Bohol: A Travel Guide for First-Timers

Visayas may be the smallest of the three Philippine island groups but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sights and tourist destinations. Home to many natural wonders, beautiful countryside, a seemingly endless scattering of stunning beaches, historical structures, and colorful cultural traditions, it's easy to understand why the Visayas is the country's top tourist destination for both locals and foreigners alike. 

Nestled within the center of Visayas is the province of Bohol, aptly called the "Heart of the Islands". Over the years, Bohol has emerged as a prized destination worth discovering. In 2017 alone, the province has welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors. 

The famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Most tourists may be drawn to Bohol by dreams of seeing the Chocolate Hills but there's much more to this central Philippine province than the 1,260 nature-perfected conic hills. Outside these hills are white sand beaches, exotic wildlife, verdant forests, pristine rivers, adventure parks, centuries-old churches, and historical landmarks all just begging to be explored and will entice anyone to keep coming back for more. 

Find out more about seeing Bohol with Two Juanderer's beginner's guide for travelers to this beautiful island province.

The Province
Bohol is an island province within the Central Visayas region. It is located southeast of Cebu and southwest of Leyte. It is composed of an oval-shaped main island and 75 surrounding smaller islands. It has a land area of 4,821 square kilometers and a population of about 1.4 million. 

High-Flying Fun at Tree Top Adventure Baguio

Have you ever stepped outside your cozy home and ventured into the forest to experience nature and to take in its beauty? Many would say that they have already taken a walk through the forest or have done mountain hiking. Imagine, however, if you could witness nature from a different perspective - that instead of walking through the woods looking up at trees, you look down on them and cross through getting a bird's eye view of the forest.

Tree Top Adventure Baguio Signage

Baguio's Tree Top Adventure gives Juans a new perspective on nature and all its beauty. To see trees and the surrounding mountains from at least 100 feet above the ground is an experience that is refreshing, exciting, and absolutely memorable. 

Here's what you need to know about Tree Top Adventure Baguio.

The Diorama Experience at Ayala Museum: A New Way of Learning Philippine History

Last May, as communities all across the world celebrated the International Museum Day, we seized the opportunity to visit the Ayala Museum. Although the day gets the better-known museums pretty much crowded including this one in Makati, we didn't let the chance to save hundreds of pesos go to waste. We have never been to the museum and it was a great occasion to finally see its permanent exhibits, all for free.

Envisioned around 60 years ago, the Ayala Museum is considered as one of the country's finest museums. It showcases finely curated exhibits on Philippine culture, history, and art. 

The Ayala Museum facade

Arguably the highlight of it's entire exhibition is The Philippine Diorama Experience. Here, sixty dioramas are on display, visually narrating the milestones of Philippine history. The dioramas are handmade from baticulin wood by local master woodcarvers from Paete in Laguna. The dioramas were completed and installed in 1974 but has only been seen by more than a million visitors, or around 1% of the entire Philippine population. A surprise, really, that the museum is not drawing the numbers of people it should.

The Diorama Experience, located at the second level of the museum building

Experiencing Palatial Grandeur Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace

When we visited Seoul last month, Gyeongbokgung Palace was one of our top places to visit. We've seen the palace countless times in various sageuk or Korean historical dramas and we wanted to have the opportunity to walk through its walls and experience moments to revel in its historical legacy.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, arguably Seoul's grandest and most beautiful palace

Eager and full of energy, we set off early that day for our first stop - Hanbok Girls, one of the many hanbok rental shops within the neighborhoods near the royal palaces. After all, wearing these traditional clothes gives visitors free access to any of the five grand palaces of Seoul. We also wanted to experience what would it have been like visiting the palace during the ancient Joseon Dynasty.

Gyeongbokgung Palace which means "Greatly Blessed by Heaven" was constructed in 1395, during the early days of the Joseon Dynasty. As it was the main palace of the capital city, Gyeongbokgung was extraordinary in size. It spans an area of 41 hectares with 5,792 rooms and surrounded by walls reaching 2,404 meters in length. At its height, the palace was a self-functioning unit comparable to China's Forbidden City. 

After donning our beautiful and surprisingly comfortable hanboks, we made our way inside the palace to begin our exploration. 

Seoul: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans

Seoul is on almost everyone's preferred travel destinations. However, budget travel in South Korea's capital is not common. Rightly so because the city consistently makes it into the list of the ten most expensive places in the world. As such, Seoul may seem like a pricey destination to get lost into for a lot of Juans. 

The beautiful and grand Gyeongbokgung Palace

But whether you want to experience its rich history, indulge in its fascinating food culture, see its futuristic structures, or visit the beautiful filming locations of popular K-dramas, there is a way to see Seoul on a budget of less than PHP25,000. Here's our guide to doing it. 

Note: Exchange rate used is PHP1 for every KRW20.83.

Flights
Airfare is nearly always one of the biggest expenses when traveling. So for us, it's really important to get the cheapest flights we possibly can. By taking advantage of lower airfares, we were able to drastically reduce many of our trips' total costs. 

For our trip to Seoul, we booked our tickets back in January during Jeju Air's Super Sale Event. At that time, one way fare from Manila to Incheon were offered from as low as PHP800 before taxes. Although we were not able to book the lowest fares, we still managed to score a pretty good deal on our flights. We each paid PHP6,262.65 for discounted round trip flight tickets to Incheon. 

Passport and Jeju Air boarding passes

Tip: To book cheap flights, you must first be able to recognize a good fare. Do some research to establish the going rate for flights to your destination. When you find seat sales, be ready to make an immediate purchase as these low fares sell out really fast. Lastly, be flexible. In a lot of cases, adjustments of a day or two in your travel dates can make a big difference in the price.  

Airfare: PHP6,262.65 total per person 
Travel Tax: PHP1,620.00 total per person

7 Interesting Facts About the Petronas Twin Towers

A visit to Kuala Lumpur would simply be incomplete without gaping at the Petronas Twin Towers. Being one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the world, people travel for miles to see it. The structure may be impressive but stories behind the building makes it so much more interesting. Here are interesting facts about the Petronas Twin Towers that you might not know.

The stunning Petronas Twin Towers

Once Upon a Time
The Petronas Twin Towers was declared by the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats as the world's tallest building in 1998. It held the title for 6 years until 2004 when Taipei 101 took the top spot. It is expected that by the year 2020, the once tallest building will be ranked at 20th place. However, at the present, Petronas remains the tallest twin towers in the world.

Pushed for Height
The building was originally planned to top off at 427 meters tall, not meant to be the tallest. As it was going to be only 16 meters shorter than the Sears Tower, the builders recalculated some structural aspects. The designers did not add new floors but added a small dome with an integrated pinnacle on top of the building pushing its final height to 451.9 meters. 

A Starlit Afternoon at Malaysia's Planetarium Negara

Do you remember gazing into the night sky as a child and your young imagination being sparked by thoughts of stars and space? Well, you can relive those childhood experiences in Malaysia's Planetarium Negara (also National Planetarium). Inside, you can experience looking at a great night sky without the need to go out, away from the city lights. You can watch a simulation of stars, constellations, and galaxies, and even feel like you're flying through space. You can also learn new stuff as the exhibition galleries feature displays on astronomy and space science. 

The Planetarium
Taking three years to build, Planetarium Negara was officially opened on February 7, 1994. Its opening symbolized the Malaysian government's serious commitment to the development of space science and technology in the country. Currently, the planetarium is supervised by Malaysia's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment. 

The 11,000 square meter planetarium complex sits on top of a hill east of the Lake Gardens. It is located in between the KL Bird Park and Muzium Negara. The complex is easily recognizable and stands out as a blue-domed structure resembling a mosque with a minaret-like tower attached to its left side.   

The blue mosque-like structure of the planetarium

Outdoor Ancient Observatory Park
Just outside the main planetarium building is the Outdoor Ancient Observatory Park. This is where models of ancient observatories are sited. Here you'll find a replica of the famous Stonehenge and get an insight into the Chinese and Indian astronomy systems. The park also extends to a picnic area with a space theme for families and friends to hang out.

Entrance of the planetarium complex

Jai Singh Observatory of India

The Stonehenge replica made of fiberglass

In Photos: Muzium Negara's Colonial Era and Malaysia Today Galleries (Part II)

This is the second part of the photos of Muzium Negara that we wanted to share to encourage KL visitors to head off to the museum and spend a couple of hours of informative and insightful introduction to the history and culture of Malaysia. This focuses on the exhibits featured in the Colonial Era and Malaysia Today Galleries of the museum.

Here's the first part if you missed it: In Photos: Muzium Negara's Prehistory and the Malay Kingdoms Galleries (Part I)

Colonial Era
The Colonial Era Gallery guides visitors through the arduous struggle of Malaysia for independence. The gallery starts with the Portuguese Era section when Malacca was occupied by Portugal in 1511. It is followed by the Dutch Era section to highlight the taking of Malacca by the Dutch in 1641. The third section, the British Era section, traces the establishment of English presence in Malaysia until its colonization. It is then followed by smaller sections featuring the Japanese Occupation, the Education System of Malaysia, and the country's Freedom Fighters. Also included in the gallery are the impact and the changes brought about and left behind by the colonial powers in the political, social, and economic life of Malaysia.

Information on the Portuguese conquest of Malacca

Model of the Portuguese ship Flor De La Mar

City Sightseeing Onboard the KL Hop On Hop Off Bus

Planning and going through an itinerary in a city like Kuala Lumpur can be an intimidating task. It is after all a big metropolis with countless places to stop off and discover. Although you will not be able to cover everything in a short itinerary, you can always explore at your own pace and visit attractions that you want. This is where taking the Hop On Hop Off bus comes in as a great option.

Hop on hop off means you can jump on and off the bus at stops as many times as you want within a given time period for a fixed cost. It is available in many big cities including Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia. In Kuala Lumpur, it is known as the KL Hop On Hop Off Bus. It has 23 designated stops right by 70 of KL's most popular attractions. 

With the bus, you only need to get off at the stops you prefer and skip some. You can also stay on board the double-decker the entire time to get a peek at all the sights in the city. It really is a flexible and hassle-free way to get from place to place within KL. 

KL Hop On Hop Off Bus

Lower air-conditioned deck of the bus

Open upper deck of the bus offering views of the city

Kuala Lumpur: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans

We've seen travel and tour packages to Kuala Lumpur priced from PHP12,000 to PHP15,000 per person. Some may think these are well-priced but these packages do not include meals, travel taxes, mandatory tips, and surcharges. The total cost would easily come up by at least PHP3,000. So why would you want to book these packages when you can create your own itinerary for under PHP9,900 all in? Here's our guide to doing it. 

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building as seen from
the historical Merdeka Square in KL

Note: Exchange rate used is PHP13.30 for every MYR1.

Flights
Kuala Lumpur is accessible by direct flights from many Asian cities. From Manila, there are eight daily flights to Kuala Lumpur. These flights are operated by Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. As such, there are more flight options to get the lowest possible fare. 

Aside from checking directly with the airlines, we also use the app Traveloka as a go-to site for flight deals. The site is useful when you want to search, compare, and book flights and hotels that fit your budget and schedule. With help from the site, we got our round trip Manila to Kuala Lumpur flight for PHP4,985.50 per person. To get similarly low fares, check out by visiting its website or downloading the app in your smart phone.

Airfare: PHP4,985.50 per person 
Travel Tax: PHP1,620 per person

Accommodation
With more than 60,000 hotel rooms in the city, visitors to KL will have a wide range of accommodation options that fit any type of budget.

We stayed at the beautiful The Hulo Hotel + Gallery. The hotel is Malaysia's first boutique hotel that features the works of the country's foremost creative talents - from custom toys, sculptures, and paintings to furniture. The hotel also boasts a strategic location. It is within walking distance to KL's shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang. It is approximately 450 meters to Berjaya Times Square or Imbi Station and 630 meters to Sung Wei Plaza. 

The lobby turned gallery of Hulo Hotel + Gallery

We were roommates with Brody & Friends 

When booking, we always compare rates from the hotel websites to booking sites like Agoda or Hotels.com. This way we are able check for the best deals. We booked a Standard Room for only PHP646.30 per room per night via Agoda as it offered the lowest price with additional discounts through BPI credit cards.

You can further reduce accommodation costs to less than PHP500 per night if you are on a tighter budget and are willing to stay in shared dormitories.

Accommodation Cost: PHP1,292.60 per room or PHP646.30 total per person 

Kuala Lumpur: A Travel Guide for First Timers

Kuala Lumpur probably lands in the top five easiest places to travel to for Juans. With the city gaining popularity and with the increasing number of daily flights, more Juans are looking at KL as an ideal and good value-for-money travel destination. 

If you are planning to visit KL, it's best to know a few of the basics. So here's our guide for first time travelers to Malaysia's world city. 

The City
The name Kuala Lumpur literally means "muddy confluence". This is because it was founded where the rivers Klang and Gombak merge. It started as a small mining town and has grown to be Malaysia's most important urban center. 

Today, KL is one of the world's leading cities for tourism and shopping. In 2017 alone, it welcomed more than 12 million international visitors. It boasts of its impressive skyscrapers, huge malls, and extensive public transport network.

The iconic Petronas Twin Towers

Travel Requirements
There are around 160 countries in the world that are granted free-visa entry to Malaysia with varying length of stays. Filipinos and citizens of other ASEAN countries can stay in the country without the need for tourist visa for stays no longer than 30 days. Passports also need to be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.

For more details, visit the website of the Immigration Department of Malaysia here.

Time Zone
Malaysia Standard Time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +8). This means that the Philippines and Malaysia are in the same time zone. But since Malaysia is to the west of the Philippines, they experience later sunrise and sunsets there. 

Bali: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans

"I don't have enough money" is a common excuse that stops people from traveling to their dream destinations. But between then and now, having the internet, having access to low-cost airlines, and having enough motivation, a low-budget trip can be done.

Since there is an ongoing sale in Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines for flights from Manila to Bali, we will share how to enjoy a holiday in the Island of the Gods for under PHP8,570. Reading this might make you think, "Are they having a laugh?" or "Is it really possible?". But the thing is, it's doable. Here's how we made it happen in a 4D3N itinerary.

The beautiful Kehen Temple in Cempaga, Bali

Flights
Thanks to the emergence of low-cost carriers, we are now able to book economy seats at very affordable rates all-year-round. Of course, there's always the option to wait for seat sales to book the lowest possible fare. That's exactly what we did! We booked our Bali flights through the GetGo One For Juan 10 Point Sale. We got our round trip flight for only 20 points and PHP1,573.14 in taxes and fees per person.

Airfare Cost: PHP1,573.14 per person

Accommodation
Because of its wide variety of accommodation options, it's easy to travel Bali on a budget, and surprisingly, it can be cheaper than a lot of other Southeast Asian destinations. 

The rooms at the affordable Dewa Bharata Bungalows

Get a room at Dewa Bharata Bungalows Legian located just a few steps from Legian Street, the main road that runs from Kuta to Seminyak. The hotel's Superior Room is big enough for two guests. It features traditional Balinese decorative elements and garden view terraces. Reservations can be done via the hotel's website, via online travel agencies like Agoda.com and Booking.com, and even through Airbnb. Since the rooms are offered at lower rates plus a discount coupon, we decided to book through Airbnb. With free breakfast and WiFi access, we only paid a total of PHP475 nett per night. For more information on Dewa Bharata Bungalows, click here.

Accommodation Cost: PHP712.50 total per person 

Food
Whatever your preference is for food and whatever budget you have, you will certainly find it in Bali. Food prices here are generally cheaper than those in Singapore or Malaysia.

Policarpio Street Switches On Its Christmas Lights

You know Christmas is coming when the usually quiet Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong is transformed by sparkling lights and impressive display of decorations into a Yuletide attraction. It's the twenty-second year the houses along the 150-meter road has been decorated for the festive season. And just like every year, it is expected to attract the Christmas-lovers from nearby barangays and even from other cities within the metro. 

Here are snapshots of the Pasko Pasko sa Policarpio.

House of Santa Claus

Manila Ocean Park: Uncovering the World of Creepy Crawlies

Reptiles, amphibians, insects, and arachnids, also referred to as creepy crawlies, are often feared or ignored creatures. But for what they lack in adorableness, they make up for their survival skills. These creatures have been around for more than 300 million years and they thrive in almost every habitat known to man. 

MOP's World of Creepy Crawlies

Going beyond the usual portrayal of crawlies as stuff of fears and nightmares, Manila Ocean Park's World of Creepy Crawlies celebrates the diversity, beauty, character, and peculiarity of these amazing creatures. 

Legless Lizard enclosure

Snake enclosures

Turtles' watery realm

Skink's enclosure mimicking their natural
habitat

Through the exhibit, visitors will discover colorful and interesting specimens found in many parts of the world. The animals' enclosures are designed to mimic their natural habitat. The Dart Frogs, for example, live in enclosures with soil, foliage, plants, and tree branches, while the Turtles spend time swimming in their pools.  

Manila Ocean Park: A Look Into the Dancing Sea Fairies

One of the best attractions of Manila Ocean Park is the Jellies: Dancing Sea Fairies Exhibit. The exhibit may only be spread into two sections but it will definitely provide a whole new experience for visitors. 

The Sea Jellies Exhibit

The look and feel of the attraction is inspired by the jellies' translucent bodies and their ability to catch light in fascinating and beautiful ways. The cylindrical and wall mounted aquariums are equipped with lighting effects and breathtaking music. This design captures the majestic beauty of the jellies as they gracefully drift in circles within the tanks. Moreover, these tanks are housed in two dark rooms installed with infinity mirrors. The reflections create the effect of being swarmed by these colorful and fragile sea fairies. 

Here are photos of the exhibit that will make you head off to the Manila Ocean Park and marvel at the cool creatures of the Jellies Exhibit. 

Manila Ocean Park: A Guide to Exploring the Oceanarium

Given how crowded it can be during the weekends and holidays, having an occasion that falls in the middle of the week is a great opportunity to celebrate and to take a day trip to one of the metro's most sought after attractions - the Manila Ocean Park.

Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines' first world-class marine theme park and an all-year all-weather destination for tourists and locals alike. Although it has been almost a decade since it's first opening, the park has expanded greatly over the years and continues to delight even the seasoned travelers. 

If you're planning a trip to the park any time soon, here are photos and videos to help you navigate through its fascinating features and attractions. This first part will focus on the main attraction of the park, the Oceanarium. 

Oceanarium Entrance

Manila Ocean Park's Oceanarium is home to 14,000 marine animals from around 277 species. Most creatures housed here are indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It offers a stunning walk through of the watery depths featuring five zones - the Jungle Trek, The Reef, Lost Atlantis, Living Ocean, and Deep Sea. 

Jungle Trek
The journey inside the Oceanarium begins at the freshwater zone called the Jungle Trek, where a variety of freshwater fish mostly found in Amazon and African rivers are featured.

Jungle Trek Zone

"Rainforest" look and feel

Some of the fish species seen here are the Koi Fish, Catfish, Pink Danio, Tetra, Freshwater Angelfish, Red-Tailed Tinfoil Barb, Indo-Pacific Tarpon, Clown Knifefish, Giant Gourami, Black and Red-Bellied Pacu, Janitor Fish, Cichlids, Arapaima, and Alligator Gar.

Tacloban: A Travel Guide For First-Timers

Typhoon Yolanda has made Tacloban "ground zero" of the strongest storm ever known to make landfall. 

It's easy to look at the aftermath of the typhoon in Tacloban, the economic and administrative center of Eastern Visayas, and wonder if it can recover. But the city didn't stay as a wasteland. Four years after, Tacloban has been almost restored. The mountains of wreckage and debris are gone and it's hard to imagine the destruction that once smothered the city.

Tacloban is once again welcoming visitors and guarantees the same warm hospitality the Filipinos are known for. Here's our guide to visiting this gritty city.

The beautiful Leyte Provincial Capitol in Tacloban

Getting the Flight

Three airlines fly direct to Tacloban from Manila - Philippine Airlines, Air Asia Philippines, and Cebu Pacific. Flight duration is 1 hour 20 minutes.

We booked our flights a year in advance, thanks to Air Asia's Red Hot Piso Sale back in June 2016. We got our round trip flight for only PHP219.04 per person. Bulk of this amount went to the passenger service charge while base fare was only at PHP1. 

Tips on how we snagged this really really low fare: 

1. Subscribe to the airline's newsletter to keep yourself updated of upcoming promotions. 

2. Book on the first day. The key is to always book early.

3. Be flexible in your travel dates and be patient enough to go through different dates to check for seat availability. 

4. Be decisive. Book the flights quickly when availability shows up. Sometimes you just have to chase and book that cheap fare and the rest will follow. 

Where to Stay
With several hotels to choose from, it is unlikely for visitors to encounter problems in choosing the accommodation that suits their budget and needs. Here's a list of our recommended Tacloban hotels to choose from:

1. Go Hotels Tacloban
This hotel caters to the budget-conscious. It's because Go Hotels adheres to the limited-service concept by offering no-frills accommodation and providing only the basic necessities. This lowers the price of the rooms. And just like budget airlines, guests can avail of "add on" services and features for an added charge.

What we like about this hotel is it offers modern and comfortable rooms with practical amenities. Perfect if you're the type of traveler who spends most time out of the hotel exploring the place and its tourist attractions.

Go Hotels Tacloban

Go Hotels, modern and functional rooms

Go Hotels Tacloban is a mere 10-15 minute drive from the airport and is conveniently located beside the biggest mall in the city, Robinsons Tacloban. Rates range from PHP588 to 1,488++. 

Queen sized bed inside the room

The bathroom

For bookings and more details, visit the hotel's website here.

2. Hotel XYZ
This is a mid-range hotel; not exactly budget yet still affordable. It offers beautifully designed rooms furnished with modern amenities that will guarantee a rewarding hotel experience.

The modern and stylish rooms of Hotel XYZ

Hallways

Splazzh! The hotel's rooftop pool

Hotel XYZ is located along P. Zamora St., well within the downtown area of Tacloban making it accessible to tourist attractions, banks, supermarkets, bus terminals, hospitals, and government offices. It is also just 20-30 minutes away from the airport.

Must try Moron Ice Cream at Hotel XYZ

Rates range from PHP2,800++ for the Fine Room to PHP6,500++ for the Fabulous Room. 

For more information, visit the hotel's website here.

3. The Oriental Leyte
This hotel is one of the fanciest accommodation in Tacloban. It is a contemporary resort that is set on a sprawling 10-hectare beach.

After its renovation following the damage brought by Typhoon Yolanda, the hotel promises a better hotel experience for its guests. From its dashing interiors to its modern facilities, The Oriental offers an overall feel that is stylish, luxurious, and exquisite.

The poolside of The Oriental Leyte

Samsara Restaurant c/o The Oriental website

Premier Room c/o The Oriental website

The resort is located on Red Beach in Palo, the town next to Tacloban. It is adjacent to the MacArthur Landing Memorial site. From the airport, it is a mere 20-30 minute drive. 

The rates range from around PHP4,000++ for the Deluxe Room to PHP30,000++ for the Governor's Suite.

For more details, visit the resort's website here.

Getting Around
To get around the city, there is a variety of transportation that is available.

The jeepney is the main mode of transportation in Tacloban. Most areas in the city fall within the minimum fare radius so you only have to shell out PHP8. Just like in Manila, the jeepneys here use route signboards that indicate its destination. This can pose a problem for tourists who are unfamiliar with the places in the city. To avoid getting lost, ask the locals for directions and tell the driver to drop you off at your desired destination. 

An alternative mode of transportation in the city is the tricycle. Just like the jeepney, its minimum fare is PHP8. Tricycles' usual routes are the inner streets of Tacloban. However, they can also be contracted or "pakyaw", as locals call it, for tours and special tours. Fare ranges from PHP50 to PHP100. Just don't be shy to haggle with the friendly drivers.

Places to Visit and Things to Do
1. Leyte Provincial Capitol
Built in 1907, the Leyte Provincial Capitol or the "Pamunuan San Lalawigan Sa Leyte" is a neo-classical building reminiscent of American-era structures during the occupation. It is considered as one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the Philippines.

The all-white facade of the building

It has an all-white facade with two prominent bas reliefs on the sides. The left-wing depicts the country's first Christian mass held on the island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte. The right-wing depicts the historical World War II landing of General MacArthur in Red Beach, Palo, Leyte.  

The first mass in Limasawa bas relief

The Leyte Landing bas relief

The building also served as the Capitol Building of the Philippines from October 1944 to February 1945. On its steps, Sergio Osmena was formally proclaimed as the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Briefly served as the nation's capitol building

Philippine flag displayed in front of the building 

The capitol grounds is open 24 hours and can be visited for free. 

2. San Juanico Bridge
The San Juanico Bridge is considered the longest bridge over water in the Philippines spanning a length of 2.16 kilometers. It was once called "Marcos Bridge" since it was built during the time of Marcos; and "The Bridge of Love" as this was a testament of the former president's love of Imelda. 

The stunning San Juanico Bridge

Vehicles passing through the bridge

San Juanico is a truss bridge

It remains to be one of the most picturesque bridges in the country with a beautiful arch-shaped truss design and with views of whirlpools and islets of the San Juanico Strait. 

The S-shaped portion of the bridge

View of Samar Island

Picturesque San Juanico Strait

Note: The bridge takes the shapes of letter "L" and "S", the first letters of the islands it connects, Leyte and Samar. 

The bridge is open 24 hours and can be visited free of charge. Vehicles are not allowed to stop or park in the middle of the bridge. Take pictures as your car climbs up the bridge or walk from both ends to experience the bridge and enjoy the stunning view.

3. Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum
The Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is one of the many presidential rest houses built by Ferdinand Marcos. Located along Real Street in Tacloban, this mansion was a symbol of grandeur during the Marcos administration. Presently, it is under the requisition of the PCGG. But it is open to the public for viewing.

It houses a chapel dedicated for Sto. Niño, the patron of Leyte; 13 guestrooms, each with a unique theme representing different regions of the country; bedrooms for the former first family; a grand ballroom; and an Olympic size swimming pool. 

It also contains hundreds of beautiful artifacts, antiques, art works and collections from all over the world such as tiles and clocks from Italy, floor carpets from Argentina, dressers and cabinets from Korea, chandeliers from the Czechoslovakia, mirrors from Austria, porcelain jars and ivory collection from China, jade from then Burma, and paintings of Bebsi Brias for the Marcoses.

The museum is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and collects PHP200 entrance fee for a group of three and additional PHP30 for a still camera or PHP200 for a video camera.

4. Sto. Niño Church
Sto. Niño Church, also known as the Church of Liberation, is the home of the patron saint of the city. The Sto. Niño de Leyte is an ivory-made icon of the child Jesus said to be miraculous. 

The church started as a small chapel around 1596 and saw various changes in the order managing it: from Jesuits, Augustinians, Franciscans, and eventually to the Archdiocese of Palo. Although the church has a very long history, the present structure is less than 50 years old. This is because the previous structures were either destroyed by typhoons or earthquakes. 

Most recently the church has undergone renovation after it was severely damaged by Typhoon Yolanda. 

Pure white facade of the church

The golden retablo with the miraculous Sto. Niño

Curved and circular stained glass windows

The church serves as a symbol of the locals' resiliency and renewal despite facing various natural disasters over the centuries.

5. MacArthur Landing Memorial Park
The MacArthur Landing Memorial Park marks the spot where the American liberation forces landed during the Battle of Leyte in World War II. 

Entrance to the park

The park is 6.78 hectares and located in Palo, some 5 kilometers south of Tacloban. The main attraction of the park are the seven bronze statues on a man made pool depicting General MacArthur and his entourage during the historic Leyte landing. The statues were designed by scupltor Anastacio Caedo and was inaugurated in 1981.

Double life-sized statues of MacArthur's entourage

Statues installed within a shallow pool

The park is a declared National Historical Landmark

The park is open 24 hours and can be visited free of charge.

6. Watch the Pintados and Sangyaw Festivals
Tacloban hosts two festivals during the month of June - the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival and the Sangyaw Festival. 

First held on June 29, 1987, the Pintados Festival depicts the pre-Spanish history of the people of Leyte, including the local epics, folklores, and religions. The main attraction of the festival are the street dancers painted from head to toe with designs resembling the tattooed warriors of the past, also known as the "pintados". It also incorporates into the theme the locals' devotion and worship of Sto. Nino. Later in 1995, the Kasadyaan Festival was introduced by the provincial government of Leyte and merged into the Pintados Festival. Now, the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals bring together the diverse, colorful, and vibrant festivals from all over Leyte and Samar, making it one of the country's major cultural-religious celebrations.

This year's Pintados champion, the Buraburon Festival of Burauen
c/o the Facebook page of the Local Government Unit of Burauen

The Sangyaw Festival was first started by Imelda Marcos in 1974 but was discontinued many years later. It was revived by the city government in 2008 when Tacloban was declared a highly urbanized city. Now it is celebrated along with the Pintados Festival. The festival highlight is the Parade of Lights that features colorful and decorated floats, lights, and street dancers partying to the upbeat Sangyaw theme. Other activities include the Balyuan Rites which reenacts the historical exchange of the Sto. Nino image between Tacloban and Basey; the traditional fluvial and land processions; and the pontifical mass at the Sto. Nino Church.

Colorful Sangyaw floats

Colorful Sangyaw floats

Colorful Sangyaw floats

Sto. Niño in one of the floats

Sangyaw street dancers

Sangyaw street dancers

Sangyaw street dancers

Both festivals are celebrated annually towards the end of June. And you get to enjoy them for free!

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