Eastern Visayas Overview

Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)

• Eastern Visayas is comprised of Leyte (North and South), Samar (North, West, and East), and Biliran.
• Provinces include:
  • Western Samar (Catbalogan)
  • Northern Samar (Catarman)
  • Eastern Samar (Borongan)
  • Northern Leyte (Tacloban)
  • Southern Leyte (Maasim)
  • Biliran (Naval)
• Located in the eastern part of the Visayas archipelago.
• Borders the Bicol Peninsula to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, Surigao to the south, Bohol to the southwest, Camotes Sea to the west, and the Visayas Sea to the northwest.
• Faces the Pacific Ocean, which is a common path for typhoons that pass through the Philippines.
• Often affected by typhoons due to its location in the "Typhoon Belt."
• Features mountainous terrain, deep valleys, and coastlines.
• Known as the "Cradle of History" due to historical events like Magellan's arrival, the first Mass in the Philippines, and Gen. Douglas MacArthur's return.
• Tacloban City is considered a major center for industry, commerce, and education.

Key Cities/Municipalities

• Baybay
• Borongan
• Calbayog
• Catbalogan
• Maasim
• Ormoc
• Palo
• Tacloban

Languages/Dialects

• Abaknon
• Capul (Northern Samar)
• Baybayanon (Baybay, Leyte)
• Cebuano
• Kinabaliwan
• Waray-Waray (Biliran, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar)

Important Locations

• Tres Marias Mountains (Biliran)

Cultural Practices

• Arnis (a martial art) is practiced by the Waray people.
• A traditional festival called "Pintados" is held in Tacloban City to commemorate the Pintados of the Philippines.
• "Turugpo" (a ritual featuring local animals like carabao, or a competition) is a traditional event in Carigara, Leyte.
• "Bakayaw" (a traditional Waray wedding dance) involves the newlyweds performing the dances of "tinikling" and "kuratsa" while locals "toss" money in the air.
• Community-based harvesting is a common practice in the region.

Economy

• Rice farming, swill farming, and other agricultural activity are common locally.
• Basket weaving, metal crafts, wood crafts, shell crafts, bamboo crafts, ceramics, and pottery are common crafts.