 REGION VIII – EASTERN VISAYAS

Eastern gateways to the archipelago, the islands of Leyte and

Samar were natural harbors for ancient seafarers. On March
16, 1521 the explorer Ferdinand Magellan anchored what
remained of his fleet on Homonhon, a small island on the
southeastern tip of Samar. Two weeks later, on Good Friday, a
kasikasi (blood compact) between Magellan and Rajah
Kolambu, emissary of the King of Limasawa, an island off the
coast of southern Leyte, sealed an implicit political pact
between Spain and the Philippines. In 1583 Spanish voyagers
under the command of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos reached
Abuyog, east of Leyte. The Villalobos expedition christened
the littoral between Samar and Leyte, then called Tendaya, Las
Yslas Felipinas. In 1596 Filipino rebels Sumoroy, Juan Ponce
and Pedro Camuug led an uprising against Governor Diego
Fajardo's order requiring the conscription of polistas (laborers
who were compelled to build ships for the galleon trade) from the Visayas for the shipyards of Cavite. This
rebellion spread as far away as northern Mindanao and went on until 1650, when a government expedition
composed of Spaniards and Filipino mercenaries captured the leaders of the movement in the mountains of Samar,
after which the revolt was easily suppressed.
Eventually the Spanish regime ended, only to give way to the American occupation of the Philippines.
Like all Filipinos, the Visayans had a new enemy to face. Rebels, led by General Vicente Lukban, attacked the
American garrison in the town of Balangiga in eastern Samar during the Filipino-American War. They killed all
but one of the American soldiers. Western historians were quick to record the incident as the "Balangiga
Massacre." In truth, it was an admirable show of courage by the Filipinos, who fought with bolos against the
American rifles and .45-caliber pistols, to thwart the Americans' "pacification" campaign, a movement to take
control of the islands. During World War II the region gained international fame as a major battle zone in the
Pacific theater. At the very same gateway that the Spanish conquistadores had taken to penetrate the East four
centuries earlier, the forces under General Douglas MacArthur smashed the Japanese Army. On October 20, 1944
MacArthur took the gamble. After the troops secured a beachhead, MacArthur waded on to a muddy beach in
Palo and dramatically announced his "return" to the Filipino people. Three days later, with battles still raging for
the region, civil government under Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña was restored in Tacloban, and
Leyte's capital became the seat of the Commonwealth until February 1945.
Eastern Visayas, or the region designated as Region VIII of the Philippines, is one of the many regions of
the archipelago that, like the others, exhibits huge potential in terms of its culture, geography and resources. The
region is consisted of the six provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte,
and seven cities which is the independent component city is Ormoc and the highly urbanized city of Tacloban
which is considered as the region’s administrative center. The region also has 12 districts, 136 municipalities and
4,390 barangays. The region has a total land area of 21,431.7 sq. km. The population according to the 2015 census
is 4,440,150.
The region also promotes Eco-tourism, that is, tourist spots and environmental sites will be preserved even
when made open to the public, particularly to foreigners. According to the regional development plan made by
NEDA, there are six areas in the region having the potential to become havens for travellers, (1) Northeastern
Leyte-Basey and Marabut Area, (2) Northwestern Leyte-Biliran Area, (3) Southern Leyte Area, (4) West Samar
Area, (5) Eastern Samar Area and (6) Northern Samar Area.
 PROVINCE 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 large-scale shipyard, built in the 1600s.
Biliran became a regular province on May 11, 1992 after a plebiscite was conducted in accordance with
R.A. 7160. The province of Biliran consists of 8 municipalities and 132 barangays. It is a lone congressional
district. The seat of government is in Naval, the capital town. It occupies a land area of 555.42 sq. km. As of the
2015 census, the provincial population was 171,612.
The inhabitants of Biliran primarily speak Cebuano and Waray. Cebuano, spoken by 57.79% of the
population is found mainly on the western area of the island, nearest Cebu, while Waray-Waray spoken by 40.80%
can be found on the eastern portion. Majority of the residents also speak and understand Tagalog and English.
Moreover, Biliran Province is endowed with natural tourist attractions that lure both local and foreign
tourists: coral reef gardens, scenic waterways, white sand beaches, natural hot and cold water springs. With that,
Biliran is becoming a very popular tourist destination, so the travel options are changing and developing fast with
talk of new fast ferries from Cebu to Naval.
Also, Biliran Island is beside the Philippines Leyte Fault Line and is classed as one large active volcano
with incredible bubbling hot springs in Libtong and Biliran Geothermal Plant in Caibiran.
o Culture and Traditions of Biliran

 There are mentifacts of the culture of Biliran Province. In the 1950s, public school teachers of Kawayan and
Almeria towns conducted interviews with local residents. They gathered folklore materials mainly from
informants living in poblacions, villages, and settlements around the base of Mount Panamao, the most
prominent geographical landmark north of Biliran Island. At the time, this island was a remote and isolated
geography, reachable from other islands only by sea transportation. The materials have since been used to
explore the possibilities of using folklore as data source for historical writing. Some of the output articles may
be accessed from here. They also provide glimpses of the unique world-view of the Biliran natives in their
more pristine form.

 They have a key, medallions, bronze and a piece of ‘live’ stone which they served as a lucky charm and this
among the amulets are usually hanging from their waist belt.

 They also have this called oracion. An oracion code, said to be intended for an emergency situation, is one of
three such codes written in red ink. In the initial pages the common oracion: “Sator, Arepo, Tenet, Opera,
Rotas.” This one, written in five lines on walls of some houses in the rural areas, can be read horizontally and
vertically.

o Authentic Cuisine of Biliran

 Suman – The lowly traditional delicacy from Naval, Biliran

locally known as ‘suman’ has become a new pride for
Navaleneos recently both as ‘Pasalubong’ treat or a special
dessert or snack item in different occasions. Suman is a rice
based delicacy using white and black glutinous rice cooked
in coconut milk then rolled and twirled alongside, for black
and white type (tinambiran), or rolled single either white or
black, then wrapped either using ‘anahaw’ leaves or banana
leaves, then steamed. The white suman comes in salty or
sweet taste.

 Binagol - it is a sweet delicacy that has a different taste and

a distinct packaging. Binagol is made from glutinous rice
and taro pudding with nuts, it also has an exciting part in the
middle. There is a sweet mixture of coconut and “Kalamay”
(an alternative for brown sugar) in the middle. It is called as
binagol because of its packaging that is in a coconut shell,
which is “bagol” in Waray-Waray.
o Festivals in Biliran

 Bagazumbol Festival - celebrated in Naval, Biliran

during its town fiesta on every 1st Saturday of October,
the festival depicts the birth of Christianity in the town
during the Spanish time, “Bagazumbol” means
somewhat pointed, as what passer by describe the
settlement in the old days.

 Ibid Festival - celebrated in Caibiran, Biliran 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”.

 Gapnod Festival - celebrated in Almeria, Biliran

during its charter anniversary on every 1st September,
the festival is a tribute to the town’s humble
beginnings, just like the lowly “gapnod” and its
present accomplishments.
 PROVINCE OF LEYTE

Leyte became the center of two important milestones in world history, which lend lasting color and
significance to the history of the Philippines. In 1521 the province, was first visited by Spanish explorers led by
Ferdinand Magellan who discovered a new route around the world. Leyte, known as Tandaya to early Filipinos,
was renamed Filipina by Roy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543, a name that later extended to the entire archipelago.
Four centuries later, in 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle between the Americans and the
Japanese in world history, transpired in Leyte. General Douglas MacArthur, at the head of an army of more than
250,000 men waded ashore on the island at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte. This began the end of the Japanese Imperial
Army, eventually, the Second World War. Leyte is the largest of the six provinces of Eastern Visayas.
It lies adjacent to the island of Samar, connected by the San Juanico Strait, and east of the islands of Cebu
and Bohol. It is bounded in the north by the Carigara Bay and in the east by the Leyte Gulf. To the west is the
Camotes Sea, while the province of Southern Leyte lies south. The land is mountainous with a very rugged range
cutting the island in half from northwest to southeast. It is composed of forty (40) municipalities and two cities,
Ormoc and Baybay, which serve as its commercial centers. It has five (5) congressional districts and has a total
of 1,503 barangays. The capital town Tacloban was declared a highly urbanized city in 2008. Leyte covers a total
area of 6,313.33 square kilometres (2,437.59 sq mi). The population of Leyte in the 2015 census was 1,724,679
people.
The people of Leyte are divided into two main groups, primarily by language. In the west and south are
the Cebuanos, while in the north and east are the Warays. There are also some Spanish mestizos and some natives
of the province who can understand and speak Spanish due to the province's colonial history. Most Leyteños also
can also speak and understand English. Leyte is blessed with naturally endowed areas which are pieces of “Eden
on Earth”.
Moreover, Leyte is a place that never fails to calm, surprise, or captivate. It is embraced with scenic natural
attractions and beautiful historical sites. These include Kalanggaman Island, Lake Danao National Park, San
Juanico Bridge, McArthur Memorial National Park and the Provincial Capitol of Leyte.
o Culture and Traditions of Leyte

 Tattoo as Artwork
16th century Chinese artwork on the "Pintados". Leyte Island and the rest of Eastern Visayas was then inhabited
by people with tattoo-covered bodies. Modern-day Leytenos dress up for the annual Pintados Festival.

 Dance Imitates Life

Tinikling is a traditional Philippine folk dance which originated during the Spanish colonial era. The dance
involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in
coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance. It is traditionally danced
to rondalla music, a sort of serenade played by an ensemble of stringed instruments which originated in Spain
during the Middle Ages. The Tinikling Dance, which originated from Leyte, used to be the Philippine National
Dance. The dance imitates the movements of the "Tikling" bird. Tinikling is the most famous Philippine dance.

o Authentic Cuisine of Leyte

 Roscas - In Philippine cuisine, roscas or biscocho de roscas refers to a

pastry cookie product from the province of Leyte, mainly from the towns
of Barugo and Carigara, made from lard, anise, flour, sugar, butter, and
eggs. Roscas are initially shaped as crescents or penannular rings (hence
the name - roscas is Spanish for "rings"). Each of the roscas is then cut in
half before baking, resulting in two separate elbow-shaped cookies. While
some claim that this pasalubong pastry cookie traces its history to the
Spanish era, others have indicated that roscas-making in Leyte was started
in the town of Barugo by a returning migrant in the late 1960s whose
success was replicated in the nearby town of Carigara and the far town of
Calbayog in Samar province.

 Suman-Latik - Another version of rice cake is the suman malagkit made

from glutinous rice, coconut milk, brown sugar and flavored with lye
solution, which makes the taste distinct. Also wrapped in banana leaf,
this dessert is served with the “latik” sauce on top and is best enjoyed
with coffee or hot chocolate. Grated coconut meat can also be used as
topping.
o Festivals in Leyte

 Pintados-Kasadyaan - is a cultural-religious celebration in

Tacloban based on the body-painting traditions of the ancient
tattooed "pintados" warriors. In 1986, the Pintados
Foundation, Inc. was formed by the people of Tacloban to
organize this festival in honor of Sr. Santo Niño. Years later,
it was merged with the Kasadyaan Festival which is always
held on June 29. The Pintados-Kasadyaan festival includes
multiple events throughout the celebration. These events are
called the Festival of festivals of Leyte, the Ritual Dance
Presentation of Pintados Festival, and the “Pagrayhay” during
the Grand Parade.

 Sangyaw Festival - is a religious and socio-cultural event in

the Philippines. It was revived in 2008 by the city government
of Tacloban, Philippines. Sangyaw means "to herald news" in
Waray language. Various festival-participants from different
parts of the country participate in this tribal procession. It was
held a day before the city fiesta.

 Buyogan Festival - is another highly popular and attractive

festival in the Philippines. Annually, the local government of
Abuyog organizes this special event to celebrate the founding
as well as the rich history of the town. To highlight the
festivities, local residents participate in dances while wearing
colorful costumes and make-ups that closely resemble the
appearance of bees. In addition, the choreography of these
outstanding and entertaining dance presentations also mimics
the graceful movements and behaviors of honeybees. It is
held every 19th day of August.
 PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE

Traditionally, the island of Limasawa, located near the coast of Southern Leyte, is believed to be the site
of the first mass ever held on Philippine soil on March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday. However, some historians
consider the area of Masao in Butuan City as the actual site. Southern Leyte province used to be the third
legislative district of Leyte prior to the enactment of Republic Act 2227 which created it as a separate province.
The law was signed into law by President Carlos P. Garcia on May 22, 1959.
Southern Leyte is bounded on the north by Leyte Province, on the south by Mindanao Sea, on the east by
the Pacific Ocean and on the west by Visayas Sea. It is composed of 1 Congressional District; 1 city, 18
municipalities, and 500 barangays, 255 of which are coastal barangays and 245 non-coastal barangays. Its total
land area is 1,798.61 square kilometres (694.45 sq mi). The population of Southern Leyte in the 2015 census was
421,750 people.
The native language is a Boholano dialect variant of Cebuano. Waray is seldom spoken (only spoken by
some barrios near Waray speaking towns such as Abuyog and Mahaplag) as well as the English and, to a much
lesser extent, Spanish. Kinabalian, a type of "rare, unique language", is spoken alongside Cebuano in the towns
of San Juan and Anahawan.
Southern Leyte is primarily an agricultural province where rice, coconut, corn, abaca, peanut, banana, and
vegetables are produced. Cottage industries include the production of furniture, tricycle, and handicraft items.
Tourism is still in its infancy stage.
o Culture and Traditions of Southern Leyte

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.

o Authentic Cuisine of Southern Leyte

 Ampaw – in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte he delicacy they

have is "ampaw", which is commonly called rice puff. It
is made of rice mixed with syrup (sugar and water) and is
dried under the sun, which makes it sweet and crispy.
They have the best ‘ampaws’ in the province of Southern
Leyte, selling the products to different places in the said
province.

 Bibingka - is a rice cake composed of rice flour, sugar,

and coconut milk. Some other recipe include topping it
with shredded cheese and a slice of salted egg. It is baked
over banana leaf (instead of parchment paper for
cupcakes) which give its distinct flavor when fully
cooked. Unlike most modern bakers, the Hanginan's
version of bibingka is still baked on a 'Pugon' which is a
small clay oven. This way of cooking maybe old and
traditional, but I think it is still the best way to cook it.

 Banagan - in Silago, Southern Leyte - the farthest

municipality of the province - for instance, the delicacy
they have the "banagan", a freshwater lobster that is
abundant in their rivers, as their specialty. It is usually
served when it is already orange in color, crisp, and fresh
from the stove on special occasions such as barrio
fiestas.
o Festivals in Southern Leyte

 Sinugdan Festival – is a historical festival

commemorative of the 1st Mass in the country.
Technically, there are no basic steps or basic
drumbeat to this festival. The movements are free
and inclined to jazz and contemporary dancing.
The concept must not veer away from the re-
enactment of the 1st Mass of the island.

 Ajonay Festival – is 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.
 PROVINCE OF SAMAR

The name Samar is said to have come from the Visayan word Samad, meaning “wound” or “cut,”
describing the hilly and rugged physical features of the land, deeply dissected by streams. The province of Samar
was created on June 19, 1965 through Republic Act No. 4221, dividing Samar Island into three provinces.
Samar province covers the west side of the mainland and islands in the Samar Sea. The province is
bordered by Northern Samar (capital Catarman) and Eastern Samar (capital Borongan City). The laid-back city
of Catbalogan serves as the provincial capital of Samar province and is the best place to base if you want to
explore Samar’s caves. Samar is connected to the island and province of Leyte (capital Tacloban) via the San
Juanico Bridge, which spans the San Juanico Strait, the narrowest strait in the world.
The province of Samar is divided into two (2) congressional districts, with the first district composed of
nine (9) municipalities and one city (Calbayog), while the second district is composed of 15 municipalities and
one city (Catbalogan), the capital and a newly created city. Majority of the municipalities and the two (2) cities
are coastal and only four (4) are in the mainland. The province has a total of 951 barangays, being 409 coastal
and 542 inland. It has the largest land area (6,048.03 square kilometres/2,335.16 sq mi).) among the three
provinces which constitute 42% of the island’s total land area and 26% of Region VIII. The population of Samar
(province) in the 2015 census was 780,481 people.
The province of Samar is a member of the Samar-Leyte (Waray Group), the sixth largest cultural-linguistic
group in the country. The majority (90.2%) of the total household population speaks the Waray dialect. The
remaining 9.8 percent speaks Cebuano (8.1%), Boholano (0.07%), Tagalog (0.5%) and other dialects. Other
languages used are English and Chinese.
Samar is also a home to a network of amazing caves hidden beneath the region’s lush jungles, including
the biggest cave system in the country, Samar is a rugged destination where adventure seekers can experience
something out of the ordinary. Though most of Samar Island remains off-the-radar for local tourists, many
international spelunkers have been drawn here since it’s been dubbed the “Caving Capital of the Philippines.”
o Culture and Traditions of Samar

Many Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a very
popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common
throughout Samar. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. The
belief is that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way.

o Authentic Cuisine of Samar

 Tahong or mussels - are a major industry in the town

of Jiabong and they’re used in a lot of interesting
street food around Catbalogan, Samar. Tahong BBQ
is being sold in New Romantic Canteen, a stall across
Van-Vans terminal in the downtown area. It just costs
Php 5 per stick.

 Crabs - are a local specialty in the islands and in some

districts like Santa Margarita and Daram Island in
Samar. Tamalos is a specialty packed with slivers of
liempo (pork belly) and chunks of soft fat cooked
with rice flour in a spicy, rich peanut sauce.
o Festivals in Samar

 Embajada Festival - Some Samar festivals are

confined to certain towns but the Embajada Festival
is something that is celebrated by the entire province
albeit at different dates. The Moro-Moros, an
indigenous group in Samar is said to be the first
Filipinos ever to celebrate the Embajada Festival
and being a tradition, they have been celebrating it
for centuries. This Samar festival depicts a time in
history when conflict prevailed between the Moro-
Moros and the Spaniards although nowadays it is
presented in a comical fashion. During the
Embajada Festival, street dancing is common and
there’s always the delicious array of food served in
the town center as night sets in. The Moro-Moros
themselves take part in the Embajada Festival and
this Samar festival is also a good opportunity to
learn so much about one of the oldest tribes in
Samar.

 Parayang Harvest Festival - The main source of

livelihood of the inhabitants of Samar is farming and
harvesting is something that is celebrated, being
considered by the locals as a time of abundance and
blessing. The Parayang Harvest Festival is just one
of the few festivities that center on harvest but this
Samar festival is primarily held in the town of San
Roque. The Parayang Harvest Festival is a day filled
with celebration with several contests being held
throughout the day such as cooking competitions
and beauty pageants. There’s also street dancing
during the Parayang Harvest Festival where both
young and old practice both modern and traditional
dances prior to the event. The Parayang Harvest
Festival is so much a part of Filipino tradition
having been celebrated for a little over a century
now.
 PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR

Eastern Samar had been a significant backdrop of the country's 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.
Formerly a part of Samar province, Eastern Samar was created on June 19, 1965 through Republic Act
No. 4221. It consists of 1 city, 22 municipalities and 597 barangays. Its capital is the city of Borongan. Eastern
Samar covers a total area of 4,660.47 square kilometres (1,799.42 sq mi) occupying the eastern section of Samar
island in the Eastern Visayas region. The population of Eastern Samar in the 2015 census was 467,160 people,
with a density of 100 inhabitants per square kilometre or 260 inhabitants per square mile.
As the province faces the Pacific Ocean, Eastern Samar is among the provinces often devastated by
typhoons. Eastern Samar falls under Type II climate that is, no dry season with a very pronounced maximum
rainfall from November to January. Between 2000 and 2011 there was an increase in the average monthly rainfall
from 461.1 mm to 580.1 mm making the province more susceptible to flood and land slide.
The predominant language is Waray. Cebuano is also spoken to an extent. In the 2000 Census, Warays
comprised 97.78% (366,787) of the total provincial population of 375,124 at that time. Kapampangan came
second at 0.55% (2,067), Bisaya/Binisaya 0.43% (1,613), Cebuano at 0.18% (680), and Tagalog at 0.17% (621).
Moreover, the province boasts of at least 15 major tourist spots located in Guiuan, Borongan, Maydolong,
San Julian, Taft and in other municipalities. These includes historical sites and other natural attractions which
mainly consist of beaches, natural caves/springs, waterfalls and rock formation.
o Culture and Traditions of Eastern Samar

Many Waray-Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a
very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very
common throughout Samar. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around
them. The belief is that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way. The culture
is basically Visayan. The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave warriors, as popularized in the tagline,
“basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away” (Waray never back down from a fight.) Farming and fishing are the
main livelihood. In the entire cropping season, from land preparation up to post harvest, the farmers perform
rituals invoking the nature spirits and ancestor spirits for a good harvest. This is also complemented by Christian
customs as the recitation of novenas (9-day). Fisherfolk likewise ask permission from the water spirits for safety
at sea and a good catch. Their religious devotion is very evident in their celebrations like feasts honoring their
patron saints. Fiestas are celebrated with prayer, food/drinking dance and music. Many Waray-Waray traditions
can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a very popular traditional dance of the
Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. The couple
who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money
showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way.

o Authentic Cuisine of Eastern Samar

 Salukara (Rice Crepe) - is a native delicacy of Eastern Samar. It

is a cross between a hotcake, bibingka and puto. It looks like a
hotcake but taste like a bibingka or puto. It's best served for
breakfast.

 Moron - is pronounced like Morong. Moron is like the regular

suman but the rice is cooked in coconut milk and mixed with a
bit of cocoa. The Moron has the similar consistency of the suman
and the cocoa enhances the taste. Moron is so soft that can cut
the small tube with a pair of scissors down the middle and just
squeeze it out.
o Festivals in Eastern Samar

 Homonhon Festival - In the town of Guiuan, Samar,

people celebrates the Homonhon festival in honor of
Ferdinand Magellan, a Portugese explorer who
circumnavigate the world and discovered the
Philippines. Yet, before actually discovering the entire
Philippines, Magellan first discovered the Homonhon
Island.

 Karayapan Festival - Karayapan is an old Waray-

Waray word which broadly means “for all” and closely
related to the concept of community. Karayapan
Festival is a colorful festival depicting how the early
Guiuan townsfolk enjoyed nature’s bounties, rich
marine life, fertile land, and verdant forest. It is also a
thanksgiving to our Patroness, the Blessed Virgin
Mary.

 Padul-Ong Festival - is celebrated by the Boronganons

every 8th of September to pay homage to its Patroness,
the Blessed Virgin Mary. The festival commemorates
the day they received the image of Mary after it was
shipped by a mysterious lady from Portugal.
 PROVINCE OF NORTHERN SAMAR

Similar to Eastern Samar, Nothern Samar was created in a plebiscite on June 19, 1965 through Republic
Act No. 4221. It consists of 2 districts, 24 municipalities and 569 registered barangays. Its capital is Catarman
and is located at the northern portion of the island of Samar. Northern Samar covers a total area of 3,692.93 square
kilometres (1,425.85 sq mi) occupying the northern section of Samar Island in the Eastern Visayas region. The
population of Northern Samar in the 2015 census was 632,379 people, with a density of 170 inhabitants per square
kilometre or 440 inhabitants per square mile.
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, particularly
in the island town of San Antonio, where it is the main lingua franca, 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.
The topography of Northern Samar is mainly composed of low and extremely rugged hills and small
lowland areas. The soil is relatively rich and fertile allowing the growth of crops.

o Culture and Traditions of Northern Samar

Capul is a small island municipality of Northern Samar situated along the swift flowing San Bernardino
Strait. Typhoons often pass through the island especially during the Northeast monsoon season. The inhabitants’
livelihood relies mainly on fishing combined with farming. Unstructured focused interview of the elders of the
island on their different cultural beliefs and practices related to fishing was conducted. Fish catch was measured
in one lunar month each during summer and typhoon seasons. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was determined for
each major type of fishing method. Multiple correlation analysis was used to determine the factors affecting fish
productivity. The islanders still have strong beliefs and respect for deities and fairies supposed to be residing on
specific areas of the island. These sacred places remain undisturbed and may have become fish sanctuaries. The
inhabitants modified traditional fishing methods to suit their economic needs and condition. People’s initiatives
and peer pressure have diminished the use of illegal fishing methods in the island such as compressor, dynamite
and poisonous plants. The fishery yield was high in comparison with that of other fishery resources of the country.
The CPUE for fish net and hook and line methods were high. The inhabitants’ cultural beliefs and practices may
have led to the conservation of their fishery resource which gave the high yield. There are indications that the
yield is sustainable.

o Authentic Cuisine of Northern Samar

 Kamuntaha, or mantis shrimp in English, is neither

shrimp nor lobster, and definitely not a mantis. This
crustacean is a delicacy in the island municipality of
Biri, Northern Samar province, and typically cooked by
Birianons by boiling them in Sprite with garlic. This
simple dish is usually reserved for special occasions
such as birthdays and baptisms.

 Most people have not yet tasted shark’s meat but in

Northern Samar it is among the most popular local dish.
Shark’s meat is a favorite and tasty kinilaw dish. Shark’s
meat may smell a bit putrid but people in Northern
Samar have perfected a method that cleans the meat and
especially if it’s well prepared and fresh the putrid smell
will disappear. People in Catbalogan Samar describes
this shark dish as one of the most delicious “kinilaw”
dish in the whole of Philippines and is the favorite dish
of choice by visitors who ends up in this part of the
country. A lot of people agree that it tastes much better
than other variants of kinilaw dishes like that of meat,
pork and tuna because the shark’s meet is tastier brought
upon by its distinct and unique flavor and it being
cartilaginous.
o Festivals in Northern Samar

 Agta Festival of Bobon, Northern Samar, Philippines is

an annual cultural and religious festival held usually on
the second Sunday of January and is the center of the
Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.
Other places have their own version of the festival in
honor of the Santo Niño. The Agta Festival contingents
are dressed in bright coloured costumes dancing
gracefully to the rhythm of drums and other musical
instruments.

 Bankaton Festival is an annual boat racing contest to

celebrate the feast of Nueva Señora de Salvacion, the
town’s patroness. It is held every 20th of August.

 Manoglaya Festival is a cultural-tourism festival held

in the town of San Antonio from the 9th to the 12th of
June annually, celebrating the fishing skills of the
townfolks. The festival composed of cultural
performances, street dance, beauty search and exhibit
complemented with “sugod-sugod sa plaza”, a nightly
entertainment of music and other performances from
leading local performers in the community.