![during the expedition. The mass marked the start of Christian
propagation.[23]
People in the province are generally Roman Catholics. Generally, 89
percent of them adhere to the Roman Catholic Church but traditions still
influence the people in the province. Aglipayan ranks second with 4.51
percent affiliates and Evangelicals with 2.03. Other religious affiliations
include Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Seventh-day
Adventist Church among others.
Erected in 1968 the church can be found in the City of Maasin. The church
is embellished with an ornate altar and images of saints believed to be the
testament of continuing religiosity of the people in the province.
Beliefs
Although most people are Christians, a very few who live in remote
villages of the province hold on to pre-Hispanic influences and make
offerings and sacrifices before planting their crops. Farmers ritually
sacrifice chickens and pigs to ensure that the spirits or elementals which
they believe to be the cause of good harvest will grant them one.
Religious events
Fiesta, a Spanish term which means festivity, is celebrated in the province
with prayer, food, drinking, dance and music. Every barangay of every
town in the province has its own celebration date. For instance,
Hinunangan celebrates a town fiesta on the 29 June with the St. Peter and
St. Paul Fluvial boat parade the day before.[24] The kuratsa — a courtship
dance-drama — highlights every occasion.[25]
The province also holds its own festivals. "Sinulog sa malitbog" is an
annual religious street pageant in Malitbog to pay homage to the Holy
Child Jesus (Santo Niño) who is their town's patron saint. Its reception has
grown steadily, with devotees from other places flocking to the town.
Similarly, the historic and religious coming of the Spaniards is
commemorated every 31 March in Limasawa with a cultural presentation
and anniversary program dubbed "Sinugdan", meaning "beginning."[26]
Other festivals held in the province to highlight events are Pagkamugna
Festival and Pabulhon Festival in Maasin City, Karomata Festival in
Beunavista, Pintuyan, Tangka-tangka Festival in Tangkaan, Padre Burgos
and Manha-on Festival in Macrohon.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/region8writtenreport-151108093735-lva1-app6892/85/Region-8-EASTERN-VISAYAS-35-320.jpg)
Uploaded bymicaela ongan
Region 8 EASTERN VISAYAS
1. Eastern Samar became an independent province in 1965 after being split from the province of Samar. 2. It played an important role in Philippine history as the landing site of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and the location of the "Balangiga Massacre" in 1901 where Filipino rebels attacked American troops. 3. Eastern Samar has a long history of contact with Western civilization dating back to the arrival of Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century and the landing of US Army Rangers in 1944, three days before the Battle of Leyte.
More Related Content
Similar to Region 8 EASTERN VISAYAS
Region 8 EASTERN VISAYAS
- 1.
- 2. HISTORY OF REGIONVIII EASTERN VISAYAS Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII. It has six provinces: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte are some of the poorest provinces in the country. The economy is deeply agricultural their farming practices in some parts of the region date back to the early 1800's. Agricultural development has been slow and highly selective to few pockets of more enterprising (and well-off) farmers because of the typically rugged interior of the two main islands, agriculture has been limited to mostly the coastal areas and small inland valleys. Heavy industry has been confined to a small industrial zone on the northwest of Leyte Island much of the hinterlands, especially in Samar, is now heavily forested having had a chance to recuperate from the devastating logging operations in the 1970's and 1980's. It was Samar and Leyte which the renowned Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first saw and landed on after his long voyage across the Pacific in 1521.The first Christians in Southeast Asia were the people of Limasawa where the first mass was held. Five centuries later, General Douglas MacArthur led the Allies to victory in the Battle of Leyte wherein the ensuing naval battle, now known as the Battle of Leyte Gulf.Leyte became the secure foothold of the Allies in conquering back the archipelago, and eventually the rest of Asia, from the Japanese. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT Eastern Visayas lies on the east central part of the Philippine archipelago. It is composed of two main islands, Leyte and Samar, which formed the eastern most coast of the archipelago. It is bounded by the Philippine sea on the east and north with San Bernardo Strait separating Samar island from southeastern Luzon: Camotes sea and Visayas sea on the west: Bohol sea on the south with Surigao Strait separating Leyte island from northwestern Mindanao. It has a total land area of 2,156,285 hectares or 7.2% of the country’s total land area. 52% of its total land areas are classified as forestland and 48% as alienable and disposable land. POLITICAL DIVISIONS Officially known as Region VIII, Eastern Visayas has 6 provinces, 12 districts, 7 cities, 136 municipalities, and 4,390 barangays. Biliran (capital Naval): lone district, 8 municipalities, 132 barangays
- 3. Eastern Samar(capital Borongan City): lone district, 22 municipalities, 1 city, 597 barangays Leyte (capital Tacloban City): 5 districts, 40 municipalities, 3 cities, 1,641 barangays Northern Samar (capital Catarman): 2 districts, 24 municipalities, 569 barangays Samar (formerly Western Samar) (capital Catbalogan City): 2 districts, 24 municipalities, 2 cities, 951 barangays Southern Leyte (capital Maasin City): lone district, 18 municipalities, 1 city, 500 barangays DEMOGRAPHICS Population census of Eastern Visayas Year Total population 1990 3,054,490 2000 3,610,355 2007 3,912,936 2010 4,101,322 2013 3,880,148 CLIMATE There are two types of climate prevailing in the region under the Corona system of classification: Type II and Type IV. Type II climate is characterized by having no dry season but a pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. Samar Island and the eastern part of Leyte Island fall under this type of climate. Type IV on the other hand has an even distribution of rainfall the year round and a short period of dry season that can be observed starting February up to May. This type of climate is well exhibited at the western half of Leyte island and some portion of Samar which covers the municipality of Motiong up to San Isidro of Northern Samar. The eastern portion of the region is frequently visited by storms from the Pacific Ocean. The region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year with no pronounced dry season. In November 2013, the region was hit with the highest death toll in the country by Typhoon Haiyan, the second deadliest typhoon ever to hit the Philippines.
- 4. NATURAL RESOURCES The region'ssea and inland waters are rich sources of salt and fresh water fish and other marine products. It is one of the fish exporting regions of the country. There are substantial forest reserves in the interiors of the islands. Its mineral deposits include chromite, uranium, gold, silver, manganese, magnesium, bronze, nickel, clay, coal, limestone, pyrite and sand and gravel. It has abundant geothermal energy and water resources to support the needs of medium and heavy industries. CHROMITE BRONZE MAGNESIUM SILVER LIMESTONE NICKEL CHARCOAL CLAY URANIUM
- 5. ECONOMY The Department ofAgriculture's 2011 report said agriculture, fishery and forestry accounted for 20.49% of the regional economy. In that year, palay and coconut were the leading commodities to agricultural production of Eastern Visayas. The region was 7th in palay production and 2nd in coconut production. The agricultural land area in Eastern Visayas covers 723,048 hectares, or 31% of the region's total land area of 2,325,395 hectares. In the agency's September report, low volume of fish catch and limited supply of fishery products were noted due to expensive fishing trips and rough seas. LAND USE Eastern Visayas is primarily an agricultural region with rice, abaca, corn, coconut, sugarcane and banana as major crops. Its total land area is 21,431.7 sq. kms. 52% of its total land area is classified as forestland and 48% as alienable and disposable land. CULTURE AND BELIEFS Cultural groups Region VIII is inhabited by the Waray-Warays, the country’s fourth largest cultural linguistic group. Cebuanos from the nearby island of Cebu live in Ormoc City, Western Leyte and parts of the Southwest of Leyte. Languages Waray-Waray is the lingua franca of the Eastern Visayas Region and mostly spoken on the island of Samar, Biliran, Tacloban and north-eastern Leyte. A Samar language, distantly related to the languages of the region, called Abaknon is spoken in the island of Capul in Northern Samar. Cebuano is spoken in western, central, and southern parts of Leyte and in Southern Leyte. Other languages spoken in Eastern Visayas are Baybayanon, which is spoken in Baybay with 10,000 speakers and Kinabalian, which is spoken in the municipality of San Juan, Southern Leyte.
- 6. Dances Tinikling, the Philippines'national dance is folkdance that originated from the region. But the most popular cultural dance among Warays is the Kuratsa, danced during feast celebrations and special gatherings. The Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, a local cultural group, held highly successful performances around the world. Tinikling Kuratsa Music Waray people are music lovers whose folkloric music are mostly ballads in form, famous of which is "Dandansoy" while "Iroy nga Tuna" (Motherland) is a patriotic song.
- 7. 1. History ofEastern Samar,Philippines (The Land of Good Harbors) This article from the LGU of Eastern Samar Province Eastern Samar became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 4221 which Congress approved on June 19, 1965 dividing the then existing old province of Samar into three separate provinces, namely; Northern Samar, Western Samar (subsequently renamed Samar) and Eastern Samar. A plebiscite held simultaneously with the November 1965 general elections upheld the conversion of Eastern Samar into a separate province. In 1967 the newly created province elected its first set of officials and on January 2, 1968, the provincial board had its inaugural session in the Borongan Town Hall which served as the temporary provincial capital. Eight months later, the formal inauguration of the new province of Eastern Samar took place.Before its existence as an independent province, places which now form part of Eastern Samar played important roles in the history of our country. It was in Eastern Samar where Ferdinand Magellan landed in Homonhon Island in the town of Guiuan on March 16, 1521, in what is now officially recognized as the discovery of the Philippines by the
- 8. Western World. Magellancalled the place Zamal.Sustained contact with Western civilization occurred as early as 1596. Jesuit missionaries worked their way from the western coast of the island of Samar and established mission centers in what is now Eastern Samar territory. On September 28, 1901, Filipino rebels in the town of Balangiga attacked and almost wiped out American troops billeted in the municipal building and church convent. Now known in history books as the “Balangiga Massacre Day," the incident triggered a ruthless pacification campaign by US forces aimed at turning the entire island of Samar into a "howling wilderness." It was during this campaign that American soldiers took the Balangiga Bells from the Balangiga church as war trophies. The bells remain on display at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. On October 17, 1944, US Army rangers landed on the island of Suluan in Guiuan where they fought their first battle on Philippine territory three days before Gen. Douglas MacArthur stormed the beaches of Leyte. Eastern Samar was the first area of the Philippines sighted by Magellan on March 16, 1521. The lofty mountains of Zamal as called by Magellan’s crew are the mountain ranges that separate the province from Western Samar and Northern Samar. The Spaniards, however, anchored at the tiny island of Homonhon on the southern side of the province. During the early days of Spanish rule, the Province of Samar, (of which Eastern Samar was a part) was called “Ibabao”. It was under the political and ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Cebu. Samar was made a separate province from Cebu in 1768. From its capital, Catbalogan, the administration of the encomiendas in the eastern coast was controlled. Samar was divided into three provinces, namely: Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Western Samar, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4221. The Law was overwhelmingly ratified in a plebiscite on November 9, 1965. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT There are three provinces located in the Island of Samar: Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Eastern Samar is located in Eastern Visayas within Region VIII, 11.6667° N, 125.5000° E - Eastern Samar, Coordinates. Eastern Samar has 4,640 square km area. DEMOGRAPHIC Eastern Samar Population (as of 2010 census) = 428,877 Eastern Samar Population (as of Aug 1, 2007 census) = 405,114
- 9. HOTSPOT AREAS INEASTERN SAMAR Small tropical haven in Eastern Samar, whether it’s the creamy sands and azure waters of Suluan Island or the marine life sanctuary of Kantican Island, which also houses an experimental pearl farm. Amandaraga is the name of Lawaan’s waterfalls which resembles a maiden’s hair. Favorite island hopping destinations are the twin islands of Ando and Divinuvo in Borongan City. For camping and trekking, explore the Borongan- Llorente Closed Canopy Forest. The ultimate crowd-drawer, however, is the rising star that is Calicoan Island. Despite the allure of its inland lagoons and wild virgin forests, both locals and foreigners head here for one thing: surfing. The ABCD Beach, the shoreline of choice if you’re staying at The Surf Camp or the Calicoan Villas, offers waves suitable for both beginner and advanced surfers. The local surf season runs from April to November. Eastern Samar is sprinkled with locations that have hosted some of the country’s most interesting historical events. Homonhon Island was where Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil in 1521. Tubabao Island sheltered thousands of Russian refugees in the 1950s; the refugees were survivors of the Bolshevik Russian Revolution and Russian Civil War. And the modest town of Balangiga was the site of a noteworthy chapter in Philippine history — a powerful story involving resistance, revenge and church bells.
- 10. The province alsohosts the Padulong Festival every September, an energetic and grand socio-cultural celebration filled with colourful parades and street dancing. FESTIVALS IN EASTERN SAMAR March 16 (Karapayan Festival, Blessed Virgin Mother) – A colorful festival depicting how the early Guiuan Townsfolk enjoyed nature’s bounties, rich marine life, fertile land, verdant forest. It is also a thanksgiving to their Patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mother. May 1 (St. Francis of Assisi) – Mercedes May 8 (The Divine Child) – Lawa-an May 15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – Salcedo May 27 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – Maslog June 13 (St, Anthony of Padua) – Llorente July 15 (Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows) – San Julian July 22 (St. Mary Magdalene) – San Policarpo July 25 (St. James the Greater) – Taft July 30-31 (St. Ignatius of Loyola) – Sulat August 1-2 (Our Lady, Queen of Angels) – Can-avid
- 11. August 10(St. Lawrence of Rome) – Balangiga August 16 (St. Roche) – Maydolong August 16 (St. Joachim) – Dolores August 27 (St. Joseph) – Gen. MacArthur August 31 (St. Raymond Nonnatus) – Arteche September 8 (The Nativity of Our Lady) – Borongan September 10 (St. Nicholas of Tolentino) – Quinapundan September 15 (Our Lady of Seven Sorrows) – Hernani October 7 (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) – Jipapad October 12 (Our Lady of the Pillar) – Giporlos October 19 (St. Peter of Alcantara) – Oras December 8 (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Guiuan COMMON PRODUCTS PRODUCT : Squash Cookies PRODUCER: San Mateo ARB MPCZ ADDRESS: DR Provincial Office, Borongan Easter Samar CONTACT PERSON/S : Conrado Amano CULTURE AND BELIEFS Religion The people of the province are devoted Christians where 96% adhere to Roman Catholicism. The dominant Catholic faith influences the events of the provincial education, politics and social functions of the people. Other Christians usually form the remaining groups of believers such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Baptists, Methodists, Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints Seventh-day Adventist. Non- Christians (mostly Muslims) are also found.
- 12. 2. HISTORY OFLEYTE (Mahaba Island:An UnderwaterParadise) Leyte has a colorful history. Leyte like the Samar when it comes to their province, point out of that their forebear were among the first to welcome the Spaniards but they were also among the first to resist the invaders. Leyte was one of the provinces where the early seeds of nationalism were planted. In 1521, Magellan sailed from the island of Homonhon, Samar to the island of Limasawa, Leyte, entered into a blood compact with Rajah Kolambu. On Eastern Sunday, March 31, of that year, was celebrated the First Mass in the Philippines. Some historical researchers, however, are now disputing this. The next century witnessed a religious uprising lead by Bancao, the Limasawa chief, and his high priest, Pagail. The revolt began in Carigara and spread to neighboring towns before it was quelled. 27 years after the 1622 uprising, another revolt hit Leyte - an offshoot of the Sumoroy rebellion then simmering in Samar. And in the center of the disturbances, the village of Bacor, rebels burned the church and its convent. By 1768, Leyte, now separated from Samar, became a politico-military province. The set up continued until the end of Spanish rule, when Gen. Vicente Lukban took over Leyte and Samar in the name of the Revolutionary Government. It was World War II, however, which placed Leyte on the world map. On October 20, 1944, Gen. Mac Arthur, at the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and Gen Carlos P. Romulo, landed on Palo, Leyte to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese. On May 22, 1959, the province was divided into
- 13. Leyte and southernLeyte. Information provided by the Department of Tourism of Government of the Philippines. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT Leyte is an island province located within Region VIII- Eastern Visayas 10.8333° N, 124.8333° E - Leyte, Coordinates. Leyte has 6,515 square km area. DEMOGRAPHIC Leyte Population (as of Aug 1, 2007) = 1,722,036 Leyte Registered Voters (2009) = 908,480 Leyte population (as of year 2010) = 1,567,984 HOTSPOT AREAS IN LEYTE An American general famously promised he would return here. After one visit, so will you. Leyte is home to two of the most famous events in Philippine history. First, the Battle of Leyte Gulf is the largest naval battle of World War II. It took place from 23-26 October 1944 between combined US and Australian forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Second, a promise that involves Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Red Beach in Palo is a site known more for its history than its shoreline. Allied Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur returned here on 20 October 1944 to aid the Philippines against the Japanese invasion, fulfilling his oft-quoted promise, “I shall return.” That moment is commemorated by the Leyte Landing Memorial that stands at Red Beach today. Apart from its historical sites, Leyte is also a good jump-off point to find some isolated isles that look straight out of the pages of a travel magazine. Kalanggaman Island in Palompon is the quintessential tropical island, where
- 14. gradient blue waterslap peacefully at fine sugary sand. Cuatro Islas (“Four Islands”) in Inopacan and Hindang are another pretty bunch. Of these islands, Digyo is a standout: palm trees, clear waters, and barely any other tourists in sight. Snorkel in its shimmering waters to swim amongst corals and fish. Another great place for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and camping can be found in Canigao Island off the municipality of Matalom. Its assets are beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters. Tanauan is the birthplace of skimboarding in the Philippines and host to annual national skimboarding competitions. The Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park may also trek and picnic surrounded by lush foliage, visit hot springs, take a boat ride across a lake, or trek to volcanic craters. Local specialties in Leyte are the two of the most popular are binagol, a mix of talyan (a local root crop), coconut milk, and sugar steamed inside coconut shells; and moron, glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and flavored with cocoa. Other favorite native delicacies are the pastillas de leche, made from pure cow’s milk and roscas, traditional rusk bread especially baked by the women of Barugo. It is made from egg yolk, wheat flour, milk, shortening, and flavored with anise seeds. FESTIVALS IN LEYTE August 29 (Buyog-Buyogan, St. Francis Xavier) – Abuyog "Buyog" (bees) dancers, depict the origin of the town's name in a well choreographers dance
- 15. August 14-15 (PasakaFestival, Our Lady of Assumption) – Tanauan Leyte, Legend has it that Tanauanons witnessed the assumption of Blessed Mother into Heaven. After seeing this great Miracle, they rejoiced and celebrated the event with dances. January 15 (Sinulog, Holy Child) – Isabel January 15 (Holy Child) – Tabango January 25 (Sto. Niño Hiyas ka sa Bato, Holy Child) – Bato Second Saturday of February (Sinulog, Holy Child) – Villaba April 28 (Viajedores) - La Paz May 3 (Pamagpagan, St. Francis of Assisi) – Pastrana Second Saturday of May (Tambula Festival, St. Vincent Ferrer) – Babatngon May 8 (Sangkaan, St. Michael the Archangel) – Hindang May 8 (Tolo-usa, St. Michael the Archangel) – Tolosa May 11 (Pahoy-Pahoy Festival, St. Joseph) – Barugo May 13 (Our Lady of Fatima) – Ormoc City May 15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – Inopacan May 15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – MacArthur
- 16. May 15(St. Isidore the Farmer) – Merida May 15 (Sinulog, St. Isidore the Farmer) - San Isidro May 18-19 (Sanggutan Festival) – Barugo May 27 (Dinagamihan, St. Joseph) – Dagami May 27 (St. Joseph) – Matalom May 28 (Karayhakan, St. Michael the Archangel) – Javier June 5 (Minoro, Holy Name of Jesus) – Capoocan June 11-12 (St. Anthony of Padua) – Matag-ob June 13 (Lukayan, St. Anthony of Padua) – Mayorga June 13 (St. Anthony of Padua) – Tunga June 13 (St. Anthony of Padua) – Tabon-Tabon June 19 (Lingganay Festival, Holy Trinity) – Alang-Alang June 28-29 (Piñahan, Sts. Peter and Paul) – Ormoc City July 16 (Makabugwas, Triumph of the Holy Cross) – Carigara July 25 (Caballero, St. James the Great) – Albuera July 26 (Pamilipig, St. Anne) - Sta. Fe June 30 (Pintados de Leyte Festival, Holy Child) - Tacloban City August 8 (Tribung Bagong Silang, Transfiguration of Our Lord) – Palo August 11-12 (Hulatan Festival, St. Roche) – Julita August 15-16 (Lubi-Lubi Festival, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Roche) – Calubian September 8 (Karatong, Our Lady of Refuge) – Dulag September 21 (Tambalan, St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist) – Jaro September 28 (St. Michael the Archangel) – Javier September 29 (Bathan Festival, St. Michael the Archangel) - San Miguel September 28-29 (Kaplag Festival, St. Michael the Archangel) – Mahaplag October 20 (city charter day) – Ormoc City October 20 (Leyte Landing Anniversary) – Palo December 3 (St. Francis Xavier) – Palompon December 8 (Karu-Katik, Festival, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Burauen December 8 (Hiraite, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Leyte December 27 (Sidong Festival, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Baybay City December 30 (Kan-anga Festival) – Kananga December 31 (Alikaraw Festival, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Hilongos Black Saturday (Torugpo) – Carigar Easter Sunday (Sunduan Ha Carigara) – Carigara
- 17. COMMON PRODUCTS LEYTE PRODUCT: BINAGOL PRODUCER:TERRY’S CULTURE AND BELIEFS Languages/dialects "Waray" is generally spoken by the people of Leyte except those who live in the western side who generally speak Cebuano 3. History of Northern Samar,Philippines (Hidden Paradise of Visayas) The province of Northern Samar was created by Republic Act No. 4221 which was approved by Congress on June 19, 1965 dividing the whole island of Samar into three independent provinces namely; Northern Samar, Western Samar
- 18. (subsequently renamed Samar)and Eastern Samar. As embodied in this Act, the eastern province is composed of 24 municipalities with Borongan as the capital. The province is located in the eastern part of the Philippine Archipelago, bounded on the north by the San Bernardino Strait, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the Samar Sea, and on the south by Samar. It is composed of 24 municipalities and 569 barangays covering a total land area of 3,692.9 square kilometers. Catarman is the provincial capital and center of trade and commerce. Northern Samar is strategically located as the gateway to Visayas and Mindanao from Luzon. It is 743 kilometers from Manila and can be reached by 1 hour and 20 minutes plane ride to Catarman or 14 hours bus travel through the Pan Philippine Highway passing Bicol Region and traversing San Bernardino Strait via ferry boat in the primary ports of San Isidro and Allen, from Matnog, Sorsogon. The route to Mindanao is through Tacloban City, being connected to Northern Samar by the famous San Juanico Bridge, via ferryboat in Liloan, Southern Leyte to Surigao. Majority speak Waray dialect, along with Inabaknon, which is predominantly spoken in Capul Island. The province is endowed with metallic minerals such as copper, aluminum and bauxite which can be found particulary in Biri, Mapanas and San Isidro. Major agricultural crops include coconut, abaca, palay, rootcrops and other subsistence crops. Its rich fishing grounds produce spanish mackerel, grouper, tuna, big-eyed scad, round scad, herring, anchovies and salmon. Other aquatic products include cattlefish, crabs, shrimps, squid and lobsters. Northern Samar is famous for its natural rock formations found in Biri Island and white silky sand beaches in San Jose and Lavezares. A visit to the century old church in Capul Island brings you to the 16th century. Only missionary fervour made possible the building of this church on this island. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT There are three provinces located in the Island of Samar: Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Northern Samar is located in the northernmost portion of Samar, the third largest island of the country. It is 732.72
- 19. kilometers southeast ofManila. The Pacific Ocean bound Northern Samar on the east, the San Bernardino Strait on the north, the Samar Sea on the west and Samar on the south. 12.3333° N, 124.6667° E - Northern Samar, Coordinates. Northern Samar has 3,692 square km area. DEMOGRAPHIC In the 2007 Census of Population, the province registered a total population of 549,759, posting an average annual growth rate of 1.3 percent. Its population density is recorded at 149 persons per square kilometer. Population: 589,013 (2010) HOTSPOT AREAS IN NORTHERN SAMAR Lying to the north (of the South) are the rural province of Northern Samar and its capital, Catarman. The towns are small and sleepy; the landscapes sometimes more unruly than picture-perfect. But this often-overlooked province holds some unbelievable surprises. For starters, beaches are plentiful here. Stay at one of the local resorts to enjoy a stretch of sand to yourself and savor cold drinks and good conversation under the moonlight. Pick from the honey-colored shores of Onay Beach in Laoang and or the sparkling white sands in San Antonio Island, Dalupiri Island, or Spice of Life. For somewhere off the beaten path, explore the Naranjo group of islands such as Sila Island with its pinkish sand and Panganoron Island with white sand. Located close to the National Highway is the municipality of Victoria that serves as the jump-off point to San Antonio Island. The 280-meter steel bridge passing through Mawo River serves as its landmark. The coast here is lined with beautiful beaches have mountains as their back drop. Caves, springs, waterfalls and rivers are accessible too. Allen is the municipality that connects Luzon to Northern Samar via the RORO (roll on – roll off) boats. In here you’ll find Felixville Resort, Wayang-Wayang Beach Resort, and Paradise Beach which are all budget-friendly and definitely good for big groups. Capul Island also has its share of white
- 20. beaches and snorkellingspots. It gets its name from Acapulco in Mexico, owing to its former life as a guidepost for galleons sailing trade routes between Acapulco and Manila. Go beyond the beach and explore the island’s historical structures, which date back to the late 1800s: the Capul Island Lighthouse, Capul Church and Fortress, and the Batag Island Lighthouse.For bird watching, the Lalaguna Mangrove Forest in Lavezareshosts different migratory birds. It’s best if you ride a paddle boat here to get closer to nature. It’s Biri Island, however, that really amps up Northern Samar’s wow factor. Forget food and drinks,what you absolutely shouldn’t forget to pack is your camera. Stunning rock formations — monstrous cliffs, boulders and crags naturally carved by the ocean waves and winds — make for views that will bring out the photographer in anyone. FESTIVALS IN NORTHERN SAMAR Second Week of January (Embajada) – Catubig A festivity practiced by the People of Catarman since 1922, featuring a re- enactment of how the Filipino natives were christianized by the Spanish Conquistadores. It was officially made into a provincial festival in 1992. Last Sunday of January (Sakay-Sakay Fluvial Procession) – Laoang March 16 (Parayan Harvest Festival) – San Roque April 29 (St. Vincent Ferrer) – San Vicente May 14-15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – Lope de Vega May 14-15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – Silvino Lobos May 14-15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – San Isidro
- 21. Second Weekof June (Bangkules Festival) – Palapag June 11-12 (Manoglaya Festival, St. Anthony of Padua) – San Antonio June 11-12 (St. Anthony of Padua) – Mondragon June 19 (Embajada Festival) – Catarman June 24 (St. John the Baptist) – Pambujan June 24-25 (St. James the Greater) – Allen June 24-25 (St. Vincent Ferrer) – Biri July 13-14 (St. Bonaventure) – Lapinig July 18-19 (Our Lady of the Angel) – Mapanas July 26-27 (St. Joseph the Worker) – Catubig July 28-29 (St. Anthony of Padua) – San Jose July 30-31 (St. Ignatius of Loyola) – Capul August 5-7 (St. Anne) – Victoria August 9-10 (Ati-Atihan Festival, Most Holy Name of Jesus) – Bobon August 14-15 (Our Lady of the Assumption) – Palapag August 15-16 (St. Roche) – San Roque August 21-22 (Our Lady of Salvation) – Lavezares August 28-29 (Our Lady of the Annunciation) – Catarman September 7-8 (Our Lady of the Nativity) – Las Navas September 14-15 (St. Michael the Archangel) – Gamay September 28-29 (St. Michael the Archangel) – Laoang October 6-7 (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) – Rosario COMMON PRODUCTS PRODUCT: Coconut Groove Coco Vinegar PRODUCER:Galutan Primary MPC ADDRESS:Barangay Galutan, Catarman, Northern Samar CONTACT PERSON/S:Emma Humamil
- 22. CULTURE AND BELIEFS Religions The communities of this province are predominantly Catholic (95%). Other religious groups are Members Church of God International (Ang Dating Daan), Iglesia ni Cristo, Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan), Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and other Christian sects. A small number of population are Muslim. Languages Majority of the people in the province of Northern Samar speak the Ninorte Samarnon, a variation of Waray-Waray. About 4.5 percent of the population, especially in the island towns, speak Cebuano, while a minority speaks Inabaknon, a unique language said to be one of the most preserved languages to date. This is the native tongue of the populace in the island town of Capul. Ninorte Samarnon usually is further subclassified into Balicuatro, Central and Pacific speakers. Tagalog, Bicol, and English are also widely used and understood in Northern Samar. 4. History of Samar, Philippines (Splendor Between Mountain and Sea/ Share in Nature’s Beauty) Prior to the approval of Republic Act No. 4221 on June 19, 1965, Samar province comprised the whole island of Samar. Under this act, the western portion was created as a separate province named Western Samar. A
- 23. subsequent legislation (RepublicAct No. 5650) however, changed the name of the province of Samar on June 21, 1969. The Jesuit missionaries founded Samar in 1596. They introduced the Roman Catholic faith to the people of Samar. When the Jesuits left Samar in 1768, the Spanish Franciscans took over the administration. The former names given to Samar were Zamal, Ibabao, Achan and Tandaya. Legend stated that when the Spaniards first set foot in Homonhon, they met a wounded native from whom they asked the name of the place. The wounded man did not understand Spanish. He thought they were asking what happened to him and he replied "samad" meaning wound in the local dialect. So, the navigators adopted the name for the island with a slight alteration of the last letter, from Samad to Samar. During the early days of Spanish occupation in the Philippines, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu. Later, it was declared a separate province, but in 1735, Samar and Leyte were united into one province with Carigara, in Leyte, as the capital. The union, however, did not prove satisfactory. So, in 1968, Samar has emerged as an independent political unit with Catbalogan as its capital. On January 1900, the Americans captured the town of Catbalogan. Civil governments were established on June 17, 1902 and Julio Llorente was appointed as the first governor of Samar.During the administration of Governor Baltazar Avelino, Samar was converted into a first class "A" province. Calbayog City became a chartered city on July 16 by virtue of Republic Act no. 328. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT There are three provinces located in the Island of Samar: Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.Samar Province is 802 kilometers from Manila. It lies southeast of Luzon and occupies the westernmost section of the Samar Island in the visayas islands within Region VIII. To the north, it is bounded by the province of Northern Samar; on the east by the province of Eastern Samar; to the west by the Samar Sea and to the south by the Leyte Gulf.
- 24. Samar is connectedwith the province of Leyte thru Marcos Bridge on the southwest across the San Juanico strait. 12.0000° N, 125.0000° E - Samar, Coordinates. Samar has 6,048 square km area. DEMOGRAPHIC Western Samar Population (as of Aug 1, 2007 Census) = 695,149 Western Samar Registered Voters (2009 COMELEC) = 442,662 Western Samar population = (as of year 2010) 733,377 HOTSPOT AREAS IN SAMAR On the western side of Samar Island, nature-lovers will find unusual landscapes and a whole lot of spelunking sites. They call Samar the “Caving Center of the Philippines” Its most famous are the Sohoton Caves, a two-hour trip from the town of Basey. This 840- hectare park features limestone walls, a natural rock bridge, underground rivers, lush forests and caves with stunning and expansive interiors. There’s also Langun-Gobingub Cave in Calbiga, one of the largest karst caves in Southeast Asia. Swimming spots also abound.Look Beach in Calbayog City is boasting icy blue waters facing the Samar Sea and natural rock formations that present a more rugged beach-going experience.A ticog mat for your seaside picnics; ticog is made with a local weed that, when woven, makes for smooth and supple mats, tote bags, and even home and office decors. Take an exciting river ride in a dug-out boat without outriggers at the Ulot Watershed Ecotourism Loop in Paranas. Be thrilled as expert boatmen manoeuvre the torpedo boat between rocks up and downstream the Ulot River. And dare to plunge into the waters by leaping from a huge boulder.
- 25. Those in themood for something with more kick should check out Samar’s waterfalls. The Bangon-Bugtong Falls cascade elegantly into a large circular pool, while the fun Mawacat Slide lets you zoom down a mossy passageway into the waters below. The Lulugayan Falls and Rapids feature a strong and thundering current that feeds into the Calbiga River and makes for enjoyable white water rafting. And while you’re here, make sure not to bypass the quiet town of Marabut and Daram. Marabut rewards its visitors with islets fit for snorkelling and diving, as well as gargantuan rock islands that artfully jut out from the sea. Have a close encounter with colourful fishes and rare giant clams while snorkelling at Agutayan Island in Daram. FESTIVALS IN SAMAR May 25 (Pahoy-Pahoy Festival, Our Lady of the Annunciation) – Calbiga Pahoy-Pahoy Festival is a ritual and has become part of Christian tradition of the annual town fiesta. It is held every May 25 in Calbiga, Samar. The town of Calbiga showcases giant pahoy-pahoy (scarecrows) made of indigenous materials dancing in the streets to the sound of musical instruments made up of bamboos, cans and stones that scare the maya or ricebirds. It features the
- 26. legend of Pahoyas they drive off the evil spirits and ricebirds that ruined their rice lands and agriculture. They commemorate the time when the tribe "humanoid" saved the village settlers from famine. January 15 (Daramsiyaw Festival, Holy Child) – Daram January 15 (Kinarawgan Festival) – Marabut February 22 (Holy Child) – Pagsangjan May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker) – Hinabangan May 5 (Sacred Heart of Jesus) – Almagro May 17 (St. Paschal Baylon) – Jiabong August 24 (Mangirisda and Pintados Festival, St. Bartholomew the Apostle) – Catbalogan City September 1-8 (Sarakiki Festival, Our Lady of the Nativity) – Calbayog City (Samar) September 28-29 (Baigan/Kawayan Festival, St. Michael the Archangel) – Basey September 29 (Karabaw Festival, St. Michael the Archangel) – Gandara October 3 (Soleda, Our Lady of Solitude) – Calbayog City October 16 (Grand Caracol, St. Raphael the Archangel) – Calbayog City COMMON PRODUCTS PRODUCt: Tikog Mats PRODUCER : Bulao ARB Multi- Purpose Cooperative ADDRESS: Barangay,Bulao, Basey, Samar CONTACT PERSON/S: Nestor P. Dasig CONTACT NUMBER/S : (055)n2512807; (055) 2512365
- 27. CULTURE AND BELIEFS Religion Samar (Western Samar) is predominantly Roman Catholic. The Catholic Hierarchy (2014) stated that 95 percent of its population adheres to Roman Catholicism. Some other Christian believers constitute most of the remainder such as Born Again Christians, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Baptists, Methodists, Jehovah's Witnesses Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints and Seventh-day Adventist. Muslims are also present Language Residents of Samar are mostly Waray, the sixth largest cultural-linguistic group in the country. 90.2 percent of the household population speaks the Waray-Waray language, while 9.8 percent also speak Cebuano; 8.1 percent Boholano; 0.07 percent Tagalog; and 0.5 percent other languages. There are two types of Waray spoken in the province, Waray Lineyte- Samarnon which is spoken from the southernmost tip of the province up to the municipality of Gandara and Waray Calbayog, an intermediary between the Waray of Northern Samar and the Waray of Samar, spoken in Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, and in some parts of Tagapul- an, Santo Niño and Almagro. Cebuano is spoken in some parts of the first district of Samar, mainly in Calbayog City, Almagro, Santo Niño and Tagapul-an. English and Chinese languages are also spoken
- 28. 5. History ofSouthern Leyte, Philippines (The Centuries Old Charmer) Father of the Province of Southern Leyte : Hon. Congressman Nicanor E. Yñiguez rough House Bill No. 1318. Legal Basis of the Creation of the Province of southern Leyte: Republic Act No. 2227 signed by President Carlos P. Garcia on May 22, 1959, Friday at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. Effective Date of the Creation of the Province of Southern Leyte: July 1, 1960 Even before the fall of the Spaniards to the Americans on August 13, 1898 there had been already been established in Western Leyte a Court of First Instance. There was the office of "Promoter Fiscal" equivalent to the Provincial Fiscal and the office of "Administrator de Hacienda" equivalent to the Provincial Treasurer. With the change of sovereign power the positions were abolished except the Fiscal's who remained hearing cases from Palompon to Hinunangan. Because of the difficulty of transportation and managing the affairs of government in Tacloban, the division of Leyte into two provinces was thought to be the only solution. Prominent leaders of the West Coast rallied to the general movement of a Western Leyte. In 1919, Rep. Ciriaco K. Kangleon representing the 2nd district from Inopacan to Cabalian from 1919-1922
- 29. presented the firstbill for the division of Leyte but lost in the Senate by one vote. In 1922, Tomas Oppus renewed the move by presenting House Bill No. 254, which became Act No. 3117. According to the said law, occidental province would embrace the towns of Villaba to Hinunangan, inclusive. The law never became effective since the governor-general did not proclaim it. Then Act No. 3788 was passed redistricting Leyte province into five representative districts modifying the Division Law. Then in 1957, Nicanor Espina Ynigues, Jr. defeated Rep. Pajao. Ynigues filed a bill in the house creating the Province of Southern Leyte no longer the original Western Leyte of Occidental Leyte but only the Third District of Leyte comprising the municipalities of Maasin to Hinunangan, as specified under Act 3788. On Friday, May 22, 1959 at 10:00 o'clock in the morning, President Carlos P. Garcia signed the bill into law. Republic Act No. 2227, otherwise known as an "Act creating the province of Southern Leyte". Present and witnesses to the signing were Congressman Ynigues, Mayor Alfredo K. Bantug of Maasin, Atty. Manuel Enage, Sr., Erlinda Capili and Atty. Floro Kangleon, among others. On July 1, 1960, Southern Leyte was inaugurated as a province with sixteen municipalities: Maasin, as the capital town and seat of the provincial government, Malitbog, Bontoc, Sogod, Libagon, Pintuyan, San Francisco, St. Bernard, Cabalian (now San Juan), Anahawan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan and Silago. Three more municipalities were created subsequently, namely; San Ricardo from Pintuyan, Tomas Oppus from Malitbog and Limasawa from Padre Burgos. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT 10.3333° N, 125.0833° E - Southern Leyte, Coordinates Southern Leyte is one of the six provinces of Eastern Visayas or Region VIII. Canigao Channel bound it on the north by Leyte province; on the east by the Pacific Ocean; on the south by Mindanao Sea; and on the west the Canigao Channel. It covers about one-fourth (1/4) of the island of Leyte. It has 19 municipalities. Four island and islet are within the territorial jurisdiction of Southern Leyte: Panaon, the only island linked to the mainland by a bridge, the historic island municipality of Limasawa which is the site of the first Christian Mass in the Far East, and the islets of San Pedro and San Pablo in Hinunangan. Southern Leyte has 1,798 square km area.
- 30. DEMOGRAPHIC Total Population ofSouthern Leyte is 399,137 (2010). HOTSPOT AREAS IN SOUTHERN LEYTE Southern Leyte offers peaceful and meditative retreats in the way of secluded shores and ancient bastions of faith. One of the most cool and clean waters from Southern Leyte are Canigao Island and Tahusan Beach or the white sands of Tangkaan Beach. Meander down the quaint pebble beaches of the San Pedro and San Pablo Islands off the coast of Hinunangan. Kuting Reef, in a private cove at Bay Asuncion in Macrohon, is another fine pebble beach that offers a simple tropical resort experience. Dive deeper into the island experience. The waters of Panaon Island in Liloan are part of the Mindanao Deep one of the deepest bodies of water in the world, second only to the Marianas Trench. Sogod Bay is another option: it holds 350 of the world’s 500 coral species, several sunken wrecks worth exploring, and the promise of sea turtles, dolphins and whale sharks. For landlocked fun, visit Magsuhot Park, a protected 500-hectare forest with four waterfalls that drop up to 60 meters.If you prefer dry land, the Big Plain (Patag Daku) in Libagon poses a major challenge to trekkers and climbers, while the caves at Cambaro and Guisohotan are equally exciting.The Agas-Agas Adventure Park also offers one of the country’s highest zip lines at almost 300 meters above ground. Meanwhile, the less adventurous can while away time at the beaches of San Pedro and San Pablo in Hinunangan and the Sulphur Spring in Anahawan.
- 31. Those seeking more spiritualpursuits shouldn’t miss Limasawa Island, the site of the first Christian mass in the Philippines, held in 1521.The Lady of the Assumption in Jalleca Hills is the country’s tallest private shrine, with a 30-foot Marian statue and an adjacent chapel some 300 steps up.The San Francisco Javier Pilgrims Center in Hanginan is another chapel noteworthy for its location: 400 meters above sea level. In southern Leyte you may see in the city of ormoc the first guitar-shaped of Lake Danao, a pristine 148-hectare inland lake surrounded by verdant mountains and invigorating cool air, just a 30-minute drive from the city. Enjoy a picnic and banca (boat) ride or go biking and examine local flora and fauna, all the while soaking up the area’s hard-to-beat tranquility. The Queen Pineapple, Ormoc’s most famous produce and a top pick for pasalubong (gifts for friends at home). Savor its unparalleled sweetness with juicy slices fresh from the pineapple plantations north of the city in Kananga. The Leyte Geothermal Production Field (LGPF) in Tongonan, east of the city is the country’s biggest geothermal complex, supplying energy even to parts of Luzon and Mindanao. In the city, some leisurely meandering uncovers little gems. The seaside Sabin Resort is Ormoc’s most favored accommodation, boasting Filipino décor, a large pool, and a panoramic view. Hang out at local watering holes like the cozy café Bebida’s or head to the public market and try native fare like pacdol (a clear broth with carabao knee meat) at Doro’s carinderia (eatery). Spot the Philippine-Japanese Peace Memorial, a friendship token from Nagoya and Gifu after World War II.
- 32. Check out thePuente De La Reina, a cobblestone bridge built in the 1800s that was used as a docking area for traders from around Asia; and the Sen. Dominador Tan Ruins, once one of the city’s most extravagant houses before World War II.You can also tee off at the 18-hole Leyte Golf and Country Club for games against a backdrop of rolling terrain and the Ormoc Bay. As the region’s economic center and one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, Tacloban City teems with energy. Though it hosts a number of festivals, Tacloban’s biggest are the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival and the Sangyaw Festival, both in June. These vibrant affairs celebrate the city’s cultural and religious traditions and showcase local talent, creativity and fun. The line-up of activities includes parades, street dancing and contests. Food-tripping is also a growing leisure activity here, given the number of restaurants and mouth- watering fare begging to be sampled. Guiseppe’s serves traditional Italian cuisine such as homemade pasta and crispy, thin-crust pizzas. Ocho Seafood & Grill is arguably the city’s best seafood restaurant, where you can have everything from tuna belly to crab cooked to your liking. Their baked mussels, adobo oysters and fried fish skin go great with ice-cold local beer. Between bites, go for a sampling of Tacloban’s other attractions. Tee off at the San Juanico Park Golf and Country Club. It’s an 18-hole golf course with a beautiful clubhouse, an impressive swimming pool, hotel, and other amenities. On its outskirts lies the winding San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, snaking over two kilometers to connect the islands of Leyte and Samar. The ostentatious Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum, built by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, has more than a dozen rooms full of treasures such as European chandeliers, Chinese ivory carvings and classical Filipino paintings. Nestled in a park, the Madonna of Japan is a post-World War II token friendship from Japan that depicts an unusual Buddhist-syle Virgin Mary. The stately Leyte Provincial Capital Building, built in 1924, boasts a striking neoclassical design. And though not quite as well-kept, Gen. Douglas
- 33. MacArthur’s former headquartersand residence, the Price Mansion, still remains in the city. FESTIVALS IN SOUTHERN LEYTE January 15 (Sinulog Festival, Holy Child) – Malitbog The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which roughly means "like water current movement;" it describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The dance is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation, and street dancing. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language. January (Sakay-Sakay Festival, Holy Child) – Maasin City January 15 (Holy Child) – Bontoc March 31 (Holy Cross, Sinugdan Festival) – Limasawa May 15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – San Francisco May 15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – St. Bernard June 5 (St. Joseph) – Hinundayan June 13 (St. Anthony of Padua) – Anahawan June 24 (St. John the Baptist) – San Juan June 29 (Sts. Peter and Paul) – Hinunangan July 25 (St. James the Apostle) – Padre Purgos July 25 (St. James the Apostle) – San Ricardo July 25 (St. James the Apostle) – Silago July 25 (St. James the Apostle) – Silago July 31 (St. Ignatius of Loyola) – Tomas Oppus August 10 (Pabulihon Festival, city charter day) – Maasin City September 29 (St. Michael the Archangel) – Pintuyan September 29 (Manha-on Festival, St. Michael the Archangel) – Macrohon December 8 (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Libagon December 8 (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) – Sogod COMMON PRODUCTS
- 34. SOUTHERN LEYTE PRODUCT :Brasha (Dried Pusit) PRODUCER : Islanders Multi-Purpose Cooperative ADDRESS:DAR Provincial Office, Southern Leyte CONTACT PERSON/S:Rogelio Manlangit CONTACT NUMBER/S : (0921) 9582954 CULTURE AND BELIEFS Language The native language is a Boholano dialect variant of the Cebuano language. Natives also speak English and, to a much lesser extent, Spanish. Religion Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Maasin City Limasawa, an island municipality to the south, is believed to be the site of the first Christian mass and the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines, when Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator and explorer landed on March 28, 1521. The first Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was held on March 31, 1521 led by Friar Pedro de Valderrama, the chaplain of Magellan
- 35. during the expedition.The mass marked the start of Christian propagation.[23] People in the province are generally Roman Catholics. Generally, 89 percent of them adhere to the Roman Catholic Church but traditions still influence the people in the province. Aglipayan ranks second with 4.51 percent affiliates and Evangelicals with 2.03. Other religious affiliations include Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church among others. Erected in 1968 the church can be found in the City of Maasin. The church is embellished with an ornate altar and images of saints believed to be the testament of continuing religiosity of the people in the province. Beliefs Although most people are Christians, a very few who live in remote villages of the province hold on to pre-Hispanic influences and make offerings and sacrifices before planting their crops. Farmers ritually sacrifice chickens and pigs to ensure that the spirits or elementals which they believe to be the cause of good harvest will grant them one. Religious events Fiesta, a Spanish term which means festivity, is celebrated in the province with prayer, food, drinking, dance and music. Every barangay of every town in the province has its own celebration date. For instance, Hinunangan celebrates a town fiesta on the 29 June with the St. Peter and St. Paul Fluvial boat parade the day before.[24] The kuratsa — a courtship dance-drama — highlights every occasion.[25] The province also holds its own festivals. "Sinulog sa malitbog" is an annual religious street pageant in Malitbog to pay homage to the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño) who is their town's patron saint. Its reception has grown steadily, with devotees from other places flocking to the town. Similarly, the historic and religious coming of the Spaniards is commemorated every 31 March in Limasawa with a cultural presentation and anniversary program dubbed "Sinugdan", meaning "beginning."[26] Other festivals held in the province to highlight events are Pagkamugna Festival and Pabulhon Festival in Maasin City, Karomata Festival in Beunavista, Pintuyan, Tangka-tangka Festival in Tangkaan, Padre Burgos and Manha-on Festival in Macrohon.
- 36. 6. History ofBiliran, Philippines (The Province of Magnificent Islands) During the early Spanish era, what is now called Biliran Island was known as Isla de Panamao. The term refers to an ethnic fishing net. The present name, believed to be adopted sometime between the late 1600s and the early 1700s, was, according to many publications, derived from a native grass called borobiliran which once grew abundantly on the island's plains. A contending theory states that the name came from the word bilir, which was defined in an old Visayan dictionary to be the “corner or edge of a boat, vase or anything protruding, like veins, or the furrow made by the plow.” The dictionary also gives biliran as an alternate spelling for bilir. This theory is supported by the fact that Biliran was site of the first large-scale shipyard, built in the 1600s. Galleons were built to support the Galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco in Mexico. The first town, named Biliran, was founded in 1712. During this time, the island was a part of the province of Cebu. Biliran, together with the islands of Samar and Leyte were constituted into a separate province in 1735. Later when Samar and Leyte were split into two provinces in 1768, Biliran became part of Leyte.During the World War II, Biliran had its own guerrilla forces under the Leyte command of Colonel Ruperto Kangleon. The guerrilla operation where of invaluable assistance to the successful landing of the American liberation forces at Palo, Leyte, on October 20, 1944 just before the Battle of Leyte Gulf. In 1945 liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces landed in Biliran with the local guerrilla forces by the attack of the Japanese troops from the island during the Battle of Biliran. In May 1735, representative inhabitants of Leyte petitioned Governor General Fernando Valdes y Tamon to allow them to resettle Biliran Island. They claimed it had been abandoned for the past 50 years and was presently inhabited by bagamundos (vagabounds) due to the frequent Moro raids.
- 37. On 26 May1754, the Moros destroyed the pueblos of Biliran in Leyte and Catbalogan in Samar. Panamao was reportedly razed to the ground and only the gobernadorcillo of Biliran pueblo escaped capture by the raiders. The settlements of Biliran, Caybiran, Mapuyo and Maripipi were also destroyed by the Moros. The Moros staged their attack by marching inland along a river in the province named Anas for a distance of 1.5-2 leguas (leagues). Having covered part of the interior around a mountain, they managed to capture the inhabitants, with the exception of the gobernadorcillo who had escaped. The houses and property of the natives were burned or destroyed. The church building suffered the same fate and its valuables were taken away by the raiders. When the Moro raiders have been neutralized in the early 19th century, the local inhabitants went into the business of organizing new pueblos (also known as town) in the present geography of Biliran Province. The inhabitants of Biliran Island petitioned for pueblo and parish status as early as 1712. The first parish priest was assigned in 1765 but its parish status was apparently withdrawn because of Padre Gaspar‘s apostasy. The parish was re-established on February 22, 1782. In 1828, Caibiran on the east became an independent pueblo and parish, the second to be created in Biliran Island.Naval became the third town, and it was carved out of the territory of Biliran town. It initially became a separate parish in 1860. The Spanish colonial government officially recognized its pueblo status on 23 September 1869, the petition for which was apparently submitted around 1861. Almeria became a separate town in 1886 and was named after a town in Spain of the same name. Maripipi used to be a barrio of Naval. It was officially inaugurated as a town in 1867, two years ahead of its mother town, then folded up and was reduced into a barrio of Almeria, and then became a town again in 1899. Maripipi and the new towns of San Clemente (later Kawayan), Culaba and Esperanza (later Cabucgayan) were created around 1899 by the revolutionary government under Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo. On April 8, 1959 Republic Act No. 2141 was signed into law effectively making Biliran a sub-province of Leyte. The island was only made an independent province on May 11, 1992 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7160, making it one of the newest provinces in the country. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT Biliran Island lies off the northern coast of Leyte Island across Biliran Strait. To the southeast is Carigara Bay, to the northeast is the Samar Sea, and across this sea is Samar Island. To the west is the Visayan Sea and Masbate lies 30
- 38. kilometres (19 mi)to the northwest. 11.4667° N, 124.4833° E - Biliran, Biliran, Coordinates DEMOGRAPHIC Total Population of Biliran (as of May 1, 2010): 161,760 Total Registered Voters of Biliran (as of 2010): 81,958 HOTSPOT AREAS IN BILIRAN The province holds a multitude of photogenic waterfalls, whose features range from impressive drops to inviting swimming spots. The Tomalistis Falls are most notable for its water’s peculiar sweet taste the sweetest in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Tinago Falls make for a good photo-op, steadily plummeting down to an enclave surrounded by verdant rocks. Get up-close to the majestic Ulan Ulan Falls (ulan is the Filipino word for rain) to hear and feel the thunderous sound of a heavy downpour.Scouring Biliran’s secluded shores is another way to discover your personal pocket of paradise. The beaches here are pristine all sun-kissed sand and cobalt waters. Take a boat to Sambawan Island and snorkel among its coral gardens, or tie up a hammock and nap on the thin strip of Dalutan Island. Higatangan Island’s shifting 200-meter sandbar stretches beautifully toward the sea, and its shores feature attractive natural rock formations and exotic seashells. Former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos reportedly took refuge on this island during World War II, prompting its highest point to be named “Marcos Hill.”
- 39. The sprinkling ofnatural attractions throughout Biliran continues.Tingkasan Bat Cave is a good spelunking and spear-fishing site. Locals believe its distinctive rectangular entrance was created by Japanese forces during World War II.The Mainit Hot Springs deliver flowing water in varying degrees of heat, good for soothing sore muscles. And if you can’t make it to the northern province of Ifugao, the Iyusan Rice Terraces make for a cool miniature alternative. FESTIVALS IN BILIRAN Second Week of May (Hudyaka Festival, provincial anniversary) – Naval
- 40. One of thehighlights of Biliran Provincehood Anniversary on every 11th of May, the festival is a celebration of the Biliranons’ endeavors as one people with “hudyaka” or merriment. It showcases the various festivals of it’s component municipalities. January 24 (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) – Almeria May 15 (St. Isidore the Farmer) – Culaba May 16 (St. John Nepomucene) – Biliran July 25 (St. James the Apostle) – Caibiran September 29 (St. Michael the Archangel) – Maripipi First Sunday of October (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary) – Naval October 10 (St. Francis Borgia) – Cabucgayan October 24 (St. Raphael the Archangel) – Kawayan COMMON PRODUCTS PRODUCT : Nito Based Products PRODUCER : Salangi Bamboocraft Group ADDRESS : Barangay Salangi, Almeria, Biliran CONTACT PERSON/S : Margie Sale; Marilee P. Cabilar CONTACT NUMBER/S : (0910) 3509162; (0920) 6736103 CULTURE AND BELIEFS Languages The inhabitants of Biliran primarily speak Cebuano and Waray, both Visayan languages. The majority of the residents also speak and understand Tagalog and English.
- 41.
- 42.
- 43. Central Luzon StateUniversity Science City of Munoz College of Education In Partial Fulfillment Of Course Requirements In Socstud 235 : Philippine Geography REGION 8 EASTERN VISAYAS (Written Report) Submitted by: Zarah Mariel R. Baltazar Micaela N. Ongan BEED 3-1 http://www.tourism.gov.ph/sitepages/FestivitiesList.aspx?festivityCode=11 09&monthCode=09