All you need for a trip to Leyte: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

There’s more to Leyte than the San Juanico Bridge and the MacArthur Shrine. The Visayan province has attractions that rival its neighbors — beaches like Bohol’s, lechon like Cebu’s — as well as historical sites, architectural feats and banana-leaf-wrapped delicacies all of their own.

Here’s the itinerary Drew Arellano and the “Biyahe ni Drew” made for their trip to Leyte:

How to get there
To save on airfare, book your flight with budget airline Cebu Pacific Air. Seats run out fast, so be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

What to do

Paru-parong Bukid Nature Conservation and Wellness Center
Barangay Lukay, Northwestern Leyte

Go sightseeing and food-tripping at the same time. Paru-parong Bukid has a butterfly garden, a fishing area where diners can catch organic tilapia, a kayaking center, and a restaurant that serves their signature Blue Rice, which is made by blending brown rice and indigo-tinged edible flowers.

The owner, Helly, is a nurse who whips up green smoothies for guests. Day entrance fee is P20, but you can also book rooms if you plan to stay overnight.

Zip line across Agas-Agas Bridge
Barangay Kahupian, Sogod, Southern LeyteAgas-Agas is the tallest bridge in the Philippines, built to keep people safe from landslides that occur in the ravine below. If you’re looking for an extra kick of adrenaline, try the zip line for P280. It’s over 300 feet high and at its fastest point, speeds reach up to 160 kilometers per hour!

Travel blogger Pinoy Adventurista recommends several routes to get there: “From Tacloban, you can take a van bound for Maasin, Southern Leyte. Tell the driver to drop you at Mahaplag crossing. Fare is P150 and travel time is one-and-a-half to two hours. From there, hire a habal-habal for P300 (two-way) going to Agas-Agas bridge. Travel time is around 30 minutes. You may also take a van from Tacloban City bound for Sogod; it passes by the Agas-Agas Bridge."

Kalanggaman Island
Palompon, Northwestern Leyte

This island is a marine reserve that offers travelers a shot at “voluntourism”. Giant clams called “taclobo” are raised in their facilities and re-introduced every quarter to help revive the population. On regular days, the island is open for snorkeling and diving.

If you're staying in Southern Leyte, don't worry. Marine life thrives in this underrated dive spot.

What to see

MacArthur Shrine
Palo, Northwestern Leyte

The words are in all our History textbooks: “I shall return.” General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled this promise at the banks of Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944. Though only a third of the men he left behind survived to see his return, MacArthur’s forces would eventually mount a successful campaign against Japanese forces in 1945. These days, a monument to MacArthur and his men stands at Palo, Leyte.

San Juanico Bridge
Spanning over two kilometers, San Juanico is the longest bridge in the Philippines.

What and where to eat
Sticky rice treats

We’re all familiar with suman, glutinous rice wrapped in banana or palm leaves. But in Leyte, you’ll find many types of such snacks.

• Wiri-wiri - smooth-edged rice cake that is less sweet than suman
• Tres Marias budbod - suman made with three kinds of rice
• Kurakod - available in sweet or salty and savory varieties
• Sarungsong - made with sticky rice, milk and cheese
• Chocolate morón - ground rice cooked in coconut milk, flavored with cocoa

Bocarillo
Bocarillo is another local delicacy, this time made with sugar, grated coconut and condensed milk.

Barbecued meat or grilled seafood
“Kapag nasa Southern Leyte ka, inihaw all over,” says our segment producer Deanna Bibat. Get your fill at restaurants all over the province. When near the coast, be sure to check the seafood grill restaurants.

While touring Northwestern Leyte, the team tried Ocho Seafood and Grill (Tacloban City), a ten-year old restaurant that serves different kinds of fresh seafood, including imbao, a local shellfish with round, milky meat that resembles a giant pearl. Drew’s favorites from this restaurant: porbidang kangkong, which is similar to laing, and blanched seaweed.

Alikway
Alikway is like a miniature version of alimango. One piece goes for P5, but you’re sure to finish at least five.

Where to stay

Southern Leyte:
Caimito Beach Hotel
Maasin City, Southern Leyte
Located six kilometers from the Maasin City center, Caimito offers an ocean view of Southern Leyte and the neighboring Bohol. A room for two goes for P2,250 a night - this includes hot and cold water, wi-fi, cable television and 24-hour room service. Meanwhile a family room good for four and costs P2,650. As far as bathrooms go, the double, twin and family rooms come a shower and bathtub. Breakfast is included, too!

If you’re interested, check out their reservations page. You can check the availability and prices of the rooms, and book with instant confirmation, too.

Villa Romana Hotel
Maasin City, Southern Leyte
It can be tough to travel in threes—do we book a family room or a double and a single? Try Maasin’s Villa Romana, which offers trio rooms for P1950 a night. Bonus: The hotel looks like an old-timey house, complete with wooden furnishings and capiz shell windows.

Square Pension
If you’re the backpacking type who just needs a simple place to crash at night, try their budget-friendly double rooms, which go for P800 a night.

Northwestern Leyte:
The Oriental
Palo, Northwestern Leyte
Walking distance from the MacArthur Shrine, The Oriental is a good home base for your adventures in Northwestern Leyte. Rooms for two can cost you between P4,000 and P5,000. They also offer airport transfers from Tacloban City.

What to buy for pasalubong
Binagol
This is Leyte's legendary pasalubong — a creamy mix of sweet taro, milk and gata, packed in a polished coconut shell (“bagol”).

Sagmani
This suman-like treat is made by blending either cassava, taro or kamote with coconut meat, and then cooking the whole mix in coconut cream. —Cristina Tantengco/CM, GMA News