Republic of the Philippines
LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
College of Management and Entrepreneurship
Tacloban City
Assignment
in
PHILIPPINE TOURISM AND GEOGRAPHY
(THC 104 Wednesday 7:30-10:30 AM)
Submitted by
ROBERT BRYLE C. PRICE
BSHM
MH 1-1
Submitted to
MS. ASTHER SANDY N. MATIENZO
Instructor
Region VII
Location: located in the central part of the Visayas island.
Land Area: 14,951.5 square kilometers
Geographic Profile: Central Visayas lies at the center of the Philippines archipelago between
islands of Luzon and Mindanao. The terrain is characterized by highlands with narrow coastal
strips of arable land.
Political Profile: It is bounded on the north by the Visayan Sea; on the east by the Camotes Sea;
on the south by the Mindanao Sea; and on the west by the province of Negros Occidental.
Borders in the regions are based on political boundaries.
Population: The population of Region VII (Central Visayas) as of August 1, 2015 was 6,041,903
based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015).
Language: Cebuano, Bantayanon, Boholano, and Porohanon.
Provinces: Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor.
BOHOL
Capital: Tagbilaran
Land Area: 4,821 km²
Location: located between latitude 9°30' and 10°15' North and Longitude 123°40' and 124°30'
East.
Geographic Profile: Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines, and lies in the middle of
the Visayas.
How to get there: The fastest and easiest way is by plane. Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines
(PAL), and AirAsia Zest operate multiple flights from Manila to Tagbilaran City, the capital
of Bohol. Travel time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes. You may also opt to travel by boat.
Tourist Attractions:
Chocolate Hills
The Chocolate Hills form a rolling terrain of haycock-shaped hills – mounds of a generally conical
and almost symmetrical shape. Estimated to be from 1,268 to about 1,776 individual mounds,
these cone-shaped or dome-shaped hills are actually made of grass-covered limestone.
Hinagdanan Cave
Hinagdanan Cave is a cave in the municipality of Dauis on Panglao Island, in Bohol Province, in
the Philippines. It is a naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and
stalagmites. The cave is lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the ceiling.
Festival:
Ubi Festival
The Ubi Festival is a concrete proof of the Boholanos love for Ubi and their culture in general.
The Ubi Festival is held every once a year to celebrate the crop that feeds Bohol and other parts of
the country. Ubi is no longer just a crop; it has become a symbol for the province.
Sandugo Festival
The Sandugo Festival is an annual historical celebration that takes place every year in Tagbilaran
City on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. This festival commemorates the Treaty of
Friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a chieftain in Bohol, and Spanish conquistador Miguel López
de Legazpi.
Cuisine & Delicacies:
Sutukil
Foreigners and locals are fond of SUTUKIL, the famed three fish preparations with just one fish.
Sutukil stands for “Sugba” , “Tula” and “Kilaw”. Sugba means “grilled”, Tula is a soup and Kilaw
is a dish in which raw fish is mixed with vinegar or calamansi with salt, pepper, onions and
tomatoes.
Ubi Polvoron
Ubi polvoron is fast becoming a Boholano delicacy wherein the Ubi meat is boiled and mashed
then mixed with butter, milk and sugar then pressed and cut into small circles. Wow! With its
violet color, the polvoron already looks yummy and delicious much more so than the
plain polvoron made of flour.
CEBU
Capital: Cebu City
Land Area: 315 km²
Location: It is located 10.32 latitude and 123.89 longitude and it is situated at elevation 37
meters above sea level.
Geographic Profile: Cebu has narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, which
are characteristics of a tropical island. It has predominantly rolling hills and rugged mountain
ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island. Cebu has steep mountains that
reach over 1,000 meters.
How to get there: The fastest way to reach Cebu is by plane. Cebu is an international destination
with flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Arrival is at
at the Mactan International Airport almost daily. From Manila, Cebu is just an hour away by plane.
Tourist Attractions:
Magellan’s Cross
Magellan's Cross is a huge wooden Christian cross that marks the arrival of Portuguese explorer
Ferdinand Magellan in the island of Sugbu (now Cebu) roughly 500 years ago. He and his crew
were the first Europeans to come to Philippines, on a mission to search for the spice islands of
Molucca for the King of Spain.
Casa Gorordo Museum
Casa Gorordo was initially the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. Now it is restored and
owned by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated. This museum serves as a display of a
typical Filipino home of the 19th century. It showcases the religious relics, paintings, antique
furniture, and other household items.
Festivals:
Sinulog Festival
The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third
Sunday of January in Cebu City, and is the centre of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the
Philippines.
Budbod Festival
The town of Catmon is famous for its tasty "bodbod" and thus is the focus of the festival. The
street dancing competition is participated by the different barangays has its dance movements,
the movement of making the bodbod with the costumes in bodbod concept.
Cuisine & Delicacies:
Lechon De Cebu
Lechon Cebu. Lechón is the Spanish word for suckling pig and in the Philippines, it connotes a
whole roasted pig or “litsong baboy,” in the local language. The process of cooking
the lechón involves the whole pig or piglet that has been impaled in a bamboo branch and being
slowly roasted over charcoal.
Chicharon sa Carcar
Chicharon is made of pork rind that is boiled in water with spices and salt before it is cooked in
hot oil. The chicharon-making industry in Carcar supposedly started in the 1900s when a couple
started selling the delicacy after they discovered the delectable taste offered by pork rind boiled in
oil.
NEGROS ORIENTAL
Capital: Dumaguete City
Land area: 5,402 km²
Location: located in the region of Central Visayas, in the Philippines.
Geographic Profile: Negros Oriental occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros,
with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half.
How to get there: There are actually three ways on how to get to Negros Oriental and it covers
LAND, SEA and AIR. From Cebu South Bus Terminal, find a bus that will take you to Dumaguete,
a city in Negros Oriental, and it takes 2-4 hours drive to get to Lilo-an, Santander wharf.
Tourist Attractions:
Mt. Talinis
Mount Talinis. Mount Talinis, also known as the Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros), is a
complex volcano in the Philippine province of Negros Oriental. At about 1,903 metres (6,243 ft)
above sea level, it is the second highest mountain on Negros Island after Mount Kanlaon.
Casaroro Falls
Casaroro Falls. In the town of Valencia, Negros Oriental located 9.4 kilometers west of Dumaguete
City lies the beautiful Casaroro Falls considered to be the most photographed waterfall in the entire
Negros province. Casaroro Falls is lodged deep into the rock crevices of the rugged Valencia
mountains.
Festivals:
Langub Festival
The Langub Festival is annually celebrated in the Poblacion (town center) of Mabinay every
24th of January. With scenarios of the Negrense (aborigines of Negros Oriental) and the revelation
of Santo Niño, the festival is created into a splendid action and fun filled festival.
Sinulog sa Jimalalud
The Sinulog sa Jimalalud is celebrated with rhythmic dancing and moderate Latin-American steeldrum beats. ... In honor of their Roman Catholic patron saint, Santo Niño, the celebration of a
community mass is celebrated in their community church of Jimalalud just after the Festival.
Cuisine & Delicacies:
Budbud
Budbud is a Visayan term for suman. So “budbud”, “suman” and “suman”, “budbud.”
Tanjay's budbud always come in pairs in a full (and sticky) embrace, like lovers. Be it big or small
in size, the signature taste that marks it as Tanjay-made is consistent.
SIQUIJOR
Capital: Siquijor
Land Area: 343.5 km²
Location: located in the Bohol (Mindanao) Sea, 19 miles (30 km) southeast of Negros island.
Geographic profile: Siquijor is about 30 km southeast of Negros, south of Cebu, and southwest
of Bohol. It is separated by the Mindanao Sea from the northern coast of Mindanao. Until 1971, it
was a sub-province of Negros Oriental. Siquijor is the smallest of the four provinces in Central
Visayas.
How to get there: From Manila, take a 1-hour flight to Dumaguete City.
Tourist Attraction:
Cambugahay Falls
Cambugahay Falls is a 3-tiered waterfall. with crisp and clean warm water originating from natural
springs. Water from the Cambugahay Falls flows down about three kilometers downstream
making numerous wonderful swimming lagoons before it discharges into the Lazi Bay.
Paliton Beach
Paliton Beach is known for its pristine waters, white fine sand beach, and tall coconut trees, which
all contribute to complete summer feels. People often call this beach as the “Mini Boracay of
Siquijor”.
Festivals:
Dilaab Festival
he Dilaab Festival is celebrated annually with different kinds of activities and shows in honor of
St. Francis of Assisi, the town's patron saint and a famous lover of nature. It is a
thanksgiving celebration of Siquijor's natural resources.
Bugwas Festival
The festival is a way of celebrating a bountiful and abundant harvest in honor of their patron saint;
St. Augustine. Bugwas means a spurt of water coming from an underground source, which flows
freely in the open ground.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Pan Bisaya
Pan Bisaya is the most popular bread in the province of Siquijor and nearby places like Dumaguete
and Cebu city. ... The bread is baked in a makeshift oven called ”HORNOHAN” which is
composed of empty cans od cooking oil. Dried coconut husks are burned to produce heat.
Region VIII
Location: Eastern side of the Philippines
Land Area: 23,251.10 km2 (8,977.30 sq mi)
Geographical Profile: Region 8 is located in the eastern side of the Philippines, and thus the
name, Eastern Visayas. ... On its west lie the islands of Cebu and Bohol and the Maqueda Bay,
Camotes Sea, and Visayan Sea that separates it from other Visayan regions while on its east are
the Leyte Gulf, the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Political Profile: The region has six provinces, one independent city and one highly urbanized
city namely, Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Silangang Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc
and Tacloban. These provinces and cities occupy the easternmost islands of the Visayas group of
islands.
Population: 4,440,150 based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015).
Language: Abaknon, Baybayanon, Boholano, Cebuano, Kinabalian, Waray-waray
Provinces: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Southern Leyte.
BILIRAN
Capital: Naval
Land Area: 536.01 square kilometres (206.95 sq mi)
Location: located in the Eastern Visayas region.
Geographic Profile: Biliran is bounded on the north by the Samar Sea; on the east by Western
Samar; on the west by Visayan Sea ; and on the south by Carigara Bay. Biliran's topography ranges
from slightly flat to gently rolling terrain.
How to get there: By land
Via Manila – Go to Pasay or Cubao terminal. Buses travel to Naval Biliran daily.
Via Davao – Go to Davao City Overland Bus Terminal. Buses travel to Tacloban Daily.
Via Tacloban – There are several buses that travel daily to Naval, Biliran.
Via Ormoc – There are several buses that travel daily to Naval, Biliran.
Tourist Attractions:
Sambawan Island
Sambawan Island is Biliran’s answer to paradise. White sands, thriving marine life and warm
blue waters lapping up the tree-lined shore is a must for those wanting escape from reality. Maria
Benita, our good fairy must have worked wonders in this place.
Higatangan Island
Higatangan Island is a part of Naval Municipality that is separated by a narrow channel located in
the north west tip of Leyte. The name Higatangan is derived from the word “atangan” meaning to
wait for.
Festivals:
Hudyaka
Hudyaka. 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 it's component municipalities.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Suman
Suman is a rice based delicacy using white and black glutenous 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.
EASTERN SAMAR
Capital: Borongan
Land Area: 4,660.47 square kilometres (1,799.42 sq mi)
Location: located in the Eastern Visayas region.
Geographic Profile: Geography. 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
province is bordered to the north by Northern Samar and to the west by Samar.
How to get there: There are several ways to get to Eastern Samar. One is through riding a bus
from Manila to Borongan within a 24-hour trip. By plane, there are regular Cebu Pacific flights
from Metro Manila to Tacloban City (in nearby Leyte province).
Tourist Attractions:
Linao Cave
Linao Cave is located in Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. 'Linao' is a Waray-waray word which
means 'clear' which describes the crystal clear fresh waters of the cave. The stone formations inside
the cave are one of the best examples of Mother Nature's work of art.
Canhugas Nature Park
Water comes from the strong ocean waves hammering the rocks, flowing to the pool terraces. Salty
blue falls! Sturdy waves create waterfalls which flow into a deep hole where waves also came
crushing through, crafting a view of natural features that is 'bluish-ly exquisite.
Festivals:
Homonhon Landing Festival
This festival is a tribute to Ferdinand Magellan who "discovered" the Philippines and put it in the
pedestal of fame as a country with rich natural resources and exotic but hospitable people. On
March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Island of Homonhon in Eastern Samar.
Padul-ong Festival
The Padul-ong Festival is the province's way to pay homage to its Patroness, the Blessed Virgin
Mary. The capital city of the province, pronounced as “bo-rong-gan”, was derived from the Waraywaray word “borong” which means “fog. The festival commemorates the day they received the
image.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Salukara
SALUKARA (Rice Crepe) is a native delicacy of Borongan, Eastern Samar. A pancake or crêpelike rice flour delicacy that uses tuba or young coconut wine as a riser instead of baking powder.
The taste is a cross between a hot cake, bibingka and puto. It looks like a hotcake but taste like a
bibingka and puto.
Baduya nga Pasayan
Baduya nga Pasayan (shrimp fritters) in Imelda Park, Catbalogan City is like the maruyang
hipon, a very tasty and crispy version of tempura.
LEYTE
Capital: Tacloban
Land Area: 7,368 km²
Location: Located in Eastern Visayas Region.
Geographic Profile: Leyte is the largest province in the Eastern Visayas Region. ... The province
is bounded on the north by the Province of Biliran, in the east by the San Juanico Strait and the
island of Samar, the Visayas and Ormoc Seas in the west and Southern Leyte to its south.
How to get there:
Via Tacloban. You can also fly to Tacloban and take a 4- to 5-hour van ride to the town of
Palompon.
Via Cebu by boat. You may also travel by sea to Palompon from Cebu.
Tourist Attraction:
Calanggaman Island
Calanggaman Island ( a.k.a Kalanggaman Island ) is a pristine dream beach destination in the
Visayas; exactly located in the municipality of Palompon and the province of Leyte. It is famous
for its stretches of white powdery sand beaches and its crystal clear blue waters that stretch along
both sides of this island.
San Juanico Bridge
The San Juanico Bridge, is an arch-shaped truss bridge in the Philippines stretching from Samar
to Leyte crossing the San Juanico Strait. It is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway. It is the
longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of water with a length of 2.16 kilometers.
Festivals:
Pintados
The Pintados Festival 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.
Buyugan Festival
The Aliwan Festival is the national excellent rivalry of the best celebrations in the Philippines, so
the Buyogan Festival has without a doubt turn into a huge wellspring of pride for the general
population of Abuyog.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Binagol
Binagol is a sweet delicacy that originated from Eastern Visayas, specifically Leyte. It offers a
distinct taste to the pallet and is wrapped in a unique packaging. Binagol came from the root word
“bagol”, a Visayan term that means coconut shell.
Roscas
Roscas is almost similar to a fortune cookie, this delicacy came from Barugo, Leyte. It is made of
flour, sugar, eggs, anis and shortening. These cookies have a different taste because of the “Anis”
that is added to the ingredients.
NORTHERN SAMAR
Capital: Catarman
Land Area: 3,692.93 square kilometres (1,425.85 sq mi)
Location: located at the northern portion of the island of Samar.
Geographic Profile: Northern Samar is a province in the Philippines situated in the Eastern
Visayas region occupying the eastern section of the Visayas. Its capital is the Municipality of
Catarman. The province has a land area of 3,692.93 square kilometers or 1,425.85 square miles.
How to get there: If you're coming from Manila, take a bus to Clark and then fly to
Catarman, Northern Samar.
From the airport, take a tricycle to the main terminal.
Ride a jeepney bound for Lavezares.
Find a boat that goes to Biri Town.
From Biri jetty, take a habal-habal to your hotel or guesthouse.
Tourist Attraction:
Pinipisakan Falls & Sulpan Cave
Pinipisakan falls is 4 layered waterfalls and known to be the most beautiful waterfalls in the
Philippines. Sulpan Cave has 5 km length underground cave chambers with giants stalactites &
stalagmites the famous to see inside the cave is the giants ells.
Biri Island
Biri Island, located in Northern Samar, settles on the northernmost part of the Visayan
Archipelago. It is known for its majestic, six rock formations that were illustriously carved by the
mother nature over time. The best time to visit the island is during summer from February to June,
when the water is calmer.
Festivals:
Embajada Festival
The Embajada Festival is celebrated every second week of January in Catarman and Catubic,
Northern Samar. The festival remembers the conflict between Christians and Muslims that was
brought about by the Spanish occupation. The celebration is highlighted with a fluvial procession.
Bankaton Festival
Bankaton Festival is a religious festival held each August 20 at Lavezares, Northern Samar. It is a
yearly vessel hustling challenge to praise the devour of Nueva Señora de Salvacion, the town's
patroness. An occasion out of appreciation for the town's benefactor holy person, San Nicolas de
Tolentino.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Kamuntaha
Kamuntaha a Local Delicacy in Biri, 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.
SAMAR (WESTERN SAMAR)
Capital: Catbalogan City
Land Area: 13,428.8 km2 (5,184.9 sq mi)
Location: located on Samar Island in Eastern Visayas
Geographic Profile: The largest lowlands are located along the northern coast extending up to the
valleys of Catubig and Catarman rivers. Smaller lowlands in Samar are to be found in the Calbayog
area and on the deltas and small valleys of Gandara and Ulot rivers.
How to get there: You can get to Samar by taking the 2-hour ferry boat ride from Matnog,
Sorsogon province to Allen, Northern Samar, which is another 3 hours away by bus from
Catbalogan. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Air Lines and AirAsia all offer flights from Manila to
Tacloban.
Tourist Attraction:
Sohoton Cave & Natural Bridge Park
Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge Park is a maze of natural adventures. It features caves, rivers,
limestone karts formations, waterfalls, lush forest as well as a natural stone bridge. And as
wonderful as what meets the eye, it's also teeming with exotic wildlife.
Lulugayan Falls
Lulugayan Falls spans about 50 meters in width, making it one of the widest waterfalls in the
country. Its highest drop is about 30 meters.
Festivals:
Alimango Festival
It is a dance festival that revolves around the courtship between female and male alimango and
portrays the captivity of the alimango with the use of bobo and giant bentol. The
female alimango is called “atabayi” while the male alimango called “amamakhao”.
Mayaw-mayaw Festival
The Mayaw-Mayaw Festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration every 10th of May. ... The
modern celebration shows the domination of the Blessed Virgin Mary by victoriously defeating
evil and protecting the townspeople executed through dance.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Tamalos
Samar's tamalos is distinctly spicy and nutty. It's made with rice flour, pork belly, vinegar, pepper,
and garlic. It's covered in a thick peanut sauce, and sealed away with a banana leaf.
SOUTHERN LEYTE
Capital: Maasin City
Land Area: 1,798.61 square kilometres (694.45 sq mi).
Location: Located in the Eastern Visayas Region.
Geographic Profile: Southern Leyte occupies the southern quarter of the island of Leyte. It is
bounded by the province of Leyte to the north, by Surigao Strait to the east, Bohol Sea to the south,
and Canigao Channel, across from Bohol, to the west.
How to get there: From Tacloban City, take a van bound for Maasin, Southern Leyte. Tell the
driver to drop you at Mahaplag crossing. Fare is 150 PHP and travel time is 1.5 - 2 hours. From
there, hire a habal-habal for 300 pesos (2-way) going to Agas-Agas bridge.
Tourist Attraction:
Agas-agas Bridge
the Agas-Agas Bridge is the highest bridge ever built in the Philippines. The bridge straddles
between two mountains and traverses along the Mahaplag-Sogod (south-central) section of the
Maharlika Highway. It provides a significant link to motorists traveling from Luzon to Mindanao.
Mount Cabalian
Cabalian volcano. Mount Cabalían volcano is located on the SE tip of Leyte Island, Philippines. It
is is an andesitic stratovolcano with steep radial erosion valleys and ridges that are moderately to
thickly vegetated. It contains a summit crater filled by a lake.
Festivals:
Alikaraw Festival
The Alikaraw Festival is a way to give thanks to petal fairies, celebrate their blessings, and hope
for a bountiful year ahead through dances and songs with colorful flower costumes. Leyteños
believe that fairies sway their magic petals to make sure that flowers grow and bloom.
Cuisines & Delicacies:
Banagan
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.