Food and Restaurants

Tacloban offers a variety of cuisine from Native, Chinese and Italian specialties. Seafoods such as fresh fish, shrimps and crabs are readily available.

Restaurants:
Giuseppes Restaurant - Italian and Filipino Cuisine, Gloria Jean's Coffees, Bo's Coffee Club, Chowking, Cindy's, Dunkin Donuts, Greenwich, Jollibee, Mcdonald, Ritz Tower de Leyte, Shakey's and a lot more.



A visit to Tacloban is not complete without trying the most popular native delicacies and "pasalubong" (take-home) like the Binagol. It is made from grounded "gabi" (taro) with filling of sweetened sauce and some peanuts, and placed in half a coconut shell, then wrapped in banana leaves and secured with a white string.



Moron, made from grounded "malagkit" rice soaked in coconut milk flavored with sugar and high grade chocolates creatively rolled with stripes and wrapped in banana leaves securely tied with both ends.



and Suman Latik, made of sticky rice wrapped in a banana leaf with 'latik' (a sweet sauce from a boiled coconut milk that is formed and browned).



These are available at shops along Zamora, Rizal and Justice Romualdez Streets.

TC other Landmarks

STO. NIÑO CHURCH - Where the miraculous image of the Infant Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño de Leyte, Tacloban City's patron saint, is enshrined.

Map of Leyte - the sculpted image of a crucified Christ.

Redemptorist Church also known as Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish located at Real St. across of Bethany Hospital.

Tacloban City Convention Center or more popularly known as the Tacloban City Coliseum owned buy the city LGU with a seating capacity of 4,500, serves as indoor venue for important events and conventions in the region.

(Excuse for the crappy shots, most of my pictures were taken while riding in a car and others were taken from my original photos.)

STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Located atop the hill above Serin District overlooking Tacloban City. The 14 Stations of the Cross in more than life-size concrete forms leading to the 18-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Place for prayer and meditation on the Passion of Christ.

Madonna of Japan - Located at the foot of Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City. Landscaped garden with statue of the Goddess of Peace called Maria Kannon donated by the Japanese people – a symbol of peace and friendship between the Philippines and Japan; scenic view of Samar Island and Kankabato Bay. Benches, lamp posts, altar for offerings.

Buddhist Temple - Located in Anibong District, Tacloban City at the foot of a hill. A beautiful 2-storey pagoda where monks and Buddhists make their worship, prayers, and offerings. Overlooking Tacloban City and Samar Island. A wide balcony ideal for religious functions/receptions.

LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL - Located at the corner of Sen. Enage Street and Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City. Built in 1907, it is the seat of the provincial government of Leyte. It was also the seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines when President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. came in 1944 with the WW II Liberation Forces. Historic viewing of murals depicting the First Christian Mass in the Orient and General Douglas MacArthur’s Landing is offered.

The Price Mansion (now CAP building), was the official headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. A room bearing his name is preserved for viewing. The edifice’s architecture depicts that of the American Colonial period circa: 1900-1946. The Redoña House was the official liberation residence of President Sergio Osmeña and his staff. The Provincial Capitol Building was the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth Government in 1944. Located in Justice Romualdez St., Tacloban City.

Redona Residence - Located in T. Claudio Street, Tacloban City. Official residence of President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. when he stayed in the province with the American Liberation Forces in 1944 until the Philippine Commonwealth was re-established in Manila.

Source: Tourism

DWU / Liceo del Verbo Divino

The Divine Word University or DWU was a private, Catholic, co-educational institution of higher learning run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD in Tacloban City.

DWU was the biggest and best Catholic Institution of higher learning in Leyte and Samar.

Founded in 1972, it was closed in June 1995 because of the dispute between the employees union and the SVD management.

A signing ceremony was held on Feb. 21, 2006 to finally reopen the Divine Word University of Tacloban (DWU), under a new school name "Liceo del Verbo Divino".

Leyte Landing Memorial

The Leyte Landing Memorial in Red Beach, Palo depict the actual Leyte Landing of General Douglas MacArthur and his Allied Forces (with 225,000 troops and 600 ships) on October 20, 1944.

It has a lagoon where the 1.5 times bigger than life-size statues of Gen. MacArthur, President Sergio Osmena, Gen. Carlos P. Romulo and General Sutherland, among others stand majestically.



There's also the right plaque titled 'Proclamation' is MacArthur's promise to return to the Philippines. The left plaque is titled 'A Memorial for a Fulfilled Promise'.



Nearby are the 50th Leyte Landing Commemorative Rock Garden and MacArthur Park Beach Resort. Visitors can also enjoy the panoramic view of the Leyte Gulf, hear the waves and feel the ocean breeze in the area.



I suggest you visit the place early in the morning at 6:00 am or late in the afternoon at 5:00 pm for a more comforting and relaxing atmosphere.

Sto. Nino Shrine & Heritage Museum

Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum houses the miraculous image of Sto. Nino and priceless art objects such as a collection of original paintings by national artist Fernando Amorsolo. It boasts of decorated guestrooms of varied Filipino motiffs and a spacious ballroom.

Facade of the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum designed by Architect Jorge Ramos.

The Chapel Area.

The Alitaptap Room has tiny lights, that stimulate light shade by fireflies. It is one of the shrines elegant receiving rooms. In the center is a shell fountain with corals.

Rattan set from Tacloban found in Alitaptap room.

A collection of intricately hand carved chinese ivory. The showcase is antique and from China. Stairway has red carpet.

The Family Tree of the Romualdezes by Brias Spanish lady painter.

Portrait of Imelda Marcos in the central position.



Narra sala set from Pampanga, Philippines found at the ballroom.



On top of the long table collections of antiques jars from China.

The 30 seaters dining room. This room is soundproof.



Bong Bong's Room (son of late President Ferdinand Marcos). The sala set came from Russia. The divider is a collection of old Phillipine money.



Red cushion chairs is a solid silver chair from Spain.



Imelda Marcos huge bedroom is more ornate with sitting room and chandeliers. The walling and bedcovers is Jusi cloth, hand painted and embroidered.


These are just some of the showcases that you will see when you visit the museum. It is located at Real Street, Tacloban City (adjacent to People's Center and Library).

People's Center and Library

People's Center and Library is a stately mulit-purpose hall with a library containing more than 50,000 volumes. One can also find a number of dioramas depicting the life of early Filipinos, as well as a social hall and gymnasium. But the ground floor is now turned into a bazaar.

San Juanico Bridge

San Juanico is the longest bridge in the Philippines with a length of 2km, which connects the sister islands of Samar and Leyte.

It offers many scenic views. it is approximately 10 minutes from Tacloban City and is accessible by any land vehicles.

Constructed in 1973 during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the bridge is supported by 43 spans that rise 41 meters above the sea.

Tacloban Hotels & Shopping

One of the country's top resorts is found in Tacloban City. The Leyte Park Resort Hotel offers guests with elegant quarters, warm service, sumptuous food and a unique ambiance. Conveniently located in the heart of the city. Built by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1979, the hotel closed for three years until in 1994 when it reopened following renovation and refurbishing. It is nestled on a hill overlooking beautiful San Pedro Bay.

Other fine hotels/resorts in the city -- Asia Stars Hotel, Vic-Mar Resort, Tacloban Plaza, and Hotel Alejandro -- Inside has a World War II mini museum.

Most of the hotels boast of well-equipped and up-to-date convention facilities and well-trained staff to meet the client's need.

Tacloban also offers a number of economy class hotels, inns and pension houses with very affordable rates to cater visitors who wish to stay in the city for a longer period. (Source: The City Tourism Office, Office of the Mayor, Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines)

Shopping:

There are fine boutiques in the city and a large shopping mall named 'Gaisano'. Handicrafts from all over Eastern Visayas are also offered in the city.

Addresses:

LEYTE PARK RESORT HOTEL
Magsaysay Boulevard
Tacloban City
325-6000 trunk line;325-5585
Fax: 325-5587

Rates as of 2006 in Philippine Peso
Standard (Single/Double) 2,512.00
Cottage (Quadruplex) 3,187.00

Dorm Type 250.00/pax
(24 Pax. Min. Of 12 Pax)

Budget Room 500.00/pax
(Good for 5 Pax., Min. Of 4 pax)

Executive Room 3,245.00
Family Room 3,671.00
Supreme Suite 5,376.00
Pool Villa 10,000.00

HOTEL ALEJANDRO
P. Paterno Street
Tacloban City
321-7033/321-7509 to 10

Rates as of 2006 in Philippine Peso
Single Executive Room - 1,605.00
Matrimonial Executive Room - 1,605.00
De Luxe - 1,450.00
Standard 2 Single Bed- 998.00
Superior Double - 1,297.00
Extra Bed -

Tacloban City: Overview

Tacloban is the largest city and regional center of the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines. It is also the capital city of Leyte. It is the center of commerce, tourism, education, culture, and government in the region.

Tacloban is a "Waray" speaking city. The dialect is officially called "Leyte-Samarnon". Majority speaks English and Tagalog.

Some Waray-Waray Phrases:

Good Morning - Maupay nga aga
Good Afternoon - Maupay nga kulop
Good Evening - Maupay nga gab-i
Thank You - Salamat
Yes / No - Oo / Diri
Tomorrow - Buwas
Morning / Evening - Aga / Gab-i
Breakfast / Lunch - Pamahaw / Pani-udto
What is your name? - Ano it imo ngaran?
My name is ... - Ako hi...
Left / Right/ Straight - Wala / Tu'o / Diretso
Stop - Para
Near / Far - Harani / Harayo
Yesterday - Kakulop
Today - Yana nga adlaw
How much is it? - Tagpira?
Expensive - Mahal
Cheap - Barato
Where Can I buy? - Hain ako makapalit hin...
Beautiful (Woman) - Mahusay
Handsome (Man) - Guwapo
Who - Hin'o
What - Ano
Why - Kay ano
Where - Ha-in
When - San-0


Getting There:
Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, and Cebu Pacific Air serve Tacloban with daily 1-hour flights from Manila and half-an-hour flight from Cebu.

Several bus companies ply between the city and Manila. Travel time is 22 hours. Tacloban is also connected to Davao via a 16-hour land trip.

The busy sea lanes between Tacloban and Manila is dominated by WG&A Super Ferry and Sulpicio Lines. The Cebu-Tacloban sea route is serviced by K&T Shipping Lines. Adventurous travelers can pass through Ormoc City via a 2-hour Super Cat or Water Jet cruise from Cebu and then take another 2-hour trip to Tacloban via Ormoc.

GETTING AROUND:
Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) or Jeep ply the major thoroughfares of the city and to its suburbs.

Another available transportation is Motorcabs or Tricycle. Minimum fare is P5.00 (in 2007). Car rental companies have offices at strategic locations in the city.

<>

<>Climate:
<>In Leyte, heavy rains occur between November and February while March to April and August to September are the driest months.
<>

<>

Badminton Republic

After the whole family attended a Holy Mass last Sunday (Dec. 31), some of us went to Badminton Republic.

Badminton has been a sport and fitness popular here in the Philippines. And my elder sister Ate Rona and her husband are just one of the enthusiasts of this sport for almost two years now. As a matter of fact, she already competed and won in Women's Doubles Match for Class E (Beginner). Now, she's in Class D. And my brother-in-law even converted his sport from playing tennis to badminton.

Badminton Republic Court is spacious and clean. It has three traditional court sizes for doubles. The court flooring is taraflex matted. Players must wear clean and non-marking shoes. Metal cleats or plastic spikes are not allowed. The place provides shuttlecocks for renters. I just don't know if they supply badminton racquets because we had brought our own. The court has separate comfort rooms for male and female.

Entrance is P135.oo per head "Play All You Can" on weekends. But on weekdays it's more expensive.

Here are some of the pictures of hubby, Ate Rona, Kuya Boy and Anne playing badminton.

You need quick reflexes and rapid hand-eye coordination for this game. Since hubby is a newbie of this sport, at first, it was hilarious. He tried to hit the shuttlecock several times in vain. But as the game went on, gradually he learned the basic and some proper playing form and technique.

After an hour, we the spectators (that's me, my nieces and nephews) were already bored. hahaha... I guess we're not yet badminton enthusiasts.

Address:
Badminton Republic
Avenida Veteranos
Tacloban City (near Bo's Coffee Club)
Tel. No. 523-7070

Gloria Jean's Coffees

Ed and I treated the whole family for a night out.

At 9:00 pm, the rain was still pouring down hard but the whole family decided we had a night on the town. Mom opted not to go with us because she was already sleepy and she doesn't like coffee that much. We had two cars so we divided into two groups.

We went to Gloria Jean's Coffees, one of the world's largest chains of specialty coffee retailers and is also one of the fastest growing franchise organizations in Australia.

Gloria Jean's Coffees are renown for their handcrafted hot and cold drinks, traditional espresso drinks, a range of single origins, blends and whole bean coffees and specialty teas, and also pastries and coffee accessories. Gloria Jean's offers more than 40 flavored whole bean coffees, both regular and decaffeinated.



The coffee shop offers both interior and exterior seating. The interior has an exceptional modern design. It is styled in a very comfortable, inviting way. It's a small coffee shop with informal and relaxed atmosphere, which allows you to let yourself be comfortable there. The place is ideal for stay-up-late people.

We shelled out around P2,000 for 15 people. We ordered a variety of hot and cold coffee concoctions and also pastries like chocolate chip cookie, brownie and banana loaf.

And here are some pictures of me and the whole family goofing around with the camera and having fun...



Address:
Gloria Jean's Coffees
Avenida Veteranos,
Tacloban City (near Chowking)

Giuseppe's Restaurant

It was raining the whole week but it didn't stop us to visit one of the eating-places in Tacloban. Yesterday, Ed and I had a date at Giuseppe's Restaurant. Giuseppe's is a fine dining restaurant with an authentic Italian and Filipino gastronomy. They also offers an extensive wine list.



As we arrived early in the afternoon there were not yet many patrons in the restaurant. A waiter greeted and ushered us to our table. The first thing I noticed when we entered the restaurant was the bright red wall. The place was decorated with Christmas ornaments. It had dim lighting and in every table had red place mats.



I still had a full stomach at that time, so, I just ordered a Hamburger (P105). The burger comes with a home-style french fries with a tartar sauce and a few slices of tomato and cucumber. The fries weren't that crispy but the burger was good enough.



Ed decided on Spaghetti Carbonara (P150). I tried to taste it, it was creamy and simply delicious.



However, service was a little bit slow knowing that there were only few people present. But the atmosphere was relaxing and cozy that we didn't mind at all.

This place is great for family occasions. There's no dress code here, come as you are.


ADDRESS:
Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano Filipino
Avenida Veteranos,
Tacloban City (across DWU and St. Paul's Hospital)
Tel. No. 321-4910

Part II: Christmas 2006