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"The Bruce" - an ideal holiday base in an idyllic setting
Set in a large tropical garden opening directly onto the beach and the Mindanao Sea yet secluded and private, the Bruce is a perfect spot to spend your time while in Siquijor.
Perhaps you want to while away the hours rocking in a hammock slung between two palm trees or relaxing on a large verandah overlooking the sea? Or are you going to actively explore our beautiful island, its caves, its waterfalls and its friendly open villages? Or are you going to dive amongst the tropical reefs and fish from the back of a local boat? Whatever you're coming to Siquijor to do - do it with us; in comfort, convenience and with the best staff on the island.
The Bruce offers all the comforts of modern living in beautiful, natural surroundings and is a stone's throw from all the very best that Siquijor can offer.
The kitchen, lounge and dining area is open plan with cool marble flooring throughout - our large ceiling fan encourages the air to circulate just enough to cool you in the heat of the day. Satellite TV and DVD player are on hand for those balmy evenings in and the kitchen is equipped to a high standard for those who wish to try their hands at preparing the local cuisine.
The master bedroom has a king size bed - marble flooring, dressing table, lots of cupboard space, sea views, air-conditioning and en-suite shower room. The corner bedroom has a double bed, wardrobe, bedside tables and new wooden floor - great garden views and is very airy and light. The next room contains two single beds, wardrobe and unit. All rooms have standing fans. There is a large, family bathroom with shower at the end of 
corridor.
Outside, off the verandah is a big family room - all marble flooring - with famntastic sea views, en-suite facilities, one double bed and one single bed This room can be let separately or utilized for larger parties.
The Staff:
The Bruce is run by the effervescent Jess (once you've met her you'll never forget her!). She is ably assisted by Nene the housekeeper and Nok-Nok and Osoy the gardener/care takers.
There is a well stocked shop just one minute's walk away and the area (in fact the whole of Siquijor) is well known throughout the Philippines for its safety, low crime-rate and the warmth and cheerfulness of its local inhabitants.
See more pictures of the house and the surroundings here
"Lightning laced the sky in white fire. The earth wailed in the painful, joyous sound of new life. The ground shuddered, the seas raged. The churning waters parted and from the ocean's womb was birthed an island of rock and fire. Thus did, according to legend, the island of Siquijor emerge from the sea."
Siquijor was originally known to Europeans as "the Fire Island" or "Isla del Fuego". Named by Spanish explorers - not because it was volcanic or had resident dragons but because of fire flies. Early Spanish mariners were awe struck at the millions of sparkling lights that danced over the island. It seems a magical and mythical place where the stars had fallen and been trapped amongst the branches of the palm trees. In actuality, and equally amazing in our opinion, these lights were thousands of fire flies drawn to the molave trees that covered the tropical landscape. If you are lucky enough to witness this now it is a spectacle you will never forget.
Siquijor has retained its air of mystery and myth to this day. The island is famous for sorcerers (mambabarangs) and healers (mananambals) who can cure many ills - and reputedly cast evil curses upon those that do them or the island dwellers wrong. Yet, Siquijor's modern-day reputation as a land of occult practices and rituals tends to obscure the fact that it is one of the earliest centers of the Catholic faith in the country. Its proximity to Bohol and Cebu, whose residents were among the first Filipinos to embrace the faith, made Siquijor a major target for conversion by the friars who came with the Spanish expeditionary forces.
The convent attached to the St. Isidore Parish church in Lazi is probably the biggest in the country. Completed in 1891, the convent -- named a National Historical Landmark like the church -- remains in use and also houses a small museum of antique religious images.