Philippine Travel Notes

Have you ever been lost during your travels, and you felt happy about it - not on hindsight but while you were in the midst of being lost? It seldom happens, right? But that was just what happened today! After that delectable lunch at Baybay, off we went for the long drive to Tacloban via Mahaplag. In no time we were already cruising the road past Abuyog, the skies still sunny. Still early to be in Tacloban. Hmm, I saw signage that said "resort"! Thus, I asked driver to go back a bit, so we could check it out! This was that signage, pic taken after we have made a u-turn. We were facing Abuyog this time! We followed the arrow by making a left turn unto some narrow roadway - concrete only at the start! A little distant, but I said let's keep going, it should be there somewhere, in no time... hopefully hehe The trees and the greens were a wonderful sight. And, no traffic! We haven't even seen any vehicle! But driver started to worry we may have already been lost.

My title sounds like a long name of a person or place. But, those are names of 4 towns! This is still part of my " Eastern and Southern Leyte Joy Ride " that started in Tacloban. Taking off from my last stop , here goes my notes traversing the 'east' side of the island, from MacArthur (Leyte) to Silago (Southern Leyte). Probably about 60kms. of good roads. Let me start with this Balocawe Bridge at the southern exit of MacArthur... It does not show on this photo, but the weird thing is: this highway has four lanes after you cross this bridge. Will DPWH widen the bridge and this side of the road too? Sana! Look! At 7kms to Abuyog, the road is fantastic! (yung tinatawag kong 4 lanes hehe) The sides (I think they're called "shoulders") are newly paved - O, di ba 4 lanes! And the main lanes are asphalt over concrete. You'll be tempted to "fly" - if you were driving! As for me, when I say "lipad Jonathan lipad", the prompt reply i

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. 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