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How is it to sleep in Lazi’s century old kumbento?

The main hall of Lazi’s more than a century old kumbento at night
Guest room at the kumbento

The thought of sleeping in one of the country’s best preserved but more than a century old kumbento thrilled me. It’s not always that this happens everyday or when I travel.

The first time I slept in one such kind of place was in Bantayan Island but it was very much comfortable, airconditioned with cable TV.

But in Lazi, Siquijor?

An old butaca near the window

The room is basic and spartan. With still original ceiling made from woven bamboo covered with lime wash. Its herringbone patterned wooden flooring still shiny after a hundred years. There is not much old furniture left around except a few butacas (lounge like chairs with long arm rests), however, the bed I slept on looks old. Probably a four poster bed with only remnants of the original four corner posts. The rattan weaving has also been replaced with nylon.

Come bedtime, mosquitoes can be a problem and I just covered myself up with the thin blanket while the small electric fan was directed at me to stave off the pesky insects. But its a quite Siquijor night.

Is it creepy? I should say, no, it is not. I even had a comfortable and deep sleep. My imagination didn’t run wild with strange sounds or footsteps outside. When you do get out of the room, the wide main hall can get daunting at night because of the patina of old age on the walls and columns lit only with a single light that conjures images of ghosts and spirits.

The local heritage group has plans to offer lodging inside the kumbento in the near future. This will be a welcome development, whenever, if ever, this happens.

Ang Langyaw’s trip made possible by Airphilexpress, the fastest growing budget airline in the Philippines!

7 thoughts on “How is it to sleep in Lazi’s century old kumbento?”

  1. bertN

    No kulambo to protect the sleepers against the pesky mosquitoes?

  2. estancabigas

    BertN, none.

  3. There was also a proposal for the Dauis convent in Panglao Island to be converted into a hotel, but the manangs of the church did not agree. Baka daw “mababoy”, which I think is well-founded concern. There is still the stigma attached to the convent that it is supposed to be “holy”.

    going back on your post, kailangan may kasama ako! Haha.

  4. Verna Alih

    The Siquijor Heritage Foundation, Inc. in Lazi has in its plans 4-6 private rooms for those who would like to experience living in a heritage structure. On top of this, there are occasional stay-in activities of the parish. These rooms could help the accommodation needs of workshop/seminar participants.

  5. Verna Alih

    Unlike the plan for the Dauis convent, the 4-6 rooms will occupy only 1/4 of the total floor area of the 2nd floor of the San Isidro Labrador convent in Lazi.

  6. estancabigas

    Ding,

    I think the plan will also be well thought of and will definitely add to the attraction of Lazi. It’s a good experience din to stay in such a place. 🙂

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