The One-Hour Walk to Remember in San Juanico Bridge

One of the reasons I visited Eastern Visayas is to take a picture with the longest bridge in the Philippines, San Juanico Bridge. Originally known as Marcos Bridge, it spans the very narrow San Juanico strait at 2.162 kilometers long from Santa Rita, Samar to Cabalawan, Tacloban City, Leyte. It was designed to allow some boats to pass the street truss girder at its main span.

Coming from an ordinary bus ride in Basey, I paid Php15 to alight at the Samar end of the bridge or simply “junction”. I started walking at the right side pedestrian way. Taking selfies while walking the bridge’s length, you can see below some whirlpools as these approach the concrete piers.

There’s a little island below the main steel bridge that acts as supporting foundation of main span as you walk closer to the vermillion bridge. The curved ascent is such a dramatic design that lets you see the full views of the strait.

Rumors said that the foundations of bridge were laid using cement mixed with blood of street children when First Lady Imelda Marcos ordered its construction in 1969. After 4 years, it was opened to the public, paving the way for fast transport between Leyte and Samar islands.

Despite of rumors circulating about its construction, still, it stood the test of time as it survived various catastrophes such as Typhoon Haiyan where it incur slight damage, but repaired.

I saw some youth and a family parked their vehicle to take some picturesque shots. I had the pleasure of time taking selfies and views that it was almost an hour when I got back to Leyte end of the bridge.

Overall, it was a nice walk from end-to-end. I appreciate the different views and breathing the fresh air and sea breeze. Truly a remarkable landmark worth of your time sauntering. Maupay nga biyahe!  

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.