REGION 8: EASTERN VISAYAS

I. Introduction

Eastern Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, designated as Region VIII. It consists
of three main islands, Samar, Leyte and Biliran. There are 6 Provinces in Region 8 within Eastern Visayas.
Eastern Visayas (Waray: Sinirangan Kabisay-an; Tagalog: Silangang Kabisayaan) is an administrative
region in the Philippines, designated as Region VIII. It consists of three main islands, Samar, Leyte and
Biliran. The region has six provinces, one independent city and one highly urbanized city namely, Biliran,
Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc and Tacloban. The highly
urbanized city of Tacloban is the sole regional center. These provinces and cities occupy the easternmost
islands of the Visayas group of islands.

Eastern Visayas faces the Philippine Sea to the east. The region is known for its famous landmark, the
San Juanico Bridge, dubbed as the "Most Beautifully Designed and Longest Bridge in the Philippines". As
of 2015, the Eastern Visayas region has a population of 4,440,150 inhabitants, making it the third most
populous region in the Visayas.

Figure 1. Map of Region 8

Administrative Divisions

Province City Municipality

Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran,
Biliran Province Culalba, Kawayan, Maripipi and Naval
(Capital)
Arteche, Balangiga, Balangkayan, Can-Avid,
Dolores, General Macarthur, Giporlos, Guiuan,
 Hernani, Jipapad, Lawaan, Llorente, Maslog,
Eastern Samar Maydolong, Mercedes, Oras, Quinapondan,
Borongan City
Province Salcedo, San Julian, San Policarpo, Sulat, and
(Capital)
Taft
Abuyog, Alangalang, Albuera, Babatngon,
Barugo, Bato, Burauen
Calubian, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag,
Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Jaro,
Baybay City, Ormoc Javier, Julita, Kananga, La Paz, Leyte,
Leyte Province City, and Tacloban Macarthur, Mahaplag, Matag-Ob, Matalom,
City (Capital) Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Palompon, Pastrana,
San Isidro, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tabango,
Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, Tunga, and
Villaba
Allen, Biri , Bobon, Capul, Catarman (Capital),
Catubig, Gamay, Laoang, Lapinig, Las, Navas ,
Lavezares, Lope De Vega, Mapanas,
Mondragon, Palapag, Pambujan, Rosario, San
Northern Samar Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Roque, San
Province Vicente, Silvino Lobos,
and Victoria
Almagro, Basey, Calbiga, Daram, Gandara,
Hinabangan, Jiabong, Marabut, Matuguinao,
Calbayog City and Motiong, Pagsanghan, Paranas, Pinabacdao,
Samar Province Catbalogan City San Jorge, San Jose, De Buan, San Sebastian,
(Western) (Capital) Santa Margarita, Santa Rita, Santo Niñ o,
Tagapul-An, Talalora, Tarangnan, Villareal
and Zumarraga
Anahawan, Bontoc, Hinunangan, Hinundayan,
Libagon, Liloan, Limasawa, Macrohon,
Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, Saint,
Southern Leyte Maasin City (Capital) Bernard , San Francisco, San Juan (Cabalian),
Province San Ricardo, Silago, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus

Table 1. Administrative Divisions of Region 8

The Eastern Visayas comprises of 6 provinces, 7 cities, 136 municipalities, and 4,390 baranggays.

II. History
 The current name of the region was derived from its location in the greater Visayas area.
The name was coined by American colonialists after the take-over of the islands when the First Philippine
Republic was officially defeated by the Americans. There have been proposals to rename the current
Eastern Visayas region, which is dominated by the Waray ethnic group in the east and the Sebwano ethnic
group in the west, into Mairete-Iberein region. The term literally translates to 'Land of Ete and Iberein'.
According to documents recorded by the Spanish, Ete is the first documented pre-colonial ruler of a
kingdom of Leyte, while Iberein is the first documented pre-colonial ruler of a kingdom in Samar. Ete,
whose kingdom was centered in present-day Tacloban, most likely had Waray and Sebwano bloodlines,
while Iberein, whose kingdom was centered somewhere in Northern Samar, most likely had Waray
bloodlines.

III. Physical Geography

a. Size of the region

Province Land Area

Biliran 536.01 square kilometres
Eastern Samar 4,660.47 square kilometres
Leyte 7,368 square kilometres
Northern Samar 3,692.93 square kilometres
Samar 13,429 square kilometres
Southern Leyte 1,799 square kilometres
Total Land Area 31,485.41 square kilometers
Table 2. Size of Region 8

Eastern Visayas is located on the eastern edge of the Visayas island chain, facing the Pacific Ocean.
The islands of Samar, Leyte and Biliran are the main land masses that cover an area of 21,562.9 square
kilometers (2.15 million hectares).

b. Territory

It is composed of three main islands, Leyte and Samar, connected by the San Juanico Bridge, Biliran
Island. This region is the eastern boundary of the Philippines. The San Bernardino Strait separates
Eastern Visayas from Luzon in the southeast while the Surigao Strait separates the province of Leyte from
the northeastern part of Mindanao. The Visayan and Camotes Seas separate the region from the rest of
the Visayas. The San Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte.
c. Map

San Juanito Bridge

San Bernardino Strait

Figure 2. MapStrait
San Juanico of Region 8

d. Topography (Land and water Formations)

Camotes Seas Surigao Strait
The breathtaking Tinago Falls is situated in the
boundary of Barangay Purakan of the town of Linamon
and Barangay Ditucalan of Iligan City. It is also called as
 Linamon Falls, but geographically speaking, it is in the
vicinity of Iligan and is widely regarded as the most
beautiful of all the waterfalls in the city. Its name is
derived from the Filipino word “tinago” which means
“hidden”, because the falls is hidden in a deep ravine
accessible via the 500-steps winding staircase.

The municipality is facing Pacific Ocean to the east and San Bernardino Strait to the west. It consists
of several islands off the northern coast of Samar Island, the
largest of which is Biri Island. Other larger islands are
Talisay, Magasang, and Cagnipa. Biri Island is notable for a
large number of unusual rock formations along the
northern shore, facing the Philippine Sea. It is included in
the marine protected area known as Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape.
Figure 4. Biri Island

Calicoan is a Philippine island east of Leyte

Gulf, off the southeastern point of Samar. It is one of
the islands that are part of the municipality
of Guiuan, in the province of Eastern Samar. The
island can be reached from Tacloban City by a two-
hour bus ride.

Calicoan Island has white sand beaches with rocky bottoms. In the middle of the island are six
nd lagoons ringed by forest, the largest being 30 hectares (74 acres) in size. At the cliff side margin of
Calicoan's forests are dozens of caves. On the northern tip of Calicoan are wetlands, teeming with fish,
shrimp, and crabs.

Limasawa is famous as it is believed to be the site of the first mass in

Philippine soil, officiated on Easter Sunday of March 31, 1521 by Father
Pedro de Valderrama under the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan. The island is
one of the early Pacific contact sites between the East and the West.

On the east coast, and reputed to have exceptionally sweet water, the
Tomalistis Falls pour from a cliff face and are accessible only at low tide (or
Island
otherwise by boat) – though the flow has lessened as villagers divert the water
for domestic use.

Figure 7. Tomalistis Falls

 Sambawan Island is located 5km of the west coast of Maripipi Municipality, south of the Samar Sea, is
fast becoming the most visited attraction by the tourists. The semi- curved beach with soaring rock
formations covered with green grass as a backdrop create a bubble of fantasy that you are entering
another dimension.

Figure 8. Sambawan Island

Figure 10. Higatangan Island

Figure 9. Dalutan Island
This thin strip of pristine white sand beach is shaded by overhanging trees. Dalutan is part of the
Almeria Municipality in the Biliran province. It can be reached via an outrigger boat from the Talahid,
Almeria, Biliran.  The beautiful island is about 9km to the Higatangan Island and 8 km from the north
coast of the Leyte Island.

The Island has several white beaches and blessed with exotic rock formations. From the town
of Mabini, which was named in memory of Apolinario Mabini, there is a 200-meter white sand bar that
stretches out like a giant tongue. Because the current surrounding the sand bar is strong, some people
lost their lives, some attribute this as “alay-buhay” to placate the gods. The unnaturally beautiful rock
formations along the south coast were said to be home to supernatural beings. There were cases that the
sudden big wave or a gush of wind rocks the boat when passengers were being noisy.

Ulan-Ulan Falls is derived from the visayan dialect which means “rain“. The
sturdy force of the falling waters over the wall shape rocks which creates a cold
mist will surely give you a natural touch. Ulan-Ulan falls is peacefully hiding in the
lush scenery green forest of Sampao, Almeria, Biliran. Peacefully standing about 90
feet high and owns a shallow catching basin, but truly majestic in its own right.

Figure 11. Ulan Ulan Falls

IV. Demographics
A. Populations

Population of Region 8

1,730,000

780000
632000
467000 422000
172000

Leyte Western Samar Northern Samar

Eastern Samar Southern Leyte Biliran
Figure 12. Population of Region 8

The population of Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) as of August 1, 2015 was 4,440,150 based on
the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015). Among the six provinces comprising the region, Leyte
(excluding Tacloban City) had the biggest population in 2015 with 1.73 million, followed by Samar
(Western Samar) with 780 thousand, Northern Samar with 632 thousand, Eastern Samar with 467
thousand, and Southern Leyte with 422 thousand. Biliran had the smallest population with 172 thousand.
Tacloban City, the only highly urbanized city in the region posted a population of 242 thousand. The total
population of Region VIII accounted for about 4.4 percent of the Philippine population in 2015. 

Among the cities (excluding Tacloban City) and municipalities in the region, the largest in
terms of population size is Ormoc City, Leyte (215,031). It was followed by Calbayog City, Samar
(183,851) and the City of Baybay, Leyte (109,432). Maslog in Eastern Samar is the least populous
city/municipality in Region VIII with 5,407 persons.

b. Famous People
Jose Cinco Gomez is a musician. In 1968, he reiterated his love for
Calbayog. While a guest on a TV show, “An Evening with Pilita,”
where the lady host sang his composition, “Goodbye,” with Joe
himself on the piano, he was asked why he insisted on composing
songs in Calbayog for many years. He was asked further if he had

Figure 13. Jose Cinco Gomez

plans of coming to Manila. With a serious smile on his face, he humbly answered, “I don’t think there is
any harm in composing more songs in Calbayog.”

Pablo Logro, also known as Boy Logro or Chef Boy (born June

29, 1956), is a Filipino celebrity chef known for his cooking shows, Idol
sa Kusina and Chef Boy Logro: Kusina Master. He is from Biliran.

Figure 14. Pablo Logro

Eugenio "Boy" Romerica Abunda Jr. (born October 29, 1955) is

a Filipino television host, publicist, talent manager and celebrity
endorser.

Kimberly
Figure Sue Yap
15. Eugenio "Boy" Romerica
Abunda Jr.
She is a Filipino Chinese actress, singer, recording artist and
television host in the Philippines (born April 19, 1990). She is currently
managed and under contract to Star Magic, ABS-CBN's home-based talent
agency.

Figure 16. Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu 

Ruby Ibarra  is a Filipino American rapper, music producer,

and spoken word artist from San Lorenzo, California. She raps

Figure 17. Ruby Ibarra 

 in Tagalog and English (born February 25, 1991). Her raps concern her cultural heritage and her
experiences as an immigrant to the United States from the Philippines.

Carlos Jericho "Icot" Loreto Petilla  is a Filipino politician. He ran as

Senator of the Philippines under Liberal Party (LP) during 2016 General
Elections in the Philippines. He is also a former Secretary of the Department of
Energy (DOE) of the Philippines. He has served as the Governor of the
Province of Leyte from 2004 to 2012 before joining the cabinet of
President Benigno Aquino III.

Figure 18.  Carlos Jericho "Icot" Loreto Petilla 

Rodrigo Roa Duterte

He is born in Maasin Leyte. Born March 28, 1945), also known
as Digong and Rody, is a Filipino politician who is the 16th and
current President of the Philippines 

Figure 23. Rodrigo Roa

Duterte

c. Ethnic groups

Majority of the household population in Leyte classified themselves as Binisaya/Bisaya (39.94

percent) or Waray (37.62 percent). Other ethnic groups included Cebuano (20.25 percent), Tagalog (0.34
percent), and Kankanai/Kankaney/Kankanaey (0.11 percent).

0%
21%
Bisaya
41% Waray
Cebuano
Tagalog
Kankaney
38%

Figure 24. Ethnic Groups

d. Religion

Christianity 85% Roman Catholic, 2% Aglipayan, 1% Evangelicals, remaining 5% belongs to United

Church of Christ in the Philippines, Iglesia ni Cristo, 8% Sunni Islam, Animism and other religions.

V. Economy

The economy of Biliran is largely based on fishing,

especially Naval and Biliran, have excellent seaports.
There are 95 hectares (230 acres) of brackish water fish
ponds, 30 hectares (74 acres) of seawater are suitable for
seaweed farming and 10 more hectares for fish cage
culture.

Commercial activities in the province are centered on

the provincial capital of Borongan City while tourism
activities are centered in Guiuan town where Calicoan Island
and the historical Homonhon Island are located. Generally,
the province's major economic resource is fishery and
agriculture which include production of coconut, copra, corn,
rice, sugar, and vegetables. Tourism potential is untapped on
the northern part of the province. Figure 26. Eastern Samar

The Nortehanons farm workers had been actively

involved with furthermore, fishery is also another
major component of the agricultural sector wherein
the province is home to numerous fishery activities
providing livelihood to many Nortehanons. Palay
Production Crop production refers to the growing of
crops either for sale or domestic consumption. Palay is
one of the major crops produced by Northern Samar.
Generally, the province is best suited to palay
production component since its soil characteristics both in the lowland and upland areas coupled with
suitable weather condition are fit and conducive to cultivation. Major agricultural crops of the province
and their contribution to the local economy. There are three classes of fishing that operate in the
province: commercial, inland, and municipal.

The economy of Leyte is a mixed agriculture,

fishing, industrial, energy and mining. Rice is farmed in
the lowland plains areas specifically those around
Tacloban, while coconut farming, is the main cash crop
in upland and mountainous areas. Sugarcane plantation
is no. 1 produce in Ormoc City. Since Leyte is an island
province, fishing is a major source of livelihood among
coastal residents. Figure 28. Leyte

Fishing and agriculture are the major

economic activities in the province. Southern
Leyte is basically an agricultural province the
major sources of income in the province are
farming and fishing. The major crops grown are
coconut, rice, banana, rice, root crops, fruits, and
vegetables.

VI. Language

A. Dialects

In region 8, they are using different dialects Waray-waray (Lineyte-Samarnon), Cebuano,

Abaknon, Baybayanon, Kinabalian, Tagalog, and English.

B. Sample Phraseologies

English Tagalog Cebuano Waray Bisaya

Good morning! Magandang umaga! Maayong buntag Maupay nga aga Maayong buntag

Thank you! Salamat! Salamat! Salamat! Salamat!

How are you? Kamusta ka? Kumusta ka? Kumusta ka? Kumusta ka?
Where are you Saan ka nagmula? Diin ikaw gikan Diin ikaw gikan
from? sa? sa?

Good luck! Swerte Maayo nga luck Maayo nga luck

I love you Mahal kita Gihigugma tika Hinihigugma ko ikaw Gihigugma tika

Table 3. Sample Phraseologies

VII. Transportation

a. Land Transportation and Terminals

All cities and capital towns in the region are accessible by bus from Manila, Cebu, and Davao. The
biggest regional terminal is at Tacloban City where buses and vans have direct connection to all cities and
provincial capitals in the region. The five major seaports (ferry terminal) of entry to the region is at
Silago, Southern Leyte for buses coming from the island of Mindanao, Bato, Leyte for buses coming from
island of Bohol, Palompon, Leyte for buses from Cebu, and the two ferry terminals at Allen, Northern
Samar for buses coming from Luzon island. The islands of Leyte, Samar and Biliran are interconnected by
bridges with the beautiful San Juanico Bridge connecting Leyte and Samar islands.

From : Travel Time Destination

Manila 23h Tacloban
Manila 22h Ormoc

Table 4. Land Transportation and Terminals

Figure 30. Victoria Liner Bus

 b. Water Transport and Seaports

For scheduled passenger ferries, Ormoc City is the main entry point from the province of Cebu
while the town of Bato, Leyte is the entry port from the island of Bohol. The town of Palompon is the
seaport for scheduled passenger vessels from Manila and Mindanao.

Tourists can also reach Biliran by riding a ferry boat from Cebu going to Ormoc City. From there,
air-conditioned vans have trips going to Naval.

Table 5. Water Transport and Seaports

From : Travel Time Destination
Manila 4h 59m Palompon

Manila 6h 8m Ormoc
Manila 6h 22m Bato

Figure 31. Allen Ferry Terminal

a. Air Transport and Airports

Tacloban City is the jump-off point of the region. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Air Asia serve
the city from Manila and Cebu daily. Other secondary routes served by local airlines from Manila are
Catarman Airport, Calbayog Airport and Ormoc Airport.

Tourists can reach Biliran by air travel via Tacloban City. Local airlines from Manila have daily trips
to Tacloban City. From there, buses and vans are available as a mode of transportation going to Naval.
Travel time will take more or less 3 hours from Tacloban to Naval.

Airlines Terminal Travel Time Terminal

Clark International 4h 52m Catarman Airport

Philippine Airlines 4h 30m+ Calbayog Airport

Philippines AirAsia 1h 20m Ormoc Airport

Cebu Pacific 1h 25m Borongan Airport

Philippines AirAsia 1h 20m Guiuan Airport

Philippines AirAsia 1h 20m Hilongos Aiport

 Philippines AirAsia 1h 20m Catbalogan,City Airport

Table 7. Air Transport and Airports

VIII. Festivals

Karatong Festival-Leyte in Leyte

Celebration Day: September 7 and 8

It is situated on the eastern coast of Leyte facing the historical

Leyte Gulf and the Pacific Ocean. In the western section of the
municipality, the terrain is characterized mainly by its generally flat
sloping land rolling terrain. Dulag is popularly known as the
"Liberation Town." It survived and rose from the ruins of World
Figure 47. Karatong Festival-Leyte War II and is a thriving coastal town fronting Leyte Gulf at present
time.

The town of Dulag celebrates its fiesta on 7th and 8th of September annually and one of the highlights
of the celebration is the Karatong Festival. The festival dancers are well trained students, professionals
and choreographers of the municipality.

Padul-Ong Festival in Borongan City,

Eastern Samar

Celebration Day: September 8

The festival commemorates the day

they received the image of Mary after it
was shipped by a mysterious lady from
Portugal. Every September 7, Borongan
Figure 48. Padul-Ong Festival City celebrates an early morning mass in
an old-fashioned chapel at Barangay Punta Maria. The mass signifies that the Padul-ong Festival has start
of the festival.
 From the chapel, the small image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred to Rawis Port. The first
part of the festival which usually starts at 5:00 in the morning is the procession where boat owners can
join along with the official boat carrier of the small image across Rawis Bay. The image is then paraded
through the town going to Borongan Cathedral.

Mayaw-Mayaw Festival in Pinabacdao, Samar

Celebration Day: May 10

The festivities are highlighted with dance and drama

contests, cultural presentations and street dancing
competition. The festival started as an artistic dance that
depicts an ancient ritual during the pre-Spanish time that is
still being practiced in Pinabacdao and participated by local
Figure 49. Mayaw-Mayaw Festival farmers, schools, public groups and barangays.

The ritual is called “mayaw” or “gamit” in Waray accompanied by the lively beat of the drums and
other locally created musical instruments such as bamboo flutes. During the olden times, it was
performed by a “tambalan” which was believed to be someone with healing powers and can communicate
with the spirit world, may it be good or bad. The modern celebration shows the domination of the Blessed
Virgin Mary by victoriously defeating evil and protecting the townspeople executed through dance.

Kawayan-Banigan Festival in Basey, Samar

Celebration Day: September 28 and 29

The Kawayan-Banigan Festival Parade is a yearly dance

parade of pageantry and colorful mats, winding through the
town key streets, reliving the two main source of livelihood of
Basaynons – bamboo and mat weaving – through their music,
dance and drama. This festival became famous when hundreds
of community folks paraded a one-meter wide mat and claimed
now as the world’s longest mat in Fiesta feat in year 2000. The
Figure 50. Kawayan-Banigan Festival highlight of the feast is the Banigan-Kawayan Festival, where
the women of Basey weave a variety of intricately designed mats from sedge grass locally known as tikog
(Fimbristylis miliacea). This tradition was handed down from many generations, and up to now.

Buyogan Festival in Abuyog, Leyte

Celebration Day: August 28

 Abuyog is a 1st class municipality situated in the Province of Leyte in the Philippines and faced by
Leyte Gulf out into the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest town of the province in terms of land area and is
bordered to the east by Mahaplag and Baybay City, to the south by Silago and to the north by Javier.

The municipality got its name when the Spaniards came to settle at the mouth of its river to replenish
Figure 51. Buyogan Festival
their supplies. During that time, swarms of bees were all over the shore, and the sailors asked the natives
“Como si y llama el pueblo?” Not knowing that they were asked for the town’s name, the natives
unwittingly answered “buyog”, which means bees.

IX. Products

Figure 52. Products of Region 8

There are so many products in region eight such as rice, coconut, sugar cane, banana, corn, fish,
hemp, and also iron.

a. Delicacies
We have so many tourists spots in our region but we also have so many delicious foods that the
tourists always visit.

Suman Moron, or Mor-on, or Muron is a type of Suman, a

Filipino sweet rice dessert wrapped in aromatic leaves.
Suman Moron is made of two sweet layers -vanilla and
chocolate. The vanilla layer has sweetened glutinous rice
flour while the chocolate layer has the same thing but with
chocolate and brown sugar. Both layers are twisted
together then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed for
flavor infusion. The result is a heavenly combination of

Figure 53. Suman Moron sweet flavor and chewy texture

Binagol came from the root word “bagol”, a Visayan term

that means coconut shell. Inspired by the abundance of coconut
trees in our beautiful country, many native delicacies use
coconut shells as packaging. Binagol is one of these, a taro root mixture with glutinous rice and nuts that
is contained in polished coconut shells called locally as bagol.

Achara, or atsara, is a condiment made from pickled

unripe papaya. This dish is often served as a side dish
for fried or grilled fish or meat. There are many
versions of achara. Aside from green papaya, other
vegetables like white radish (labanos), onion,
cucumber and bamboo shoots are also made as achara

Figure 55. Atsara

Binutong is a delicacy made up of glutinous rice

with coconut cream, wrapped in banana leaves. The
banana leaves gives a wonderful flavor to the rice.

Figure 56. Binutong

Kinuut is a flavourful spicy recipe, like the famous laing
and bicol express. A spicy dish recipe wherein stingray,
Sharks or crabs cook in coconut cream, malunggay leaves
and spicy chilli.

b.
Figure 57. Kinuut
Crafts
and Pasalubong

Although there are now many companies

manufacturing dried mangoes all throughout the
Philippines, Cebu has been known as the first and best
source of this healthy and delicious snack.

Figure 58. Dried Mangoes

Otap is a crisp, flaky, and saccharine-coated biscuit.

 Figure 59. Otap

Didang's Masareal is the most popular brand of

this sweet confection made of ground peanuts and sugar
syrup. Masareal is a sweet confection made of ground
peanuts and sugar syrup.

Figure 60. Masareal

XI. Tourist Attractions

a. Religious Sites
Location Description Pictures

Built in 1596, Palo

Metropolitan Cathedral is a
Roman Catholic, belonging to
the Vicariate of Palo under the
Palo Cathedral in
Metropolitan Archdiocese of
Palo Leyte
Palo.
Figure 61. Palo Cathedral

The most important religious

Site and contain hundreds
artifacts, antiques and art
pieces coming from around the
Santo Nino Shrine world.
in Tacloban Leyte Figure 62. Santo Nino Shrine
 A destination for pilgrims and
known as Dagkutanan, a word
in a vernacular for a place
Shrine of St. where one lights a candle and
Francis Xavier in says a wish.
Hinangunan
Figure 63. Shrine of St. Francis Xavier

A 17th Century church,

Basey Church in featuring a watchtower and

Basey old images of saints painted on

the ceiling.
Figure 64. Basey Church

A 16th Century cathedral that

Borongan has been extensively

Cathedral in remodelled.

Borongan
Figure 65. Borongan Cathedral

A 16th Century fortress

Church of the
church, which has remained
Immaculate
untouched.
Conception in
Figure 66. Church of the Immaculate
Guiuan Conception
 Still retains its cannon
(lantaka) and fort (kuta),
which served as the islanders'
Capul Church in
refuge during the Moro raids.
Capul

Figure 67. Capul Church

b. Naturals (Islands, Mountains, Flora & Fauna)

Name and Description Naturals
Location

The island's historical

structures which date back to
the late 1800s: the Capul
Island Lighthouse, Capul
Capul Island in
Church and Fortress, and
Northern Samar
Batag Island Lighthouse.
Figure 68. Capul Island

It is one of the active

volcanoes in the Philippines.
At 1,300 meters, Biliran
Volcano is the highest peak in
Mt. Suiro in Biliran the province. It is also called
Province Mt. Suiro. Figure 69. Mt. Suiro
 Nepenthes Truncata is
a tropical pitcher
plant endemic to the
Philippines. It grows 0-1500
Nepenthes m above sea level. It is
Truntaca in characterized by its heart-
shaped leaves (pitchers) and
Dinagat, Leyte
large leaves, which can reach
up to 40 cm in height. Figure 70.  Nepenthes Truntaca

The Visayan broadbill

(Eurylaimus samarensis) is a
species of bird in the
Eurylaimidae family. Its
Visayan Broadbill
natural habitat is subtropical
in Figure 71. Visayan Broadbill
or tropical moist lowland
Samar and Leyte forest. It is threatened by
habitat loss.

The Visayan spotted deer

(Rusa alfredi), also known as
the Philippine spotted deer, is
Rusa Afredi in a nocturnal and endangered
species. It is one of three
Panay, Negros,
endemic deer species.
Samar, and Leyte Figure 72. Visayan Spotted Deer
 c. Man Made

Name and Description Man Made

Location

This widely-famous bridge

connecting sister provinces
Samar and Leyte is one of the
main attractions of Eastern
San Juanico
Visayas and the longest bridge
Bridge in
in the Philippines.
Samar connected
to Leyte
Figure 73. San Juanico Bridge

The memorial landing was

erected in tribute to
MacArthur’s fulfillment of his
promise to return to the
The Leyte Landing
Philippines after it was
Memorial in Leyte
occupied by the Japanese
during World War II in the
Philippines.
Figure 74. The Leyte Landing Memorial
 The highest bridge in the
Philippines, the new Agas-
Agas bridge crosses a deep
Agas Agas Bridge ravine in the Eastern Visayas
in Southern Leyte region of the country.
Figure 75. Agta Agta Bridge

d. Historical
Name and Description Historical
Location

Bantayan ng Church and watchtower built

Bayan in Brgy. San from 1765-1774. Made from
Roque, Biliran. coral and stones.

Figure 76. Bantayan ng Bayan

Served as the capitol of the

Philippines and where Sergio
Capitol Building of
Osmena was formally
the Philippines in
installed as president of the
Leyte Provincial Commonwealth.
Capitol, Tacloban
1944-1945.
City. Figure 77. Capitol Building of the
Philippines
Lumang Simbahan Ruins of the church built by
ng Palapag in the Jesuits. Established in
1605. Where the revolt of
Palapag
Sumuroy started.

Figure 78. Lumang Simbahan ng Palapag

e. Cultural
Name and Description Cultural
Location

The Heritage Museum is the

Heritage Museum most visited spot in Tacloban

in Biliran, Tacloban, City for it is known to contain

City hundreds of artifacts,
antiques and art pieces.

Figure 79. Heritage Museum 

 The oldest Structures/Houses
or Heritage Sites according to
Fr. Suyom, 11 years parish
priest of Biliran Town.
Converted to parish hall. The
Enage heritage house in
Biliran has been repainted. It
Biliran heritage in has commercial stores at Figure 80. Biliran heritage

Biliran ground level, a lotto betting

station and Palawan outlet.

Samar Archeological Museum

was established in 1969 by Fr.
Cantius Kobak, a Polish
missionary assigned to the
Philippines who saw the lack
of public awareness about
Archeological
Samar’s history and culture.
Museum in Samar
Aside from the burial jars and
Figure 81. Samar Archeological
wooden coffins, a highlight of Museum
the tour is getting to see the
remains of early Samarnons.

The Borongan Community

Center was a joint non-
Government. and Gov. project
The Borongan
with IOM at the helm, to cater
Community
the needs of the community in
Center in
times of disasters and
Figure 82.The Borongan Community
Eastern Samar calamities. Center
 Limasawa, small island of
historic importance near the
island of Leyte, east-
central Philippines. Ferdinand
Magellan first made extended
contact with Filipino natives.
Figure 83. Limasawa
Limasawa in There also the first Roman
Catholic mass.
Southern Leyte
The island is inhabited by
Visayan peoples who practice
agriculture and fishing.

Served as the headquarters

and residence of General
Douglas MacArthur during
The Liberation in 1944 and

Price mansion in once the Provisional Capitol

Leyte of the Philippines.

Figure 84. Price mansion

The lighthouse was declared

as a National Historical
Landmark. The marker
entitled Parola ng Capul was
Parola ng Capul in
installed on October 24, 2018.
Northern Samar
It was installed by the NHCP.

Figure 85. Parola ng Capul

 f. Special Interests

Name and Description Special Interests

Location

The 10-kilometer Extreme

Boat Adventure takes you
from the jump off in the
Ulot River river’s raging rapids while on
Torpedo a wooden boat called torpedo.
Extreme Boat in
Samar Figure 86. Ulot River Torpedo Extreme
Boat Adventure

Swim and be awed by the

towering limestones and trees
as the cascade plunges 80 feet
down into a cold, refreshing

Tinago Falls basin. The falls leads to two

caibiran in other basins, and you can dive

from the top of the third Figure 87. Tinago Falls Caibiran
Biliran
basin.

You can thus expect a cool

bath in its waters and breezy
kayaking. Complete your Lake
Danao experience with a
Ormoc’s Lake in picnic on a floating hut
surrounded by towering
Ormoc, Leyte
mountains. Figure 88. Ormoc’s Lake Danao
 The island is dotted with
unspoiled white sand beaches
as well as historical
landmarks. If surfing is your
Calicoan Island in
thing, don’t leave Samar
Eastern Samar without dropping by Calicoan
Island.

Figure 89. Calicoan Island