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MAY2005-SEP2009 TRAVEL GUIDE

HOME » TRAVEL GUIDE

Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines,
Travel Guide

>>> MAY2005-SEP2009 <<<

Plan a Tacloban City vacation with travel reviews, tips and photos
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The sweet side of Tacloban City
By Toni
Sep/22/2009
Overall:

The experience of visiting Tacloban City is never complete without tasting its sweet side of the plate. You guessed it right, Tacloban offers delicacies that you will surely love to take home as pasalubong. Don't be surprised to hear a Filipino say "pasalubong" when a loved one is on a trip. It is a term coined that means gift usually from someone who comes home after a trip.

The city of Tacloban (Region VIII) is the capital of the Philippine province of Leyte. It is the first in Eastern Visayas to be classified as a Highly Urbanized City. The cultural festivals Pintados-Kasadyaan and Sangyaw festivals are held in this city during the month of June.

The type of food in Tacloban is a combination of native and modern Leyte taste. It is especially influenced by other parts of the country like Cebu, Manila and Mindanao apart from foreign influences such as Western, Spanish , and Asian influences.

Filipino desserts proudly originating in Tacloban that tops my list are Moron, Binagol, Sagmani and Pastillas.


So this are my top 4 Tacloban sweet pasalubong:


MORON



I can't get enough of the rich, creamy and chocolate sweetness of Moron. I often look forward on having this treat whenever my Dad visits Tacloban back in my younger days. Moron is made of rice flour mixed with chocolate paste or locally called as Tableya, peanuts and brown or organic sugar. This Filipino dessert is famous during fiestas, Christmas, and New Year.


BINAGOL



I find Binagol appealing to the sight as well as the taste. Binagol is a sweetened nutty Taro pudding. The town of Dagami in Tacloban City is the dominant producer of the best and original Binagol in the whole eastern region.

The Binagol is a made of talyan, a taro root, coconut milk, brown or organic sugar, egg yolks, full cream condensed milk. Binagol is wrapped in wilted banana leaves and coconut shells, and native strings for packaging.


SAGMANI



Sagmani is another suman made of cassava, gabi or sweet potatoes cooked with coconut cream, sugar and sometimes coconut meat.


PASTILLAS



Pastillas is a sure hit psalubong for kids and people who have sweet tooth. These bite-sized, creamy and pure cow milk delicacy of Tacloban deserves a place in your pasalubong carts and bags.




Maybe SM next year .. !?

By Nimoi from Quezon City, Philippines
Sep/09/2009
Overall:


       The new Robinsons Place Tacloban City at night.

The facilities in Tacloban City are getting upgraded .. we have new malls, Gaisano Central, Robinsons Mall, and maybe SM next year.

New buildings are constructed with new facilities, spa, skin clinic, resto-bars, name it! ...

There are traffic lights and traffic enforcers to take care of everyday road discipline in Tacloban City.

At your next visit to Tacloban City you may want to try the Calicoan Island Paradise .. 3km of white sand between the pacific and Leyte gulf ..

Have fun in Tacloban City!!




Tacloban has become
a bustling city!

By Mr. & Mrs. Roño
Aug/18/2009
Overall:

Landing at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport of Tacloban was as calm as the view of the Leyte Gulf. Certainly, a stark opposite of what the gulf is more historically known for - ships and battle. Downtown Tacloban did very well not to remind tourists like me about wars of ancient past but I definitely remember that food was good this side of town.

I still remember Ocho, a seafood place a few blocks away from the impressive Governor's building, where I went a few years ago. This time, we tried a place by the Cancabato Bay called Lion's Den, a few meters away from the Leyte Park Hotel.

Lion's Den, the restaurant by the bay and the apparently-famous spa of Cristina Romualdez

Tacloban has become a bustling city of multi-cabs, Jollibee outlets on several corners and Cristina Gonzales' (now Romualdez) spa centers blending the old with the new.

Speaking of new, locals on my way to Palo, Leyte would call my attention at a towering mall along the way and point at a Robinson's Mall. Opened just last June 10, one said. I took a mental note to watch The Proposal if ever i have the time. But then again, one wouldn't really want to be holed up in a cinema especially on a short stay in Leyte.

I found it much more rewarding to go spend time out along the boardwalk of Palo, Leyte and watch fishermen when they go by in their daily grind as the sun sets on the horizon.




Leyte Landing

By Pranz Kaeno Billones
July/16/2009
Overall:

Getting off the plane, I was instantly captivated by the calm and soothing view that surrounded the Daniel Romualdez Airport. It was an uncluttered picture: the azure sky meeting the calm waters and at the intersection mountains fading into the horizon. Sliding my gaze to the edge, I spotted a small island teeming with trees as if undisturbed for ages.

We checked in at the Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban City. After a few minutes of rest, we rolled again.

For our first stop, we visited the Sto. Niño Shrine along Real Street. It used to be the late President Ferdinand Marcos' "rest house." Nowadays, the structure serves as a museum housing historical and cultural gems, from ornate artworks to baroque furniture, some given by foreign political luminaries. The cavernous mansion is also a testament to the outrageous extravagance of the deposed dictator and his wife Imelda.

At the ground floor is a chapel surrounded by themed rooms named either after their source of inspiration (the Alitaptap room has tiny lights all around), or dominant material used (the Shell room has furniture and ornaments made of-shells). In every room there is a diorama depicting the life story of Imelda. Upstairs are more expansive rooms. Towering portraits of Imelda and family by painter Betsy Westendorp watch over guests of the mansion.

A short drive and we found ourselves standing against the iconic MacArthur Landing Memorial. Nearby, messages of peace set on stone-from notable heads of states like Russia's Boris Yeltsin and England's Queen Elizabeth II-are on display.

Speaking of landings, it is also in Eastern Visayas that Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Philippines (Homonhon Island). It is also in this region where the first mass in the country was held (Limawasa Island).




There are a lot of beautiful sceneries in Leyte

By Germaine from Tacloban City, Philippines
April/12/2009
Overall:

One thing I learned about Leyte is the fact that it is merely not all about San Juanico Bridge and McArthur Park. There are a lot of beautiful sceneries in this province. Maybe not as gigantic as the above mentioned, but I could fairly say, they are equally beautiful as the famous landmarks.

We went to the Busay Falls Resort in Babatngon. It is a local tourist spot located at Brgy Distict III within the Poblacion of Babatngon, Leyte .. It is about an hour drive from Tacloban City proper.

I love looking at waterfalls. The sight and sound of splashing and cascading water is just so serene, so relaxing. It's a nice place to have a cool refreshing shower with friends or simply a place where I could reflect about many things in life ..

As expected, while enjoying the scenic rice fields and farm animals of Babatngon during a 20 minute drive from the proper, we proceed to this site, where a small waterfall is tucked away in one of the barrios. We paid 10php for the entrance and they charged 100php for the cottage near the falls ..



I could help myself not to swim and embrace the water when i saw and feel it. I was not expecting that it was still as beautiful as it was .. Unfortunately I was not on a proper swimming-attire .. Oh i just so love the fresh and cold water!! =)



Coming Home

By Rutch from Manila, Philippines
Apr/04/2009
Overall:


                     Coconut trees! Your in the tropics ..


I went home to my folks in Leyte during the Holy Week for some much-needed break from work. It was a long weekend, so what better way to escape the heat and stress of the city than to go home and see mi papa and mi mama and the rest of the brood.

This time, I decided to hook up with friends from high school and walk around the city. I was surprised to see a lot of developments especially in Tacloban City. There is a new mall, some good restos springing all over offering good food, new watering holes by the bay, even more traffic lights! Hahaha! This is indeed new!

My good friend Firie who has been home for a while is a constant companion everytime she is in Manila, is a sucker for good food like me.



                                Coolness at the beach ..


We share the same passion for a good meal and the beach. Since it was raining as it usually does in the province, we stuck to the first one. Of course, there is no other way to catch up on each other's life but over good food.

She brought me to "Sombrero". It was a quaint little hole along Paterno Street in Tacloban offering a wide variety of grilled local and some "influenced" dishes. I particularly enjoyed the sinfully calorie-laden mango shake with whipped cream on top. Yummy! The well done steak was juicy just right, really amazing to have in my far away province.

For dinner, we tried "Cafe Urbana", a Spanish/ Cuban-inspired resto along Gomez Street. I loved the fusion of Spanish and African tones in its interiors. The food was just perfect with the spiced linguini and vongole pasta, the tangy dressing of the Caesar Salad, and more.

I still remember my teenage years in Leyte when we were just contented to have some good "lomi" (a pasty soup with fat noodles flavored by chopped pork) after school, or a dose of our daily burger at Jollibee or McDo.

Leyte is surrounded by water. Our province has a rich history of water-realted activities. During World War II, Gen. Douglaas MacArthur landed in the Leyte Gulf to start the end of the war.

Later on, his famous words, "I have returned..." would go down in history as words of a man who ended the war in the Pacific. Today, the famous Leyte Landing is marked with a monument and a park aptly called, MacArthur Park and Resort. The monument is beside a beach resort where you can enjoy the waves and Leyte breeze from the Cancabato Bay.

I wanted to check out the beach so I packed the family into the van and bought some ripe mangoes along the way. The sweltering heat is bearable in the province but just the same, the best way to fight off the summer heat is to hit the beach and laze around the sand.

I wanted to try a beach which we haven't been to yet, so off we went to Tadjao Beach in Tolosa. It is 45 minutes from Tacloban City and around 40 kms from the main city.


               Manninng the bridge at Tajao Bridge Resort ..


Tadjao Beach Resort is a new place to enjoy the beach and is owned by an American. It is set in an hectare of huts and abundant coconut trees and so many tadjaos all over the place. A visitor is charged with an entrance fee of Php 50.

You can avail of a tent for Php 700.00 for a maximum of eight persons inclusive of entrance fee. If you have a bigger group, the best way to accommodate everybody is to avail of the nipa hut for Php 1,500 for a maximum of 15 persons.


               With the Tadjaos and a lovely Gumamela ..


I liked the efficient crew who immediately set up our tent in no time complete with tables and chairs. In 5 minutes after doing away with the payment and all, we were ready to relax and enjoy the day by the beach.

Firie said that there are caves and waterfalls in nearby Samar Island. She did say that the top of Limasawa Island in Samar, where the first mass in the Philippines was held during the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores is just amazing.

I plan to organize an expedition with my fellow city dwellers next time. In fact, my recent trip home has made me realize that there are a lot of things that can be done in Leyte.




Streets are always clean

By Imelda from Tacloban City, Philippines
Mar/09/2009
Overall:

The city government of Tacloban was right in hiring street sweepers rather than buying garbage trucks. The streets now are so clean as there are many street sweepers who are fielded to do it 24/7.

I hope this would be maintained not only because the city is hosting a national sports competition but by habit of cleaning.

I hope the people will be act their share, too in helping clean the environment. After all, it is them who are directly affected by the cleanliness.




Tacloban City is a friendly city

By Miyay, Philippines
Jan/24/2009
Overall:

Tacloban City is really a very friendly and peaceful city. As I walked the downtown area, taking pictures as I go with my mobile phone, it felt like Colon Street back home, although its safer here.

This is the street I often walked while buying groceries in Leyte Asia Trading, going out for dinner or just whiling away the time in Gaisano.

The food in Tacloban cost more than some other places I've been to. Still, I have my favorite dining places. In addition to Jollibee, Mc Donald's and Chowking, I often order lunch and dinner from Kitchenitos, Ritz Tower, Farenheit and Cindys.

When I feel a little extravagant, I would go to Fiesta Grill along Justice Romualdez St. and order baked scallops, fried kangkong and tinola na isda (fish soup). Or I would go to this little resto on Burgos St called Sunzibar. I especially liked to order the House Salad, Jerk Bangus and Redberry Iced Tea.

For lunch meetings, our office would treat our guests to Ocho Seafood. It is a very well known restaurant located along Senator Enage St. It is a favorite among visitors not only for its delicous food but also for its fast service.

For desserts, you can buy yummy cakes and pastries from Elena's Bakeshop. The city also has other bakeshops like Goldilocks, Mr. Donuts, Julies Bakeshop and Dunkin Donuts.

One can find numerous accommodations in Tacloban City. Ranging from pension houses like GV Hotel and Royal Suites to hotels like the Asian Stars Hotel, Dynasty Hotel, the quaint Hotel Alejandro, the Spanish style Leyte Park Hotel and the state-owned Mc Arthur Park Beach Resort.

While having our Family Day in Mc Arthur Park Beach Resort, I had a grand time listening to the sea, feeling the breeze and walking along the beach.

For me riding tricycles are the best way to go around town. The fare is only P6.00 and the vehicle can wave fast through traffic in downtown area.

Plaza Rizal hosts many night entertainments in the city that are shown in the AAC 24 in Leyte Cablenet. Just last night, there were live bands playing and I could hear it all from my room.

Tacloban has a taxi equivalent called Spider. It is a multi-transport hybrid of a multicab. It is fast & economical, sleek & comfortable and with 24 hours service. I have yet to ride one.

Driver Noli, was kind enough to offer a mock ride for picture taking but I declined. If you need a ride around the city, you can contact him at 053-3410129 or 0929-2692462.

At the Mc Arthur Shrine in Candahug, Palo you can feel the sea breeze. The park on which the shrine is built is well maintained. Families, lovers and friends are often seen there in the afternoons.

Here's an aerial shot of the longest bridge in the country, the San Juanico Bridge - 2.16 kilometers long. Its unique shape is amazing. On the part near Leyte, it is shaped as an L. While curving to an S when nearing the Samar province.

Tacloban City, has been my surrogate home for more than a year now. This place is a work in progress. In 2009, a few call centers are opening up as well as the Robinsons Mall. The city is now classified as highly urbanized after the December 18, 2008 plebiscite.




Numerous shops, restaurants and nice park areas

By Tom from Phoenix Arizona, USA
Sep/07/2008
Overall:

Tacloban is a smaller city without the big malls that are being built elsewhere. There were numerous shops and restaurants including a very nice Italian Restaurant.

The MacArthur landing site is just to the south of the town and has been developed into a nice park area.

We traveled primarily by tricycle and jeepney while we were there. I don't recall seeing any taxis but I didn't ask.

There are several hotels in the town and a resort area located near the MacArthur landing beach.





Changing Times
By Thad from Tacloban City, PH
Aug/04/2008
Overall:

Tacloban is a small coastal city where life is generally slow paced. I love the laid back atmosphere - the most traffic we have occur during fiestas or festivals, and I gather no one would be complaining about that. Most of the time, people here cruise through their routines and live life simply.


                    The Tacloban City Convention Center (aka "Astrodome").


This premise is however being challenged by the changing times - a "Big Dome" was just completed to serve as venue for events, and "Mall fever" hit as Robinsons and Gaisano Malls have begun construction early this year.

                    The New Robinson Mall at Marasbaras, Tacloban City.


         The New Gaisano Capital Mall at the place of the former Republic Theater.


In more than two decades of living here, it seems we're finally going to get those plush movie theaters, minus the wooden seats and hollow block projector screen that we have now.





The City of Clean and Green

By Mercy Grace Beronilla from PH
Jul/09/2008
Overall:

Tacloban City, the city of Clean and Green, as our former mayor refers to it, but I prefer to call it TAC-TOWN, is the capital of Leyte. There are a lot of beaches found here.

A lot of history in this place, too. MacArthur Park is a must-see for those asking where Gen. MacArthur entered as a fulfillment of his famous promise, "I Shall Return".

There are a lot of hotels and resorts worth staying in. Leyte Park Hotel is the biggest in town. Just come and visit our beautiful city .. =)





The City by the Sea

By Joseph from Raleigh, US
Apr/22/2008
Overall:



This was to be my first trip to Tacloban City on my first trip to the Philippines. I had spent about 1 week in Cebu and now on to the next place. I left the docks of Cebu City by Super Cat boat, it kind of skims the surface of the water and then arrives at Ormoc, a large city in about 2hours.

I was mobbed by porters wanting to carry my suitcase and carryon bag, and was not prepared, when I gave the man a 20pesos bill he looked like I had offended him, so asked how much and he sheepishly said 100p or at the time about $2. for his 4 minutes walk with my bags, I have since learned to find out how much FIRST and then decide, but usually I just carry the bag my self.

Okay next was a nearly 2hour bus ride to arrive in Tacloban Bus Terminal, it was modern and the people were friendly, after going to the bath room or as its called there the 'CR' I looked for a driver to take me to the city, oh yeah I was lightly tapped to remind me I had not paid the 2pesos fee to use the CR .

I got a driver to take me to go to he McDonalds there in the city, yes it was a lucky guess but they had one, he charged about 50pesos for the ride and had to drop me off 1 block from the McDonalds cause they don't let the tricycles in the main downtown areas.

The city is noisy with lots of traffic and many friendly people, all saying hello to Joe, I wondered still how so many people knew my name, then I found out that all Americans were called Joe. I asked for the location of a good hotel and then paid the normal 6 or 7 pesos fee to get my ride there.

My first day I headed back to Mickey D's for breakfast, Seeing rice served with a Big Breakfast was new to me, but not as surprising as seeing the arm guards at McDonalds and all the business places, complete with shot guns and machine guns. "Welcome to McDonalds" is the greeting the armed guard would say as they opened the door for their many customers.

Now its time for some sightseeing!

Well most of the locals travel by ‘tricycle' a commination of motorcycle with a carrier on the side for 1 to 4 people, and sometimes they will even carry two passengers behind the driver, the cost was about 6 pesos per trip.

In Tacloban they don't have red lights or stop signs, it just a matter or nerves about who yields, and if your crossing the street on foot, well it walkers ........ be careful for your life.

I visited the famous place where General Douglas MacArthur landed in Palo, Leyte, just a short ride from the city. It was great feeling being there as an American.

While at the park this guy was following me around with some sort of shopping card with a large box wrapped in aluminum foil. I was not sure if he was following me and he said nothing but finally after about 10 minutes I turned and faced him and asked him what he wanted and why he was following me. He opened up the ‘box' and asked me if I would like to buy some ice cream.......I smile I guess he was like a local "Good Humor Ice Cream Man" I smile and said how much, and walked away with a ice cream sandwich and he had a few of my pesos.

Also I travel to areas of the city by Jeepnay, the local bus but because I am over 6 feet tall and no longer skinny I had to sit either in the front next to the driver or at the end with my legs hanging out the back. If you visit you must experience the ride, I think again it was about 6 pesos, but as I like to say, it was almost free





Tacloban - always worth a visit
By Donna Aguilar from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, PH
Mar/23/2008
Overall:

Last holy week my adventurous feet took me to Eastern Visayas ... My Tito, Tita and couzins are waiting and eager to see us. We arrived in Tacloban around 10:00 am.

The days that we were in Tacloban with my couzin we went to the Sto. Niño Shrine which is the mansion of Imelda Marcos. All the things inside the mansion were still original.. the beds, the paintings, the chandeliers, tables and chairs etc ...

We also went to the MacArthur Monument in Palo, Leyte and the Palo Cathedral. And of course our visit will not be complete without passing by the famous San Juanico Bridge.

Although the travel was quite long, its worth it to visit Tacloban City and hopefully i can come back and explore the island of Samar. By the way, thanks to my Uncle Marvin and Auntie Menchi and my couzins Clem and Tan2x for taking care of us.....Till my next trip...




Want some fresh buko juice?

By AgnesDV from Tacloban, PH
March/14/2008
Overall:



After all that sightseeing, you might want to stop by for some fresh buko juice. Buko in any Philippine language (we have more than 100 languages, did you know?) means 'young' and is mostly used to describe young coconuts, not persons.

Lined on the side of the street on your way to McArthur Park (just a few yards from there), you will see these small bamboo kiosks with buko piled high on tables or on the ground. You drink and eat a buko without any utensils while you try to sit back on the creaky bamboo benches and look out to the sea which is just across the street.

Cars rarely pass here, so the sea breeze is not polluted. One buko costs P10-12, it's very refreshing and better-tasting than a soda. Best time to come here.. around 3 in the afternoon, when the sun is not hot anymore.

Place is the locals' secret. I never see a tourist here, they're probably thinking 'is it safe? is it clean?'. Haha.. (Note: buko is rich in fat, so if you're dieting don't do this everyday.)




The best place to be

By Randy Salentes from Tacloban City, PH
Jan/07/2008
Overall:

Tacloban City is a city within the bay ... If you look beaches just near your hotel, Tacloban is the best place to be. You can also check out the different low cost hotel for your stay and enjoy with the different fresh sea foods.

You can also visit the different municipalities nearby such as Palo Leyte which is historically the first place landed by Gen. Douglas McArthur during the WWII.

You can find the memorabilia of the said general and enjoy watching the sunset having fresh coconut while setting at the green grass on its park.




It rocks ... Have fun !!!

By a Contributor from Chicago, IL
Nov/29/2007
Overall:

I'm from the Philippines particularly from Tacloban City...all I can say is "It Rocks"...you are safe, friendly and hospitable people...if you are a tourist "It's like home"...and if your looking for fun and trying to know the place you just have to be with the right person...meaning from Tacloban itself to tour you around...Have fun!!!





I like Tacloban!

By radzdude, Tacloban-Makati, PH
Nov/12/2007
Overall:

I'm from Tacloban working in Makati. It's been a year na since the last time I was home. I miss na my beloved city. All I can say, Tacloban is not that big but in the future it will eventually evolve like Cebu City. I like the setting of Tacloban, it looks like a well-planned city. If cleanliness is only being observed by the people, maganda talaga ang tacloban. Another thing is that, the government should make some major repair on the road system of the city.






Nostalgia, Affordability and Smoke
By a Contributor from Arizona, USA
Nov/12/2007
Overall:

Tacloban is a place where World War II history comes alive. It has some good restaurant selections at remarkably low prices. But watch out for the air quality--tricycles, multicabs and jeepneys are emitting lots of pollution, to the point where you may need a breathing mask while walking around on the downtown streets. Still, Tacloban has affordable hotels, and you get the signature Philippine commitment to personal service wherever you go, so it is overall a trip worth taking.



Charming Tacloban

By firelaydy28, Tacloban, PH
Nov/03/2007
Overall:

Tacloban is a small charming city in Leyte. It is the center of commerce, trade, culture, and government in the Eastern Visayas.

The city has hidden charms for unknowing visitors. A bridge walk in the beautiful San Juanico Bridge is a must. Enjoy the night at Magsaysay Boulevard over cold San Miguel Beer and a clean sea breeze . For book lovers theres the bookstore/reading room/cafe along Burgos street, called Libro.

Cafes are all over the city. There is Sanzibar for its good pasta, Kyles Folkhouse for cheap beer and good ambiance, Calle Zaragossa is an open air garden cafe, and Guiseppes for finedining .

San Miguel Beer price starts at P25 up to P35.

Taclobanons love to eat which accounts for the numbers of resto/bar and eateries which cater to every budget and craving.

Do not forget to sample the city's delicacy: Binagol, Its sweet, sticky, and rich:

Toast to the best tuba the Bahalina. Tuba is a native wine from coconut . Aged tuba is bahalina. You can buy a bottled bahalina at Kokoys Grocerette.

There are daily flights from Manila to Tacloban City. From Cebu, the best way to get to Tacloban would be to ride on a fast boat, such as the Supercat fast craft, to Ormoc City and then take a 2 hour van for hire from Ormoc to Tacloban. It is very easy to cross to Cebu as well from Tacloban as there are van trips to Ormoc every one hour, and the fast ferry from Ormoc to Cebu has three trips each day.

From Tacloban , it is easy to cross down to Butuan and Surigao via bus and a scenic ferry crossing from Lilo-an to Butuan. If you are lucky, you might even spot dolphins swimming along with the ferry.




When in Tacloban City, Leyte ...

By annaveloso
Oct/28/2007
Overall:

1) Stay in Hotel Alejandro;
2) See MacArthur Park and the San Juanico Bridge;
3) Give in to that Italian food craving --oooh, gelato--- at Giuseppe's, and pick up your lazy weekend/beachbum reading at the Montejo newspaper supply next door;
4) Applaud Philippine design and architecture at the Sto Nino Shrine;
5) Drive 3.5 hours to Calicoan and surf, surf, and surf;
6) Recharge and unwind for a night or two in a comfy beach villa at Caluwayan (around 1.5 hours away from Tacloban);
7) Spend the afternoon catching up with old friends at cozy and eclectic San Rafael, and don't leave until you see the trees sparkling with fireflies;
8) Sample Ayo Cafe's healthy dishes;
9) Purchase children's books and indulge that sweet tooth at Libro; and
10) Catch a gorgeous sunset





Loved it

By Ray A from Philadelphia Pa
Feb/03/2007
Overall:

The people were great and friendly the country itself is very beautiful. I did not want to leave there, looking forward to going back again this year.




Home Sweet Home

By a Contributor from las vegas
Jan/21/2007
Overall:

Proud born and raised in Tacloban City. It is a relaxing place some kind of a tourist. A nice place to spend your retirement.
 



Can't wait to go home

By unknown Contributor
Sep/12/2007
Overall:

What i like is the beach w/ a floating cottage...Nightlife is ok especially if you love karaoke...my tips for the new comer...just be with the right person to tour you around so you won't miss a fun...Can't wait to go home!!!



An amazing spot to be

By Kim
Jul/10/2007
Overall:

I was out there last Fall and I was just so very excited because it's been an amazing spot. Tacloban has all the modern amenities you'd need and only 5-20 mins away you can get out and really see the country.

I highly recommend spending a weekend in Nuts Huts in the town of Loboc, 20 mins away. It's a great eco-lodge and there is a great river you can swim in and hang out in waterfalls.

Also check out Cabilou Island (just take a local boat) and stay at the Estrella Resort. It's super cheap and the snorkling/scuba is out of this world. Have fun there and enjoy the trip!




Summer Vacation

By a Contributor from knox indiana

Jul/10/2006
Overall:

i love Tacloban Philippines the people are nice they love to help people they are sweet loving caring godly its a great vacation place for the family and friends.




Historical Place

By Athena from Leyte

Jul/08/2006

Overall:

Tacloban is one of historical place in the Philippines. Palo Leyte was the place General Douglas Mac Arthur landed and the famous words he said was I SHALL RETUN. It was also a place where one of the most beautiful and gracious woman came from. Our First Lady Mrs Imelda Marcos the very famous wife of our former presdient Marcos. During the Marcos time the place was so beautiful and well visited because of its beauty.




Wonderful Place and Friendly People

By Elena L from Ontario, Canada

Jul/04/2006

Overall:

I love the beaches with each fine sand and lovely view. At night you can have stargazing with fresh air and clear sky because less pollution!
The people are friendly and the city, easy to go around.




No Place like Home..

By a Contributor from Michigan

Jun22/2006
Overall:

After 20+ something years I've been away from Tacloban, I went home in April and spent 6 weeks of one of the best times in my life.I had a blast.I enjoyed every minute of my stay with my extended family.They took me to so many places that seemed familiar to me,incomparable food elsewhere,ate my favorite delicacies that I missed for 20 years & family beach gatherings trying to take advantage of the warm water (we have only lakes where I am now).
Ergo: I am coming home to Tacloban to retire and spend my senior years around fun loving families.




Tacloban, I love you most


By unkown Contributor

Jan/28/2006
Overall:

Tacloban is my home town.And i've been living here for 10 years already...This place is a little bit crowded but its ok....
The progress of this place is fast...The city festivity is the Pintados Festival in honor for the city saint....Sto. Ninio.




Home Sweet Home


By macky from Milan, Italy

Jan/21/2006

Overall:

 
I am a native of leyte living here in Italy. Tacloban City is a place you can't say no. It's a very nice place and the people are hospitable everyone is smiling. But sad to say the place and the structures needs to be taken consideration due to neglect of our government, but inspite of that the place is still the best and crime-free.




Best Kept Secret in the Philippines

By kyle woodbury from Idaho
Aug/08/2005
Overall:

I lived near Tacloban for 18 months. I really enjoyed living there for several reasons. One thing that I liked the most was that everyone was very helpful and I felt safe the entire time I was there. There was not many fast food places, but many nice local restaurants with incredible food. Be careful about not drinking the water or ice deserts with unboiled water. Also check to make sure the food is cooked all the way. The cost of living is cheap compared to Manila, Cebu or many other "touristy" places. I loved Tacloban and Region 8. I highly recommend it.



Life changing

By a Contributor from fort lauderdale fla
Jun/16/2005
Overall:


Wile it is a little dirty and outdated i will return and soon i loved it they need help[a paint job] but are the nicest people in the world i allways felt safe and the value is incredible i will move here!if you are looking for a tourist destination stay home if you want a great local experiance and simpler life in paradise go and enjoy
ps bring toilet paper and a toilet seat they seem to have misplaced all theirs lol

 

 

 

 

Intend to go back

By a Contributor from Cape Cod, Massachusetts
May/18/2005
Overall:

Tacloban is a very pleasant seaport on the edge of the island of Leyte. It is becoming quite crowded and growing faster every day. There is a very nice restaurant overlooking the bay on the 2nd story of a store. We see many large and small boats coming and going. Mostly what they call the banca. A canoe with two outriggers. It could use some new electric wiring throughout the city as I recall. But the people are very pleasant to an Americano. We lived for a few weeks with the wife's aunt prior to returning to our little bario called Borseth, near alang-alang. Transportation was by what is called Jeepney and scooters with sidecars. We were fortunate to view a celebration that took place at the time. The parade was excellent.




Tacloban Rocks

By cArLo AnGeLo from Philippines
May/16/2005
Overall:

Tacloban is very nice.
The people there are very friendly.
You will feel the people's hospitality.
Tacloban is a great place
.




    
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