|
Eastern Samar - Gateway
To Philippine Discovery
The coast of this part of
Samar island faces the Pacific Ocean. As such, it has been called
as the “eastern gateway to the Philippines”. History
recounts how the meek island of Homonhon in Eastern Samar served
as the gateway to the ‘discovery’ of the Philippines,
which signaled the beginning of a new era in Philippine history.
Now, local and foreign tourists
are discovering the natural and historical wonders of this province.
Among its gems include the Balangiga Encounter Monument, Church
of the Immaculate Conception, and Kantican Island.
Demographics
1. Population – 405,
114 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 4, 640.7 sq. km
3. Capital – Borongan
4. Language/Dialect – Waray-waray, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (23)
- Arteche
- Balangiga
- Balangkayan
- Borongan
- Can-avid
- Dolores
- General MacArthur
- Giporlos
- Guiuan
- Hernani
- Jipapad
- Lawaan
- Llorente
- Maslog
- Maydolong
- Mercedes
- Oras
- Quinapondan
- Salcedo
- San Julian
- San Policarpo
- Sulat
- Taft
Famous For ...
Homonhon Island
This is where Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan and his
men first set foot on Philippine soil on March 16, 1521.
Navy 3149 Base
It served as the base of the American soldiers during World
War II.
Kantican Island
This pearl culture farm is a haven of rich marine life such
as lobsters, shells, fishes, abalones, and corals.
Balangiga Incident
On September 28, 1901, the villagers, led by Valeriano Abanador,
the town's police chief and Captain Eugenio Daza, killed over
30 members of the Company C of the 9th U.S. Infantry Regiment
in a surprise guerilla attack. The retaliation of the American
troops resulted to the death of 2,000 – 3,000 Filipinos,
mostly civilians and children ages ten and above.
Places of Interest
Cultural
Church of the Immaculate
Conception
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Construction began in the 1630’s and was rebuilt in stone
in the early 18th century. Aside from the main altar, two side
altars stand along the nave. One bears mixed parentage, a retablo
from Franciscan times and a rococo frontal with the Augustinian
emblem. It was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the
National Museum
Historical
Homonhon Island
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
This is where Ferdinand Magellen first landed in Philippine
soil. According to the accounts of Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan’s
Italian chronicle, a mass was celebrated here on March 19, 1521.
Easter Sunday, making it the first in the Philippines.
Magellan’s
Cross
Location: Homonhon Island, Brgy. Pagbabangan, Guiuan, Eastern
Samar
Beside the cross is a painting depicting the landing of Ferdinand
Magellan and his crew in the island.
Tubabao Island
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
The island was used by the International Refugee Organization
as a temporary home for some 5,000 refugees, survivors of the
Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the Russian Civil War of 1922.
Church of the Immaculate
Concepcion Belfry and Watchtower
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Built by Franciscan friars in 1854, this belfry served as a
watchtower against attacks of intruding Moros.
Captain Valeriano
Abnador Statue
Location: Balangiga, Eastern Samar
The statue of Captain Valeriano Abnador commemorates his bravery
and contribution during the Philippine-American war era.
Balangiga Encounter
Monument and Memorial Library
Location: Municipal Plaza, Balangiga, Eastern Samar
Designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, it recounts the
scene where Filipino guerillas, armed with bolos, attacked the
soldiers of Company C of the 9th U.S. Infantry Regiment.
US Navy 3149 Air
Base
Location: Brgy Ngolos, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Former US President John F. Kennedy, a PT boat commander during
World War II was stationed at the base. It is said that the
famed Enola Gay, the B-52 Bomber that dropped the first atomic
bomb on August 7, 1945 in Hiroshima, Japan, once landed on its
airstrip.
Man-made
Divinubo Lighthouse
Location: Brgy. Lalawigan, Borongan, Eastern Samar
The lighthouse was constructed by the American engineers in
1906. It was originally a gas-operated facility but now it is
electrically lighted and is enclosed in thick glass. It serves
to locate and guide the position of international and inter-island
ships passing the Pacific Ocean.
Natural
Kantikan Island (Pearl
Island)
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
It features clear blue waters and immaculately white coral beach.
It is a perfect site for scuba diving, fishing, and swimming.
Divinubo Island
Location: Brgy. Lalawigan, Borongan, Eastern Samar
The 3 sq. km. white sand beach island has crystal-clear waters
with multi-colored fished and corals beneath, making it highly
ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Lawa-an Islet
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
This 200 sq. meter islet has calm waters despite the fact that
it is facing the Pacific Ocean. It also has beautiful beaches
excellent for swimming.
Sulangan Beach
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
It is the habitat of the famous golden cowrie shell. It is also
an ideal site for deep fishing, scuba diving because of the
multi-colored school of fishes present in the area.
Canhugas Beach
Location: Hernani, Eastern Samar
The main attraction of the beach is the 200 meter (660 ft) foot
bridge, extending from the reef to the sea. Legends states that
a giant was responsible for building the land bridge. Another
attraction are its unusual rock formation that looks like man-made
steps.
Guintacigan Beach
Location: Brgy. Sta. Maria, Borongan, Eastern Samar
Pure white sands stretch over a mile across (2 km) the coastline.
The waters are perfect for swimming and surfing.
Sapao Beach
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
It offers a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean. Its white
sand beach is filled with shells of various colors.
Hamorawon Spring
Location: Borongan, Eastern Samar
The spring is enveloped in a legend that if someone will take
a bath in this cool spring, especially those who come from other
places, will go home with a Borongan wife. Surrounding the area
are stone edifice said to be constructed during the Spanish
ear.
Religious
Our Lady of Borongan
Cathedral
Location: Borongan, Samar
It was first constructed inn 1710 and rebuilt in 1781. It has
been extensively remodeled. The only original portion is the
circular bell tower. The catherdral housed the image of Borongan’s
patron saint, Nuestra Señora de Borongan.
Festivals
Homonhon Landing
Place: Homonhon Island, Guiua, Eastern Samar
Date: March 16
The event celebrates the landing of Ferdinand Magellan in the
island. Highlight of the event is the re-enactment of the landing.
Balangiga Encounter
Day
Place: Balangiga, Eastern Samar
Date: September 28
The event commemorates the Balangiga Massacre with wreath laying
and cultural activities.
Padul-ong Festival
Place: September 7
Date: Borongan, Eastern Samar
Celebrated in honor of Nuestra Señora de Borongan, it
recounts the arrival of the image of the Virgin Mary from Portugal
to the province. is highlighted by street dancing, procession,
and other cultural activities. |
