1.

The Waray people are known for being music lovers famously is the Dandansoy
song which is ballad, and their patriotic song is Iroy ng Tuna (Motherland). Famous
dance that wont be gone and always present in every dance occasion is Tinikling
which became the Philippines national dance is a folkdance, originated from the
region. But when we talk offiestas celebration and special gatherings in demand
dance is the famed Curacha dance.

2. The University is a residence of top and highcaliber faculty and academic

personnelachieving most of their local and internationalacknowledgement in
research and development.A total of 92 are degree holders of Ph.D., 110MS degree
holders and 72 BS degree holdersthat came from respectable colleges
anduniversities here and abroad. VSU is well knownas a core for excellence in
research andextension. It produced topnotch in bar examfrom early years until
present.

3. Leyte is rich in historical significance, most notably for the site where General
MacArthur made his triumphant return to the Philippines in October, 1944, as
commemorated in MacArthur Park in Palo. Other World War 2 memorials include Hill
522or Guinhangdan Hill in Palo, Hill 120 in Dulag, Price Mansion in Tacloban, the
Japanese WarMemorial Cemetery, Buga-Buga Hills in Villabe,and the PhilippineJapanese Peace Memorial inOrmoc City. Churches include Palos Cathedraland the La
Purisima Shrine, and Taclobans Sto.Nio Church and the Madonna of Japan.
Otherhistorical sites include the Hilongos Bell tower, and the Peoples Center and
Library in Tacloban. Natural attractions include the San Juanico Strait, Lake Danao,
Cuatros Islas, Hindang and Inopacan beaches.

4. Northern Samar Capital: Catarman Area Size: 3,498 km Population: 549,759

Northern Samar has plenty of historical landmarks including Sumuroys Marker in
Palapag, the former Spanish royal port, CapulChurch, and the San Bernardino
andBatag Lighthouses. The most knownnatural site is the rocky landscape of Biri,
which has been carved by the sea and wind. Other natural attractions include Onay
Beach in Laoang Bay, Rosario Hot Springs, Pinipisacan Falls, and the twin falls of
Victoria town.

5. Events/Celebration:Bagasumbol Festival September, BiliranBuktay Festival

October 9,BiliranBuyogan Festival August 19,Abuyog, LeyteTacloban Festival Last
weekof June.Pintados-Kasadyahan Festival June 29, Tacloban CityBanigan-Kawayan
Festival September 28, Basey, SamarSarakiki Festival September01-08,
Calbayog City, WesternSamarBagolan Festival June 29,Paranas, SamarLapayBantique dance Festival No specific date

6. Name PROVINCE AREA(sq.km) POPULATION Baybay, City Of Leyte 459.34

4(92) Borongan, City Of Eastern Samar 475.06 7(130) Calbayog City Western
Samar 880.74 3(54) Catbalogan, City Of Western Samar 274.22 5(103) Maasin,
City Of Southern Leyte 211.71 6(118) Ormoc City Leyte 613.60 2(51) Tacloban
City Leyte 201.72 1(45)

7. Region Provincial GovernorBiliran Naval Gerardo Espina Jr.Eastern Samar

Borongan Conrado B. Nicart Jr.Leyte Tacloban Carlo PetillaNorthern Samar Catarman
Paul DazaSamar Catbalogan Sharee TanSouthern Leyte Maasin Damian Mercado

8. Peace and order is the key to a successful tourism industry as safety and
security of visitors is a primary concern of tourists when travelling to tourist
destinations, SORIA said during the activation of Tacloban Tourist Police Unit this
morning held at the Tacloban City Police Office Quadrangle. It is the policy of the
government to ensure the safety and security of tourists in the country. "citing
provisions in the Tourism Act of 2009 which stipulated that the Philippine National
Police shall establish a Tourism Security Force to assist in maintaining peace and
order within areas of high tourism traffic. With this activation, the TOP COP or
Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program is fully
operational and will hopefully entice more tourists to visit the region with this added
commitment to their safety and security.

9. AT LEAST 40 tourism attractions in Eastern Visayas were identified as priority

destinations in the newly-drafted sectoral plan. In northeast Leyte, the destinations
for conferences and events are Tacloban City, Palo and Babatngon; Mahagnao
Volcano Natural Park in Burauen for nature; and Leyte Sab-a Basin Wetland Agri-Eco
Park in Palo, Sta. Fe, Alangalang and San Miguel for agri-educational. In northwest
Leyte are the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in Isabel, Energy Development
Corporation Geothermal Steamfield in Ormoc City and Kananga, Pineapple
Plantation in Ormoc City, Visayas State University in Baybay City, Lake Danao in
Ormoc City, and Tabuk Marine Park in Palompon, Golf Course Urban Amenities in
Ormoc and Albuera; Cuatro Islas Hindang and Inopacan for conferences and events;
and Mount Pangasugan Nature Park in Baybay for nature, environment and
educational tour. In Biliran, identified sites are Mainit Hot and Cold Springs in
Caibiran for nature; Higatangan Island in Naval for diving; and Sambawan Island in
Maripipi for marine sport. The Sogod Bay of Southern Leyte, Maasin Zoo in Maasin
City, Agas Agas Adventure Park in Sogod, and closed canopy forest in Silago all
cater to adventure, educational and nature activities are also priority destinations.
In Samar are Sohoton Cave in Basey, seascape in Marabut, Ulot watershed
ecotourism loop in Paranas, Agutay Island in Daram, Bangon Falls and Rapids in
Calbayog City all target visitors who are enthusiastic in caving, diving and
adventure. Attraction in Eastern Samar are Calicoan Island in Guiuan for marine
sports and cultural activities, Ando and Divinubo Islands in Borongan City for sun
and beach, Amandaraga Falls in Lawaan for nature, closed canopy forest in
Borongan City, Maydolong and Llorente for forest adventure.

10. The regions Leyte and Samar islands serve as main link between Luzon and
Mindanao by land transport. A total of nine airports, are strategically located in
different parts of the six provinces that comprise the region. Daniel Z. Romualdez
Airport in Tacloban City is the main gateway by air to the region. There are seaports
in Tacloban, Catbalogan, Calbayog, Borongan, Ormoc, Bato, Maasin, Sogod and
Naval.

he region consists of the provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar,Leyte, Northern

Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte and the cities

of Baybay, Borongan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Maasin, Ormoc andTacloban. Tacloban

City is its regional center. The local climate varies between wet and wetter the
regions perpetually lush landscapes reveal the absence of a real dry season.

Majority of the locals here are Waray and speak Waray-Waray.Warays are
descendants of Austronesian migrants who settled in the Philippines in the Iron Age.
In 1521, they became the first Filipinos encountered by Europeans, care of
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. They subsequently became one of the first
local groups to convert to Christianity. Notable Warays include Former First Lady
Imelda Marcos and statesman Norberto Romuldez.

The region remains relatively under-the-radar compared to other tourist destinations

in the Philippines, but this is slowly changing. More and more people troop here in
pursuit of rugged coasts and landscapes, secret caves and waterfalls, and
fascinating histories as well as the company of people content with the simple
life, happy to enjoy the bounty of nature.

TOP THINGS TO DO
Discover a waterfall
Head to Biliran or Samar to get close to picturesque hidden waterfalls.
Go caving
Explore the numerous caving systems of Samar.
Surfs up
Go surfing at Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar.
Go back in time
Visit the settings of some of the most famous moments in Philippine history, like
Red Beach in Leyte and Limasawa Island.
Rock on
Be captivated by stunning rock formations in Biri Island, Northern Samar and
Marabut, Samar.
Try local delicacies
Sample the deliciously sweet Queen Pineapple of Ormoc and regional specialties like
binagol and moron.