Samar: An Alternative Destination

Allen, Samar

For those who have been accustomed to spending their summer outings or vacations in places like Boracay, Bohol, and Batangas, the name Samar may sound a bit below the scale. But Samar may just be the perfect place for you. Being a Samareño, I guess I have the authority to say that you can take my word for it. Pristine beaches, springs, falls, a rustic environment, a laid back lifestyle, and an eclectic mixture of things and activities to do - these are just some of the things my province has to offer.

San Juanico Bridge, where vehicles bound for Samar from Tacloban pass

Accessible through two major modes of transportation, Samar can be reached either by buses going to Leyte and Bohol, or by plane via Tacloban in Leyte or Calbayog. Of the two, I personally prefer traveling by bus for not only is it cheaper, you also get the opportunity to pass by the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Bicol. With stopovers in almost each province, the trip will be like an instant 18-hour roadtrip, complete with a 2-hour ferry boat ride from Matnog, Sorsogon to Allen, Samar. If you’re lucky, your bus may even experience an engine failure in Albay right in front of Mt. Mayon (speaking from experience), giving you the opportunity for a photo op with the famous volcano as background. But if you’re a bit short on time, traveling by plane will always be the best choice since travel time will only be 3-4 hours – almost an hour from Manila to Tacloban, and 2 to 2 ½ hour land trip from Tacloban to Catbalogan City, Western Samar’s capital. For your convenience, I suggest that you take the vans of Grand Tours or Dap Tours. Directions to its terminal can be obtained from almost anybody at the airport. On the Calbayog route, I really can't comment on the exact duration of travel, but I guess travel time will be a bit shorter since the city is nearer to Catbalogan than Tacloban (about an hour shorter, Calbayog being already in Samar).

Divided in three regions, namely, Eastern, Western, and Northern, one may consider Samar an all in one destination since each region has its own share of attractions which both local and foreign tourists alike will surely appreciate. However, as I was born in Catbalogan, I have only been able to visit spots which are within the city’s proximity, places like the Kinabut-an cold springs, Buri Baras, and the Sierra Islands. Though still Spartan in nature in terms of amenities, the places make up through the sheer beauty of its natural surroundings. Kinabut-an for example can be found in the heart of Paranas’ wilderness and before you reach it, you have to travel a long length of sand and gravel amidst mountains, trees, and rice fields. Paranas, by the way, is one of Western Samar’s municipalities. Same thing in reaching Buri Baras, a beach with a long stretch of grayish white sand, which is reachable either by outrigger passing limestone cliffs and different beaches, or through multi-cab wherein you still have to walk a narrow path through thick vegetation before getting there.

Kinabut-an Cold Springs Resort

Rama Beach in Cagutsan, one of the islands of Sierra

Of all the places I’ve been to in Samar, I guess one of my favorite is the Sierra Islands. Much like the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, though a bit small in number, the Sierra Islands is a group of islands with each having their own attractions. Ranging from activities like island hopping, swimming, fishing, snorkeling, trekking, scuba diving, and a lot more, the Sierra Islands may well be considered an adventurer’s paradise…at least for me. During my last visit, me and a few friends decided to spend a day in Cagutsan, which is one of the larger islands. A friend from Manila who was a first timer was very much awed by the place not only for its beauty, but also because of how cheap we were able to buy what would be our dish for the night. I wouldn’t be surprised, where else can you buy three large lapu-lapus for P30.00, and 3 large squids for P80.00? Certainly not in places like Boracay or Puerto Galera, the latter with squid prices ranging from P100-P200 a piece. The rest of our stay was spent drinking tuba (or coconut wine) on a rooftop, under a bright and breezy night sky, with the moon as our only source of light.

Rama Beach

As Samar has yet to realize its full potential as a tourist destination, discovering its hidden treasures may prove to be challenging for first timers. But try to look at the challenge as part of the adventure, who knows, you just might keep coming back for more. Most of my friends did, and most of them were apprehensive when I first introduced them to the idea of spending their vacations in the province. However, for those who want to play it safe, you can always give me a buzz and I’d be more than willing to guide and arrange a tour for you. I assure you, the experience will be worth it.

Payao Beach (Catbalogan, Western Samar)