I'm Just A Grain Of Sand: Exploring Philippines 8 - Eastern Visayas (Tacloban, Leyte

On my third day, we went to the river in Pastrana which happens to be the source of drinking water of the whole town and nearby towns. Likewise, the same river supplies the irrigation water for the whole town.

There is nothing spectacular about the river. The place we’d been to, the water is just above the knee at most. But there are some areas where the water is deeper. Since the upper portion of the river is a guarded dam, we were not able to proceed there. We simply content ourselves with the most accessible part of the river.

Generally, the water is cold. They said that people can directly drink from the river. I guess only few of them are aware how to make small filtering ponds along the river for drinking purposes. Anyway, as long as the river is protected and the access of farm animals are prohibited, rest assured, a flowing river is safe enough for drinking.

By afternoon, we went to visit the Sto Nino Shrine in Tacloban. I was encouraged by Ryan to drop by at the Malacanang in Leyte only to find out that that was also the first time his family ever set foot on the place.

Before our visit to Sto Nino Shrine or Malacanang of Leyte, we visited first the Sto. Nino church in Tacloban. For most of my out of town sorties, a visit to the church and asking for some guidance has been a practice of mine. After our short stay at the church, we now head towards Sto Nino Shrine.

Since the place is under the care of the government, they converted this one into a tourist spot. For a minimal fee plus some amount if you are bringing a camera entitles you for a grand tour of the place. A guide is provided for every group of visitors and God knows how many times they recite the same script all over again even with their eyes and ears closed. The one assigned to us injects some funny lines from time to time.

I guess all visitors to this place are in awe for the whole duration of the tour. The ground floor has several guest rooms on both sides with a chapel in the middle. Each room is unique where the design and decors are inspired by a particular region in the country. At the far end of the ground floor is a dining table that can accommodate 20 persons. On the ground floor alone, one will feel a luxurious place built to showcase power and aristocracy.

On the second floor is the infamous ballroom of Imelda. This is the place where she used to entertain her guests for all sorts of merry-making. The ballroom is grand with its wide wooden floor space and gigantic wooden chandeliers that illuminate the place. At the wall of the ballroom hangs the huge portrait of Imelda depicting her as maiden of the sea.

The second floor also houses the rooms of each member of the Marcos of the family. On one side are the rooms for Bongbong and Ferdinand and on the opposite side are the rooms of Imelda, Imee, Irene, and little Imme. All rooms are carpeted from wall to wall like the room of Ferdinand in Gucci letter and Imelda’s room in abaca fiber. It is noticeable that through time and lack of funds to maintain the place, the whole place is slowly deteriorating. According to our guide, if Imelda had still in control of this place, most probably it will be well taken care of but the public could never set foot in her mansion.

At the back of the mansion lies the Olympic size swimming pool. Sadly, it has been unattended for the longest time possible, gathering all the dust, rain water, and other stuff that will land into its water. Its green color suggests that algae already inhabited the entire pool. Entertainment bars occupy the surrounding place of the pool. Most probably, in order to earn additional funds to maintain the place, PCGG allows the leasing of the place.

That afternoon, we drove to "Calvary Hill" in Tacloban. During the Lenten season, the devotees used to visit this place and some of them come from nearby towns. The elevated steep slope at the start of the climb proves to be a challenge to the will. And just like any climb, some few stops are necessary to catch one's breath. At the summit, there awaits a gigantic statue of the risen Christ and a good view of the City of Tacloban is a feast before the eyes of a weary climber.

At the top of the hill, we took time to rest and simply enjoyed the scenery as far as our eyes could see. It was almost 5pm when we descend and head straight to Leyte park. At the Leyte park, we heartily enjoyed their MacDuko-duko. The park has a good number of grilling stations to choose from at affordable prices. I was amused of the term which simply implies that you are going to bow down your head as you eat hence duko-duko.

Pastrana