Rio De Janeiro of Leyte?!

Surely you’ve clicked the site coz the title ‘Rio De Janeiro of Leyte’ was intriguing, right? And perhaps you’ve asked yourself “Really?” in disbelief, eh?  But guys, there’s this kind of destination actually! A big statue of Jesus Christ was built at a mountaintop in a coastal town of the Leyte province similar to the Rio De Janeiro of Brazil!

A big sculpture of Jesus Christ was built on top of Mt. Inapusong, located at a seaside in the town of Tolosa, Leyte. This three-dimensional figure was actually the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Visitors liken the statue with the 38-meter tall Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mt. Corcovado in Brazil, calling the town of Tolosa as the Rio de Janeiro of Leyte/Rio de Janeiro of the Philippines. However, the landmark statue of Rio De Janeiro is a lot taller than of Tolosa’s.

You can get here by taking a van or jeepney from Tacloban. It’s actually just an hour drive from the city. Tell the driver to drop you off at Tolosa Public Market. You can walk or ride a pedicab going to the beach – where you can find the stairs to mountaintop.

Since Tolosa is just a neighboring town of Tanauan, Leyte (my hometown), we often climb up Mt. Inapusong to witness the sunup during weekends or hike after our morning jog.

A concrete stairs were made for visitors’ convenience so it won’t be hard for them to climb up there.

Previously, climbing at Mt. Inapusong was hard since there was nothing to hold that could help us reach the top. We clamber and swarm up there just by holding tree branches and some bushes but obviosuly these disrupt easily in one hold. I remember that time when I slipped and almost fall when we were at the middle part of the climb. Thankfully my other hand had held some shrubs before my life could be at stake. That reflex, though. It saved me. But still I got my clothes all messed up with so much mud.  Such an experience!

However today, guests can now lightly reach the mountaintop by holding the long metal bars designed to help them climb and reach the top easily. This was so much help since we don’t need to hike like a Spiderman going up there. :P There is also an on-going construction of the Twelve (12) Stations of the Cross on the mountain, since the people of Tolosa usually climb up here to pray during Holy Week.

All sweat had paid off!

Reaching the top while waiting for the sunrise was always worth the elbow grease! The sun rising up in the east was so visible from the horizon, slowly lighting up the town. I also love the gentle humid air at dawn cooling your sweat off from your body; boats at the sea were like moving toys; and watching the birds gliding over the mountain was so spectacular!

There is a small concrete hut built at the top and a tall building where the Sacred heart of Jesus was situated. You can climb up at the uppermost of this building through a metal ladder. There you can see the community of Tolosa and neighboring towns at 360 degree view. It’s like you’re watching a live Google Map. The view was so noteworthy!

Notes: 

• Please be careful. The ladder was slippery and a little rusty.
• Entrance is free of charge. 

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, at least. 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 Zest
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for jeepneys which transports to Tolosa, Leyte. Travel takes more than an hour ride from the city. You'll have to tell the driver to drop you off at Tolosa Public Market.

CEBU CITY VIA BAYBAY CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Baybay 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 Tacloban City so you'll be able to pass by Tolosa, Leyte.

Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Ormoc, 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.