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Within the pristine waters, untouched green mountains, bountiful marine life and land resources and beautifully sculpted islands of Eastern Visayas lies Tacloban City. If you’re tired of the usual summer getaway and you’re up for a unique enriching experience, Tacloban, the premiere city of Region VIII, has much to offer to potential visitors. With its rich culture and history, unique traditions and festivities, as well as its distinct heritage and warm hospitable Leyteños, Tacloban is truly worth visiting.

Located at the northeastern part of the island of Leyte, Tacloban is considered the gateway to the region. It was formerly named Kankabatok, which is derived from the name of the first settler/inhabitant, Kabatok. Kankabatok actually means Kabatok’s property. It was later on changed into Tarakluban from the word Taklub, a bamboo contraption made to catch crabs, shrimps and fish. Eventually, the name evolved to become Tacloban.

Tacloban is significantly the first to be liberated by the Americans with the landing of Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur in the shores of the red beach in Palo, Leyte and Dulag on October 20, 1944, fulfilling his promise that he shall return to free us from the tyrant hands of the Japanese soldiers.

Places of interest/ historical landmarks:

Structures that are silent witnesses of the past still stand, providing a glimpse of Tacloban’s history…

• The Price Mansion

- Former residence and headquarters of Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur

• Redoña Residence

- The official residence of Pres. Sergio Osmeña

• Leyte Provincial Capitol

- Seat of the Philippine Commonwealth Government

• General Douglas Mac Arthur Landing Memorial Park

- Just 15 minutes away from the city proper, one would see the statues of the liberators led by the gallant Gen. Mac Arthur. A reminder of how Filipinos and Americans fought gallantly to gain freedom from Japanese invaders. Within the park, a Rock Garden was built. Here sentiments of solidarity, friendship and goodwill by prominent world leaders are written in gold tablets.

• Sto. Niño Church

- Also known as the liberation church, it is where the miraculous image of the infant Sr. Sto Niño de Leyte, the city’s patron saint, is found.

• Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum

- Home to a miscellany of foreign, as well as local antique collections, priceless furniture and musical instruments.

Other sites to visit:

• San Juanico Strait

-  The narrowest navigable channel in the world

• San Juanico Bridge

-  The longest bridge in Southeast Asia that connects the beautiful islands of Samar and Leyte.

• Leyte Gulf

- The arena of the biggest naval battle in the Pacific Theatre during the World War II.

• Madonna of Japan

- A symbol of peace between the Philippines and Japan, this shrine lies in a tranquil little valley overlooking the charming Bay of Cancabato.

• The Pintados Festival

- The Leyteño’s unique and colorful way of celebrating religious festivals, Pintados festival is the grand festival of festivals focusing on the Leyteño’s old custom of tattooing. Such art of body tattooing is known among Visayans.  This festival recalls pre-Spanish history of the native Leyteno’s on wars, epics and folk religions. Here, dancers who are painted in an amazing array of colors fill the streets of Tacloban City, depicting the history of the people that once lived on the islands of Leyte. It portrays the distinct traditions of Leyte before the Spaniards came which include the worship of idols, indigenous music and epic stories. The spellbinding rhythms of native instruments beat through the air accompanying the tribal dancers.