ETHYMOLOGY OF EASTERN VISAYAS:

The current name of the region was derived from its location in the greater Visayas area. The
name was coined by American colonialists after the take-over of the islands when the First Philippine
Republic was officially defeated by the Americans. There have been proposals to rename the current
Eastern Visayas region, which is dominated by the Waray ethnic group in the east and the Sebwano
ethnic group in the west, into Mairete-Iberein region. The term literally translates to 'Land of Ete and
Iberein'. According to documents recorded by the Spaniards, Ete is the first documented pre-colonial
ruler of a kingdom of Leyte, while Iberein is the first documented pre-colonial ruler of a kingdom in
Samar. Ete, whose kingdom was centered in present-day Tacloban, most likely had Waray and
Sebwano bloodlines, while Iberein, whose kingdom was centered somewhere in Northern Samar,
most likely had Waray - Hebrew bloodlines.

Jh

The island of Kalanggaman is famous for its crystal clear water, white
powdery sand and long sandbars stretching on both sides of the island. The
surrounding of the beach is really calm, safe and truly relaxing that’s why
it’s suitable for family holidays or for a short weekend trip.

Eastern Visayas is the number 2 producer of coconut in the country.

DELICACIES:
Among the region’s native delicacies are binagol (sweet root crop inside molded in coconut
shell), moron (a mix of sticky rice and cocoa wrapped with banana leaves), pastillas (candy made
from carabao’s milk), suman (a combination of white and brown glutinous rice), smoked fish, Roscas
cookies, and chocolate tablets.

Pastillas -There are imitations, ones made from condensed milk and the city shops are littered with them.
It's the carabao's milk that makes all the difference so if it's not made from it, the tast is really different - it
becomes too sweet. 

SAN JUANICO BRIDGE - San Juanico Bridge started construction in 1969 and finished in
1973, it costs some $22 M (Php 154 M in the ‘70s).

(http://region8.nia.gov.ph/?q=content/about-nia-region-vii)

The bridge said to be the longest in the country, spans some 2.2 kilometers and
connects the twin islands of Leyte and Samar. When sea travel was then the fad in
travelling to other islands, ships bound for Cebu and Manila would pass by under the
bridge and the passengers would usually crowd at the starboard area to take pictures as
they pass by the famous bridge.

If one comes from Luzon, San Juanico originates from Barangay San Juan, Sta. Rita
Samar to Barangay Cabalawan in Tacloban City.

Formerly called the Marcos Bridge in honor of the late Pres. sident Ferdinand Marcos,
the San Juanico Bridge is the longest bridge in the Philippines. It is also said to be a gift of
the late president to his wife who was a resident of Tacloban City during her youth. San
Juanico bridge built in 1969

Ang Tulay ng San Juanico (San Juanico Bridge) ay ang tulay na pinagdudugtong ang mga pulo
ng Leyte at Samar sa ibabaw ng Kipot ng San Juanico. Bahagi ito ng Pan-Philippine Highway, at
may kabuuang haba itong 2,200 metro (7,200 talampakan)—ang pinakamahabang tulay
sa Pilipinas.[1] Ang tulay ay inihandog kay Imelda Marcos, asawa ni dating pangulong Ferdinand
Marcos.[2]
Bahagyang nasira ang tulay nang nanalasa ang Bagyong Yolanda sa Silangang Kabisayaan noong
Nobyembre 2013, subalit isinaayos ito muli pagkalipas.

Sto.nino - https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Santo-Nio-Shrine-and-
Heritage-Museum#:~:text=The%20Santo%20Ni%C3%B1o%20Shrine%20is,Ni%C3%B1o
%20de%20Leyte.

The Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is one of the many rest houses that the
Marcoses had built. It houses 7 bedrooms built for the members of the Marcos
family, 13 guest rooms, a ballroom and what looked like conference rooms. Each
room is magnificently designed and decorated. Each with a theme. Each with a
diorama of the life story of Imelda. The site is also littered with numerous expensive,
even priceless, pieces of art that will introduce your jaws to the floor each time. From
imported furniture to local artworks, the place just screams magnificence, loud and
clear.

The lake is covering an area of 148 hectares (370 acres). It is situated in the 2,193
hectares (5,420acres) Lake Danao National Park, which also includes the Amandiwin
mountain range. The lake is 18kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Ormoc City, half an hour
drive along the San Pablo-Tongonan and

Milagro - Lake Danao roads.It was originally named "Lake Imelda" and was declared a
national park on June 2, 1972 by virtue ofpresidential memorandum issued by then
President Ferdinand Marcos. Later it was renamed anddeclared as Lake Danao National
Park on February 3, 1998 through Proclamation No. 1155 and is nowprotected by
Republic Act No. 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area
System(NIPAS) Act of 1992.

Kalanggaman island - https://outoftownblog.com/kalanggaman-island-travel-guide/

Palo cathedral https://sbpalo.com/?portfolio=story-3

Mactan shrine - Mactan Shrine, also known as Liberty Shrine, is a memorial park on the island of
Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. 

San Juanico Bridge- it is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater. It is
considered one of the most beautifully designed bridges in Philippines. The bridge has 43 spans
and medium size boats can pass beneath its large main arch the top of which rises 41 meters
above the sea. Construction commenced in 1969 over San Juanico Strait from Cabalawan,
Tacloban City to the municipality of Santa Rita, Samar, with completion in 1973.

The longest bridge in Southeast Asia, San Juanico Bridge, is known as a symbol of love by the
Waraynons which connects the sister islands of Samar and Leyte spanning a body of water with a
length of 2.16 km (1.34mi). It is considered one of the most beautifully-designed bridges in
Philippines. The bridge is supported by 43 spans rising 41 meters above the sea.

Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum

- The Santo Niño Shrine is one of the 29 presidential rest houses that the late President
Ferdinand Marcos had built. It was built for his wife Imelda Marcos, who was born in Tacloban.
The museum contains a chapel that preserves the replica of the Sto. Niño de Leyte.
Lake Danao- is a guitar-shaped lake on the island of  Leyte, Philippines in the province
of  Leyte.

Leyte Golf Course Description- In the province where General McArthur landed, Leyte, lies

the Leyte Golf and Country Club. The club was built in the city of Ormoc. Its 18-
hole golf course has a medium-sized golfing area. It was created to have a flat and straight
design, but one that can challenge a player's game.

Kalanggaman Island - The island of Kalanggaman is famous for its crystal clear water, white
powdery sand and long sandbars stretching on both sides of the island. The surrounding of the
beach is really calm, safe and truly relaxing that’s why it’s suitable for family holidays or for a
short weekend trip.

Canigao Island- is an elliptical islet no more than 480 meters across its longest side. All of its
sides are powdery white sand and its center is filled with coconut trees. It is situated along
Matalom sea and is midway between mainland island province of Leyte and the northern coral
reefs of Bohol.

Palo Cathedral- The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration. Also known as Palo
Cathedral, a gigantic and elegant church built in the year 1956 by the Jesuits which became their
residence for some time.

Cuatro Islas – composed of four islands (in Spanish), is surrounded by crystalline

water that changes color from deep blue to turquoise green and is teeming with
marine life.

Dalutan – The Dalutan Island also boasts of exotic birds, colorful coral reefs, and
various kinds of fish, sea anemones, and other marine creatures.

Higatangan –
Old folks say that the place was where the pirates ambush approaching ships laden
with goods and also the place where the Moros lay in wait for their enemies going to
Sumbul (Naval).

The Legend of Tinago Waterfalls

"The legend of Tinago Waterfalls started when Sultan Agok and her wife were
appointed as King and Queen of their village. But they became too proud and selfish
to their people. One day an enchantress disguised as a beggar and asked for help but
rejected and ordered to put into exile.
- Its name—Tinago Falls in tagalog—means “hidden” that perfectly fits its
location that one can only reach by descending some 500 steps.

Ulan-ulan - Ulan-Ulan comes from the visayan dialect which means “rain“. The force
of the falling waters creates a mist hence the name. It’s cascading waters form a
catch basin with water sufficient for swimming. With its greenery and cool gushing
waters, visitors will surely enjoy taking a bath. There are no cottages along the sides
of the stream and it is not a place to stay for overnight.

Kinaraha - The sulfurous waters of Kinaraha Cascades provides natural swimming

pools and water slides! . “The water tastes like vinegar!” a German backpacker we
met exclaimed when he jumped into one of the crystal clear rock pools.

Tangkaan beach - Tangkaan Beach is not just a place of relaxation and enjoyment. It is also a
place of history. The name Tangkaan is from the word “tangka” which means to attempt because in
the past the Moro raiders attempted many times to invade Padre Burgos but because of the strong
wind and big waves, they weren’t able to land their boats.

Sarakiki - This celebrates and depicts the merriment in the evening before a wedding ceremony,
which contributed greatly to one (1) of the most well-liked Filipino tradition, pamamanhikan. It
is celebrated every September 1st to 8th.

Cambaro cave - Cambaro is described as the Cave Capital of Southern Leyte as it is said to
have at least a hundred caves – some of which have yet to be explored.

Limasawa -  “Lima'y Asawa”, meaning that their Rajah has five wives. The
Spanish too, thinking that was the answer to his question, return to tell his
companions that the island is named “Lima'y Asawa ”. And from then on, the
place came to be called as “Limasawa”.
On this island, Ferdinand Magellan first made extended contact with
Filipino natives on March 28, 1521. There also the first Roman
Catholic mass was celebrated (March 31, 1521) in the Philippines. The
island is inhabited by Visayan peoples who practice subsistence
agriculture and fishing.

Lilo wawa festival - “Lilo” means whirlpool and “wawa” is the passage that
connects the town to Panaon Island in Southern Leyte.
 "AJONAY FESTIVAL" in Maasin City

Decided by a group of dance choreographers, artists, writers, and the academe was
the "Ajonay Festival", the term referring to a dialect word that means a call for a
"bayanihan" undertaking shared in common. :Ajonay' presupposes openness to help
in various tasks, like a harvest, fishing, or a readiness to serve in personal events such
as wedding, funeral, or social mobilization for inter-barangay or neighborhood
projects. Conceptualized as a jolly activity that involves rhythmic dancing with basic
individual steps that can accompany the swift movement based on three major
storyline on "pag-agni" (a call to join), "pag-hugopay" (coming together), and "ajo-
ajo" (farewell).

Panaon island -  The island is commonly visited by dolphins and also known for its
whale sharks that spends several months off the coasts of Panaon Island upon their
migration route every year. Whale sharks can commonly be sighted every single day,
boat guides can even position the boat near the sites where whale sharks can be found
so interested one’s can swim with them. There is also a fish sanctuary nearby where
manta rays, pods of dolphins, seahorses and turtles can be found.