We have a guest from America, and we took him for a city tour today. We drove him to the infamous San Juanico Brdige, which is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning across a body of water measuring 2.16 kilometers in total length. It connects the two main islands of Leyte and Samar across San Juanico Strait.
It is very convenient for us to take our visitors here because it is just a few kilometers away from us. And as always, we tell them, "you have never been to Tacloban if you haven't seen the San Juanico Bridge." So, it is a must for a visitor to see this bridge if they visit our place for the first time.
This bridge attracts visitors because of its picturisque view.
There are many islets in between the two islands, and there are beautiful mountains surrounding the bridge.
The shape of San Juanico Bridge is also quite unique, it is far from the usual straight-lined bridges. Instead, you can make out a shape of letter "L" on the side of Leyte and letter "S" on the side of Samar if you look at the bridge from an aerial view. Thinking about it, I have great respect with the brilliant artist behind this gigantic structure!
San Juanico Bridge is also dubbed as “the Bridge of Love," as the late Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos, dedicated it to his beloved wife, Imelda, who was known as the “Rose of Tacloban." It served as a precious gift and a testimonial of his love for her. We often tell our visitors this little love story and it somehow spice up their memory of this bridge.
We are also thankful for this bridge, especially when Super Typhoon Haiyan hit our place. This bridge did not collapse, so it became relatively easier for the relief to come. Had this bridge been damaged because of the typhoon, it would surely take forever to restore Tacloban and its neighboring towns. We're so glad it withstood the harshest of storms!
Thus, San Juanico Bridge not only serves as an icon and a gateway to Eastern Visayas but it is also a witness of the ups and downs of the people, as well as the resiliency and unity despite whatever we went through.
So, if you happen to visit Tacloban City, be sure to spare some time to take a look of the longest bridge in the Philippines and enjoy the view as you do. ❤