Hidden Treasures of Samar in the Philippines

[PeterG]

Samar in the Philippines is a multi-faceted gem yet to be fully discovered as a world-class tourism destination. Aside from its unique art and culture, its natural attractions can reveal so much wonders. Just consider the underground rivers and caves found beneath some of its waterfalls which are now the subject of fascinating cave diving.

This gem of a province in the eastern Visayas region may not be as popular as other places in the country, but Samar in the Philippines has many things to boast of.

At the mention of the San Juanico Bridge, some people readily associate this engineering feat to Samar which is linked with Leyte through it. The people native to this province mostly speak Waray, which is also how Samar folks are sometimes called, and is often associated with their brave and daring spirit known to fear nothing and no one.

Cebuano and Filipino are also spoken in the island-province but not as popularly as Waray. Majority of Samar’s 24 municipalities are loyal to their native Waray, while the two cities, Catbalogan, the capital, among them, are more open to other dialects of the country. English is also used in schools and offices in Catbalogan.

Samar in the Philippines is the seat of the unique and rare kut-kut art which was rampant in the 17th century. Few kut-kut artworks can be seen in the province today. It is depicted by a series of delicate swirls in weaving with the use of different textures and three-dimensional designs. Aside from this unique art, Samar also boasts of unique natural tourist spots that never fail to astound the imagination.

Just look at the Sohoton National Park in Baset, Samar with its fascinating 840 hectares of thick forests, hills, mountains, and rivers, not to mention the magnificent caverns and fissures and underground rivers. Tourists are beginning to discover the wonders of the Sohoton natural bridge with a giant arch naturally carved on the rocky sides of adjoining mountains and which announces the lively Sohoton River nearby.

Suhotan Natural Park in Samar has enthralling caves the size and grandeur of cathedrals located in Panhulugan I and II and in Bugosan. The Panhulugan Cliffs are breath-taking, to say the least, and the Kapigtan and Bugasan Caves are rich with relics belonging to the Stone and Iron Ages.

Spelunking activities underwater are also becoming popular in Samar. Masakpasa Cave in Barangay San Andres located in Catbalogan is a fast-becoming popular site for cave diving. This unique diving adventure is done in the fresh water catch basins of waterfalls in Samar, not in the sea, although beaches in this province are also ideal for diving.

Other Samar spots perfect for cave diving are Blanca Aurora Falls, some 28 miles from the capital city, the waterfalls in Basey and Sohoton National Park, and the Nasarang Falls which is 20 miles away from the capital.