surprise as the night gets darker and colder, Opaw told us that he will be going to the healer/sorcerer the following morning as he also acts as the contact person between supposed to be clients and the healer/sorcerer. He will be bringing to him the pictures and things of the supposed victim. He wanted us to go with him for us to also see the actual putting of the curse upon the victim.

The next morning is Friday, at around 6 am we got up and have our breakfast. After fixing ourselves, we rushed to Siquijor, Siquijor to rent a motorcycle we can use to go to Punong. Approximately about 30 minutes of motorcycle ride, we finally reached the healer/sorcerer’s house. A considerable number of clients are already waiting outside and are very hopeful that their problems can be given solution as they consult the healer/sorcerer. The healer/sorcerer, upon seeing Opaw, welcomed us to his residence. Though we came late as compared to the others, we were the first to be accommodated. Opaw introduced us to him and handed him over the pictures and things which belonged to the supposed victim. Opaw whispered to the healer/sorcerer that we also wanted to witness the ritual and he has nothing to worry because he introduced us to be his relatives and we came all the way from Southern Mindanao.

I was given the chance to personally talk to the healer/sorcerer and asked him some questions bugling in my mind that time. (Honestly, I’m also afraid to do that because I know he can also hurt me if he wants to). Around us are his so-called “disciples” or those people under his guidance and are also under study of his magic.

Though he admitted to be requiring payments from his clients, he emphasized that this is just for him to buy liquor as he admits that he can’t sleep without getting drunk. His conscience won’t allow him to sleep. As the conversation gets more interesting, he called up one of his “disciples” and asked to buy 3 white candles and 3 white eggs from a nearby store. These will be used as offerings to the “gods of death” according to him.

It was already about 11:45 am when he finally decided to go the cave where he is performing his rituals. It is on the middle of a rocky mountain also owned by him. Along with us are Opaw, jun-jun, some of his disciples, and the healer/sorcerer. The cave can really be hardly found as it is in the middle of a rocky mountain. Inside the cave hanging are things which are owned by his previous victims. These are submitted by his clients with their pictures. On the ground are a real human skull and a wooden stick, a clay pot which contained the pictures, and a gallon full of concoctions used as poisons. He prepared his materials as we observed him. He also sets fire using forest woods and placed the clay pot over it. He poured some of the concoctions on the clay pot, knelt down before it and lit the 3 white candles. He also broke the 3 white eggs. With the wooden stick on his hand, he tapped the human skull three times and must have uttered his cursing prayer. His supposed victims, according to him would surely get terribly sick after 3 Tuesdays and 3 Fridays from the day he first performed the cursing ritual. What we’ve seen during that time once again made our hairs stand.

Approximately about 12:30 high noon, after the ritual was done, we go back to his residence. Still, his house is full of clients. There were also some having love problems as he is also selling love potions. He also claimed that he can make long lost love come back, make your dreamed lover crazy in love with you and can turn the attention of your persistent suitor to others if you don’t like him/her.

Around 1:30 pm, and after making sure to have at least 3 contact numbers of his clients for me to ask if the work they have requested for was successfully done after the given time, we went back to Opaw’s residence. I also asked for Opaw’s and the healer/sorcerer’s contact number.

After another 2 days of stay at Opaw’s house, we decided to go back home.

3 Fridays and 3 Tuesdays gone by, I contacted the 3 clients whom I have asked their contact numbers and to my surprise, all of them claimed that the work they have requested from the healer/sorcerer was successfully done. One was scheduled to get married after she used the love potion to the man of her dreams. Another claimed to have won back the love he previously lost, and finally another admitted that her love rival already got extremely sick which made his lover go back to her. They are also scheduled to get married.

That very rare experience of witnessing the actual cursing ritual will be treasured for the rest of our lives.

Coolness.

BTW, the writing forum is a few threads down. Just thought you'd like to know.

Hi and welcome to UM.....Very interesting story, held my interest...Thanks for the share

Wrong board dude

that was boring *snip*

is this a joke if it is [ which it probably isnt] then then the writing forum is only a few clicks away