Samar's Italian Restaurant

Pasqualino’s Ristorante Italiano

Pasqualino’s Ristorante Italiano is an Italian diner well-designed in sophisticated site, classily made for wedding and party venues.  It is actually a hilltop restaurant located at Sta. Rita, Samar, built overseeing the famous San Juanico Bridge in Visayas.

However, it wasn’t the refined setting that captured me the most but the scenic vista from the top, which feels like I’m back to Tagaytay. While overlooking the sea and the neighbouring mounts, it feels like I was surrounded by a picturesquely ingenuous backdrop, of which in any approach can give you a beautiful background.

A small pool is situated infront of the dining tables, and the yard adjacent to it was a beautifully-designed shrubby garden, also made up of ornamented plants and small trees.

Italian dish and snacks are served on your tables, priced reasonably.

   

Note: The pool is not open for public. Consent is needed from the owner if you need to use it.

Location: Sta. Rita, Samar, Philippines

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for jeepneys bound for Sta. Rita, Samar. Tell the driver to drop you off at Pasqualino's Ristorante Italiano.

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal ride vans bound for Tacloban City. 

Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Baybay, and Hilongos, Leyte. 

CEBU CITY VIA CATBALOGAN

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Samar via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Catbalogan route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via Roble Shipping Lines, Inc.). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. Look for vans at the terminal bound for Sta. Rita, Samar.

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Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.

San Juan Boardwalk and Floating Resto

San Juan Boardwalk and Floating Resto was recently built after Super Typhoon Haiyan by the Municipality of Sta. Rita, Samar in partnership with ABS-CBN; An eco-tourism project made primarily to promote tourism in the area and to establish jobs for the local residents.

Entrance fee: P20

We crossed a 400-meter bridge made up of hollowed bamboo stems, surrounded by high statured mangroves before we reach the floating beanery.

The San Juanico Bridge is clearly seen from the restaurant. The local establishment also offers a comfortable stay by providing guests cozy seats where you can sleep for awhile.

Photo grabbed from Choose Philippines. (Credits)

You need to book early before the scheduled trip if you want to dine at the resto. They do not serve on the spot orders. But nevertheless, you can buy some snacks and chips at the counter (like biscuits or junk foods).

Activities:

Fishing

Kayaking

Swimming

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

If you are from Tacloban City, ride a jeepney for Sta. Rita, Samar. A sign post is situated at the left side along the highway at Sta. Rita, just few minutes from San Juanico Bridge. You need to enter a small road going to the destination or you can ask some locals to guide you there.  

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal ride vans bound for Tacloban City. 

Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Baybay, and Hilongos, Leyte.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.

San Pedro Island

San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

While we were having our vacation in Silago, we planned to visit the San Pedro Island of the neighboring town, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. We rent two boats for our trip and leave off the coast of Silago then arrived at San Pedro Island after two (2) hours.

We did not pay any entrance fees since we docked at the beach which we assume was a public territory. The island was actually inhabited but as soon as we arrived there it was so quiet, so peaceful; I only saw a man or two passing by the small street.

Of course we didn’t forget to bring viands of seafood cuisine which was everyone’s favorite. We enjoyed swimming on its unruffled, sheer waters and spent the whole afternoon taking pictures on its white, coral-made beach.

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to St. Bernard, or Hinundayan, Southern Leyte. Land travel to Hinunangan takes about three (3) hours from the city. You'll have to tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Canipaan.
 

Note: Make sure that the PUVs pass by Silago or Hinunangan. There are buses which head to St. Bernard via Sogod, Southern Leyte.

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal and ask drivers which vans and buses go or pass by Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. 

• There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Baybay, and Hilongos, Leyte. 
• San Pedro island is inhabited so there are mini stores at the island for your immediate needs. But please know that the resources are just limited.
• Boat rate depends on number of passengers.
• For overnight stay, you may bring tent. There are no hotel rooms at the island.
• If this blog was helpful, do tell me by posting your comment at the comment box and please do share to your friends. Just share the link on any social media accounts you have like facebook or twitter. Hoping by sharing this blog we can help the locals there. 

Special thanks to the locals who accompanied us during our trip at San Pedro Island. We enjoyed your company. Thank you, til next time!

ALSO READ:

• Laguma Rock, Silago, Southern Leyte
• Calag-itan Fish Sanctuary, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content. 

Sinapdan Island: Local Tourist Destination

Sinapdan Island

We visited this island last 2012. This was primarily my first island hopping experience; the start of my island journeys.

The Sea Breeze Resort at Sinapdan Island is just meters away (10 minute-travel) off the city’s harbor. The island is actually owned by the heirs of Espiridion M. Brillo.

The Sea Breeze Resort is an agreeable destination for picnics and other recreational activities. It is an idyllic setting for holiday or weekend getaways; a soothing place for your kind of easy street vacation; and a relaxing place for your beer and skittles.

The island is surrounded by nearby mountains and mangroves. The white sand, however, is made up of barren corals. The San Juanico Bridge is obviously visible from the island, too. 

ACTIVITIES:

        Fishing

        Jetskiing or Waterskiing

        Boating or Kayaking

        Snorkelling

        Beach camping

        Beach volleyball

Additionally, the resort offers mini cottages available for rent and tents for overnight use. It also had its own service boat to drive tourists back to the city at night. 

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I haven’t heard of the resort recuperating after Super Typhoon Haiyan destroyed the island. Hoping it will operate back again to attract tourists in Tacloban. So sad that the late typhoon Haiyan devastated a lot of Leyte’s tourist destinations.

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban Port Area via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Getting there:

From Tacloban port, we rode a passenger boat bound for Basey, Samar and told the boat operators to drop us at Sinapdan Island.

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal and ride a van bound for Tacloban.

Related Articles:

Camotes Island, Cebu

Island Hopping in El Nido, Palawan

Canigao Island, Matalom,Leyte

Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Cuatro Islas, Inopacan Leyte

Higatangan and Sambawan Island, Biliran

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content. 

Waterfalls: Mahayahay, Karaha, and Tinago

Mahayahay Falls

Location: Caridad Norte, Matalom, Leyte

Matalom, Leyte doesn’t only brags its famous Canigao Island, but it also boasts the majestic Mahayahay Falls located in Caridad Norte, which is still undiscovered by many.

Our August trip last 2015 was destined to Canigao Island but unluckily the assigned coastguards did not allow the boat operators to travel because of the unfavorable weather; sturdy winds steepened the waves (making it rough and unstable that time), which isn’t safe to cross to the nearby island.

Since I don’t want to waste a day waiting, I convinced my friends to otherwise visit the Mahayahay Falls, an unexplored tourist destination in Matalom, Leyte. 

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• CebGo
• AirAsia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for vans or buses which transports to Maasin City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Matalom, Leyte.

Reaching There:

We went to the town market to ask some habal-habal drivers to take us to Mahayahay Falls. It was a thirty (30) minute-drive from the town proper and a twenty (20) minute trekking adventure. The drivers actually served as our local guides to this tourist spot.

Note: Steep, rough and uneven road going to the destination. You need to walk or cross a river or stream so be sure to wear proper outfit.

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal and ask drivers which vans travel to Matalom, Leyte.

Matalom’s Gem: Mahayahay Falls

When you visit Canigao Island, make sure to visit Mahayahay Falls, too. It was worth the hike and time to visit this beautiful cascade, which was immensely attractive, dropping its cold waters widely down to the surface, a great spot for swimming. 

I just hope the municipality of Matalom, Leyte funds and allocate some budget for the road to this tourist destination. This explicitly a great spot for tourists or travelers to visit, and this can certainly boost tourism in the local area.

Karaha Falls 

Location: Caibiran, Biliran

So glad I got a friend who was from Caibiran - a chance to visit the Karaha Falls and the famous Tinago Falls in Biliran.

Before we head up to Tinago Falls, we first visited the Karaha Falls which is just meters away from the former. The falls was named “Karaha” because the water first drops at a basin on the upper level which looks like a ‘cooking pan’, which also means karaha in Visayan dialect.

Tinago Falls

Location: Caibiran, Biliran

We walked down to a concrete stairs leading to the waterfalls. Upon arriving to the destination, I was truly rapt by this lofty water cascade, such a piece of art! Many of the locals would climb up to its topmost to jump off the ridge, dropping 90 feet into the cold waters. The water falls from the center of a rock outcrop and is surrounded by large rocks, then flows into low-lying areas, making up a stream.

Entrance Fee: P10 

CEBU CITY VIA NAVAL

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Biliran via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Biliran route via large sea transports and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City. Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. The city’s bus terminal is just near the port area so you can directly ride vans or buses bound for Caibiran, Biliran. Upon arriving, you can ask some habal-habal drivers to take you to Karaha and Tinago Falls. 

Related articles:

Busay Falls in Babatngon, Leyte

Higatangan and Sambawan Island, Biliran

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.