Out of 7,107 islands it isn't much of a surprise that the Philippines still has virgin territory left undiscovered. Although we have tried and tested scenic spots, we still need to develop other areas to draw in other tourists for tourism.
Just recently, the Department of Tourism regional director for Region 8 has announced the development of new interesting spots in the eastern Visayas region that would enhance eco-tourism in the area. Leyte and Samar are two provinces that lie close to each other geographically and is linked together by a modern architectural wonder that is the San Juanico Bridge.
Long before Leyte was known as the province where Imelda Marcos was born, it had occupied a space in history as the landing site where General Douglas Mc Arthur fulfilled his promise of returning to the Philippines. With General Carlos P. Romulo beside him, he laded on the shores of Leyte to start the Leyte Campaign to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces. A monument stands on the site where the event took place.
Aside from this, Leyte is blessed with magnificent natural wonders which are nowhere more evident than in the campus of the Visayas State University ( better known as VISCA), in Baybay, Leyte. The 1,479 hectare campus is a haven for eco-tourists as it stretches from the shores of the Camotes Sea all the way to the Panasugan mountain ranges, giving tourists multiple experiences from sea, farm and hilltop experience. They also operate a beach resort with swimming pool and pretty good lodging amenities.
Right off the shores of the Camotes sea and in betwween Leyte and Cebu is the Kalanggaman island where the Palompon beach resort is gaining recognition for its powdery white sand.
Samar, on the other hand, has exciting new attractions as well. The Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) boasts of 455,700 hectares of virgin land. It is a habitat to 38 mammal species, 215 bird species, 51 reptile species, 26 amphibian species and over 1,000 plant species. The Philippine Eagle was first spotted here 100 years ago. They also have the Tour Guide and Boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development Organization (TORPEDO) which is a an hour long, adrenaline-pumping white-water ride on a dug out canoe on the Ulot river.
They also have the Borongan-Llorente closed canopy forest, Mt Huraw, Amandaraga falls, Taft Philippine Eagle Santuary, Bangon falls and Pinipisakan falls in the area.
The most famous sites would have to be the Galbiga and Sohoton Caves, though. Calbiga is said to be the most extensive cave system in the country (arguably so.) What about the Tabon caves (another story)? While the Sohoton caves boasts of an amazing river-eco-system, limestone cliffs, natural stone bridge and breath taking formation of both stalactites and stalagmites said to be millions of years old.
I have been to these sites (while on a national tour when I was still dancing) even before the DOT of region 8 has decided it wss high-time the Philippines let our visitors in on some of our little known secrets...
The Philippines truly is blessed!
Long before Leyte was known as the province where Imelda Marcos was born, it had occupied a space in history as the landing site where General Douglas Mc Arthur fulfilled his promise of returning to the Philippines. With General Carlos P. Romulo beside him, he laded on the shores of Leyte to start the Leyte Campaign to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces. A monument stands on the site where the event took place.
Aside from this, Leyte is blessed with magnificent natural wonders which are nowhere more evident than in the campus of the Visayas State University ( better known as VISCA), in Baybay, Leyte. The 1,479 hectare campus is a haven for eco-tourists as it stretches from the shores of the Camotes Sea all the way to the Panasugan mountain ranges, giving tourists multiple experiences from sea, farm and hilltop experience. They also operate a beach resort with swimming pool and pretty good lodging amenities.
Right off the shores of the Camotes sea and in betwween Leyte and Cebu is the Kalanggaman island where the Palompon beach resort is gaining recognition for its powdery white sand.
They also have the Borongan-Llorente closed canopy forest, Mt Huraw, Amandaraga falls, Taft Philippine Eagle Santuary, Bangon falls and Pinipisakan falls in the area.
The most famous sites would have to be the Galbiga and Sohoton Caves, though. Calbiga is said to be the most extensive cave system in the country (arguably so.) What about the Tabon caves (another story)? While the Sohoton caves boasts of an amazing river-eco-system, limestone cliffs, natural stone bridge and breath taking formation of both stalactites and stalagmites said to be millions of years old.
I have been to these sites (while on a national tour when I was still dancing) even before the DOT of region 8 has decided it wss high-time the Philippines let our visitors in on some of our little known secrets...
The Philippines truly is blessed!
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