Leyte: lives to tell the tale

Map of Leyte (photo from the web)

Leyte is part of the Eastern Visayas region of the country. Long before its capital Tacloban City was largely damaged by typhoon Haiyan last November 2013 which set the province across the globe, Leyte lives to tell the tale of World War II’s turning point. The province became a momentous landmark shared by the Philippines and the USA. The Mac Arthur Landing Memorial Park in Palo, Leyte memorialized the historic come back of General Douglas Mac Arthur to the Philippines shore.  

 

Aerial view of San Juanico Bridge (photo from the web)

San Juanico Bridge (photo from a friend)

Another place of interest in the province is the arch-shaped truss design San Juanico Bridge. It is the longest bridge in the country with a length of more than 2 kilometers connecting the provinces of Leyte and Samar which also offers picturesque views of San Juanico Strait with its whirlpools and the flanking islets. Sadly, typhoon Haiyan has in some extent damaged this iconic infrastructure.

 Sto.Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Tacloban City on the other hand, is a repository of magnificence. While the museum was spoiled by typhoon Haiyan and warrants repair, it still has a lot to showcase. Visitors can come across plush bits and pieces in vast collections.

Pope Francis in Tacloban City (photo from the web)

Pope Francis during his homily at Tacloban City (photo from the web)

The recent papal visit of Pope Francis in Tacloban City last January 2015 denotes the province is on the road to recovery and still lives to tell the tale of one of the strongest typhoon ever recorded. The airport of Tacloban City plays a significant role of this historic event not just for Leyte but the country as a whole.  It is where the locals and pilgrims gathered together to welcome Pope Francis in Tacloban City.

Apart from the airport in Tacloban City which serves its public and visitors with regular flights from Manila or Cebu, the province can also be reach through ferries from nearby provinces like Cebu or by land passing thru San Juanico Bridge from Luzon provinces.