Visitors to the latest “Best of the Regions” showcase in Intramuros are drawn in droves to the various offerings of the historically and ecologically-rich region of Eastern Visayas.
Dubbed “Rayhak Ha Siranganan Bisayas Ha Intramuros” (Sunrise in Eastern Visayas Shines in Intramuros), the Eastern Visayas cultural-trade show that runs until Sept. 28, features the best of the region’s six provinces which are Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. It also focuses the spotlight on its major cities – Tacloban, Maasin, Calbayog and Ormoc.
The two-weeklong showcase unveils to the public the finest products, destinations, cuisine, culture, music, dances, festivals and its animated and feisty people – the Warays.
Leyte Gov. Remedios Petilla, which led distinguished guests from the region including local government officials and regional tourism associations during the opening rites Friday, said that the Eastern Visayas exhibition is a proof that the region can compete with the world’s best, and that it aims to bring the Warays and other people together.
The Clamshell tent at the Pueblo Pilipino in Intramuros houses a variety of products found in the region. From Sugod, southern Leyte, visitors can find the Waray’s version of Abaca handicrafts such as bags, placemats, jars, wall mats, carpets, etc. These export-quality items range from R8 (coaster) to R4,500 for a room divider.
Various uses of the coconut tree, which is abundant in the region, are on display at the fair. Available are Leyte handicrafts made of coconut shells and twigs such as wall displays, pots, lampshades, and cooking utensils. The products are the work of the region’s skilled artists and sculptors who were commissioned by the local government. According to the store owner, the artists were initially working on wooden products but since it required a bigger capital in terms of fixed assets and manpower, they decided to shift to coconut products.
At the adjacent booth, exquisite handbags (R450) made from coconut sheets are a stand-out among the rest. It is priced much higher, though, because of the tedious process involved in making it. Also, as early as this month, some Christmas decors made out of coconut fiber are already for sale. Meanwhile, best-sellers are the Don Alfonso coconut vodka (R175), which will be exported to California, coconut red wine (R100) and coco vinegar (R30).
Best buys are banig (handwoven mats) and colorful Sinamay products from southern Leyte. Some are shaped as flowers (R85), pillow case (R250) or wreaths (R395) mixed with coconut husks and abaca twine. One can also buy it at R60 per meter.
Other products include fine furniture from Marabut, Eastern Samar; handmade paper made from citronella, banana bark, banana patches; home décor made of capiz from Samar; and shellcrafts from Guiuan, Samar such as wall clocks, figurines, earrings, and a rare Golden Cowrie shell (R3,000) that is found only in the Sulangan, Homonhon and Sula-an islands of the Visayas.
Delicacies from the region are also the most-sought-after products in the trade fair. Aside from its specialties Binagol (R50) and Moron (R10), the region also has some of the tastiest biscuits Sortido (R30), Salvaro (R30) and Bukorillo (R35) from Maasin Leyte. Tacloban has its Suman Latik (R10 per piece), Torta or cupcake (R50) and Piñato riceflakes (R100) and toasted puto (R11). Kaun Kit restaurant and bakeshop in Calbayog, Samar is also reviving its traditional hard cookies which have been popular since the 1950s. Among these are the Tanggo, Galleta, Azucarrada, and the ultimate coffee partner Sinulpak or Biscocho.
Samar has introduced its Tahong crackers (R12), Tahong adobo (R75) available in oil or tomato sauce and smoked Tahong (R50).
The Eastern Visayas region is a destination steeped in history. Many highlights in Philippine history have occurred in the very shores of the region’s virgin islands. Eastern Samar was the first area in the country sighted by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on March 16, 1521. Limasawa island in southern Leyte became his first stop where he entered in a blood compact with Rajah Kolambu. After winning the natives’ hearts or so he thought, his companions — the Spanish friars held the first Christian mass in the island on March 31, 1521. Although they were the first to welcome the Spaniards, the Leyteños were also the first to resist them after several years. It was the Limasawa chief, Bancao and his high priest Pagail that started several uprisings against the Spaniards in 1622.
It was at the Red Beach in Candahug, Palo, Leyte, site of the one of the greatest naval battles in history, where General Douglas MacArthur, head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, landed on Oct. 20, 1944 and fulfilled his promise of liberation from the Japanese invaders. Today, his much-visited shrine (built at the exact place where he, along with his Liberation forces, Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and General Carlos P. Romulo landed) still reminds Leyteños and every visitor of MacArthur’s return, the Filipinos’ martyrdom, bravery and victory over the bloody war.
During the Marcos years, Leyte was known as “Imelda country,” the hometown of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. Most of the finances used for building the major infrastructures in Leyte either came from her, from her relatives; or were built for her. The airport in Tacloban, capital of Leyte was named after its donor, her auncle Daniel Romualdez. The province’s wide, cemented roads were also built during the Marcos era. The famed San Juanico Bridge, Southeast Asia’s longest and most beautifully-designed bridge which crosses over picturesque San Juanico Strait and connects the islands of Leyte and Samar, is also said to be a birthday gift of former president Ferdinand Marcos to his wife.
Imelda’s mansion in Olot was considered then as the “Malacañang of the South.” The vast property houses imported sculptures of several gods, a grotto, and a 10-foot-statue of the Sacred Heart on top of a hill, among others. The mansion also served as venue of several lavish parties and functions by both foreign and local dignitaries and prominent personalities. At present, it has been converted into a beach resort for the public but the house is still off-limits to visitors, only lucky ones can get a peek inside if Madam Imelda or any member of the family is not around.
Meanwhile, the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum located in downtown Tacloban is the museum of the Marcoses. A smaller replica of a Marcos residence, the two-storey building consists of a small chapel with the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño and a number of Filipino-themed guestrooms in the first floor; a grand staircase where portraits of the family hang on the walls; spacious living and dining areas; and the family bedrooms adorned with exquisite and imported furnishings and fixtures.
To adventurers and nature lovers, Eastern Visayas is renowned for its picturesque scenery and unspoiled environment that have made it one of the top ecotourism destinations in the country and in Asia. Several years ago, the islands of Samar and Leyte was host to international eco-adventure competitions that gathered hundreds of the world’s seasoned adventurers. The competition, which involved a series of extreme sports like caving, kayaking, rappeling and jumping through waterfalls, mountain climbing, swimming, was shown abroad, giving the region and the country the much-deserved exposure and recognition.
[ Homonhon Island Wiki ]
|
