Lush greens, mountains and virgin forests, majestic and natural caves and rock formations, breathtaking views of the seas and islands and islets, vast body of inland fresh water, rare birds and other species – this is Samar.
A short visit to Samar mid April gave this writer these impressions – and the hope that it should be promoted along with the country’s popular destinations.
Good thing, the provincial government of Samar has poised it to become Visayas region’s prime tourist destination. Taking advantage of the Department of Tourism’s “Visit Philippines 2015” campaign as well, the province recently launched its own brand of tourism campaign.
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| Samar's tourism billboard featuring Marabut, Paranas and Basey |
The ambitious tourism launch branded as Spark Samar brought in celebrities, media and government officials together at the Capitol Park of Catbalogan City on April 18 with a thanksgiving mass followed by a cultural presentation of songs and dances of the Samarnons with different contingents from the 23 towns and two cities.
A grand firework display ensued as Gov. Sharee Ann Tan officially declared Summer sa Samar kick–off followed by a neon street party. It’s the first ever spectacle held in Samar spearheaded by celebrity VJ and host Tom Taus.
Tan admits to shelling out an initial investment of P10 million for the project which also include huge billboards featuring the tourist attractions of three Samar towns the provincial government is promoting and the upbeat MTVs of Samar tourist destinations.
“Typhoon Yolanda may have destroyed some parts of the province. But it also created some spark that there is a place called Samar,” the lady governor said.
She recalled during her days in congress, she overheard seasoned and veterans congressmen talking about her as the youngest representative in 1987. One colleague asked, where is Samar? Is Samar in Leyte? Tan said she had to introduce herself and explain that Samar is a different province from Leyte. Since then, the young solon was bent in taking Samar to tourism map.
During the Spark launch, Tourism Regional Director Karen Tiopes appealed for Samarnons to take great pride in its rich history, abundant nature destinations, delectable cuisine and the inherent hospitality of the Samarnons.
“You have all the nature’s wonders; falls, rivers, lush forest, caves, pristine beaches, Samarnons’ own cuisine, you name it Samar has it,” she said.
She also reminded her fellow warays to be tourist-friendly, to know the different sites so that when tourists come, they would be able to give correct information.
Third largest island in the Philippines
Samar is the third largest island in the Philippines. It is subdivided into three provinces covering Northern, Eastern and Western Samar (or simply Samar).
It is home to the Philippine Eagle, where it was first sighted in the 18th century. Samar is also host to one of the largest caves in Southeast Asia, the Calbiga Caves in the town of Calbiga.
Also in Calbiga is the Lulugayan Falls, a Niagara-like waterfalls.
The list of beautiful destinations in Samar is endless. Guests can try the traditional art of mat weaving which Basey is known for, at the Saob Cave just along the highway in Basiao village.
The can also allow themselves to be mesmerized by the beauty of San Juanico bridge from Samar side and view the Yolanda memorial at Sta. Rita municipality.
Catbalogan City is the trade center of the Samar province and is an hour and a half hour ride from Tacloban City, the regional hub of Eastern Visayas.
#SparkSamar #Summersasamar
Samar’s tourism campaign highlights three towns of the province for tourists to visit.
These are Marabut, Paranas and Basey, where the destinations are tourism ready aside from their proximity to Tacloban, the regional capital where an international airport and some tourism infrastructures like hotels and food establishments are located.
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| Sohoton Natural Bridge, two mountain ridges connected. Below is Sohoton River |
Fam tour representatives, including the BusinessMirror, can’t help but marvel at the 841-hectare Sohoton Natural Bridge and National Park in the municipality of Basey, with its its rich flora and fauna, geological wonders at the Panhulugan I and II caves and the natural stone bridge that is connected by two mountain ridges.
Sohoton is about
45 minutes away from Tacloban City by land transportation; plus a 2-hour
pumpboat ride to the cave. It was
established as a national park on July 19, 1935 by virtue of Proclamation No.
831 primarily to preserve its geological features and natural wonders.
Traces of early habitation dating as far back as the Iron Age and Stone Age have been found in the different caves. These caves are also believed to have been used as burial sites for the natives and mecca for medicine men who hunt and prepare their potions. The caves were also used as hideouts of Filipino insurrectos during the Spanish-American War.
From Sohoton cave, we reached the Natural Bridge, the magnificent stone bridge connecting two mountain ridges through kayaking. Underneath the bridge flows the Sohoton River which allows one to go swimming, spelunking, nature tripping, scientific researches and studies, bird watching, boating and photography.
Traces of early habitation dating as far back as the Iron Age and Stone Age have been found in the different caves. These caves are also believed to have been used as burial sites for the natives and mecca for medicine men who hunt and prepare their potions. The caves were also used as hideouts of Filipino insurrectos during the Spanish-American War.
From Sohoton cave, we reached the Natural Bridge, the magnificent stone bridge connecting two mountain ridges through kayaking. Underneath the bridge flows the Sohoton River which allows one to go swimming, spelunking, nature tripping, scientific researches and studies, bird watching, boating and photography.
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| The torpedo boat traversing rocks and boulders |
Torpedo boat extreme ride at Ulot River in Paranas, Samar
The latest ecotourism adventure product of Samar is called Torpedo boat extreme ride. The boat is a dug-out motorized banca that has no outriggers and it looks like a torpedo. When it traverses the river, its motion through the downstream and upstream rides resembles a torpedo. It is manned by experts -- a boatman and a pointman who take one through the Ulot River, the longest river in Samar Island with a total length of 90 kilometers. Counting its numerous tributaries, it’s total length has been estimated to reach over 500 kilometers.
The latest ecotourism adventure product of Samar is called Torpedo boat extreme ride. The boat is a dug-out motorized banca that has no outriggers and it looks like a torpedo. When it traverses the river, its motion through the downstream and upstream rides resembles a torpedo. It is manned by experts -- a boatman and a pointman who take one through the Ulot River, the longest river in Samar Island with a total length of 90 kilometers. Counting its numerous tributaries, it’s total length has been estimated to reach over 500 kilometers.
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| Huge rock formation of Deni Point |
The group took on a “roller coaster
ride” in less than two hours and had boodle lunch at Deni Point, a huge rock
formation which is about 20 km from the jump off point at Sitio Campo Uno of
Barangay Tenani. It took another hour and a half going back to Sitio Campo Uno
to complete the exhilarating ride, the toughest boat ride, most of us ever
experienced.
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| Relaxing at Deni Point after a sumptuous boodle lunch |
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| Diving is fun at Deni Point! |
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| Our private pool at Deni Point |
Literally, TORPEDO stands for Tour Guides and Boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development Organization who are partners in the community
development efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Samar Island Biodiversity Project and SINP.
More than the ride, torpedo is the heart and soul of the island’s effort to protect its environment. Kudos to the boatmen and pointmen for their dedication to protect SINP and for making the challenging, unforgettable boat ride safe and enjoyable.
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| Purupud-an island at Marabut |
Pristine beaches, islands and rock islets at Marabut
For those who are faint at heart and do not want extreme adventures in Samar, they can enjoy the pristine beaches of Marabut, hop in rock islets and swim in its undisturbed seas.
Marabut is a coastal area which was wiped out during the past 2 strong typhoons. Residents reportedly hide and found solace in one of the caves in Marubut during typhoon Ruby.
[This article was also published at online and print version of BusinessMirror. Visit: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/samar-gears-up-as-eastern-visayass-prime-tourist-destination/
Thanks to DOT, media friends for most photos in this blog; special mention for husband-wife tandem of Gerry and Ludette Ruiz of
Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours and our efficient, knowledgeable tour guide Butz Eguia]
For more information on Samar destinations, visit the Department of Tourism Regional Office No. 8 at Brgy. 25 Kanhuraw Hill, Magsaysay Blvd., Tacloban City. Or call Tel. No. (053) 832-0901 or Mobile No. (+63) 998-888-9715.
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