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
nature as its cold waters cascade beautifully in the 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 appointed a certain Don Gaspar Ignacio
erupted in 1939. It is known for its healing de Guevara as a parish priest in a town
ability where tourists can take a relaxing dip in in Biliran. He then created a new town
the natural pool and relieve muscle pains. It is by transferring it away from its original
also good in reducing rheumatism, skin site to a hilltop and set up a sanctuary
allergies, and 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.
 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
this site, tourists can also see the stone presentation on how the image was
originally carved with the name of Magellan, unexplainably transported to the city
which is recognized by the Philippine all the way from Portugal.
Historical 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
Divinubo Island. Both islands are facing the a 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
takes a bath in this cool spring, especially verdant forest. It is celebrated every 7th
foreigners, will surely go home with a of December. The term Karayapan
Boronganon (term for locals of Borongan City) means "for all" or in Tagalog, “para sa
wife. Around this spring is a Spanish built lahat” and is closely related to the
stone wall. concept of 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
Tacloban City portraying the historical and victorious return is 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 15th of August.
are 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
also known as a symbol of love by Waraynons to. Locals dress as warriors painted in
(local of Leyte). It connects the sister islands colorful costumes, women performing
of Samar and Leyte. It is a gift of former elaborate rituals and the incorporation
President Ferdinand Marcos to his spouse of Christianity are just some of the
who is a native of Leyte. It was constructed events featured in the event. The main
for four (4) years, from 1969 to 1973, and attraction is the devotion to the Santo
costed $21.9 million. Niño, patron of Tacloban City.
Representatives from different schools
The Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum and barangays usually have a woman
This museum displays the most historic carrying the Santo Niño statue. The
artifacts and relics associated with the culture, said woman will dance in a trance,
heritage, and history of the province. Several symbolic
structures and images depicting local myths of the native Catholic ritual thanking the
 Province Tourist Destinations Festivals
like “Malakas and Maganda” are built within Santo Niño for the blessings and luck it
the premises of the museum. In 1979, a has brought to the town. It is held
religious landmark was built in it in honor of every 29th of June.
the Holy Child. The shrine highlights the Santo
Niño image, which is the patron of Tacloban Alikaraw Festival
City. It serves as a chapel and museum, and at It is the locals’ way to give thanks to
the same time, a guest house with 21 petal fairies who ensures that flowers
bedrooms. 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.
Northern Lobo Cave Kaway Festival
Samar It is a site that offers a variety of underground The term kaway, means squid’s
aquatic environments, including rivers, tentacles in the local dialect. This is
Capital: waterfalls, and lakes, as well as lovely where the festival’s name was derived
Catarman formations and a vertical passage. from since it is the Birianon’s (locals of
Biri Island) expression of thanksgiving
Sohoton Caves for the abundance of sea products. This
These caves are beautiful and well-visited is celebrated every 23rd and 24th of
dripstone caves and are part of an 840- June.
hectare park. The locals believe that as a sign
of respect to the "spirits" that hover around Embajada Festival
the caves, visitors must tap the entrance It is a traditional festivity that has been
sideways three celebrated for centuries in Catarman. It
(3) times to safely enter the caves. showcases the story of the province’s
rich history, which depicts Moros’
Biri Island Rock Formation conflict with the Spanish colonizers.
It is a rock formation composed of four (4) Exhibitions of native delicacies and
small rocky islands. It is dubbed as the colorful street dancing can be seen
"Amazing Rock Structures Sculpted by during this event. It is held every 2 nd
Waves". The incredible strength of these week of January.
waves has caused the island to take on
distinct and interesting shapes. Geologists Kadayawan Festival
from the University of the Philippines state It is Pambujanon’s (locals in Pambujan)
that the rocks date back from the Early way of celebrating the new year by
Miocene Period and their ages range from five praising the Almighty for the graces
(5) to 23 million years old. bestowed upon them and wishing
more for the ensuing year. It is held
every first full moon of the year.
Southern Leyte Tangkaan Beach Pagkamugna Festival
It is known for its rock formations and is a It remembers the founding of the
Capital: perfect spot to see the historical Limasawa province of Southern Leyte in July
Maasin City Island. The beach is often described by the 1960. During this event, there are
locals as Leyte’s version of Boracay. It is a grand civic parades, agri-aqua and
place food fairs, live
where tourists can enjoy and relax while concerts, motocross, and the
 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 the role of the farmers and their way of
beach 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) wedding ceremony, which contributed
Catbalogan years. Hence, the name tinago-an, which greatly to one (1) of the most well-liked
City means hiding place. The cave has been the Filipino tradition, pamamanhikan. It is
main attraction for picnickers desiring to get celebrated every September 1st to 8th.
the rare 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.