What to See in Tacloban City

Tacloban is such a small city. One may be able to cover it in one whole day. I got to know the downtown area quickly, and went around from street to street, by foot. Although everything is accessible by jeep, I preferred to walk.

My first destination was the Landing Site of General MacArthur in Palo. This is just 2 jeepney rides away from my hotel. I took the jeep from Real St. to Robinson’s.

If you grew up in the 80's, you definitely know Cristina. She's a Councilor of Tacloban City now.

From Robinson’s, I took another jeep going to rotunda, and went down right across the Philippine Science High School.

You can choose to walk all the way to the park, or take the pedicab.

Pedicab = bicycle with a side car.

I made a quick stop at the Boy Scout Monument. This was erected in 1941, making it the first Boy Scout monument in the world in human form.

The boy scout is holding a bamboo patrol staff and a tree seedling.

Up ahead, I was greeted by the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park.

Hello, General Douglas MacArthur!

This has been declared as a National Historical Landmark.

On this spot, General MacArthur returned to the Philippines on 20 October 1944, and personally led the swift drive against the Japanese forces. President Sergio Osmena and some members of the government-in-exile arrived with General MacArthur and proceeded to reorganize, restore and administer the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

One shouldn't leave the site without joining these brave men in the water. Yes, it is allowed (you have to remove your footwear of course!). The water is clean and regularly maintained, and there were no tadpoles and wrigglers swimming (just so you know).

The park is huge. There were several tourists and some students enjoying the afternoon breeze.

Within the park, there's this piece of artwork erected in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings.

This artwork is surrounded with plaques, bearing the messages of different presidents and dignitaries from various countries. These plaques are enclosed in a glass case, arranged in a circular manner.

My last stop in this part of town is The Filipino Soldier Monument.

I further went to the other side of Tacloban, just to catch a glimpse of the Philippines' longest bridge.

Built during the Marcos administration, the San Juanico Bridge crosses the San Juanico Strait, bridging the islands of Samar and Leyte. It connects Tacloban City on the Leyte side and the town of Santa Rita on the Samar side. This is also known as the Marcos Bridge (wiki).

I passed by the Price Mansion, now CAP Building, which used to be the former headquarters of Gen. MacArthur.

There's so much to see, so much to learn. I'm saving the best part of this trip on a separate entry. One place that took my breath away.



****************************************

Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan.