Activities (& tours)

The San Juanico Bridge is a steel girder viaduct that connects the islands of Samar and Leyte
across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. It is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and is
considered the longest bridge in the Philippines with a total length of 2.16 kilometers (1.34
mi) . The bridge was constructed during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos
through Japanese Official Development Assistance loans . It was inaugurated on July 2, 1973, on
the birthday of Imelda Marcos . The bridge is a popular tourist attraction and offers a scenic view
of the San Juanico Strait.

Calbiga Caves is a system of 12 caves located in Calbiga, Samar. It is one of the largest cave
systems in Southeast Asia, covering an area of 2,968 hectares . The caves are known for
their stalactites and stalagmites and offer a unique experience of exploring the underground
world . The main chamber of the cave, called Langun, is visited on cave trekking trips . The surface
area of Calbiga Caves has a “mid-mountain” forest which is the habitat of some threatened wild
species like bats, cave crickets, eyeless shell fishes . The caves were first scientifically explored in
1987 by an eight-man team of Italian speleologists who believed there are still several hundreds of
kilometers of galleries waiting to be explored
The Leyte Landing Memorial is a memorial located in Palo, Leyte that commemorates the landing of
General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. The memorial features a statue of MacArthur and a
museum that showcases the history of the war. The memorial is located at the very place where General
Douglas MacArthur led American liberation troops onto Red Beach in Palo in the Philippines . The Battle of
Leyte began on 17 October 1944 and saw American and Australian troops work together with Filipino
guerrilla forces to invade and capture this area from the Japanese . The Leyte Landing Memorial comprises
seven bronze statues portraying the A-Day Landing. The statues were designed by sculptor Anastacio
Caedo and stand at almost 10-feet tall. They were officially inaugurated in 1981 at the 37th anniversary of
the A-Day Landing .

Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park is a protected natural area located in Basey, Samar. It is part of
the Samar Island Natural Park and covers an area of approximately 841 hectares . The park
features caves, subterranean rivers, waterfalls, limestone formations, thick forest and a natural stone
bridge . The natural bridge is a magnificent structure that spans the Sohoton River and is a popular tourist
attraction . Visitors can explore the caves, go swimming, kayaking, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the
park . The park is located about two hours away from Tacloban City by boat .

Sambawan Island is a semi-curved beach that is made up of a chain of interconnecting islets surrounded
by crystalline azure water. The two major islands of Sambawan are filled with towering rock formations and
have a hilly terrain coated with green grass that offers a sweeping view of the magnificent seascape . The
island is located off the coast of the municipality of Maripipi in Biliran Province, between Leyte Island and
Samar Island . It is a marine sanctuary that is endowed with beautiful white sandy beaches, rich marine life,
and coral gardens, which invite intrepid divers and snorkelers especially on summer season . The island is
known for its raw beauty and is considered as Biliran’s best-kept secret .
Festivals (& events)

The Uway Festival is a cultural event that takes place in Talalora, Samar every July 25th. The festival
showcases the town’s rich history and traditions and is celebrated with street dancing, parades, and other
cultural activities. The festival is named after the uway plant, which is abundant in the tropical rainforests of
Bohol and is used in the production of furniture and handicrafts . The festival is a celebration of the town’s
cultural heritage and is a great opportunity to experience the local culture and traditions.

The Sangyaw Festival of Tacloban City is a religious and socio-cultural event held annually on June
29th . The festival is a celebration of the city’s patron saint, Señor Santo Niño de Tacloban, and features
street dancing, a fluvial parade, and a grand procession . The festival was initially held between 1974 and
1986 but was discontinued in subsequent years. It was brought back to life in 2008 by Mayor Alfred
Romualdez and has since become one of the most well-known celebrations in the region .

The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Leyte is a cultural-religious celebration held annually on June 29th in
Tacloban City, Leyte . The festival is a colorful celebration of the rich cultural heritage and history of the
province of Leyte . The main highlight of the festival is the street dancing competition, which is typically
held in the Leyte Grandstand after the parade . The festival is a commemoration of the island’s pre-colonial
history and is based on the body-painting traditions of the ancient tattooed “pintados” warriors . The
festival was initially held between 1974 and 1986 but was discontinued in subsequent years. It was brought
back to life in 2008 by Mayor Alfred Romualdez and has since become one of the most well-known
celebrations in the region .
The Lingganay Festival of Alangalang, Leyte is an annual celebration held on June 18th . The festival is a
commemoration of the town’s founding anniversary and features street dancing, beauty pageants, and
grand parades . The festival’s name is derived from the Waray word “lingganay,” which means
“bell” . According to oral history, the festival was conceptualized in 1995 based on the legend of the town’s
lost golden bell . The bell was thrown into the deepest part of the Bakga River to prevent it from falling into
the hands of the Moro pirates . The bell has not been found to this day, but its sound can be heard coming
from the bottom of the river.

The Sangyaw sa Calbayog festival is a religious and socio-cultural event held annually on June 24th in
Calbayog City, Samar . The festival is a celebration of the city’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, and
features street dancing, a fluvial parade, and a grand procession . The festival is one of the most well-known
celebrations in the region and attracts many visitors every year .

Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte. This festival is held annually on August 28th and is a celebration of
the town’s founding anniversary . The festival is named after the Waray word “buyog,” which means
“bee” . The festival features street dancing, beauty pageants, and grand parades, with the highlight being
the parade of brightly colored dancers performing a choreographed bee dance . The festival is a significant
source of pride for the people of Abuyog and has won several awards, including the grand championship at
the Aliwan Festival .