History

The eastern coast of Leyte was reconnoitered by explorer Ferdinand Magellan and by succeeding Spanish explorers. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi passed by the island of Leyte in 1565 and Jesuit missionaries established Catholic missions in the northern part of the province towards the close of the 16^th century. In 1622, a native chief named Bankaw led a revolt centered in the town of Carigara, forsaking Catholicism and returning to the old beliefs. In 1649, Leyte was again in revolt in sympathy with the Samar revolt led by Sumuroy. The western coast of the province was severely affected by continued Moro incursions and remained sparsely settled until the 19^th century.

The island of Leyte was part of the jurisdiction of the province of Cebu until 1735, when Leyte, together with Samar, was constituted into a separate province with its capital at Carigara. In 1768, Leyte and Samar were divided into different provinces.

Leyte was an important battleground during the Second World War. The Americans and the Japanese fought a major naval battle in the Leyte Gulf in 1944 and the American victory in that battle effectively opened the Philippines to American landings. Major General Douglas MacArthur landed at Red Beach in Palo in October 1944, signaling the beginning of the "Liberation" of the Philippines from Japanese occupation.

People, Culture and the Arts

Leyte is home to Waray-speakers on the east side and Cebuano-speakers on the west coast. The central mountains have traditionally limited communication between the two sides and has created different cultural and commercial orientations. The Warays have a reputation for being very assertive, even pugnacious and more freewheeling than most other Visayans. The Cebuano-speaking Ormocnons, on the other hand, are more restrained. All Leyteños, whatever their language, are very fond of gatherings, whether it may be a party, inuman (drinking sessions), or fiestas.

The Warays of Leyte have always been known for their strong musical sense as well as their traditional dances. The list of traditional Waray musical instruments includes the kuryapi, lantug, subing, guimbal, agung, gurimaw and karatung. However, the Leyteños are particularly noted for their use of the Spanish string instrument called the bandurria. String orchestras called rondallas composed of guitars, bandurrias and mandolins abound in Leyte and are among the best in the country.

Leyte is the home of the Tinikling, a dance that mimics the bird called tikling, to the rhythmic slapping of bamboo poles. It is a dance of great agility, which requires that dancers’ feet deftly avoid getting caught by the poles. Various other dances, such as the Curacha, Cachucha, Salampate, Lulay, Alcampor, Pavo, and Cariñosa are popular in the Leyte countryside.

Christian observances also form some of the most colorful pageants of Leyte’s history and religion. The Pamalandong is the reenactment of Christ’s passion in Palo using an antique image, which moves when ‘speaking’ the final words. The passion is followed by a procession of biblical images. Holy Week observances in the town of Carigara include the Torugpo, an exciting traditional joust of native carabaos and horses held on Black Saturday. It was first held 300 years ago in defiance of the rigid rules of the Spanish friars.

Leyte is known for its devotion to the Santo Niño. Towards the end of June, the city of Tacloban becomes the center of celebrations in honor of the Santo Niño de Leyte. Fluvial processions called the Balyuan and the colorful Pintados Festival, which features the ancient tradition of body tattooing and painting practiced by the ancient Leyteños add color and revelry to the religious event.

Trade and Investments

Leyte province sprawls over 571,280 hectares of the northern portion of the ssland of Leyte. The province is only an hour away from Manila or 25 minutes from Cebu by plane. There are regular boat trips to Leyte from Manila and Cebu, while land transportation to Manila is also possible by a 24-hour bus ride. Leyte has an abundance of marine, forest, and mineral resources as well as human resources. The province is home to 1,368,510 people with a labor force of 973,000 and a participation rate of 77.8%. The province is likewise rich in cultural and historical heritage that has been preserved through special tourism projects.

The province of Leyte has 41 municipalities linked together by a good network of roads. There are three airports in the province, two commercial airports and a feeder airstrip. The DZR airport in Tacloban City is considered the region’s prime air gateway and offers regular flights to Manila and Cebu. Leyte also has a total of 17 seaports, 3 of which are classified as national ports. Telegraph stations operate in all of the municipalities of the province while direct dial domestic and overseas telecommunication services are available in 10 municipalities. There are 51 banks operating in the province, 23 of which are commercial banks. The Philippine National Oil Company-National Power Corporation Tongonan Geothermal Plant generates a total of 112.5 megawatts of electricity, which more than covers the power requirements of the province. Water needs in Tacloban City and Ormoc City are met by Leyte Metropolitan Water District and the Ormoc City Water District respectively.

Leyte is one of the top consumers of cattle, hogs, table eggs and day old chicks. This strong local demand makes a good business opportunity not only for the production but also trade of livestock and poultry products. The province’s vast marine fishing grounds covering an estimated 889,474 hectares along 29 coastal municipalities and 2 cities offer another area for investments. These rich fishing grounds previously yielded a total of 905 tons of marine products. The prospects for aquaculture are similarly attractive. The inland fresh water bodies of Leyte are ideal for growing prawns, milkfish, carp, tilapia and blue crab. Forest resources on the other hand abound in indigenous raw materials used in industrial production. Rattan, bamboo, nito, buri, and other wild vines can easily be traded as raw materials or processed into household and Christmas décor items that still enjoy a strong export demand. Finally, Leyte also holds business opportunities in tourism-based industries. The historical landmarks and scenic spots in Leyte are not only preserved and maintained by the province’s special tourism projects but more importantly are accessible to tourists from Manila and Cebu.

Development Initiative Highlights: