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REGION VIII – EASTERN VISAYAS

Gastronomy
The following are the most common and famous delicacies in Eastern Visayas:
• Dried Pusit – this is a squid that is split open, de-gutted, sprinkled with a generous amount of salt (necessary
to prevent deadly bacteria from forming on its surface), and is left to dry under the sun.
• Lechon – it is a roasted pig prepared by stuffing it with herbs and vegetables and then slowly roasted,
usually by hand-turning over hot coals for hours, until its skin becomes crispy and turns reddish brown,
while the inside flesh becomes tender and flavorful.
• Suman Moron – it is a twisted chocolate-milk sticky rice cake, which is a native dessert in Tacloban.
• Hinatukan – this is a cooking style done by cooking an ingredient in coconut milk. This is usually done with
fish and with vegetables (hinatukan nga utan), with unripe jackfruit flesh (hinatukan nga langka), and/or
squash (hinatukan nga karubasa).
• Lawot-Lawot – it is a Waray delicacy made of mixed leafy, pod, and fruit vegetables.
Province Tourist Destinations Festivals
Biliran Tinago Waterfalls Hudyaka Festival
It is a hidden waterfall in Naval. Its name It is a celebration of the locals’
Capital: “Tinago” was derived from a Visayan term endeavors as one (1) people with
Naval meaning, “hidden”. It blends perfectly with hudyaka or enjoyment. It showcases the
nature as its cold waters cascade beautifully in various festivals of its component
a breathtaking scenery. municipalities and is celebrated every
11th of May.
Sambawan Island
This is a marine sanctuary and a popular dive Bagasumbol Festival
site. It has an extensive wealth of marine life It celebrates the birth of Christianity in
that are in good condition. It is just one (1) of the town of Naval during the Spanish
the manifolds of natural attractions of the time. It commemorates how Biliranons
province but it is starting to become its icon, a defend their island during the
stature worthy for this small piece of heaven. colonization of the Moros. The term
Bagasumbol came from historical
Mainit Hot Spring events wherein a government
It is a hot spring that pools water coming from document published in Manila
Mt. Suiro, an inactive volcano that last erupted appointed a certain Don Gaspar Ignacio
in 1939. It is known for its healing ability where de Guevara as a parish priest in a town
tourists can take a relaxing dip in the natural in Biliran. He then created a new town
pool and relieve muscle pains. It is also good in by transferring it away from its original
reducing rheumatism, skin allergies, and site to a hilltop and set up a sanctuary
arthritis. and styled himself as the "first of the
priests of the world." Those who did not
follow Padre Gaspar became known as
Bagasumbol or "obstacle to enemies".
The locals later on celebrated this as a
fiesta every 1st Saturday of October.

Ibid Festival
It portrays how the town of Caibiran got
its name from the species of monitor
lizard locally known as ibid. It is
celebrated every 23rd of July. The term
ibid means a place where there is many
ibid.

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Province Tourist Destinations Festivals

Eastern Samar Homonhon Island Padul-Ong Festival
It is a small island where Ferdinand Magellan It memorializes the day the locals of
Capital: and his men first set foot on Philippine soil on Borongan City received the image of
Borongan City March 16, 1521. It is where the historic their Patron Saint, the Blessed Virgin
Magellan plaque/marker can be viewed. At Mary. It depicts a mythical presentation
this site, tourists can also see the stone on how the image was unexplainably
originally carved with the name of Magellan, transported to the city all the way from
which is recognized by the Philippine Historical Portugal.
Commission as the exact place of the Magellan
Landing. Lechon Festival
It is a festival that showcases their local
Twin Island of Borongan dish, Lechon (roasted pig). During this
This site is composed of the two (2) treasured event, litsoneros (Lechon cooks)
islands of Borongan City: Ando Island and prepare their best quality pig to join in a
Divinubo Island. Both islands are facing the parade for Lechon carried by tricycles
Pacific Ocean and are prone to strong and/or pedicabs. The winner will get a
typhoons, surges, tsunamis, and other natural cash prize from the local government.
calamities, but both give enchanting features
that are completely unspoiled. Karayapan Festival
It is a colorful festival held in Guiuan,
Hamorawon Spring which describes how the early
It is a natural spring, which is said to be townsfolk enjoyed nature’s bounties,
miraculous. The locals believe that whoever rich marine life, fertile land, and verdant
takes a bath in this cool spring, especially forest. It is celebrated every 7th of
foreigners, will surely go home with a December. The term Karayapan means
Boronganon (term for locals of Borongan City) "for all" or in Tagalog, “para sa lahat”
wife. Around this spring is a Spanish built stone and is closely related to the concept of
wall. community. It is also a thanksgiving to
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Leyte The General Douglas Macarthur Landing Lubi-Lubi Festival
Memorial The term Lubi-Lubi means coconut
Capital: It is a memorial that features statues dance in the province’s local dialect. It is
Tacloban City portraying the historical and victorious return an indigenous fun dance utilizing the
of the American Liberation Forces led by U.S. city’s abundant coco plants and
General Douglas MacArthur in 1944. These materials. It is held in Calubian every
statues are visible from a distance as these are 15th of August.
more than 10 feet in height. It is located at Red
Beach in Palo. Sangyaw Festival
It showcases the rich cultural and
San Juanico Bridge religious heritage of the natives of
It is the longest bridge in the Philippines and is Tacloban and the province it belongs to.
also known as a symbol of love by Waraynons Locals dress as warriors painted in
(local of Leyte). It connects the sister islands of colorful costumes, women performing
Samar and Leyte. It is a gift of former President elaborate rituals and the incorporation
Ferdinand Marcos to his spouse who is a native of Christianity are just some of the
of Leyte. It was constructed for four (4) years, events featured in the event. The main
from 1969 to 1973, and costed $21.9 million. attraction is the devotion to the Santo
Niño, patron of Tacloban City.
The Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum Representatives from different schools
This museum displays the most historic and barangays usually have a woman
artifacts and relics associated with the culture, carrying the Santo Niño statue. The said
heritage, and history of the province. Several woman will dance in a trance, symbolic
structures and images depicting local myths of the native Catholic ritual thanking the
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Province Tourist Destinations
like “Malakas and Maganda” are built within
the premises of the museum. In 1979, a
religious landmark was built in it in honor of
the Holy Child. The shrine highlights the Santo
Niño image, which is the patron of Tacloban
City. It serves as a chapel and museum, and at
the same time, a guest house with 21
bedrooms.
Northern Lobo Cave
Samar It is a site that offers a variety of underground
aquatic environments, including rivers,
Capital: waterfalls, and lakes, as well as lovely
Catarman formations and a vertical passage.
Sohoton Caves
These caves are beautiful and well-visited
dripstone caves and are part of an 840-hectare
park. The locals believe that as a sign of respect
to the "spirits" that hover around the caves,
visitors must tap the entrance sideways three
(3) times to safely enter the caves.
Biri Island Rock Formation
It is a rock formation composed of four (4)
small rocky islands. It is dubbed as the
"Amazing Rock Structures Sculpted by Waves".
The incredible strength of these waves has
caused the island to take on distinct and
interesting shapes. Geologists from the
University of the Philippines state that the
rocks date back from the Early Miocene Period
and their ages range from five (5) to 23 million
years old.
Southern Leyte Tangkaan Beach
It is known for its rock formations and is a
Capital: perfect spot to see the historical Limasawa
Maasin City Island. The beach is often described by the
locals as Leyte’s version of Boracay. It is a place
where tourists can enjoy and relax while
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Festivals
Santo Niño for the blessings and luck it
has brought to the town. It is held every
29th of June.
Alikaraw Festival
It is the locals’ way to give thanks to
petal fairies who ensures that flowers
grow and bloom to the fullest, celebrate
their blessings, and hope for a bountiful
year ahead. This is done through
dances and songs with colorful flower
costumes held every December 31st.
Locals believe that fairies sway their
magic petals to make sure that flowers
grow and bloom. However, they also
believe that with their faith on the Holy
Child, the powerful Santo Niño, flowers
will generate more colorful breeds in
the future.
Kaway Festival
The term kaway, means squid’s
tentacles in the local dialect. This is
where the festival’s name was derived
from since it is the Birianon’s (locals of
Biri Island) expression of thanksgiving
for the abundance of sea products. This
is celebrated every 23rd and 24th of June.
Embajada Festival
It is a traditional festivity that has been
celebrated for centuries in Catarman. It
showcases the story of the province’s
rich history, which depicts Moros’
conflict with the Spanish colonizers.
Exhibitions of native delicacies and
colorful street dancing can be seen
during this event. It is held every 2nd
week of January.
Kadayawan Festival
It is Pambujanon’s (locals in Pambujan)
way of celebrating the new year by
praising the Almighty for the graces
bestowed upon them and wishing more
for the ensuing year. It is held every first
full moon of the year.
Pagkamugna Festival
It remembers the founding of the
province of Southern Leyte in July 1960.
During this event, there are grand civic
parades, agri-aqua and food fairs, live
concerts, motocross, and the
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Province Tourist Destinations Festivals

dipping in its clear blue waters and enjoying prestigious pageants. This is celebrated
the beautiful panoramic scenery. every 1st of July.

Kuting Reef Karomata Festival

It is considered as one (1) of Southern Leyte’s This is a cultural celebration depicting
most intimate secrets. It is a fine pebble beach the role of the farmers and their way of
within a 3-hectare property covered by life through poster-making, house
bermuda grass and planted with tall 30 to 40- decoration, and children’s contests. Its
year-old coconut trees. main event is the Karomata Race. It is
held during the fiesta of Barangay
Limasawa Island Buenavista Pintuyan every 3rd to 5th of
It is a small island at the tip of the Leyte April.
mainland. It is the sight of the first Catholic
Mass in the Philippines on March 31, 1521.
Western Tinago-An Cave Sarakiki-Hadang Festival
Samar The cave made a name for itself when it was This celebrates and depicts the
made a hideout by two (2) men wanted by the merriment in the evening before a
Capital: guerrillas who hid in it for nearly two (2) years. wedding ceremony, which contributed
Catbalogan Hence, the name tinago-an, which means greatly to one (1) of the most well-liked
City hiding place. The cave has been the main Filipino tradition, pamamanhikan. It is
attraction for picnickers desiring to get the rare celebrated every September 1st to 8th.
thrill and excitement of having a trip through
nature-made dark tunnels. Mayaw-Mayaw Festival
It is an annual thanksgiving celebration
Lologayan Falls that is highlighted with dance and
The term “lologayan” came from the local drama contests, cultural presentations,
dialect root word “logay”, which means to and street dancing competition. It
unfold a braided long hair. This came from the started as an artistic dance that depicts
locals’ belief that, the falls’ series of towering an ancient ritual during the pre-Spanish
altars of rugged stones where the ribbon-like time. Presently, it is still being practiced
cool water flows, cleansed the hair of a in Pinabacdao and participated by local
legendary lady. Hence, this term came from a farmers, schools, public groups, and
legend of a maiden who frequently visited the barangays held every 10th of May.
place to rinse her long hair.

Mapaso Hot Spring

The term mapaso, which means hot, describes
the hot spring that has the consistency of
boiling water. Within the hot spring, nature
has given its life in the form of fresh
crustaceans with a tainted pink-red
appearance, which ordinarily resembles the
tint of a scalded shrimp.

REFERENCES:
Philippine Country. (2006). Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.philippinecountry.com/provcitmun.html#abra
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2017). Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://nap.psa.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/SUMWEBPROV-DEC2016-CODED-HUC-FINAL.pdf
Vigattin Tourism. (2014). 5 Tourist Attractions in Biliran that are worth visiting. Retrieved on October 23, 2017
from: https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/5-Tourist-Attractions-in-Biliran-that-are-worth-
visiting
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Biliran Island. (2017). Mainit Hot Spring. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://tourism.biliranisland.com/mainit-hot-spring.php
Biliran Island. (2017). Biliran Festivals. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.biliranisland.com/festivals/biliran-festivals
Life Exposes. (2014). Bagasumbol: A Festival with a Long-Forgotten Story. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
https://lifeexposes.weebly.com/blog/bagasumbol-a-festival-with-a-long-forgotten-history
Biliran. (2015). Ibid. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://biliran.gov.ph/ibid/
Phil Star. (2012). Homonhon island in Guiuan, E. Samar Magellan Landing Site: Where the 1st Mass was held
in the Phl. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.philstar.com/region/789403/homonhon-
island-guiuan-e-samar-magellan-landing-site-where-1st-mass-was-held-phl
Borongan. (n.d.). Borongan City. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://bborongan.simplesite.com
Greedy Peg. (n.d.). Hamorawon Spring. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://greedypeg.org/eastern-
samar/Hamorawon-Spring.html
Choose Philippines. (2016). The Legend of the Miraculous Lady in White Lurking in Eastern Samar's
Hamorawan Spring. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/4567/borongan-padul-ong-festival
Choose Philippines. (2015). Lechon Festival: Borongan City’s Best Tasting Roasted Pigs. Retrieved on October
23, 2017 from: http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/3353/lechon-festival-2015/
Mango Tours. (2014). Fantastic Festivals: December. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
https://www.mangotours.com/blog/fantastic-festival-december
Islands of the Philippines. (2012). The Island of Leyte. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.islandsofthephilippines.com/2012/09/the-island-of-leyte/
Philippines Insider. (2016). Leyte Festivals and Events. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.philippinesinsider.com/visayas/leyte/leyte-festivals-and-events/
Trexplore. (2016). Lobo Cave – “The Most Beautiful Cave in the Philippines” – Jiabong, Samar. Retrieved on
October 23, 2017 from: https://trexplore.ph/lobo-cave/
The Philippines. (2016). Top 8 Things to Do in Samar Island. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.thephilippines.com/2015/07/top-8-things-to-do-in-samar-island-
philippines.html?m=1#.WVsP1NhechA
Biri-anon Ako. (n.d.). The Kaway Festival. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
https://sites.google.com/site/birianonako/home/the-kaway-festival
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Eventurista. (2016). Kadayaw Festival. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.eventurista.com/153-
kadayaw-festival
Leyte Travel. (2009). A beautiful waterfall in Padre Burgos. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
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Tacloban City Guide. (2011). History of Sangyaw: A Tablobanon’s Heritage. Retrieved on October 23, 2017
from: http://taclobancityguide.blogspot.com/2011/06/history-of-sangyaw-taclobanons-heritage.html

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Sun Star. (2012). Alikaraw Festival. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
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mayaw-festival
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Blog Spot. (2010). Bagasumbol Festival. Retrieved on December 4, 2017 from:
http://angmaniniyot.blogspot.com/2010/10/bagasumbol-festival.html

GASTRONOMICAL MAP REFERENCES:

Magluto. (2011). Filipino Recipe Pritong Daing na Pusit (Fried Dried Squid). Retrieved on October 23, 2017
from: http://www.magluto.com/filipino-recipe-pritong-daing-na-pusit-fried-dried-squid
Pinoy Kusinero. (2014). Suman Moron. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.pinoykusinero.com/2014/02/suman-moron-twisted-sticky-rice-cake.html
I Heart CDO. (2015). Lechon. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.iheartcdo.com/where-to-
dine/filipino-cuisine/fatzo-lechon-delicious-flavor-at-an-affordable-price.html
Pinoy Adventurista. (2013). Leyte – A Culinary Adventure. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2013/07/jasmine-restaurant-at--the-oriental-leyte.html
Panlasang Pinoy. (2014). Lawot Lawot. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.panlasangpinoyrecipes.com/lawot-lawot-version-1-recipe/

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