TACLOBAN was formerly known as Kankabatok, named after the first settler Kabatok who occupied the area around the present Sto. Nino Church. Other inhabitants who came later were Gumoda, Haranging and Huraw who settled in the nearby areas. The Kanhuraw Hill, where the City Hall is presently situated was formerly Huraw’s domain. The whole settlement area was called Kankabatok, meaning Kabatok’s property.

Kankabatok was formerly under the political administration of Palo but under the parochial jurisdiction of Basey, Samar. The Augustinian Mission discovered Kankabatok in 1770 and the Franciscans came later in 1813. During this period, Kankabatok was changed to “Tarakluban” which means the place where the inhabitants used the “Taklub”, a bamboo contraption, to catch crabs, shrimps and fish. Later, the name of the place evolved from “Tarakluban” to its present name, Tacloban.

Although no official records show, it is commonly believed that Tacloban was officially proclaimed a municipality in 1770, after the provinces Leyte and Samar were separated in 1768. Since then, Tacloban became a trading point between the two provinces because of its strategic location. On February 26, 1839, Tacloban became the capital of Leyte because of the ideal location of its port which is well sheltered and had adequate facilities.

Colonel Murray arrived in Tacloban in 1901 and became the first Military Governor of Leyte. He opened the Tacloban port to world commerce, especially for copra and abaca, which were exported in large quantities. Before World War II, Tacloban was the center of commerce, education, social and cultural activities in Leyte. The educational institutions were: Leyte Normal School, now the Leyte Normal University; Leyte High School now known as the Leyte National High School; Leyte Trade School which today is the Eastern Visayas State University; Holy Infant Academy, which is now known as Holy Infant College and the Tacloban Catholic Institute.

On June 20, 1952, Tacloban was proclaimed a chartered city virtue of Republic Act No. 760 which took effect on June 12, 1953. The charter was signed by President Elpidio Quirino and witnessed by then incumbent Mayor, Ildefonso Cinco, who apparently became the first City Mayor.

On June 30, 1954, on the Feast Day of Sr. Sto. Nino, the Patron Saint of Tacloban, Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose B. Laurel did the honor of laying the cornerstone for the Tacloban City Hall at Kanhuraw Hill. As a new city, Tacloban attracted businessmen looking for sound investment prospects while people from neighboring towns slowly began to look for opportunities and laid roots in the city.

On June 12, 2003, Tacloban City celebrated its Golden Anniversary with fitting rites and activities with Mayor Alfred T. Romuladez at its helm. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Talcoban’s city hood showed the long trail of significant activities leading to the present status of Tacloban by which economic, infrastructural and social gains were achieved.

From the beginning, Tacloban City has grown to be the premier city of Eastern Visayas, gateway of the region and the center of trade and industry, culture, education, communication and tourism. Also when you hear the word Leyte, the first thing that would come in mind is Binagol and Chocolate moron, sometimes, even Suman-latik and Sagmani. These delicacies give the province its identity. Here are the delicacies that you should not miss if you get the chance to visit Leyte.

• Binagol, is a sweet delicacy that has a different taste and a distinct packaging. Binagol is made from glutinous rice and taro pudding with nuts, it also has an exciting part in the middle. There is a sweet mixture of coconut and “Kalamay” (an alternative for brown sugar) in the middle. It is called as BINAGOL because of its packaging that is in a coconut shell, which is “bagol” in Waray-Waray. Tourists often associate binagol to Tacloban City since it is said that your visit to Leyte is not complete without buying Binagol and other native delicacies. But actually Binagol is a popular delicacy produced by the municipality of Dagami, Leyte. Only that Tacloban City is the center of Leyte that they should have that product because every tourists that will come in Leyte will landed in Tacloban City.

• Chocolate Moron, is an exquisite chocolatey ‘kakanin’ that is wrapped in a banana leaf, a combination of white coating and chocolate mixture. Moron is always present in all occasions in Leyte and Samar. The technique to make a delicious chocolate moron is that you have to balance the chocolate mixture and the white coating mixture so that you’ll get the perfect play of textures.

 

• Suman-Latik, is another version of rice cake that is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, brown sugar or Calamay, which makes the taste distinct. Just like with the other delicacies in Tacloban City, Suman is also wrapped in banana leaf. The latik, (it is a mixture of coconut milk and brown sugar or calamay) is topped in suman to have a sweet taste in it.

 

• Sagmani is made from cassava and taro but, some are using sweet potatoes. It is similar to Binagol, the texture is smooth and sticky. It is a combination of sugar, coconut milk, peanuts    (boiled) and fresh banana leaves (heated).

 

Tacloban is considered as the main gateway by air to any place in Eastern Visayas. Tourists from around the globe would probably set foot in the city when they travel to any place in the region.Tacloban offers its own unique attractions and activities both for local and foreign tourists. You can even stay for weeks or months to explore this city dubbed as the City of Hope. So if you are thinking of what to do and where to go when you’re in Tacloban City, here are 6

things you can do within the city and nearby towns.

• Cross and Cruise San Juanico Bridge. Dare to cross the longest bridge in the Philippines, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte. When you’re standing or walking at the middle of the bridge, experience the vibrations when a heavy vehicle is passing. Remember that this engineering marvel is 2.16 kilometers long. Try San Juanico Cruise to experience cruising along san Juanico Strait and see the marvelous bridge from the under. The organizers of San Juanico Cruise made a series of successful trial cruises last year. This year, with the help of investors, they are hoping to make this tourism project a full run.

• Take a perfect picture of Leyte Provincial Capitol Building. Capture the splendid neoclassical structure of Leyte Provincial Capitol Building located at the corner of Senator Enage Street and Magsaysay Boulevard in Tacloban City. Before the City was proclaimed as HUC, this is where the Governor of Leyte is being sheltered. All the transactions of the Province were done here. Also did you know that Tacloban became the capital of the Philippines from 20 October 1944 to 27 February 1945? While Manila was still under the control of the Japanese during WWII, the Capitol served as the temporary seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines under President Sergio Osmeña.

• Chill out at Kanhuraw Hill. Enjoy the atmosphere in Kanhuraw Hill. Your visit in Tacloban wouldn’t be complete without visiting the City Hall of Tacloban. Unlike other city halls, Tacloban City Hall is situated at the top of Kanhuraw Hill, a relaxing spot in the city where you can relax and unwind while facing Kankabato Bay. It is also at Kanhuraw where you will find the infamous Madonna of Japan, a monument built as a symbol of friendship between the Japanese and Filipinos.

 

• Visit the new Sto. Niño Church of Tacloban. See the transformation of Sto. Niño Church. It was badly damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, but thanks to generous donors, especially Tzu Chi Foundation, the church was rebuilt. The church is considered as the main church of Tacloban City and home to the miraculous image of the Senor Santo Niño – the patron of the city.Sto. Niño Church is only within a walking distance from Kanhuraw Hill. Hence, don’t forget to pay a visit, especially if you’re a Catholic devotee.

 

• Discover what’s inside Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum. Santo Niño is probably one of the first to come to mind when Tacloban is mentioned. It is the patron saint of the city and many of its people’s religious events revolve around the Santo Niño. Also find out what’s inside Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum. It is located along Real Street beside the People’s Center Library. The mansion was built by President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos. It is now under the custody of the government through PCGG. Inside, expect to see collections of luxurious artifacts, including paintings, furniture, religious relics, ivory sculptures and dioramas. You can even see Senator Bongbong Marcos’ school grades displayed in one of its rooms.

• Offer prayers for the people who died during Yolanda. Pay a tribute to the Yolanda victims, as well as the survivors and heroes who have helped Tacloban, Leyte and Eastern Visayas rise again. Several Yolanda memorials were built, not only in Tacloban City, but also in other parts of the region to remember the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Also Visit Yolanda Memorial Marker in Astrodome Memorial Marker in Sagkahan (beside Tacloban Convention Center). You may also visit Holy Cross Memorial Park in Brgy. Basper to offer a prayer for the thousands of souls who died during Typhoon Yolanda.

 

• Hike to the Stations of the Cross and see the overlooking view of Tacloban City. Burn some calories and start a religious journey by hiking to the top of the Stations of the Cross in Calvary Hill, Siren District of Tacloban City. There are 14 Stations along the way. Each station has life-size sculptures depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. At the top of Calvary Hill is a huge statue of the resurrected Jesus Christ, facing the city of Tacloban from above like He was taking care of the city. The best time to go to the Stations of the Cross is during the dry season from 4 pm to 5 pm, where sunlight is not already excruciatingly hot and where you can catch the incredible colors and cloud formations in the sky.

We are not makers of history. We are made by history. — Martin Luther King