Visita Iglesia in Leyte Island and Samar

Coat of arms Archdiocese of Palo
Archidioecesis Palensis (Latin)
Arkidiyosesis han Palo (Waray)
Arkidiyosesis sa Palo (Cebuano)

The Ecclesiastical Province of Roman
 Catholic Archdiocese of Palo 

The Archdiocese of Palo has jurisdiction in the provinces of Eastern Visayas except Southern Leyte (which is under the Archdiocese of Cebu).

Historically, Limasawa island in Southern Leyte claims that “First Catholic Mass in the Philippines” happened here on Eastern Sunday of March 31, 1521. Hence, the island town of Limasawa is dubbed as the “birthplace of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines”.

If you ever visit Leyte and Samar islands, don’t forget to visit some of our heritage churches located here:

1. Santo Niño Parish

The flagship Catholic church of Tacloban City that houses the most revered patron of Eastern Visayas: Holy Child Jesus or know as Santo Niño. The structure was recently renovated as it was damaged by Typhoon Yolanda last 2013. People flock to this white church the time when I visited as the feast is held every June 30.

2. Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration Parish

Leyte’s metropolitan cathedral is the seat of Archdiocese of Palo, covering the Roman Catholic Churches within Eastern Visayas. It was also renovated thanks to various donors who contributed in making the whole complex a marvelous art. Notable is the twin towers seen at its façade. At the southern wing, you can visit the mass grave of Yolanda victims turned into a memorial garden. The overall building has as European gothic feel.

3. Immaculate Concepcion Parish

This church by the bay has an old façade made of coral stones but heavily renovated inside. You can see nearby capiz-windowed houses located at poblacion of Baybay City, attesting the colonial feel when the church was constructed in 1852.

4. Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Parish

The stone church of Hilongos has a newly-built façade but hidden at its west wing is the old façade turned to transept. It was partly damaged during past war so you can see ruins evident on its sides and the perimeter that looks like a wall of a large fort.

5. Saint Joseph Parish

The church of Matalom is located a few meters from the national highway. The turquoise bell tower accentuates the old façade with a curved pediment. The interior has walls with stones unpainted and pulpit in the eastern part preserved.

6. Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral

One of the best preserved cathedrals in Visayas, Maasin City is the seat of the diocese administering the Catholic churches within Southern Leyte. It is a suffragan of Archdiocese of Cebu. The old façade complements with the beautiful painted ceilings with murals showing the Risen Christ and the Holy Eucharist. The dome ceiling has a striking painting of eleven apostles’ symbols.    

7. Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Church

The main church of Samar province in Catbalogan City, which was established in 1616, was destroyed during the past world war. Hence, an all-new structure was erected with circular glass window and three altars.

8. Saint Michael the Archangel Church

This town opposite of Tacloban City in Leyte, has a church built on top of the hill. Basey in Samar has its stone structure still intact as well as the interior where an old retablo stand under a mural on the ceiling with Saint Michael the Archangel in the centerpiece and saints on the sides. The stunning glass windows feature our beloved Filipino Saints Pedro Calungsod and Lorenzo Ruiz.

Hoping when I get back to Eastern Visayas someday, I would be able to visit other churches within the metropolitan see. Have a blessed trip everyone!

SAMAR: Catbalogan City and Basey

Like two lovers that were separated before by a very narrow San Juanico strait, Leyte and Samar are now reunited by a gorgeous steel bridge that supports the economy and welfare of two big islands, bonded historically and culturally.

On my third day in Tacloban City, I went directly to Grand Tours terminal after visiting Palo. Going directly to ticketing booth, I paid Php120 for a two-hour ride to Samar’s capital city. Good thing I got a seat before the van departed. Sudoy ha Samar started then.

Finally I arrived at Catbalogan City. Alighting at the highway adjacent to the provincial gym, capitol building in neoclassical style stands before the spacious plaza, dotted with monument dedicated to Queen Isabela, who was credited on creating the province of Samar. 

Like Leyte, this capitol was the seat of government for whole Samar until this island was divided into three provinces: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar (formerly Western Samar). You can see from the façade some of Samar’s prime tourist destinations.

Using offline map from my smartphone, I navigated the city streets to get to the city hall, where an unusual Rizal monument stands, where his bust is supported by three naked men and his literary works: El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere.

I paid a visit at Saint Bartholomew church, still in the city center, where Grand Tours terminal is located. Before I get back to Tacloban City, I searched for Charito’s Delights, a famous store where I bought some of Samar’s delicacies. Buying more delicacies in the Grand Tours terminal, I waited for less than a quarter until we’re fetched by the air-conditioned van. 

 

Once I got back to the downtown Tacloban, I checked-in again at GV Hotel, but as a walk-in. Gladly, I was able to get a room, a non-aircon type but a spacious one. You won’t mind having a fan room because the temperature inside is as cold as when you’re in air-conditioned room. I left my backpack and hailed a jeepney direct to new terminal.

From New Abucay Terminal, you can see buses, vans and jeepneys with designated land destinations to any point of Eastern Visayas. I found the van very comfortable and gets packed easily so I rode one. After less than an hour, I arrived at the sleepy town of Basey (pronounced “ba-sai”) where their heritage church is perched on top of the hill.

The town’s name came from Waray word “mabaysay” meaning beautiful. Municipal center is located facing the sea, so you could see the neighboring Jinamoc Island and the rest of San Pablo Bay. Basey celebrates their Banigan-Kawayan Festival ever September 28-29 as they showcase their ingenuity in bamboo and mat-weaving. 

Their locally woven mats or banig are famous for lively colors and produced by some homes in Basey and sold as souvenirs. Too bad I forgot to buy even a purse from a shop nearby because I was focused on waiting for the town church to open at 4pm, not knowing that was the last trip of vans plying to Tacloban. I had no choice but to ride a bus at the highway. What awaited me there is a long walk across the strait bridge.