EASTERN VISAYAS Hidden wonders, extreme adventure

A region rich in history, its shores in Leyte served as the landing point of well-loved General Douglas MacArthur, marking his promised return to the Philippines and the country’s liberation from Japanese rule.

A place of hidden wonders, the region (particularly Samar island) played host for the first time in 1998 to the Elf Authentic Adventure, an international extreme adventure competition, that catapulted the Philippines’ position in the world tourism map as an ideal extreme adventure destination.

The latest Best of the Regions exhibit in Intramuros provides a virtual journey to this beautiful province; a deeper understanding of its history and culture and a closer interaction with its warm, hospitable yet fiesty Waray people.

This year’s exhibit of Region 8 carries a Christmas theme that highlights the peoples’ deep religiousity and ingenuity. These traits are evident in the displays which are dominated by facades of churches found in each city, an altar housing the respective patron saints, snapshots of popular destinations and various creative products made of local materials.

Handicrafts such as bags, home and kitchen decor, Christmas decor, ornaments and delicacies such as Piniato (peanut), Tahong crackers, Binagol and Moron (native cakes) are available for sale inside the Clamshell.

At the San Ignacio Ruins, visitors will find replicas of various natural wonders in the Samar Island Natural Park. Among the featured attractions are the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park in Basey, Samar; the 120-meter high Amandaraga Falls in Lawaan, eastern Samar; Taft Forest Wildlife, sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle; Bangon Falls, Calbayog City’s 3-layered falls with a 30-meter circular pond; and Pinipisakan Falls, the 3-layered gorge and river system was the starting point of the Elf Authentic Adventure expedition. Last but not the least is the recreated version of the Calbiga Caves, the second largest in Asia. One of its caves, the Langun-Gobingob Cave houses the biggest Karst formation in the country and a cathedral-like dome with the size of a football field.

This exhibit in Intramuros, according to DoT-Region 8 director Norma Morante, is just a prelude to a host of many unique attractions in Eastern Visayas one cannot find elsewhere.

For instance, visitors will be treated to Biliran’s spic and span surroundings, having been dubbed as the cleanest and greenest province in Eastern Visayas for three consecutive years. It is endowed with more than two dozens of waterfalls and cascades located deep within its lush mountains. Considered one of the last ecological frontiers, Biliran also boasts of a number of white-sand beaches and coves.

The ruggedly beautiful Samar island is characterized by its hard and enthusing contoured terrains and mountain slopes. It offers the most intricate yet thrilling eco-tourism sites that no other place could possibly match. Among these is the municipality of San Jorge touted as the "Land of a Hundred Caves."