The northern and eastern coasts of Samar were traditionally referred as Ibabao and were always perceived as wilder than the western coast. Samar was the first island cited by intrepid European discoverer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Homonhon Island, south of the island of Samar, was his first landfall. Other Spanish explorers also visited the Samar before conquest and missionary work began in the beginning of the 17^th century. The towns of Balangiga, Borongan and Sulat were early centers of missionary activity.

The eastern coast was relatively left unharmed by the Moro raids that plagued the western coast but settlements remained small and communication with the rest of the island was restricted. Eastern Samar, along with the other Samar provinces, was once part of the province of Cebu, until they were included in the newly created province of Leyte in 1735. In 1768, Samar became a separate province.

In 1901, during the Filipino-American War, Filipino revolutionaries wiped out an entire American battalion in the infamous Balangiga Massacre. The American military retaliated by burning many Samar towns and instituting repressive measures to force the guerrillas to surrender. In June 1902, civil government was established. The Americans Navy established an airport at Guiuan, which was abandoned after World War II. In 1950, the airport served as a refugee camp for Russians fleeing Communist China.

Eastern Samar was established as a separate province in June 1965 through the enactment of Republic Act No. 4221. The underdeveloped province became a stronghold of the Communist insurgent New People’s Army at the height of its power in the 1980s.

The Warays of Eastern Samar, share the general Waray ethnic traits of affability and good-nature. They live sedate lives, and think mostly of making their land fertile or fishing the rich seas and providing for their families. The people also produce local handicrafts from abaca, buri, pineapple fiber, and coconut husks. Sinamay or abaca cloth weaving is a home-based industry.

Perhaps, as a result of the harsh climate of the province, the Eastern Samareños have developed a strong religiosity with strong indigenous elements. Fishermen call upon the patroness of storms, Santa Barbara, before they go out to sea to ensure fair weather. The people of Borongan are devoted to their patroness and the feast of Our Lady of the Nativity is celebrated in a festival called the Padul-ong, a major religious observance among the people of Eastern Samar. Guian boasts of a 16th century church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception considered to be the finest in Eastern Visayas, with hand-carved doors, altars, and old santos created by nameless local Waray artisans.

The Landing of Magellan in the island of Homonhon four centuries ago, is immortalized by the people of Eastern Samar. On the beach believed to be where the expedition landed is a deep stream called Cantilado. At present, one can see a stone marker on a rock bearing insciptions made by Magellan’s party. What Pigafetta referred as the "Watering Place of Good Signs’ is not far away from the stone marker. Every year, the landing at Homonhon is reenacted on March 16.

Hamorawan spring is a popular site because of certain myths and miracles attributed to its waters. Legend has it that whoever takes a bath in the cool spring, especially male visitors, will surely go home with a Borongan wife. The beauty of the people of Eastern Samar have inspired not a few intrepid travelers to journey to the region. In Balangiga, popular folklore recounts how a Moro Sultan traveled all the way to Samar in search of the famed beauty Layong Uray, whom he brought back to Mindanao to be his queen.

Eastern Samar faces each new morning perched on the Pacific coast of Samar Island. The province is a 20-hour ride from Manila, although it may also be reached via a 5-hour bus ride from Tacloban City. Eastern Samar has a total land area of 447,075 hectares, much of which is classified as timberland. The local population has reached 329,335, part of which forms the 262,000 strong labor force with a participation rate of about 65%. The province has 195,188 hectares devoted to agricultural crops. Livestock and poultry production has reached 64,785 and 349,130 heads respectively. The province is also heavily endowed with marine, forest and mineral resources as well as blessed with scenic locations perfect as tourist spots.

The main road network of Eastern Samar runs along the coastal areas and links the province to rest of the country. The province has two feeder airports that can accommodate aircraft for general aviation and another one used for military purposes only. There are no regular flights currently available in these facilities. There are 16 seaports in the province, two of which can accommodate big inter-island vessels while the rest are limited to vessels with under 300 tons capacity. The government owns and operates telecommunications systems in all 23 municipalities, 19 of which are equipped with radios while the remaining 4 have landline telegraph and telephone facilities. Three private telecommunications firms also operate in the province, one of which provides long distance telephone services. Easter Samar has four government banks and seven rural banks to handle the banking needs of the province. At present only 12 out of the 23 municipalities have electricity and only 3 municipalities are served by formal water system.

Eastern Samar provides good business opportunities in the areas of trade and processing of marine products. The major commercial fish species caught in the province include, yellow fin and big-eye tuna, bonito, frigate, mackerel, anchovy, snapper, lobster, crab, squid and even aquarium fishes. Inland aquaculture has also taken root and in 1992, total area dedicated to this endeavor reached 183 hectares. Forest products like rattan, almaciga, bamboo, wild flowers and ornamental plants may also be traded or processed into household items and Christmas decors that currently have a huge export demand. Eastern Samar also has 11 major tourist spots that include pristine beaches, ancestral landmarks, natural caves and rock formations. Resorts, lodging house and restaurants catering to tourists are just some of the possible business ventures that can be anchored on these exciting places.

Development Initiative Highlights: