At the Back of Our Residence in Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, Samar, Philippines

Thank you, Youtube!

M GRAND ROYALE RESORT, Catbalogan City, Samar, Philippines

Thank you, Youtube!

Spark Samar!

Samar province is located in Samar island in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) which is composed of three provinces namely: Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. Sometimes, it is called Western Samar but a law states that it shall onlyt be called Samar. Its capital is Catbalogan City and is represented by two representatives in Congress.

Samar is home to one of the most diverse flora and fauna in the Philippines. It is home to several endemic species that can only be found in the forests of the province. It is also my home having been born in Catbalogan.

The province is blessed with natural resources that are for the books. Part of the Samar Natural Park is in Samar. The said park encompasses the three Samar provinces and is very much protected.

The Sohoton Natural Park in Basey and the Lulugayan Falls in Calbiga are must-see places when you visit the province. Bills are in place in the House of Representatives to also protect these natural tourism areas.

Aside from the sea water that abound, there are also inland rivers and rapids which is enticing to extreme sports lovers. So far, these areas are well-maintained and the crystal clear water can attest to the good maintenance made by the local government units.

Education is very important to the people of the Samar. Several educational institutions cater to the youth. Samar State University has several campuses in the province. Other government schools are also in the other cities and municipalities of Samar as well as private schools such as Samar College.

Samar can be reached through the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City or through the Calbayog City Airport. Most of its people take the bus from Metro Manila. With the Spark Samar campaign initiated by the provincial government, other tourists from the different provinces take the bus from nearby Mindanao and other Visayas provinces. There are also ferries that ply the Calbayog-Cebu route.

For years, Samar has struggled to be a major player in the country's tourism industry. In a few years, Samar will be in the mainstream of tourist attractions that the Philippines can offer. As a Samarnon, I just hope that tourism will not spoil our beloved province. It's time for Samar to SPARK!

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.

Zumarraga...not in Spain but in Samar

Let me start with my own hometown in Samar...Zumarraga.  It is one of the 25 cities and municipalities of my province.  Quaint it may be but it's home to a friendly population.  Around an hour motor boat ride from Catbalogan City, Zumarraga boasts of a circumferential coastline which makes the island-town a seabed of food coming the deep.  A side of the island is facing the Maqueda Bay which is the spawning ground of the country's fish and other bounties from the sea.

 

 
Zumarraga is a mixture of people from Samar and Leyte.  They have become residents of a proud Zumarraganhon race which is distinctly that of the island.  Though its population is minimal as compared to the other municipalities of Samar, it has given, in its own ways, to the heritage of the Samarnons.  Not only in politics, the town has contributed to the arts, culture, history, etc. of our country.  No need to name the people concerned but its townsfolk are truly proud of them.

Its patron saint is St. Anthony of Padua.  The parish church is named after the said saint and has a high school with the same name in the municipality.

Places of interest are the Buho Beach, Poro Island, Arteche Park and the Ruins of Sta. Barbara.

From Metro Manila, one can take a plane to either Tacloban City or Calbayog City.  From the airports of the said cities, you may hire vans going to Catbalogan City.  Tacloban to Catbalogan may take you 1 1/2 to 2 hours of land travel while Calbayog to Catbalogan is a shorter route of 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  Upon reaching Catbalogan, you just have to go to Pier 1 and take the boats plying the Catbalogan to Zumarraga route at mid-morning.  There are no trips in the afternoon but you may hire a boat all to yourself at a special fee.  No hotels have been built for tourism purposes but there are some families who are willing to accommodate tourists at a fee to be agreed by both parties.  A special visit trip can be arranged in Catbalogan so that one does not need to stay overnight in the island-town.

Feel free to google Zumarraga, Samar to know more about it.