Maanyag nga Leyte ug Samar (Beautiful Leyte and Samar)

January brought my feet to the beautiful islands of Leyte and Samar, thanks to my friend Marico.

Though stressed out from organizing the school’s press conference for Samar State University, she tried her best to take me around the two provinces with the help of her boyfriend Ryan.

My stay in Catbalogan had been a busy one because we were busy preparing for the event.

Being Samar’s capital, one may expect that it is a very busy and crowded place like Cebu but I am actually glad that it remains quiet although it also has restaurants and other establishments. On my first night there, Mai took me to The Secret Café. She said that there are rumors that the café is financed by world-renowned designer Michael Cinco.

My battery-drained phone failed me and so I wasn’t able to take a photo except for the dish we ate that night: crispy kare-kare.

The kare-kare is really tasty and the ambiance is so homey.

Around Catbalogan, you will notice the laidback feels (especially true for someone who came from an ever-busy metropolis). You can go around the town’s center by hopping on to one of their pedicabs or you can simply walk around.

These are just two of the things that caught my interest:

This is the Rizal statue in Catbalogan City. It is carried by three naked men and Rizal's bust sits on top his books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. At the right is my home in Samar, GV Hotel.

Samar State University

On my last day with them, Marico took me to San Jorge where Ryan and his family lived. They were kind enough to lend us their car so we can go to our destinations faster.

First stop: Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Calbayog City, Samar

Lovely!

Ever since I learned that Mai is already based in Samar, I already asked her if she can take me to see this beautiful cathedral in Calbayog. Of course, by then, I wasn’t even sure yet that I will be able to go there.

I immediately fell in love with the beautiful cathedral. It is built with coral stones and bricks. From the outside, the bricks could appear red to pinkish depending on how high the sun is up.

Tombstone inside the cathedral. 

Lovely aisle.

Cathedral dome

You know how old houses make my heart skip a beat? Here's one government office just beside the cathedral.

After Calbayog, we went back to Catbalogan to buy some souvenirs and delicacies made with pili nuts.

We also dropped by a native chicken restaurant in Santa Rita, Samar (if I remember it correctly) where I enjoyed the delicious taste of their native chicken. It was definitely a great treat!

Second stop: San Juanico Bridge

One could not simply miss out taking a photo in San Juanico Bridge, known as the country’s longest bridge and built during Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. It is said to be the former president’s confession of love for his first lady, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, a native of Tacloban.

You will definitely feel the bridge shaking every time there is a large vehicle passing over it. But then, it was definitely worth crossing it. It also helps to see the beautiful Leyte Gulf beneath.

Crisch and Mai <3

Third stop: Palo, Leyte

I shall return.

We also visited Palo, Leyte where the historic McArthur Landing was. This is definitely a must-visit in Leyte especially if you are also a history junkie (ahem, ahem).

Magellan's steps.

We visited Palo Cathedral next but unfortunately, we weren’t able to go inside because there was a wedding.

Grandiose Palo Cathedral!

Fourth stop: University of the Philippines Tacloban

When typhoon Yolanda hit and left Tacloban to a rubble, UP Tacloban's oblation was among the few structures that was left undamaged. Truly resilient!

Something that I do whenever I visit a place with a UP campus is take a photo of its Oblation statue. Kahit pa ba galawang breezy ka na makapa-picture lang....

Since I was hoping to catch the last trip to Cebu, I wasn’t able to explore much of Tacloban anymore. Well, it was a little sad but maybe it is a room for me to look forward to visiting again.

Final stop: Ormoc City, Leyte

It was like I travelled back in time.

I tried my best to catch OceanJet’s last trip to Cebu but unfortunately, I was a minute late (again!). I decided to get a ticket for the Lite Ferry ship bound for Cebu which gave me an hour or so to at least walk around the city.

Before the trip, I planned on visiting the Puente de la Reina in Ormoc but wasn’t really able to find it. When I got to Ormoc though, I saw some lovely community clocks. Since I was late for the fast craft and has an hour or so before I can check in for the boat trip, I decided to walk to take a photo of the clocks.

I walked a kilometer or so with my heavy bag. Backbreaking it was but still worth it.

Tips for travelers:

1.       Must-visit places in Samar and Leyte meant 3-4 hours on the road. Make sure to stay for a few days to see everything.

2.       You may become culture-shock at first when you get to Tacloban because they are already speaking in Waray. Chances are, you will understand them so it shouldn’t be a problem.

3.       Enjoy the company of the locals. Even if you find it hard to understand the dialect, you will realize that it is actually fun getting to know the place through them.

4.       Look out the window. Samar and Leyte are beautiful because of the perfect mix of urban and rural feels.

5.       Arrive early so you won’t be late for your trip. A tough lesson to learn for me! 

PPS

Thank you Mai and Ryan for doing this for me. Honestly naulaw jud ko sa inyong effort to take me around.