Baybay’s sweet by and by

MANILA, Philippines - Down south in Leyte is the beguiling city of Baybay.

A host of apocryphal stories abounds about how the city got its name. But the most logical explanation is that the town has the longest coastline in Leyte province, so common sense dictates that it be named “Baybay” which literally means “beach.”

It goes without saying that its major tourist magnet is its stretch of beach. Baybay may not be as well-known as other popular white sand island beaches, but what it offers is its natural charm away from the madding crowd.

To highlight its coastal bounty, the city recently celebrated the Binaybayon Festival, a thanksgiving ritual influenced by the traditional Waray curacha dance. Coinciding with the patronal feast, the festival is also inspired by the townsfolk’s pastoral way of life, with the street dances depicting the various stages of the planting and harvest seasons.

The festival was incepted when Baybay was declared a component city of Leyte in 2007, to showcase the strides it has made in economic progress and tourism development.

Tourists can expect more than the usual sight-seeing trips in this “City of Discovery, Beauty and Serenity.”

Baybay is sandwiched among the mighty Pangasugan mountain ranges, the tranquil Camotes Sea and comely Camotes islands. The visitor’s experience can start at the Visayas State University, a sprawling campus which has earned the moniker “resort university” because of its enviable beach-front location.

One of the country’s biggest agricultural schools, VSU is a vital component of the city’s blossoming agro-industrial tourism.

The city also takes pride in its 13,820-hectare coconut plantation, the biggest in Eastern Visayas, making it the home of two world-class coconut oil factories and a pulp paper exporter.

Baybay is also Leyte’s de facto heritage city due to its well-preserved American-era ancestral houses. Visitors can walk around the heritage lane which will transport them back in time as they visit the antediluvian homes which have become living museums.

As part of its expansion, the city is reclaiming a nine-hectare new central business district which will house the public market and transport terminal, a P200-million sports complex, a hotel, fishport, fishing area, a shopping mall, and a tent city garden park.

These developments will offer visitors a front row seat to a romantic sunset while munching on the tasty local delicacy lechon manok (roast chicken).

In the city’s outskirts is the wind-swept upland village of Lintaon, which affords guests a breath-taking view of the city and the mountain ranges. The area is ideal for a back-to-the-basics nature camping experience.

The more adventurous can explore the cavernous chambers of Lintaon Cave, take a dip in the rejuvenating waters of Bakwitan Falls, paddle down Ambacan River, or trek Mt. Pangasungan.

The greatest attraction could be that you would not have to jostle with hordes of other visitors, but be able to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Baybay unhurried and uninterrupted.