EASTERN

VISAYAS
REGION 8

Introduction
Eastern Visayas is one of the regions of the
Philippines and is designated as Region VIII.
It consists of six provinces, namely, Biliran, Eastern
Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar (Western Samar)
and Southern Leyte.
These provinces occupy the easternmost islands of
Visayas: Leyte, Samar and Biliran.
The regional center is Tacloban City, one of two cities of
Leyte. Calbayog City is the lone city in Samar, one of
the oldest in the country.
The main languages spoken are Cebuano and WarayWaray (speakers of these languages also call their
languages "Visayan"). A third language known as
Inabaknon is spoken in the island of Capul in Northern
Samar.
Some claim the existence of another speech variety
known as Sagul spoken on the Island of Biliran and is in
actuality a mix of both Cebuano and Waray. However,
others claim that 'Sagul' is just codeswitching rather
than a separate language. The word 'sagul' means
mixed in the Waray-Waray language and may simply
refer to the practice of mixing up both Waray-Waray

REGION 8
It is Composed of two main islands, Leyte, and

Samar, connected by San Juanico Bridge, as

well as Biliran Island.
It is one of only two regions having no land

border with another region, MIMAROPA being

the other.
Composed of Six provinces and Seven cities
Tacloban city is their regional center

How to get there?

Air
1. Major carriers fly directly from Manila to Tacloban (one hour)
daily.

Land
1. Ride a bus or shuttle (2 hours and 30 minutes) from
Tacloban to Naval, the capital of Biliran.
2. Or ride a bus or shuttle (2 hours) from Ormoc City to
Naval.

Sea
1. Ride a ferry (10 hours) from Cebu to Naval.
2. Or take a fast craft from Cebu going to Ormoc. From Ormoc
City, you can hire a van going to Naval.

BILIRAN

Biliran is the oldest town in Biliran Island hence the whole island was named after it.
It is located on the southwestern part of the island directly in front of Calubian, Leyte
across the Biliran strait.
In 1712, Biliran officially became a town, and Capitan Julian Aragon becomes the
first leader of the local government in its present site.
In 1782 the town became a parish and San Juan Nepomuceno was the patron Saint.
The Development of the Municipality started when the Biliran Bridge was
constructed connecting the mainland of Leyte.
Transportation facilities in the whole Island has improved. Later on in the early part
of 1980s, the energization of the whole island was realized; thereby the economy of
the island province including its municipality has improved.
Formerly, the province of Biliran is part of the province of Leyte, with the passage of
a bill creating the sub-province into a regular province in 1992 known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 which embodies the Local Autonomy of the Local
Government Unit and with the presence of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of
every municipality together with the help of the national agencies, the municipality
was able to implement various projects that helps improved the quality of life of
every Biliranons.

Origin of Biliran
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 largescale 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.

Land Area

Brief Information
8,630 Hectares

Population (as 2010)

16,183 (as of 2010 NSO survey)

Administrative Districts

Eleven (11) Barangays

Population Density

1.87 persons/Hectare

IRA Allotments

IRA
IRA
IRA
IRA
IRA

(2010)
(2011)
(2012)
(2013)
(2014)

P
P
P
P
P

32,
35,
34,
38,
43,

922,
561,
443,
787,
988,

386.00
076.00
436.00
972.00
072.00

Income Classification

5th Class Municipality

Municipal Boundaries

North : Municipality of Caibiran

South : Mainland of Leyte
East : Carigara Bay
West : Biliran Strait

Economy
Means of Livelihood

Farming (Primary)
Fishing (Secondary)

Major Products

Rice and Coconut

Other Products

Banana and Root crops

WATER SUPPLY

Biliran Water Supply

System

POWER SUPPLY

Biliran Electric Cooperative

COMMUNICATION
FACILITIES

SMART AND GLOBE

CELLSITES

Barangays
Bato
Busali
Burabod
Canila
Julita
Hugpa
Pinangomhan
San Isidro (Poblacion)
San Roque (Poblacion)
Sangalang
Villa Enage

Biliran Food Delicacies

1.Suman of Biliran
The tasty suman of Naval of
different flavors like the
tinambiran (a combination of
white and brown glutinous
rice), plain white suman and
suman with mango
marmalade are emerging
nowadays. It has gathered
thousands of orders at a
trade fair last 2012.

2.Binangol from
Bilian
Binagol is pronounced
with a longer stress on
the "a". Binagol is made
of a root crop named
Talyan, coconut milk
and sugar. It is then
molded into a coconut
shell. Binagol is quite
sweet with the distinct
tast of the root crop.

3.Papaya Pickles of
Biliran
Produced from fresh
green mature papaya
mixed with other fresh
vegetables, such as
carrots, green and red
bell peppers
preserved in natural
coco vinegar.Comes
in 250 gram bottles.

4.Chocolate
Tablets
Chocolate tablets
made from pure
natural cacao
seeds roasted,
milled, and molded
to circular tablets
at 1.5-2 inches
diameter.

5. Smoked Fish
Tinapa from
Biliran
Smoked Fish Tinapa
are made from
freshly caught fish
smoked using DOST
ITDI designed smoke
house and cleanly
packed in high
density PE bags.
Comes in various
sizes.

Tourist Destinations
The Rice Terraces of Biliran
A mountainous landscape will
greet people visiting Biliran
Island, the provinces main
island. Foothills offer perfect
locations to put up farms where
locals raise cattle and grow
crops of various kinds. Placing
these farms along the road,
relatively far from the centers of
human population provides easy
access while preserving a quiet
atmosphere.

How to get there?

The easiest way to see
the rice terraces of Naval
and Almeria is to hire a
habal-habal from
downtown Naval. Feel free
to discuss with any local
habal-habal drivers the
price for a full day
exploration of the rice
terraces in Barangay
Lucsoon in Naval and
Barangays Sampao and
Iyusan in Almeria (should
not cost more than 600).

The Waterfalls of Biliran

Tinago Falls
With the tropical mountains come the
waterfalls. From underground springs to surface
runoff, these freshwaters combine to form
streams that cascade roughly down steep
slopes.
Many of them empty on shallow pools hidden in
the forest which makes for an exciting spot for
nature travelers.
If you are planning to see some of these
amazing Biliran waterfalls, youll be delighted to
find many of them in the towns of Caibiran,
Cabucgayan, and Almeria.
Tinago Falls in the town of Caibiran is one of the
most accessible, making it a popular choice for
locals and visitors. An easy 30-minute habalhabal ride from downtown Naval, it fills a narrow
basin that reflects an enchanting teal color.
Larger pools downstream also provide excellent
swimming spots amidst the shade of centuriesold trees.

How to get there?

the best option
would be to rent
a habal-habal in
Naval for a full
day tour which
should not cost
more than 700.

Agta Beach Resort

A popular holiday destination for
tourists and locals, Agta Beach
Resort in Almeria houses basic
resort amenities like swimming
pools, restaurant, a billiard hall,
umbrella huts, and private
cottages that are all located beside
a generous strip of cream sandy
beach.
Then a short 30-minute boat ride
from Agta Beach is Dalutan Island.
Here, there are a number of openair native huts erected under the
shade of trees, making the island a
great place for picnics and bonding
with friends and family.

But to see the most breathtaking

beach site in Biliran, one has to exert
a little effort in terms of
transportation.
A semi-private resort can be found in
Sambawan Island, offering basic
accommodation at a slightly steep
rate of 2,500 per night, although
open-air cottages are also for rent at
a cheaper price of 500 per day.
For day trips, an entrance fee of
75/person is collected.
When in the island, dont miss
climbing the concrete stairs that lead
to a viewing deck.
Its here where youll have a
magnificent view of Sambawans fine
white sand beach, the clear azure
sea, and the imposing cone-shaped
Maripipi Volcano in the distance.

How to get there?

Agta Beach Resort: You may hire a habal-habal in
Naval that could bring you to the resort for 100 oneway, or take the local bus going to Kawayan and ask
to be dropped off at the gate of Agta Beach Resort
beside the highway.
Dalutan Island: Rent a boat from Agta Beach Resort
for a 20-minute ride to Dalutan Island, costing roughly
500 roundtrip. An entrance fee of 50 is collected in
the island while cottages are for rent from 250 to
1,000 a day depending on the size.
Sambawan Island: Renting a boat from Naval direct
to Sambawan is possible but will cost a minimum of
5,000 for a two-way trip. Theres an option to take
the ferry from Naval Port to the town of Maripipi which
leaves at 10:00 AM everyday except Sundays. Travel
time from Naval to Maripipi is approximately 2 hours
and costs about 100 one-way.
Once in Maripipi, hire a habal-habal (50 one-way, 20
minutes) to Brgy. Ol-og where you can rent boats to
Sambawan (300 two-way, 15 minutes per way).

How to get there from Manila?

From Manila, take a 1-hour flight (via
Cebu Pacific, PAL Express or AirAsia) to
Tacloban.
From Tacloban, ride a bus or van heading
to Naval from Tacloban Central Terminal
or any of the van terminals located in
downtown Tacloban (e.g. Duptours, VanVans).
Travel time from Tacloban to Naval takes
roughly 2.5 hours and costs around 150
one-way.
Where To Stay in Biliran
TJ Lodge located at the town center of
Naval offers budget accommodation for
as low as 300 per night. Rooms are
equipped with free wi-fi connection.

Festivals
Hudyaka Festival
One of the highlights 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 its component
municipalities.

Bagasumbol
Festival
One of the highlights 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 its
component
municipalities.

Ibid Festival
Celebrated in Caibiran
during its town fiesta
every 25th of July, the
festival illustrates the
playful stance of lizards
locally known as Ibid
which abounds by the
river near its
earliest settlement ,
from which the town
gets its name. Caibiran
means a place where
there are many Ibid.

Ginalutan Festival
Celebrated in
Maripipi in time with
its annual fiesta on
every 29th of
September honoring
St. Michael, the
festival portrays the
hard but rewarding
galut activity, or
making pots out of
clay, from which the
town is famous for

Bucnay Festival
Celebrated in
Cabucgayan during its
town fiesta on the 2nd
week of October, the
festival honors the
simple but meaningful
existence of the
bucgay shells, a local
source of food and
livelihood in the olden
days, from where the
town derived its name.

Gapnod Festival
Celebrated in Almeria
during its character
anniversary on every
1st September, the
festival is a tribute to
the towns humble
beginnings, just like
the lowly gapnod
and its present
accomplishments.

Subing Subing Festival

The Subingsubing
Festival is
celebrated every
24th of October
honoring St.
Raphael the
Archangel.

EASTERN SAMAR
Eastern Samar had been a significant backdrop of the countrys rich colonial history through
the island of Homonhon, where Ferdinand Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil in 1521
on his way to conquer the Philippines for the western world.
Its tiny island of Suluan Guiuan was likewise where the U.S. Army rangers had their first
encounter of the Philippine territory in 1944, three days before General Douglas MacArthur
made his historic landing in Leyte.
In his account, Pigafetta, the chronicler aboard Magellans ship, describes the island of
Humumu, now Homonhon, as so: We found two fountains of very clear water, we called it
the `Waters of Good Signs, having found the first sign of gold in the said island.
There also can be found much white coral and tall trees that bear fruits smaller than an
almond and look like pines.
There were also many palm trees, some of the good kind, some of the bad. Thereabouts are
many neighboring islands. Hence, we called them the St. Lazarus Archipelago because we
stayed there on the day and feast of St. Lazarus.
Historians have since described this part of Samar Island as the eastern gateway to the
Philippines. The coast of the small province faces the Pacific Ocean and much of the land is
rugged with the vast parts forested.
The interior part is rough and hilly and covered with dense tropical vegetation but drained
by numerous rivers and creeks. Mountain ranges and peaks abound in an interior. Narrow
plains hug most of the coastal areas and, in some instances, the banks of its principal rivers
and their tributaries.

Geography and Population

The province occupies a total land area
of 4,470.75 sq. km. It is bounded on the
north by Northern Samar, on the east by
the Philippine Sea, on the west by
Western Samar, and on the south by the
Leyte Gulf.

As of the 1995 census, the provincial

population was 58,285.

Waray-waray is the major dialect

spoken in the province.

Municipalities
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6800
6801
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City/Municipality
Borongan
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Giporlos
Balangiga
Lawa-an
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Sulat
Taft
Dolores
Oras
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San Policarpio
Arteche

Province
Eastern
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Samar

Food and Delicacies

Sasima
Sasima is a caramel bread
crumb treat which is more
expensive than the tambistambis. This is made by using
caramel to stick the bread
crumbs together and hold them
in one piece. It is neither hard
nor is it soft like how it was
before it was processed into
this. I think it is largely because
of the caramel which is
absorbed by the small pieces of
bread.