Eastern Samar - Gateway To Philippine Discovery
The coast of this part of Samar island faces the Pacific Ocean. As such, it has been called as the “eastern gateway to the Philippines”. History recounts how the meek island of Homonhon in Eastern Samar served as the gateway to the ‘discovery’ of the Philippines, which signaled the beginning of a new era in Philippine history.
Now, local and foreign tourists are discovering the natural and historical wonders of this province. Among its gems include the Balangiga Encounter Monument, Church of the Immaculate Conception, and Kantican Island.
Demographics
1. Population –
405, 114 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 4, 640.7 sq. km
3. Capital – Borongan
4. Language/Dialect – Waray-waray, English, and
Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (23)
Homonhon
Island
This is where Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan
and his men first set foot on Philippine soil on March
16, 1521.
Navy 3149
Base
It served as the base of the American soldiers during
World War II.
Kantican
Island
This pearl culture farm is a haven of rich marine life
such as lobsters, shells, fishes, abalones, and corals.
Balangiga
Incident
On September 28, 1901, the villagers, led by Valeriano
Abanador, the town's police chief and Captain Eugenio
Daza, killed over 30 members of the Company C of the
9th U.S. Infantry Regiment in a surprise guerilla attack.
The retaliation of the American troops resulted to the
death of 2,000 – 3,000 Filipinos, mostly civilians
and children ages ten and above.
Cultural
Church of
the Immaculate Conception
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Construction began in the 1630’s and was rebuilt
in stone in the early 18th century. Aside from the main
altar, two side altars stand along the nave. One bears
mixed parentage, a retablo from Franciscan times and
a rococo frontal with the Augustinian emblem. It was
declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National
Museum
Historical
Homonhon
Island
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
This is where Ferdinand Magellen first landed in Philippine
soil. According to the accounts of Antonio Pigafetta,
Magellan’s Italian chronicle, a mass was celebrated
here on March 19, 1521. Easter Sunday, making it the
first in the Philippines.
Magellan’s
Cross
Location: Homonhon Island, Brgy. Pagbabangan, Guiuan,
Eastern Samar
Beside the cross is a painting depicting the landing
of Ferdinand Magellan and his crew in the island.
Tubabao Island
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
The island was used by the International Refugee Organization
as a temporary home for some 5,000 refugees, survivors
of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the Russian
Civil War of 1922.
Church of
the Immaculate Concepcion Belfry and Watchtower
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Built by Franciscan friars in 1854, this belfry served
as a watchtower against attacks of intruding Moros.
Captain
Valeriano Abnador Statue
Location: Balangiga, Eastern Samar
The statue of Captain Valeriano Abnador commemorates
his bravery and contribution during the Philippine-American
war era.
Balangiga
Encounter Monument and Memorial Library
Location: Municipal Plaza, Balangiga, Eastern Samar
Designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, it recounts
the scene where Filipino guerillas, armed with bolos,
attacked the soldiers of Company C of the 9th U.S. Infantry
Regiment.
US Navy
3149 Air Base
Location: Brgy Ngolos, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Former US President John F. Kennedy, a PT boat commander
during World War II was stationed at the base. It is
said that the famed Enola Gay, the B-52 Bomber that
dropped the first atomic bomb on August 7, 1945 in Hiroshima,
Japan, once landed on its airstrip.
Man-made
Divinubo
Lighthouse
Location: Brgy. Lalawigan, Borongan, Eastern Samar
The lighthouse was constructed by the American engineers
in 1906. It was originally a gas-operated facility but
now it is electrically lighted and is enclosed in thick
glass. It serves to locate and guide the position of
international and inter-island ships passing the Pacific
Ocean.
Natural
Kantikan
Island (Pearl Island)
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
It features clear blue waters and immaculately white
coral beach. It is a perfect site for scuba diving,
fishing, and swimming.
Divinubo
Island
Location: Brgy. Lalawigan, Borongan, Eastern Samar
The 3 sq. km. white sand beach island has crystal-clear
waters with multi-colored fished and corals beneath,
making it highly ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and
diving.
Lawa-an
Islet
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
This 200 sq. meter islet has calm waters despite the
fact that it is facing the Pacific Ocean. It also has
beautiful beaches excellent for swimming.
Sulangan
Beach
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
It is the habitat of the famous golden cowrie shell.
It is also an ideal site for deep fishing, scuba diving
because of the multi-colored school of fishes present
in the area.
Canhugas
Beach
Location: Hernani, Eastern Samar
The main attraction of the beach is the 200 meter (660
ft) foot bridge, extending from the reef to the sea.
Legends states that a giant was responsible for building
the land bridge. Another attraction are its unusual
rock formation that looks like man-made steps.
Guintacigan
Beach
Location: Brgy. Sta. Maria, Borongan, Eastern Samar
Pure white sands stretch over a mile across (2 km) the
coastline. The waters are perfect for swimming and surfing.
Sapao Beach
Location: Guiuan, Eastern Samar
It offers a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean. Its
white sand beach is filled with shells of various colors.
Hamorawon
Spring
Location: Borongan, Eastern Samar
The spring is enveloped in a legend that if someone
will take a bath in this cool spring, especially those
who come from other places, will go home with a Borongan
wife. Surrounding the area are stone edifice said to
be constructed during the Spanish ear.
Religious
Our Lady
of Borongan Cathedral
Location: Borongan, Samar
It was first constructed inn 1710 and rebuilt in 1781.
It has been extensively remodeled. The only original
portion is the circular bell tower. The catherdral housed
the image of Borongan’s patron saint, Nuestra
Señora de Borongan.
Homonhon
Landing
Place: Homonhon Island, Guiua, Eastern Samar
Date: March 16
The event celebrates the landing of Ferdinand Magellan
in the island. Highlight of the event is the re-enactment
of the landing.
Balangiga
Encounter Day
Place: Balangiga, Eastern Samar
Date: September 28
The event commemorates the Balangiga Massacre with wreath
laying and cultural activities.
Padul-ong
Festival
Place: September 7
Date: Borongan, Eastern Samar
Celebrated in honor of Nuestra Señora de Borongan,
it recounts the arrival of the image of the Virgin Mary
from Portugal to the province. is highlighted by street
dancing, procession, and other cultural activities.
By land:
Several bus companies travel to Eastern Samar
via the Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway),
passing through Samar.
By Air-Land:
From Manila, take a flight to Tacloban City. In
the city, there are vans, buses, and jeepneys
that travel toward the different municipalities
of Eastern Samar.
By Air:
There are domestic flights from Manila to Eastern
Samar, landing at Punta Maria Airport in Borongan,
Samar.
By Sea-Land:
Travel from Manila or Cebu to Leyte via ferry.
From there, take a bus bound for Tacloban City
and another one to Borongan.