Do you know what walking through a place that marks your origin and history feels like? Let me take you on a virtual tour of Leyte, Leyte - a picturesque town deeply connected to my family. Come with me and discover why this humble town feels special to me.
Leyte, Leyte: A Virtual Tour Through Its Heart
Leyte, Leyte is located in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. Waray people predominantly live in this quaint municipality, witnessing its pleasant scenery of dense greenery, a testament to its nickname, the Garden Town. This place is significant to my family as it's one of my grandmother's hometowns. She comes from the renowned Arante family, one of the most prominent families in Leyte. Let me take you on a virtual tour of Brgy. Poblacion, Leyte, Leyte's famous landscapes.
The Municipal Hall: Center of Governance
The municipal hall of Leyte, Leyte showcases simple yet artistic architecture. It has a clean, symmetrical design with a white palette and a backdrop of beautiful gardens. The space in front of the hall hosts public gatherings and cultural events, like the municipality's founding anniversary the night before and the fiesta celebration today!
Happy Fiesta Leyte, Leyte! We were hopping from one house to another for a delicious feast.
In addition, this hall is not just a symbol of creative artistry but also the center of the town's good governance and community spirit. The hall is close to the town's Leyte Central Elementary School, the rural health unit, the park, and the Immaculada Concepcion Church.
TMI: The night before the feast (besperas) was the founding anniversary celebration. After the celebration, the host called the people to dance in front of the hall with the music. With the crowd cheering, my auntie suddenly pulled me to the dance floor. She guided me to dance swing and chacha. We were gracing the dance floor with just the two of us until other people came and joined in the fun. It was a blast!
The Park: A Peaceful Retreat
A short walk from the municipal hall will take you to the town park. It's a refreshing gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The green lawns allow you to take out your blankets and arrange your picnic date! Children can also play and run around, shaded by the trees. This place is also an excellent spot for strolls, jogging, and just standing by. The park also features the statue of Immaculada Concepcion and the angels.
Moreover, the park is decorated every Christmas season with lights and other creative designs. It's great to visit this place at night, too!
The Church: A Sanctuary of Faith and Heritage
The church of Immaculada Concepcion is a beacon of faith for Leyte's Catholic residents. Its blue and white palette in a humble facade and the interior's solemnity welcome all kinds of worshippers. The church has witnessed solemn events in great connection to every person's milestones: baptisms, weddings, wakes, and fiestas.
During fiestas, the church is decorated in banderistas - small triangular flags made from paper, plastic, or cloth hung on the streets.
The church has a designated area for burning candles. The place echoes the prayers of devoted believers.
The Terminal and the Market: A Lively Cultural Hub
Let's remember the lively market of Leyte, Leyte! The terminal and public market are located in the same place. In the terminal's facade is written in capital letters.
"AURORA ARANTE YSIDORO PUBLIC TERMINAL"
Jeepneys and potpot (waray term for pedicab or cycle rickshaw) fill the terminal. It's convenient to commute to other places if you go here. Circling the terminal is the bustling marketplace. Vendors proudly display products like fresh produce, seafood, buwad (dried fish), accessories, clothes, etc. By the way, it's cheap! If you want to buy souvenirs, go to this place. I recommend you purchase moron (chocolate-flavored sticky rice) and bangban (a star-shaped sweet delicacy made of rice and coconut).
TMI: Arante is one of the prominent families in the place. The people from this family had served in the government, owned some well-known establishments, were landlords, and the majority populated the area. This place is my great-grandfather's hometown (my grandma's father). However, since most of the Arante children were females, the surname was gradually replaced by other surnames after they married to other families.
A Place to Discover and Remember
Leyte, Leyte leaves a lasting impression on me. Hearing my grandmother's anecdote growing up in this town helps me paint a vivid picture of this place. The majority of the people living here know each other. There are also unique delicacies and pleasant scenery to look at. Moreover, this place has numerous farmlands and mountains to explore! If I had more time, I'd take my time discovering this place's beauty. I also learned a lot of Waray words here!
'Till my next blogs. Thanks a lot!
TMI - Too much info
