Running is an excuse.
Running is an excuse to travel. It is an excuse to wander to the wonderful islands of the Philippine archipelago. Such a compelling itch has resulted in the birth and rise of RUNCATIONs.
Runcation - combining a vacation with a running event - has expoded in popularity across the Philippines. As a country composed of 7,000 tropical islands, it offers the ultimate backdrop for active travelers and weekend running warriors. Running offers a special way to explore by providing an immersive, intimate perspective of places (new or old) that is faster than walking and more detailed than driving.
The massive post-pandemic boom in Filipino running culture has transformed the classic tropical vacation. Instead of just lounging on a beach, travelers are packing their Nikes, Adidas, Hokas and RADs to experience the archipelago's diverse landscapes.
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| Bicolano Penguin, Bob and Marcel at the Welcome to Siquijor sign with the iconic St. Francis Assisi Church in the background. Tourist pilgrims setting foot in a paradise island. |
Bitten by this Runcation bug, the Bicolano Penguin (BP) registered for the 2026 Isla del Fuego Marathon which was providentially scheduled for Sep 6, less than a week before the BP's birthday, in the enchanting and mystical island province of Siquijor. The marathon in Siquijor is called the Isla del Fuego Marathon because the Spanish conquistadores historically named the island "Isla del Fuego", which translated to the "Island of Fire."
The name, during the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines, originated from the eerie, magical night-time glow reflecting off the coast, caused by massive swarms of fireflies blanketing the island's trees, including molave trees and tabau mangroves. Today, race organizers like the Smoke 10 Events Management use this historical moniker to celebrate the province's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty during the annual marathon event.
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| A Molave tree inside the Diamond de Siquijor Beach House resort. Siquijor was historically named Katugasan because of the abundance of native molave trees (Vitex parviflora), locally called "Tugas" that once dominated its landscape. |
Visiting Siquijor province is an enchanting experience filled with crystal-clear waters, cascading waterfalls, resorts with its own character(s), and rich mystical folklore. The province has a unique, mystical charm and each of its six municipalities (Larena, Lazi, Siquijor, San Juan, Maria, and Enrique Villanueva) brings something special to the table. Joining me in the visit to Siquijor is my son Marcel and running friend Bob.
Arriving in Siquijor Island on the evening of Sep 4, the Bicolano Penguin had the opportunity to tour the southern end of the island the morning (Sep 5) before the actual race of the Isla del Fuego Marathon (Sep 6). For that Saturday morning, the Bicolano Penguin and companions were able to visit the town of Lazi which is considered the historical heart of the province. It features the famous San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent, alongside the iconic, multi-tiered Cambugahay Falls and the Old Enchanted Balete Tree.
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| Believed to be around 400 years old, the Old Enchanted Balete Tree stands tall in Barangay Campalanas along the Siquijor Circumferential Road. It draws hundreds of visitors daily for both its natural beauty and cultural significance. |
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| According to local folklore, the Old Enchanted Balete tree is is believed to possess spiritual powers and is home to supernatural beings. |
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| The site of the Old Enchanted Balete Tree is a natural fish spa. Water from the spring at the base flows into a man-made pool where small fish gently nibble dead skin from visitors' feet. How timely for the BP to have his feet undergo a fish spa. Clean and re-calibrated feet and ready to go for the marathon the following day. |
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| Drone photo of the multi-tiered Cambugahay Falls in Brgy Tigbawan in Lazi. There is that jungle vibe where the tropical greenery, tall trees and hanging vines make the waterfalls feel like a hidden paradise. |
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| Visiting Cambugahay Falls offers a lush, jungle swimming experience featuring turquoise lagoons and popular rope swings. |
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| The name Cambugahay comes from the local Visayan language, meaning to flow or cascade. |
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| Drone photo of the San Isidro de Labrador Church in Lazi. Built in 1884, the church features thick coral stone walls and classic neoclassical design, standing strong as a silent and towering guardian of the Catholic faith of the community. |
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| Equally striking, the interior of the church offers some interesting details like hardwood floors, two vintage pulpits and the original altar retablo. |
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| Right across the road from the church is the grand U-shaped Lazi Convent built between 1887 and 1891 in the bahay na bato style (stone on the ground floor, hardwood above). Stepping onto the grounds of the church and convent brings a sense of calm and slow-paced tranquility away from the metropolis. |
Just half a day and in just one town in Siquijor province and we are bedazzled already.
The town of Lazi hits the homerun when it comes to packing history, adventure, and magic into just a single morning! It is easily one of the most fun-intensive and dazzling pockets of Siquijor.
We encountered the iconic multi-tiered Cambugahay Falls, where the turquoise waters look almost photoshopped. Driving down the town poblacion, we witnessed the rich Catholic heritage of Lazi in the massive, coral-stone San Isidro Labrador Curch and its sprawling Lazi Convent. And of course, no trip to Lazi is complete without dipping our feet into the natural sping fool beneath the Old Enchanted Balete Tree for a quck fish spa.
Since just half of the day in Lazi made our day already, the rest of Siquijor Island, we are confident, is going to completely charm us.
But first, there is the business of the actual running of the 2026 Isla del Fuego Marathon the following day. So, with an ounce of reluctance but a ton of discipline, the BP and companions decided to head back to our base camp in Siquijor, Siquijor to have some rest and sleep. Base camp for us is the Diamond de Siquijor Beach House which is less than a kilometer away from Siquijor Boulevard, the starting area of the marathon.
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| Diamond de Siquijor Beach House has great beach access. Fronts directly onto a white sand beach with clear shallow water, which is ideal for swimming during high tide. |
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| The sea view from the Diamond de Siqujor Beach House at 8 in the morning features a calm, level ocean horizon with a breezy atmosphere from its open lawn. |
The Diamond de Siquijor Beach House is a small, family-run beachfront resort known for its affordable native-style cabins and close proximity to the Siquijor Port (roughly 10 mins away). The family that owns and manages this resort is a testament to the industriousness of the people of Siquijor. After working for more than a decade as a seaman in the global maritime market, the head of the family started the beach house business. The wife helps out in the cooking in the resort restaurant and handles marketing. Relatives and neighbors are part of the resort staff.
So much to admire in Siquijor province. Nature's bounty blessed with hard-working and friendly people.
As for the Isla del Fuego Marathon, it is an admirable and well-organized event. It is administered by Smoke 10 Events Management which is the same outfit that brought the Masskara Marathon (Bacolod), Pampanga Marathon, Cabalen Ultramarathon and Decathlon Half Marathon (Clark) to the Philippine running community. Its race director is the experienced Jner Manalang.
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| The Isla del Fuego Marathon is part of the program of activities for the celebration of the 54th Araw ng Bayan ng Siquijor. The town and parish of Siquijor was founded in 1783. It became the provincial capital of Siquijor province after the seat of government transferred from the neihboring town of Larena to Siquijor town in 1972. |
An indicator of how well a marathon event is managed is by the level of ease in claiming the race kit for the marathon. In the case of the 2026 Isla del Fuego Marathon, the race kit claiming area is the Isla Inn and we were in and out of that area no more than 5 minutes. That fast and easy.
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| Race kit claiming area in Isla Inn at 2pm (Sep 5). We were in and out in less than 5 minutes. |
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| Strobes and spotlights illiminated the night air at the starting area of the Isla del Fuego Marathon. Looking up in the night sky, we saw bats fluttering in the air. |
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| Race Director Jner Manalang conducting the briefing of the race route before the gun start. The race course of the Isla del Fuego Marathon 2026 is "Out and Back" where runners travel out to a turning point and return along the exact same spot (same starting and finishing area). |
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| The BP getting some photo at the starting area. |
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| Bob too. |
If the race kit claiming was fast and easy, unfortunately for the BP, my actual running was not exactly fast and easy. Far from it. As with all my full marys and ultras post-covid, my Isla del Fuego Marathon was SLOW and NOT SO EASY. It is not by choice but by force of circumstance. Advancing age and uncontrollable weight gain have slowed down significantly the penguin.
Slow and not so easy. These words remind me of running coach and blogger Sara Kurth when she wrote "Slow Does Not Mean Easy." She challenged the misconception that running a marathon at a slower pace requires less effort, grit or resilience than running fast.
Her core message breaks down into several key realities that slower, back-of-the-pack marathoners (like the Bicolano Penguin) face:
1. Extended Time on Your Feet. A faster runner might finish a marathon in three or four hours but a slower runner covering the exact 42 kilometers will be moving for six, seven or more hours. Slow running requires massive physical and mental endurance simply because the body is absorbing impact, pounding the pavement, and working for twice as long.
2. Harsh Weather Exposure. Slower runners face significantly tougher environmental challenges during long distance races. While elite runners finish a marathon while it is still cool, slower runners are often forced to complete their final, most exhausting kilometers during the blistering midday heat, when temperatures can be 20 degrees warmer.
3. Mental Battle Against Boredom and Exhaustion. When a run stretches out over many hours, it becomes an intense pyschological hurdle. The sheer length of a slow run forces one to battle boredom and the internal voice telling one to quit.
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| The BP persevering thru the route which was mostly flat. Less than 50 meters behind is the sweeper vehicle team (an ambulance). |
But us slow runners are not complaining. Not one bit. Nor are we quitters. No siree!!
And why is that?
Running is a catalyst.
Running is a catalyst for camaraderie. Running is one of the most powerful catalysts for human connection. It transforms a solitary grueling physical effort into a shared bond. While the act of running itself happens individually, the environment it creates builds camaraderie. Sharing tens of kilometers creates a natural space for deep conversation, mutual encouragement and share perseverance.
When you run a marathon (the full 42 kms or just parts of it) alongside, even a complete stranger, a special kind of camaraderie forms. And this was true in my experience running the Isla del Fuego Marathon.
During the running of the marathon in Siquijor, a complete stranger by the name of Brex Dupio (Bib# 42006) I was able to make acquaintance and hopefully become a good friend. At the Km. 21 U-turn, I first said hello to Brex. While me and Bob sat for a little while at the halfway U-turn to take a rest and partake of the delicious lechon, Brex went ahead. It was at the last 7 kilometers of the 42-km race that I was able to catch up with Brex.
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| Brex (Bib#42006) a newly minted marathoner. |
Seeing someone else sweat, breathe heavily and persevere just like me creates an immediate unspoken trust. Thus, our conversation started and one of the things I learned about Brex is that he was running his first full marathon. And from that initial topic, our conversation turned to a myriad of topics ranging from his running club (Bao Bao Running Club) to his work with SGV in Dumaguete , and to his home province of Negros Oriental.
Encountering people while running is such a positive experience. There is shared vulnerability (we are just runners trying to survive the same 42 kilometers) and mutual suffering (experiencing physical discomfort together triggers a psycholigical phenomenon called "identity fusion" where individuals feel a powerful bond).
The bond is strong that after the marathon, a couple days later, I was able to message Brex via facebook messenger and send him a few questions. He readily answered.
Bicolano Penguin (BP): What is your motivation in running your first full marathon?
Brex: My motivation po was to challenge myself and prove that I could commit to something difficult and actually see it through. Apart from the privilege of experiencing what it feels like to finish my first marathon, it wasn't just about crossing the finish line - it was about becoming more disciplined, stronger and seeing what I'm truly capable of.
BP: Why choose Isla del Fuego Marathon for your 1st marathon?
Brex: I chose the Isla del Fuego Marathon for my first marathon because it was where I conquered my first half marathon, so it already holds a special place in my running journey.
BP: Would you run again in Isla del Fuego Marathon?
Brex: Yes, absolutely! I'd love to come again and experience the race again. Hopefully stronger and better next time.
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| The last 125 meters of the Isla del Fuego Marathon of the back-of-the-pack runners. Here is the link to the YouTube video of the finish of Brex and BP. |
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| Last Men Standing at the Isla del Fuego Marathon 2026. At the finish line: BP, Brex, Bob and drone pilot Marcel. |
Having done this many times in my running odyssey, crossing the finish line of a full mary as one of the last runners brings a deep, unmatched wave of relief, raw pride and profound joy. The pain fades and there is that crazy back-of-the-pack magic. Finishing as one of the last runners standing means I spent more hours out on the course, figthing doubts and fatigue longer than the front-runners, which makes the finish delightfully sweet.
And for the BP, my finishing the Isla del Fuego Marathon is sweeter knowing that I have now conquered or survived a marathon in my 32nd province. Yup, 32 provinces checked and 50 more provinces to go before the BP can say that I have ran in all the provinces of our beloved Philippines.
Tall Tale? Impossible Dream? Who knows? As the famous essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote - "To finish the moment, to find the journey's end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom."
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| 32 provinces and counting. |
Postscript(P.S.): Our stay in Siquijor province was truly a beautiful and enchanting adventure. Originally staying for 3 days related to my running the Isla del Fuego Marathon, we stayed for an additional 2 days so as to experience more the allure of the island. From Bicolano Penguin (running) mode, I switched on to my Mangrove Loving Penguin (nature advocate) mode and got to visit in Siquijor some of the more interesting and iconic mangrove spots in the Philippine archipelago. Such nature adventure will be tackled in separate blog article(s) but for now, allow me to tantalize with these photos:
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