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Scenic Salagdo-ong.*

A Town Called Maria

Maria, one of the six municipalities in the island-province of Siquijor, has been carving its mark not only in agriculture and cottage industries but also in tourism. The poblacion of this quaint locality is accented by giant acacias shading the market, which is close to the stone church built during the Spanish era.

The century-old Our Lady of Divine Providence Church and its belfry, the Carmelite monastery, the forest reserves and underground caves attract domestic and foreign visitors to the town of 22 coastal and upland barangays.

In its exteriors are the pristine beaches of Polo, Nagerong, Umpas, Bacong, Guiwanon, Lapak and Kaguso-am. The most popular is Salagdo-ong, in Olang, which is being developed by the Philippine Tourism Authority and the provincial government. Also in Olang is the Mango Tree Resort, the emerging destination in the town. Salagdo-ong and mango Tree each have five cottages for those who want to stay overnight. Maria, which celebrating its 95th year, is about 11 kms. from the bigger town of Larena, which is a seaport community, and another 11 kms. from Lazi, another port area. It is also home of the village for Visayan artists which is rising in a 3-ha. lot in Olang.

A recent visitor from Bacolod City vowed to return to Maria, saying: "It offers a turnaround in the pace of city life as here, you see only the vast space Nature offers but you forget time and your worries."

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