Hir na Me! Wer na u?

The main reason why I traveled to Tacloban City last week of June was to cover the Pintados Festival. Leyte has recently rose into prominence as home to soe of the best festivals in the country after Buyogan Festival of Abuyog Leyte won the top prize of Sinulog Festival 2009 and the Aliwan Fiesta 2009. Other notable festivals from the province that landed on the top 10 of Aliwan Fiesta and/or landed on the top 5 of Cebu Sinulog Festival are the Karatong Festival of Dulag, Pasaka Festival of Tanauan, and the Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte.

It was my first time to actually cover the Pintados Kasadyaan, and I am totally amazed at the performances of every group. Each contingent is just bursting with all the colors, the music of the drums is very danceable, and the choreography is superbly amazing! I’d definitle go back in Tacloban next year!

Jump shots are popular nowadays. Syempre pati ako nag jumpshot din sa San Juanico Bridge! The San Juanico Bridge is one of the most popular sites in Tacloban. You should never miss visiting this bridge when visiting the gateway to Eastern Visayas, and experience the thrill of doing a jumpshot here with the strong winds and the vibrating bridge! (Yes, the bridge has springs at the bottom that’s why it vibrates every time a car passes by)

Two years ago, I went to Tacloban City, but due to very very tight schedule (I stayed in Tacloban for less than 24 hours), I was only able to check out the facade of the Santo Nino Shrine.

This time, during my recent trip, I really had to make sure to check out the interiors of the mansion. Grabe! I was totally blown away sa lahat ng nakita ko sa loob! Ang bongga talaga! Just watch out for my detailed post about the Santo Nino shrine soon in BYAHILO

Hir na Me sa Santo Nino Church! This is where the miraculous image of the Santo Nino is Enshrined. Santo Nino is the patron saint of the entire province of Leytewhose feast day falls on June 30th. The Chuch is also known as the Church of Liberation. A must-visit place when in Tacloban.

One of the must-visit buildings in Tacloban is the CAP Building formerly known as the Price Mansion. It was originally built by the American Walter Scott Price. The mansion was once used as a temporary seat of government. it also served as the headquarters of General Douglas Mc Arthur.

Today the room where Mc Arthur stayed was made into a museum, housing some memorabilias, like letters, flags, uniforms, badges, medals and a lot more.

One of the first destinations I got to visit during my Tacloban Trip is the Provincial Capitol of Leyte. As the name implies, this is the seat of the provincial government of Leyte. Briefly, this place also served as the seat of the Commonwealth government of the Philippines.

I love the white finish of the building. Looks so clean. You should try checking out the dioramas, and photos exhibited inside the building. It’s very interesting as it gives you a quick history lesson regarding the role of Leyte and Tacloban in our history.

Hir Na Me sa Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City! This is the second time I’m in the regional capital of Eastern Visayas. I recently went to Tacloban City to cover the annual Pintados Kasadyaan Festival.

DZ Romualdez Airport is the gateway to the island province of Leyte and the entire Eastern Visayas Region.

Improvements are now being done to improve the airport facilities to accommodate more passenger and cargo traffic and even more aircrafts landing here.