I wasn’t really aware that Siquijor has more than one waterfalls gushing down along the island. There’s the famous three-tiered Cambugahay Falls at the town of Lazi, and then there’s Lugnason Falls; a lesser known attraction located at Barangay Napo in San Juan.
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| LUGNASON FALLS DETAIL |
There are a couple of reasons why this particular waterfall is relatively unknown to tourists visiting Siquijor. First, I heard it closed down sometime ago due to its spring source drying up; we’ve been told by our guide that it has only been recently reopened.
► SEE: SIQUJOR TRAVEL GUIDE
Lounging on hammocks strung on coconut trees at Coco Grove resort, the afternoon sun suddenly threw out god rays all over the western sky. We scrambled from our relaxed position, gathered our camera bags and followed the glorious rays. 
Where the fine sand ends, stone beds and green algae begins. The ebbing tide provided a dramatic landscape that creates natural pools surrounded by dark rocks and green lichen-like plants.
The western portion of Coco Grove’s kilometer-long shoreline is littered with coral stone formations that rise up to more than a man’s height. Its undersides are carved from eons of waves slamming along its base making an almost cave-like natural stone cantilever of the formations.
The rocks can be scaled and not a few visitors and locals spend the afternoon at its shelf, watching the sun retire or like the kids we saw, singing to their heart’s delight; seemingly giving odes to the beauty of the landscape.
The god rays, too far for my lens were gone by the time we got into position. The landscapes of San Juan nevertheless were still too beautiful to pass up on. The sky was already calling on twilight as we packed up and headed back to the comfort of Coco Grove.
The next morning called early and found me on the opposite end of the beach. 
It seemed everyone’s still dreaming in slumberland except a few fisherfolks already out on the water and some dogs yawning along the beach.
The beach transformed from fine sand to rough pebbles; the water shallow, filled with plant life and creatures that looks like a cross between starfishes and a mini octopuses. 
On the sea’s glassy surface, the sky reflected its indecision; torn between delivering rain and sunshine it throws a few drizzly feelers every now and then. At last it made up its mind and broke off the clouds which the sun dutifully lit with its warm morning rays.
I was ruminating on the past days we were in Siquijor as I made my way back. It was our last day of stay and the past three days had been a complete surprise. I wasn’t expecting to find this mysterious island, so engulfed in rumors of sorcery and witchcraft to be so beautiful. Its old world architecture, natural pools, waterfalls and culture makes it worth risking the dire warnings from home. 
Located on the west side of Coco Grove Resort in San Juan, Siquijor is one of its two restaurants. Aptly named after the setting sun, it is a silent witness to the fiery afternoons of Siquijor. 
Being budget travelers almost always means any room will do; unfortunately we’re not really hardcore backpackers. Although we could’ve just chosen the cheapest accommodation possible in Siquijor, we still tried to look for a cozier one and mightily tried to fit it within our measly budget. 
Coco Grove’s prices include breakfast for two and unlimited hot water free of charge. For your normal uncaffeinated drinking needs though, you’d have to buy their bottled mineral water. No service water for cheapskates like us. To work around this, we bought a six-liter jug of water from a water station a few steps from the resort’s gate and just plunked it in the mini-ref. Php60.00 for 6 liters of mineral water versus Coco Grove’s Php30.00 for 350milliliters, you choose.
On the second day, we transferred to one of the farther rooms since the one we were currently occupying was already booked for another guest ahead of time. We really didn’t mind as the resort’s courteous staff helped us moved our things. The new room was almost identical to the previous one, only difference was it was tucked on a corner of their forest-like garden. 
This is the most famous resort in Siquijor, our guide told us as he maneuvered his tricycle into the gates of Coco Grove. We’re still unsure where to book our three-day stay in the island and Kuya Joam was showing us around the various resorts circling Siquijor’s shoreline.
Passing a long cogon colonnade we were welcomed by a huge white parrot at the Coco Grove’s open-aired front desk. We did our inquiry, the cheapest room they have is priced at Php2,400.00; good for two persons, breakfast included. Not that pricey, but not cheap either. We decided to check out the resort first.
A wooden sign that read “Welcome to Capilay’s Spring Park” greeted us as we alighted from Kuya Joam’s tricycle. It was a hot afternoon and the acacia-laden park seemed deserted save for us.
Us who likes cameras like sunrise and sunsets. Unlike the former, sunrises are harder to shoot since you have to wake up earlier than normal and lumber through the dark all by your lonesome self. The Lakbay Norte 3 caravan rolled into San Juan, La Union the night before and we got to have our very first beach front; finally a chance to shoot a sunrise. 
With only three hours of sleep due to an almost all-night chat session with the guys (good thing there were no beers involved or I would probably be unable to wake up for the sunrise, or was that a bad thing?), I woke up to my quacking alarm and proceeded to the still dark beach of La Union.
The beach was deserted as the sky transformed from dark black to warm magentas. I couldn’t find a subject to compose my sunrise photo besides the unmanned lifeguard post. I decided to use the surging surf instead. 
Day four of Lakbay Norte 3 found us at an al fresco breakfast at the veranda of Malacañang ti Amianan or the Malacañang of the North. I cannot believe I am eating my share of Ilocano dishes right at the official residence of a former President of the Philippines. 
