Leyte – Land of History

It was on the shores of Leyte that General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise to the Filipino people of returning to the Philippines and helping the Filipino forces liberate the country. This happened on October 20, 1944. With this, Leyte became one of the most historically-rich provinces of the Philippines. From battlegrounds to memorials, Leyte has various ways to commemorate this historic event.

Aside from its rich history, Leyte is also home to one of the country’s architectural wonder: the San Juanico Bridge. Surely, Leyte has a lot to offer and will definitely captivate a tourist’s mind and heart.

Demographics

1. Population – 1,722,036 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area –6,515.1 sq. km
3. Capital – Tacloban City
4. Language/Dialect – Waray-waray, Cebuano, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (2)

• Tacloban City
• Ormoc City

Municipalities (41)

• Abuyog
• Alangalang
• Albuera
• Babatngon
• Barugo
• Bato
• Baybay
• Burauen
• Calubian
• Capoocan
• Carigara
• Dagami
• Dulag
• Hilongos
• Hindang
• Inopacan
• Isabel
• Jaro
• Javier (Bugho)
• Julita
• Kananga
• La Paz
• Leyte
• MacArthur
• Mahaplag
• Matag-ob
• Matalom
• Mayorga
• Merida
• Palo
• Palompon
• Pastrana
• San Isidro
• San Miguel
• Santa Fe
• Tabango
• Tabontabon
• Tanauan
• Tolosa
• Tunga
• Villaba

General Douglas MacArthur Landing Memorial
The monument marks the spot where General Douglas MacArthur landed with the American Liberation Forces in October 1944.

San Juanico Bridge
The San Juanico Bridge is the longest and most beautifully designed bridge in the Philippines. It connects the islands of Samar and Leyte.

Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum
It houses paintings of the 14 stations of the Cross done by Filipino artists, a wooden bas-relief of the legend of the First Filipino man-woman (Si Malakas at si Maganda), an image of the Holy Child, a collection of original paintings by national artist Fernando Amorsolo, and priceless collector’s items.

Pintados Festival
The event recalls the practice of the native Leyteños of painting their bodies from head to toe with colorful designs which depict their status in the society.

Delectable Food
Leyte has an array of mouthwatering delicacies that is highly appealing to food lovers.

1. Binagol – made from talyan, a root crop similar to taro, with a sweetened center mixed in with some peanuts, and placed in half a coconut shell, then wrapped in banana leaves and secured with a string tied in a radial pattern.
2. Moron – a chocolate-flavored rolled rice cake mixed with coconut milk.
3. Bocarillo – bite-size snacks made from grated coconut, sugar, and milk, flavored with calamansi juice.
4. Lauot-Lauot – a pasta dish made with Chinese vermicelli, eggplant, anchovies, and pork meat.

Cultural

Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum
Location: Real St., Tacloban City, Leyte
The place is not a religious shrine but one of the rest houses built by former President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife, First Lady Imelda Marcos in the early 1980’s. The museum has seven main bedroom and 13 guestrooms. It also contains priceless art pieces; antique Chinese jars; paintings of noted Filipino artists such as Mauro Malang, Amadeo Manalad, and Fernando Amorsolo; Italian sculptures; as well as French and English-period furniture.

People’s Center and Library
Location: Real St., Tacloban City, Leyte
It houses historical documents of the rich cultural heritage of the people of Samar and Leyte; a collection of dioramas of the 82 ethnic tribes of the Philippines, and a collection of books on the humanities. The Center is equipped with a social hall, gymnasium and a reading room.

Santa Fe Community Museum
Location: Santa Fe Municipal Hall, Santa Fe, Leyte
It contains antiques and artifacts dating back to the Spanish period like porcelain, bottles and WW II mementos. The collection was initiated by the people of Sta. Fe led by the town mayor and the municipal tourism council.

Historical

General Douglas MacArthur Landing Memorial
Location: Red Beach, Palo, Leyte
The statues of the liberators, 1.5 times bigger than life-size, stand in a lagoon and is easily seen from afar.

Leyte Provincial Capitol
Location: Sen. Enage Street and Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City, Leyte
Built in 1907, it is the seat of the provincial government of Leyte. It was also the seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines when President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. came in 1944 with the WW II Liberation Forces. Historic viewing of murals depicting the First Christian Mass in the Orient and General Douglas MacArthur’s Landing is offered.

CAP Building (Price Mansion)
Location: Justice Romualdez St., Tacloban City, Leyte
It is an example of American colonial homes built in the 1900s. This sturdy mansion was where General Douglas MacArthur put up his official headquarters and residence during the Liberation period in 1944.

Redona Residence
Location: T. Claudio Street, Tacloban City, Leyte
It is the official residence of President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. when he stayed in the province with the American Liberation Forces in 1944 until the Philippine Commonwealth was re-established in Manila.

Hil 522 (Guinhangdan Hill)
Location: Palo, Leyte
It was the entrance to the first liberated town of Palo in 1944 after having been heavily bombarded to destroy the garrisons built by the Japanese artillery units. Foxholes built by the Japanese still exist. There is a memorial marker built by Mie Prefecture.

Hill 120 (Catmon Hill)
Location: Dulag, Leyte
It was where the first American flag was raised by the Liberation Forces of the U.S. Army on October 20, 1944 after the Fall of Bataan. Battle sites of Leyte Valley can be found here. It offers a panoramic view of Leyte Gulf and surrounding coastal towns.

Battle of Baluarte Marker
Location: Baluarte, Brgy. Minuhang, Barugo, Leyte
Site of the historic battle between Filipino guerrillas and Japanese Imperial Forces at dawn of August 24, 1944. The battle is significant because there was no Filipino casualty while all the Japanese except one were killed in the encounter.

Japanese War Memorial Cemetery
Location: Brgy. San Diego, Burauen, Leyte
The site served as the battleground for one of the fiercest battles fought in Leyte during the American liberation. The cemetery still contains remnants of the airfield built by the Japanese soldiers during World War II. There is a flower garden where the Japanese visitors offer gifts and prayer for their dead.

Buga-Buga Hills
Location: Villaba, Leyte
Mountain stronghold of General Suzuki where thousands of Japanese soldiers died defending the area and hundreds of American lives were sacrificed in the assault to capture this hill during World War II;

Monument of the Filipino Soldier
Location: Brgy. Pawing, Palo, Leyte
The monument was erected as a tribute to the Filipino World War II soldiers and veterans who offered their supreme sacrifice for the sake of freedom

Palo Metropolitan Cathedral
Location: Palo, Leyte
The church was converted into an evacuation hospital of the Allied Forces of Liberation and refuge of civilians during World War II. Founded in 1596 by Augustinian friars; it offers a commanding view of Hill 522 overlooking Palo.

Breakneck Ridge
Location: Brgy. Limon, Capoocan, Leyte
It became a battleground of the bloodiest battles during the liberation of the Philippines from 1944-1945. The ridge offers a scenic view of the battle areas, nearby hills, and valleys. It is now a busy junction with street vendors, sari-sari stores, and eateries serving native food.

Dio Mainland Resort
Location: Brgy. San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte
It was called called Baluarte San Jose where remnants of World War II Japanese pill boxes and a canon still exist and preserved for viewing.

Man-made

San Juanico Bridge
Location: Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City, Leyte - Sta. Rita, Samar
It is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of water with a length of 2.16 kilometers (1.34 mi) It is considered one of the most beautifully-designed bridges in Philippines. The bridge is supported by 43 spans rising 41 meters above the sea. It has a large arch beneath which allows boats to pass.

Visayas State University
Location: Brgy. Pangasugan. Baybay Leyte
It is formerly known as Visayas State College of Agriculture and Leyte State University. Standing on plains and hillsides of the more than 1,099-hectare campus are 193 buildings composed of academic departments, research and trainings centers, staff and student housing facilities and other vital structures. VSU is the country's largest school campus.

Natural

San Juanico Strait
Location: Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City – Sta. Rita, Samar
It is said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the world. It is filled with beautiful islets and infinite whirlpools. good for fishing and water skiing.

Red Beach
Location: Brgys. Baras and Candahug, Palo, Leyte
Aside from being the landing site of the Allied Forces during the liberation of the Philippines, it offers a panoramic view of Leyte Gulf and Samar Island. The beach is ideal place for promenading; picnicking, swimming, and windsurfing.

Mt. Kankahanay
Location: Jaro, Leyte
This hunter’s paradise has scenic virgin forests and very cool climate since it is located almost 4,000 ft. above sea level.

Tongonan Hot Springs National Park
Location: Ormoc City, Leyte
It is the first geothermal power plant to operate in the Philippines, and when fully developed, can supply electricity to the whole region.

Mahagnao National Park
Location: Burauen, Leyte
An established national park since 1937, it features awe-inspiring craters, hot springs, multi-colored muds and rocks, lakes, virgin forests with giant ferns and orchids, lagoon, and temperate climate.

Mt. Pangasugan Ecopark
Location: Brgy. Pangasugan, Baybay, Leyte
One of the few remaining virgin rainforests in the Philippines. It is richly endowed with diverse flora and fauna, many of which are considered endangered species like flying lemurs and tarsiers; a unique and precious ecological asset.

Religious

Sto. Nino Shrine
Location: Real St. cor. Zamora St., Tacloban City, Leyte
It houses numerous religious icons, including the miraculous image of Santo Niño.

Madonna of Japan
Location: Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City
It is a statue of the Goddess of Peace called Maria Kannon donated by the Japanese people as a symbol of peace and friendship between the Philippines and Japan.

Our Lady of Assumption Church
Location: Tanauan, Leyte
Erected in the early 1700’s, it is one of the six Architectural Heritage in the province of Leyte. The Church takes pride of its old Stations of the Cross which are made in Mexico.

La Purisima Shrine
Location: Brgy. Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte
The shrine of Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion is placed at the foot of an old bridge. The image of the Our Lady dates back to pre-Spanish times.

Buddhist Temple
Location: Anibong District, Tacloban City, Leyte
It is a beautiful 2-storey pagoda where monks and Buddhists make their worship, prayers, and offerings. It has a scenic view overlooking Tacloban City and Samar Island.

Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival
Place: Leyte Province
Date: June
The month-long festival is in celebration of the Señor Sto. Niño de Leyte. Among the events incorporated in the festival are the Leyte Kasadya-an Festival of Festivals, a showcase of the unique culture and colorful history of the Province of Leyte; Subiran Regatta, an exciting race of one-man native sailboats with outriggers locally called “subiran” along scenic and historic Leyte Gulf; Pintados Festival, a dance festival of painted dancers celebrating important events for the Leyteños; Balyuan, the re-enactment of the historical exchange of images between Barrio Buscada of Basey, Samar and Sitio Kankabatok, now Tacloban City; and the Señor Sto. Niño de Leyte Grand Festival.

Sanggutan Festival
Place: Barugo, Leyte
Date: May 18
The festival honors the age-old process of coconut wine (tuba) making that has been and will always be a part of the life of the Barugueño. Sanggutan, is a dance of celebration. of men (the managgetes) and women (their wives, sisters, daughters) involved in the production of the red wine.

Pasaka Festival
Place: August 14
Date: Tanauan, Leyte
A dance parade and street pageantry showing the culture of the town of Tanauan as it honors its patron saint, Our Lady of the Assumption. Pasaka connotes warm welcome, progress, and religious homage, and is the native word for assumption.

Leyte Gulf Landing’s Anniversary
Place: October 20
Date: Palo and Dulag, Leyte
A commemorative program which marks the anniversary of the Ocotber 20, 1944 landing on Leyte of the Allied Forces of Liberation.