REGION 8:

PREPARED BY: JANDUG, VANESSA

MARTEL, AIREN
 REGION 8:
EASTERN VISAYAS

“Exciting Ventures
in Eastern
Visayas”
BRIEF HISTORY:
• Eastern Visayas is an Administrative region in the Philippines, designated
as Region VIII. 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 Cebuano bloodlines, while Iberein, whose
kingdom was centered somewhere in Northern Samar, most likely had
Waray - Hebrew bloodlines.
OVERVIEW:
• Eastern Visayas Region has six provinces, twelve
districts, seven cities, one hundred thirty six
municipalities, and 4,390 barangays. The major
cultural groups of Eastern Visayas Region are Waray
and Cebuano.
REGIONAL CAPITAL: TACLOBAN CITY
PROVINCES:
• Biliran ( Naval) – Province of
Magnificent Islands
PROVINCES:
• Eastern Samar ( Borongan City) –
The Land of Good Harbors
PROVINCES:
• Leyte (Tacloban City) – The
Underwater Paradise
PROVINCES:
• Northern Samar (Catarman)
PROVINCES:
• Samar ( Catbalogan City)
PROVINCES:
• Southern Leyte (Maasin City)
PORTS OF ACCESS:
• Daniel Z. Romualdez (Tacloban) Airport
• Calbayog Airport
• Catarman Airport
• Ormoc Airport

• Ormoc and Tacloban Port

• Borongan Port
• Catbalogan and Calbayog Port
• Maasin Port
• Naval Port
ATTRACTIONS IN
REGION 8
 SAMBAWAN ISLAND
• Sambawan Island is one the best tourist
spots in Biliran. It is a group of connecting
rocky islets covered with grasses and trees
which are all surrounded with pure white
sand beach. Its curve-shaped white sand
beaches with crystal clear waters is surely a
paradise to all beach lovers. The viewing deck
or a watch tower on top of a hill gives a
breath-taking panoramic view of the entire
island and the vast sea. One can visit here to
catch the spectacular sunrise and sunset.
Sambawan Island is a marine sanctuary
which one can find plenty of corals and
marine life which makes it one of the popular
dive sites in Biliran.
CALICOAN BEACH
• ABCD Beach, commonly known as Calicoan Beach, is one of
the most visited tourist spots in Eastern Samar. The beach
is geographically facing the Pacific Ocean that produces
huge waves which make it the best surfing site in the
entire province. The beach features a long stretch of fine
sand, rocky bottoms and simple environment. Surfing is
fun and this is the site where most people learn how to
surf and show off their skills, even surfing competitions
are held here. Calicoan Beach is found in Calicoan Island
which is connected to the mainland through a narrow
bridge.

• Calicoan Beach is located in Calicoan Island, Guian,

Eastern Samar.
SAN JUANICO BRIDGE
• The San Juanico Bridge connects
Tacloban City in Leyte to Santa Rita
City in Samar, specifically across
the San Juanico Strait. It was
inaugurated in July 1973 and goes
on for 2.16 kilometers, which makes
it the second longest bridge in the
Philippines after the new Cebu-
Cordova Link Expressway. It is the
region’s most famous landmark.
BIRI ISLAND ROCK FORMATIONS
• Biri Island Rock Formations are among the
list of incredible tourist spots in Northern Samar
situated Biri Island off the northern shores of the
mainland. This destination is composed of 7
gigantic rock formations namely: Magasang,
Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at, Caranas
and Pinanahawan. These are the stunning sights
to behold and explore coined as the place of “the
battle of the gods” formed from tectonic plate
movements, strong winds and ferocious waves.
Snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing are also
best things to do here. The site is a 20-minute
boat ride away from the mainland.

• Biri Island Rock Formations are located in Biri,

Northern Samar.
 SOHOTON CAVES AND NATURAL BRIDGE
PARK
• The Sohoton Caves and Natural
Bridge Park is a protected
natural area about 841 hectares
and a tourist attraction within
the Samar Island Natural Park.
The natural park features caves,
subterranean rivers, waterfalls,
limestone formations, thick forest
and a natural stone bridge.[
NAPANTAO MARINE SANCTUARY
• Napantao Marine Sanctuary is one of the best
tourist spots in Southern Leyte if you love diving
and interested in marine lifeforms. It features a
natural large wall underwater that drops around
50 meters coated with beautiful and colorful
diverse corals where schools of fish can be
found. Turtles and white tip reef sharks can also
be sighted. The best time to go diving at
Napantao Marine Sanctuary is on dry season
(March to May) since visibility underwater is
good during sunny days.

• Napantao Marine Sanctuary is located in Ilijan

Point, San Francisco, Southern Leyte.
FESTIVALS IN
REGION 8
BILIRAN:
• Gapnod Festival (September 1) –Celebrates the charter
anniversary of Almeria by paying tribute to its humble
beginnings and showcasing its accomplish.
EASTERN SAMAR:
• Letchon Festival (September) – Festures the delicious
letchon or roasted pig by parading it in a cretive way.
LEYTE:
• Lubi-Lubi Festival ( August 15) – Showcases cultural
presentation to emphasize the significance of coconut
trees to the life of the people of calubian.
NORTHERN SAMAR:
• Bankaton Festival ( August 20) – A sailboat race as
its Main event to showcase bangkaw used by the
fisher folks as their main source of livelihood.
SAMAR:
• Alimango Festival ( July 25) –To promote the crab
industry of the town of Sta.Margarita, the festival
features the courtship dance between female and male
alimango.
SOUTHERN LEYTE:
• Ajonay Festival (August 10) – A celebration of local
cultures to call for unity and cooperation of the community.
DELICACIES
LABTINGAW (BILIRAN)
SASIMA (EASTERN SAMAR)
BINAGOL (LEYTE)
SALUKARA (NORTHERN SAMAR)
BADUYA NGA PASAYAN (SAMAR):
TRES MARIA’S (SOUTHERN LEYTE):
LANGUAGES & DIALECTS

• Filipino and English are widely spoken in Region 8.

• DIALECTS:
• Waray-Waray – “Maupay nga adlaw.” (Good day).
• Cebuano – “Maayong buntag” (Good morning).
• Boholano - “Ahoa baja ning tsenilas” ( This is my slipper).
• Lineyte-Samarnon
• Inabaknon – “Mahalap Nalong” ( Good morning).
THANKS FOR LISTENING!!