MacArthur Leyte

As mentioned in my previous story, let us go to MacArthur (Leyte). Note that I specified the province (Leyte), and might keep doing so, to avoid confusion. Because, there is another town in this same region, that bears a similar name (MacArthur, Eastern Samar).

Actually, if you have read the "I Shall Return" portion of a story I wrote long ago, there is a unique nuance at how local folks (especially the millenials) easily differentiate them. That is by using "General" for the Eastern Samar town. Shortened, it's called "GenMac".

Anyway, MacArthur, our topic now, in the province of Leyte, is just about 8kms of good pavement from Mayorga on the national highway along the eastern coast of the island.

view of the church and compound at MacArthur Leyte
First notable sight I saw was this nice-looking church just along the national highway. As we entered via this pathway, this church reminded me of the UP Chapel in Diliman (near 'shopping center', across the infirmary). Round-shaped, and about the same size!

But when we got closer, I stopped comparing. This one is ages away in form or function!
sloe-up view of the church at MacArthur Leyte
First of all, it was closed so I could not go and see the insides hehe. Plus, even from this far (I did not get off the car), you can already tell that this parish does not care about seniors (di ba sila ang madalas magsimba?) and PWDs. Yes I looked around. No ramps!

And my witty driver had something to say again...
"Di ba sir me meeting ka sa Palo ke bishop next week? isumbong mo kaya!" Hahaha!

Anyway, I discovered something... as we circled around to the municipal hall located at another block diagonally across and behind this church, I noticed it is not after all really a round building. Just half of a round building hahaha! So I told myself, all the more this should not be compared with the UP Chapel! Malayo! Isa syang huwad na bilog hahaha!

So this is the municipal hall of MacArthur Leyte...
municipal hall building of MacArthur Leyte
Looks like they just finished repainting this building - scaffolding materials are still on ground. And it looks like they're not repainting the roof. Well, walang basagan ng trip!

But, seeing its nearby structures, I think this town still has a lot of repairing to do...
That little green building to the right seems a new addition or newly repaired. But the blue wooden structure to the left, well, it's still disheveled hehe! Like every other town we passed-by though, they are repairing this and that, here and there. Haay Yolanda!

Oh, that lone blue colored vehicle is a brand new farm tractor you would wonder what it is doing there! Baka newly delivered. But these things on left foreground is worrisome. Those fence grills are still in disarray, and the powerline post is in a Pilita Corrales pose!

Looking further left from the above picture, this is what we see... OMG 'no?!
The other structures back there are still in total disarray, and looking at those flagpoles reminds us at how strong the super typhoon was. Everything has to be repaired in some way or another. At least they've painted anew the wrought iron fence. O di ba? hehehe!

Anyway again, after a brief introductory meeting with some folks in the munisipyo, we went off to proceed further and faaarther south. Am not even halfway of my itinerary yet.

As we backed away, I saw across the street, the gate of MacArthur National High School.
entrance gate of MacArthur National High School, MacArthur Leyte
There is something notably interesting about this gate of the school. This was previously the back of the whole compound, the front being over at the national highway parallel to this street. They (GPTA) transferred it here for safety of the students. Very bright move!

Hmm, MacArthur Central School (an elementary school) is just beside this high school. Why is their gate still facing the highway when they have younger children? Ma'am/Sir!

Anyway again... let's proceed way south to Southern Leyte! In my next story hehe!

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