Da-o Balay Kawilan, Dulag, Leyte

No need to travel long from the city to find a serene place to relax! Just more than an hour ride from the city of Tacloban, you can find Da-o Balay Kawilan located in Sabang, Dulag, Leyte, the idyllic pastoral place for your kind of weekend getaway.

Just like the San Juan by the Bay and Floating Resto inSta. Rita, Samar and the San Jose Skimboarding Camp in San Jose, Dulag, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation established the Da-o Balay Kawilan of Sabang, Dulag, Leyte as part of its community based sustainable tourism and Bantay Kalikasan project, in partnership with the Municipality of Dulag, ABS-CBN Corporation and through the generous donors of Sagip Kapamilya. This is to promote eco-tourism in the area, and to furnish livelihoods to many locals.

Da-o Balay Kawilan offers a notable countryside experience featuring Leyte as a provincial eco-tourism site. With just an entrance fee of P20.00 per head, you can now explore the area and unwind for some time, relieving stress from work and worries.

Entrance Fee: P20 – Adults/P15 – Senior Citizens/P10 – Kids

The locals in-charge were so friendly, glowingly smiled and greeted us warmly with “Good afternoon ma’am!” ‘though they were busy at the garden.

This place is actually located at the beach close to a river. The place has a wide fish pen or pond set on the river surrounded by floating cottages obviously made of dented bamboo stems and nipa fruticans or palms. Fishing will be allowed soon, according to the in-charge.

You can rest on cozy seats inside those cottages, or lie on these comf'table sofas for awhile. 

Kayaking is also available and you can order some snacks at the counter if you haven’t brought any. But still, it is best to bring your own food since the public resto may not provide all your desired orders. 

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 Zest
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for jeepneys which transports to Dulag, Leyte. Travel takes more than an hour ride from the city. You'll have to tell the driver to drop you off at the road to Sabang Daguitan Surf Camp. 

Note: You’ll see a Da-o Balay Kawilan signboard along the highway. Enter that road going there. As you travel straight to the beach, you need to enter the Sabang Daguitan Surf Camp – the road to Da-o starts here.  

If you are from Tacloban City, this signboard is situated at the left side.

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 Dulag, Leyte.

Notes: 

• There are two (2) companies which operates from Cebu City to Baybay, Leyte: Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc. and Roble Shipping Lines, Inc. 
• There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Ormoc, and Hilongos, Leyte.

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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.

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.

3-Day Cebu and Bohol Trip

Our 4-day trip first started at Bohol, Philippines. Below are the places we’ve visited:

A. BOHOL

LOBOC RIVER AND FLOATING RESTO

Upon arriving Bohol, we took our buffet lunch at a  restaurant afloat on a river at Loboc Town, Bohol.

A local singer sings native songs and the phrase, “Balik sa Bohol Balik!” registered to our minds, sung it repeatedly even after the trip. Haha. 

We cruised around the river aboard this floating restaurant, started by crossing under Laoay Bridge and then arrived at the location of the Ati Tribe. 

SAGBAYAN PEAK AND CHOCOLATE HILLS

We head up to Sagbayan Peak, a hilltop pool resort offering a 360-degree panorama vista of the well-known Chocolate Hills.

We arrived at the viewing deck by going up through a flight of stairs made conveniently for guests. From top you’ll be able to see these rounded natural elevation, the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol dispersed and scattered in nearby locations.

We also visited the BACLAYON CHURCH, the second oldest stone church in the Philippines and passed by the well-known Man-made Forest.

BLOOD COMPACT

While we were on our way to our next destination, we visited the memorial structure of the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos.

B. CEBU CITY

BASILICA DEL STO NINO

After our Bohol tour, we went back to Cebu to continue our trip by visiting some famous city destinations, most of which were historical sites. We then visited The Sto. Nino Church - considered as the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the country, exactly constructed where the image of the Holy Child, the Santo Niño de Cebu was found and discovered.

MAGELLAN’S CROSS

Positioned next to the Sto. Nino Church is a small chapel where the Magellan’s Cross is lodged. This Christian Cross was established by Ferdinand Magellan along with other Portuguese and Spanish explorers upon arriving in Cebu.

TAOIST TEMPLE

Our Cebu tour also includes the Taoist Temple - situated at Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. You need to hike up through a long staircase before reaching the temple. 

We took part in a wish granting ritual where we tossed two blocks of wood onto the floor. Visitors could have the luck for a wish to be granted depending on how these woods land on the ground. 

MACTAN SHRINE

You shouldn’t miss this 20-meter tall memorial stone in remembrance of Rajah Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino hero who defeated Ferdinand Magellan and other Spanish conquistadors during the battle in Mactan.

MAGELLAN SHRINE

This shrine was built for the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, on this legendary spot where he was defeated in the 1952 Battle of Mactan.

HERITAGE OF CEBU MONUMENT

We also visited the Heritage of Cebu Monument - The vast figures and statuaries depict the significant historical events, structures, and characters of Cebu.

SUGBO MUSEUM

We've also visited some museums and one of which was the Sugbo Museum. This includes several galleries of most where Spanish-era and American-era collections. 

SAN CARLOS MUSEUM

San Carlos Museum is best known for its anthropological and archaeological galleries. It is located at San Carlos University.

OSMENIA MEMORABILIA

We stopped at Osmena Memorabilia and the CAP Art Gallery which was built as a museum for commemoration and a tribute intended for President Sergio Osmena. 

FORT SAN PEDRO

We ended our 3-day Bohol and Cebu Tour at Fort San Pedro - located in Plaza Indepedencia near Cebu’s wharf area. You can tour around the citadel of which the setting is in Spanish context.

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Travel Agency: All World Travel House

Amount Paid for the Trip: P4,300

(P.S. Credits goes to my friends for the pictures. Forgot to bring my camera that time and past phone’s pic quality isn’t good. Took the trip last September 2010.)

FLIGHTS FROM CEBU AND VICE VERSA

Angeles 1h 25m    Cebu Pacific Bacolod 50m    Cebgo, Philippine Airlines Busan, South Korea 4h 15m    Air Busan, Jin Air Butuan 45m    Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines Cagayan de Oro 45m    Philippine Airlines, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific Calbayog 1h 10m    Cebgo Camiguin 45m    Cebgo Caticlan 1h 5m    Cebgo Chengdu, China 3h 50m    China Eastern Davao 1h 5m    Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines Del Carmen 1h 0m    Cebgo Dipolog 50m    Cebgo Dumaguete 40m    Cebgo El Nido, Palawan 1h 40m    AirSWIFT General Santos 1h 10m    Cebu Pacific Hong Kong 2h 45m    Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific Iloilo City 50m    Philippine Airlines, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific Kalibo 50m    Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3h 55m    Philippines AirAsia Legazpi, Albay 1h 10m    Cebgo Los Angeles, USA 12h 50m    Philippine Airlines Manila 1h 15m    Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Philippines,  Nagoya, Japan 4h 5m    Philippine Airlines Ormoc 45m    Cebgo Osaka, Japan 4h 10m    Philippine Airlines Ozamiz 55m    Cebgo Pagadian 1h 5m    Cebgo Puerto Princesa 1h 15m    Cebu Pacific Roxas, Capiz 50m    Cebgo Seoul, South Korea 4h 25m    Jin Air, Jeju Air, Korean Air Singapore 3h 35m    Cebu Pacific, Silkair, Tigerair Surigao City 45m    Cebgo Tacloban 45m    Philippine Airlines, Cebgo Taipei, Taiwan 2h 50m    EVA Air, Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia Tandag 1h 10m    Cebgo Tokyo, Japan 4h 30m    Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Xiamen, China 2h 55m    Xiamen Airlines Zamboanga City 1h 5m    Cebu Pacific

Source: Unknown

CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY

If you are from Leyte and would like to get to Cebu City via ferryboats, you can take the Ormoc-Cebu route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Tacloban, Ormoc, or Baybay 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.

Note: 

• There are also Leyte-Cebu 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.