MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park

 

 

The MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park  is a protected area of the Philippines that commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation on 20 October 1944. This event led to the largest naval battle and Japan's eventual defeat and surrender after almost three years. The war memorial is located in the municipality of Palo on Leyte island in Eastern Visayas and is one of the region's major tourist attractions. It was declared a national park on 12 July 1977 through Letter of Instructions No. 572 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.

The MacArthur Landing site sits on a 6.78 hectares (16.8 acres) coastal plain in the barangay of Candahug, some 5 kilometers south of Leyte's provincial capital Tacloban. It was formerly named Imelda Park after former First Lady Imelda Marcos  who hails from Leyte province. The park's focal point are the seven double-life-sized bronze statues on a shallow man-made pool depicting MacArthur and his entourage during the historic. (source of some statements: Wikipedia)

 

 

Even as a tourist spot, it's quite peaceful. There are not much stalls selling stuff, which is good. The place is right next to the sea, and it's very relaxing. You can bring along stuff for a picnic if you want. The all-in-all view of the park is very dumbfounding. You can even take a picture beside the statue in the man made pool and shot all the picturesque site that will surely massage your soul that will tell a story of our history..

 

 

SAN JUANICO BRIDGE

Expanding 2.162 kilometres long steel girder viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers. It connects Samar and Leyte, known to be the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning body of seawater. This is what you called san Juanico Bridge. This was constructed in 1969 and complete in 1973 by the Japanese engineers, with a total cost of 21.9 million dollars.

The bridge offer many picturesque views, especially of the San Juanico strait with its thousand whirlpool as well as the islets of the province. The bridge gave a lot of benefits to Leyte, because this bridge is the reason why we can land travel from Leyte to Luzon.

 

Fun facts about San Juanico Bridge (some sources are from: www.faq.ph)

•   It was once called “Marcos Bridge,” because it was built under his administration.

•   It was dubbed “The bridge of Love,” because this is served as a birthday gift of Ferdinand Marcos to his wife that is known to be “the Rose of Tacloban” Imelda Marcos.

•    It formed initials “L” and “S,” in aerial view or bird’s eye view you can make out a shape of letter “L” on the part of Leyte and “S” on the part going to Samar Province.

•    A brave action star jumped off san Juanico Bridge in 1981. The king of stunt in the Philippines Dante Varona shoot the most daring stunt that was directed by Carlo J. Caparas.

•  30,000 pesos worth of bronze electrical wiring of the bridge was stolen from the bridge that was reported missing in February 17, 2014.

       SAMBAWAN ISLAND

 

Sambawan Island is located in Maripipi, Biliran, Leyte. Biliran is surrounded by water and fishing is a main source of livelihood there. During the Spanish era, Biliran was known as Isla de Panamao, the world ‘panamao’ meaning ‘fishing net.’ Later, it took its name from the word ‘bilir,’ meaning ‘the side of a bangka.’ It’s simple in Biliran. You’ve got the sikad (what locals call a pedicab), jeepney, multicab and tricycle. 

 

The best choice for island hopping in Biliran is none other than Sambawan Island! It’s a one-hour bangka ride from Dalutan Island. It’s out of the way from the other islands, so plan your trip here on a separate day. And trust me, you’ll want a separate day for Sambawan

Sambawan Island is endowed with beautiful white sandy beach, rich marine life and coral gardens, which invite intrepid divers and snorkelers especially on summer season. During high tide, Sambawan transforms into three beautiful islets. Sambawan Island has a stark, mountainous coastline and a spectacular sunrise, a stunningly beautiful view, which will surely melt your heart.

 You should bring your own Food, Water and Camping equipment. There are a lot or activities to enjoy this dumbfounding island, such as: Scuba Diving, Fishing, Camping, Snorkelling, and Trekking.

Visit Sambawan, massage your soul and indulge the heavenly feeling.

 

LAKE DANAO

A hidden beauties of nature is located just 18 kilometers from Ormoc City proper in the province of Leyte. Lake Danao is a guitar-shaped lake, covering an area of 148 hectares inside the Lake Danao National Park, a 2,193 hectares protected ecopark under Republic Act No. 7586 (source: National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992).

Lake Danao in Ormoc City for peep and peek to Leyte's hidden treasures up by 2,130 ft above sea level. 

Reaching on top is a manifestation of nature's best it can offer. The water is very calm and full solitude as you stare to its deep. Local children are there swimming and jumping indicating that the lake is safe to explore. There is a fresh water mollusk the locals called "tab". Scenic and serene. You can just stay here and watch the beauty of nature. You can also rent a boat or kayak to really enjoy its beauty.

The lake captured me. It has a spirit of stillness. A tranquil moment for a tired soul is awaited. Getting there could be a sacrifice as public transportation is very limited. One has to rent a habal habal or motorcycle to get there. Once you are at the lake be amaze by the view. 

CANIGAO ISLAND

Canigao Island is an elliptical islet no more than four hundred fifty meters across it's longest side, all of the sides are powdery white sand, and its center is filled with coconut trees. It is situated along Matalom sea and is midway between mainland island province of Leyte and the northern coast reefs of Bohol.

Its western side is facing the wide sea between the island of Leyte and Cebu giving a perfect scene for the sunset while the side is facing the mountains of Southern Leyte.

The municipality of Matalom was able to maintain the cleanliness of the island. Facilities has been built along the island with cottage available as well as a shower room and a rest room within the island's center. The local government of Matalom also assigning two police officers in weekly rotating shifts to guard the island. You can freely bring your own food and then if you want to indulge the experience overnight you can bring tents to rest.

The scenery is so awesome not just in the island and but also below the sea in which you can snorkel and espy the underwater creatures and reefs.

I can guarantee you that Canigao Island experience is truly a heaven scent that massage your soul by its beauty that will paid of all the stress in your mind and body.

some details is by www.s1expeditions.com