The Catbalogan in My Mind

Catbalogan,,,my birthplace.  The capital of Samar, Catbalogan is one of two cities of the province.  It is part of the second district which has the bigger population.

Though small in land measurement, Catbalogan is teeming with daily activities making a sort of "melting pot" in the area.  The economy is booming and establishments have mushroomed especially when it became a city in 2007.

Since then, resorts such as M Grand Royale, Juvie's Resort and Seaside Resort were constructed to cater to the leisure needs of the people. As for hotels, there are already a lot to choose from. Worth mentioning are First Choice Hotel, Casa Kristina, San Francisco Hotel. GV Hotel, Novo Hotel and Rolet Hotel. Social/entertainment venues, commercial entities and such have sprouted. Also, privately-owned residential enclaves have been and are being developed.

Schools with tertiary level such as St. Mary's College of Catbalogan, Samar College and Samar State University provide education not only among the students of Catbalogan but caters to the other neighboring municipalities.

Catbalogan is lucky to be in the midst of the country's spawning ground of seafood - the Maqueda Bay.  Fresh sea products are bountiful in this God-blessed city.  Seafood businesses abound. Families have prospered thanks to the gifts given by the sea.

San Bartolome is the patron saint of the city. Its parish church bears the name of the saint. Catbaloganons are religious by nature. Feasts and catholic practices are strictly adhered to by its people. The annual fiesta is celebrated every August.

The local government is trying its best to deliver not only the basic necessities to its people. It has proven that it is capable of elevating this once-sleepy town into a bustling city this side of the country. Despite the limitations in space, the local government officials have instilled the importance of discipline, unity, sustainability and working for progress. Catbalogan is a city of its own uniqueness.

Its people, especially the youth, give radiance and energy not only to the city but to the whole province as well.

Despite the natural calamities that have struck the city, its people have proven to be strong and resilient.

What is the Catbalogan in my mind? For me, being a true-blooded Catbaloganon, it is a city that has a full potential of becoming a contributor to our country's growth. It is a city waiting to be harnessed by the national government in order to bring out it full potentials. It is a city waiting to be discovered as a beautiful haven. It is a city that I love because I was born there and it is where we reside.

From Manila, one can go to Catbalogan City by air either via Tacloban City or Calbayog City. Both cities are serviced by PAL Express and Cebu Pacific Air. Additional flights via Air Asia and Tiger Air can be availed via Tacloban City. By land, one can traverse through the Maharlika Highway either from Luzon or Mindanao by the many buses that ply their respective routes. Accommodations are already in place for all kinds of tourists who may want to visit the city.

I entice the readers to visit our small but wonderful city...a city like no other.