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Southern Leyte – The
Centuries Old Charmer
March 31, 1521 became the
turning point in the history of the province. On that day, the
‘first’ Christian mass was held in the country,
signifying the start of the spread of the Catholic faith in
the Philippines. But years after, Southern Leyte still has more
secrets which captures the interest of local and foreign tourists
alike.
Southern Leyte’s natural
wonders never fail to impress its visitors. Among its famed
sites include the Sun-ok and Napantaw Fish Sanctuary, Patag
Daku and Maamo Beach. These and more await the adventure loving
visitors of Southern Leyte.
Demographics
1. Population – 390,
847 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area –1, 797.2 sq. km
3. Capital – Maasin City
4. Language/Dialect –Cebuano, Boholano, Waray - waray,
English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (1)
Municipalities (18)
- Anahawan
- Bontoc
- Hinunangan
- Hinundayan
- Libagon
- Liloan
- Limasawa
- Malitbog
- Macrohon
- Padre Burgos
- Pintuyan
- St. Bernard
- San Francisco
- San Juan
- San Ricardo
- Silago
- Sogod
- Tomas Oppus
Famous For ...
Limasawa Island and
the Sinugdan Festival
On March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand
Magellan and his men celebrated in the island the ‘first’
Christian mass in the Philippines. To commemorate the event,
locals celebrate the Sinugdan Festival. The event is filled
with cultural presentations and other programs.
Sun-ok Fish Sanctuary
Sun-ok Fish Sanctuary hosts a variety of marine life. The underwater
contour is actually a terrace full of distinct coral formations
inhabited by large species of fish.
Sinulog sa Malitbog
This is an annual religious street pageant to pay homage to
the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño), the town’s patron.
Religious activities are held throughout the festival, along
with cultural presentations.
Places of Interest
Cultural
Municipality of
Malitbog
Location: Malitbog, Southern Leyte
It is one of the oldest towns in the province of Leyte which
was once the center of trade and commerce. Still present are
old big Spanish houses and church and the prominent Escaño
family mausoleum built in 1928 with its dome towering over a
catacomb.
Historical
Limasawa Island
Location: Limasawa, Southern Leyte
This is where the ‘first’ mass in the Philippines
was held, and is said to be the birthplace of Roman Catholicism
in the country. Limasawa Island is also a diver’s paradise.
It boasts of magnificent walls and sheer drop-offs decorated
with a variety of lovely fan corals that never fail to awe even
the most traveled and experienced diver.
Natural
Sun-ok Fish Sanctuary
Location: Pintuyan, Southern Leyte
Fully rehabilitated soft and hard corals along cracks and crevices
provide an appropriate backdrop that sums up a totally interesting
dive experience. Best time to dive is from October to May. Fishing
as well as the collection of shells and other items are strictly
prohibited.
Napantaw Fish Sanctuary
Location: San Francisco, Southern Leyte
The sanctuary is a hideout full of huge sea and soft corals.
Healthy corals, clear water, rich marine life; the highly diverse
underwater terrain in the area promises to be a challenging
and exciting dive that a resident school of fully grown surgeon
fishes welcomes the “intruder” to a celebration
of marine bliss and tranquility.
Patag Daku
Location: Libagon, Southern Leyte
Due to its inaccessibility, Patag Daku remains one of the least
explored, and possibly, least disturbed and least exploited,
forest ecosystem in the province today. Literally ‘big
plain’, it is a major climb as described in mountaineering
parlance.
Cuatro Islas
Location: Inopacan – Hindang, Southern Leyte
As the name suggests, it is composed of four lovely isles namely:
Daguio, Apit, Mahaba and Himokilan bordered by white sandy shore.
Aside from the beautiful beach, there are also plenty of coral
reefs in the waters, making them ideal for scuba divers
Panaon Island
Location: Liloan, Southern Leyte
It is a part of Mindanao Deep, the second deepest body of water
in the world. It is considered as one of the most mystifying
dive destinations in Southern Leyte. It is where one may encounter
a school of whales or dolphins.
Maamo Beach
Location: Brgy. San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte
Maamo (meaning “gentle”) Beach can be reached by
way of a boat. The deep sea is host to numerous fish, making
it a haven for fishermen. The coastline on the other hand, is
noted for its white sands and the cool breeze emanating from
the ocean.
Bitu-on Beach
Location: Brgy. San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte
It offers the tourist a splendid view of the skies, perfect
for strolling on the beach. Various seashells are present on
the seashore that are available for collectors. Aside from the
shells, there are also several types of fish in the area.
Wawa Strait
Location: Macrohon, Southern Leyte
The often invisible strait is a sight to behold from this town.
One could simply while away his time and get a relaxing feeling
by going to this point to get a glimpse of its beauty.
Maghusot Park
Location: Sogod, Southern Leyte
This national park features a forested area of about 500 hectares.
It has 4 waterfalls that converge into one basin that is 20
meters in height.
Religious
Shrine of Our Lady
of the Assumption and the Precious Blood of
Jesus (Maasin Cathedral)
Location: Maasin, Southern Leyte
The cathedral is known for housing images that date to the Spanish
colonial period. It is considered one of the oldest parishes
in the country. It has been rebuilt several times, and has been
managed by the Jesuits, Augustinians, and the Franciscans. Residents
commonly call it the Mother Mary Shrine
Festivals
Sinulog sa Malitbog
Place: Maltibog, Southern Leyte
Date: January 15
An annual religious street pageant celebrated as homage to the
Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño), patron of Malitbog. It
has grown steadily with devotees from other places flocking
to the town.
Sinugdan
Place: Limawasa, Southern Leyte
Date: March 31
Sinugdan means ‘beginning’. The festival celebrates
the ‘first’ Christian mass in the Philippines and
the beginning of the spread of the Catholic faith in the country.
Cultural activities, pageants and competitions are held during
the event. Highlighting the festival is the dramatization of
the ‘first’ Christian mass in the Philippines. |
