Southern Leyte – The Centuries Old Charmer
March 31, 1521 became the turning point in the history of the province. On that day, the ‘first’ Christian mass was held in the country, signifying the start of the spread of the Catholic faith in the Philippines. But years after, Southern Leyte still has more secrets which captures the interest of local and foreign tourists alike.
Southern Leyte’s natural wonders never fail to impress its visitors. Among its famed sites include the Sun-ok and Napantaw Fish Sanctuary, Patag Daku and Maamo Beach. These and more await the adventure loving visitors of Southern Leyte.
Demographics
1. Population –
390, 847 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area –1, 797.2 sq. km
3. Capital – Maasin City
4. Language/Dialect –Cebuano, Boholano, Waray
- waray, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (1)
Municipalities (18)
Limasawa
Island and the Sinugdan Festival
On March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Portuguese navigator
Ferdinand Magellan and his men celebrated in the island
the ‘first’ Christian mass in the Philippines.
To commemorate the event, locals celebrate the Sinugdan
Festival. The event is filled with cultural presentations
and other programs.
Sun-ok Fish
Sanctuary
Sun-ok Fish Sanctuary hosts a variety of marine life.
The underwater contour is actually a terrace full of
distinct coral formations inhabited by large species
of fish.
Sinulog
sa Malitbog
This is an annual religious street pageant to pay homage
to the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño), the town’s
patron. Religious activities are held throughout the
festival, along with cultural presentations.
Cultural
Municipality
of Malitbog
Location: Malitbog, Southern Leyte
It is one of the oldest towns in the province of Leyte
which was once the center of trade and commerce. Still
present are old big Spanish houses and church and the
prominent Escaño family mausoleum built in 1928
with its dome towering over a catacomb.
Historical
Limasawa
Island
Location: Limasawa, Southern Leyte
This is where the ‘first’ mass in the Philippines
was held, and is said to be the birthplace of Roman
Catholicism in the country. Limasawa Island is also
a diver’s paradise. It boasts of magnificent walls
and sheer drop-offs decorated with a variety of lovely
fan corals that never fail to awe even the most traveled
and experienced diver.
Natural
Sun-ok Fish
Sanctuary
Location: Pintuyan, Southern Leyte
Fully rehabilitated soft and hard corals along cracks
and crevices provide an appropriate backdrop that sums
up a totally interesting dive experience. Best time
to dive is from October to May. Fishing as well as the
collection of shells and other items are strictly prohibited.
Napantaw
Fish Sanctuary
Location: San Francisco, Southern Leyte
The sanctuary is a hideout full of huge sea and soft
corals. Healthy corals, clear water, rich marine life;
the highly diverse underwater terrain in the area promises
to be a challenging and exciting dive that a resident
school of fully grown surgeon fishes welcomes the “intruder”
to a celebration of marine bliss and tranquility.
Patag Daku
Location: Libagon, Southern Leyte
Due to its inaccessibility, Patag Daku remains one of
the least explored, and possibly, least disturbed and
least exploited, forest ecosystem in the province today.
Literally ‘big plain’, it is a major climb
as described in mountaineering parlance.
Cuatro Islas
Location: Inopacan – Hindang, Southern Leyte
As the name suggests, it is composed of four lovely
isles namely: Daguio, Apit, Mahaba and Himokilan bordered
by white sandy shore. Aside from the beautiful beach,
there are also plenty of coral reefs in the waters,
making them ideal for scuba divers
Panaon Island
Location: Liloan, Southern Leyte
It is a part of Mindanao Deep, the second deepest body
of water in the world. It is considered as one of the
most mystifying dive destinations in Southern Leyte.
It is where one may encounter a school of whales or
dolphins.
Maamo Beach
Location: Brgy. San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte
Maamo (meaning “gentle”) Beach can be reached
by way of a boat. The deep sea is host to numerous fish,
making it a haven for fishermen. The coastline on the
other hand, is noted for its white sands and the cool
breeze emanating from the ocean.
Bitu-on Beach
Location: Brgy. San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte
It offers the tourist a splendid view of the skies,
perfect for strolling on the beach. Various seashells
are present on the seashore that are available for collectors.
Aside from the shells, there are also several types
of fish in the area.
Wawa Strait
Location: Macrohon, Southern Leyte
The often invisible strait is a sight to behold from
this town. One could simply while away his time and
get a relaxing feeling by going to this point to get
a glimpse of its beauty.
Maghusot
Park
Location: Sogod, Southern Leyte
This national park features a forested area of about
500 hectares. It has 4 waterfalls that converge into
one basin that is 20 meters in height.
Religious
Shrine
of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Precious
Blood of Jesus (Maasin Cathedral)
Location: Maasin, Southern Leyte
The cathedral is known for housing images that date
to the Spanish colonial period. It is considered one
of the oldest parishes in the country. It has been rebuilt
several times, and has been managed by the Jesuits,
Augustinians, and the Franciscans. Residents commonly
call it the Mother Mary Shrine
Sinulog
sa Malitbog
Place: Maltibog, Southern Leyte
Date: January 15
An annual religious street pageant celebrated as homage
to the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño), patron
of Malitbog. It has grown steadily with devotees from
other places flocking to the town.
Sinugdan
Place: Limawasa, Southern Leyte
Date: March 31
Sinugdan means ‘beginning’. The festival
celebrates the ‘first’ Christian mass in
the Philippines and the beginning of the spread of the
Catholic faith in the country. Cultural activities,
pageants and competitions are held during the event.
Highlighting the festival is the dramatization of the
‘first’ Christian mass in the Philippines.
By land:
There are bus companies that travel Manila - Maasin
City, taking the Manila-Maasin route of Pan-Philippine
Highway. Travel time is 23 hours.
By Air-land:
Take a flight from Manila to Tacloban City, Leyte.
From the airport, there are available transportation
headed to the capital of Southern Leyte.
By Sea:
From Cebu, ferry boats travel to Southern Leyte,
docking at Maasin Port. Travel time is 2 –
6 hours. From Surigao, ferryboats travel for three
hours and dock at Liloan Port.