Bridges Connecting Leyte

Leyte is the only island in the Philippines which is connected to three other islands, two of which are provinces.

The majestic San Juanico bridge at sunset.

A view of the San Juanico bridge from the Eagle's Peak of Samar overlooking the mountains of Leyte.

Aerial view of San Juanico Bridge.

A favorite picture taking spot for tourists.

The Biliran Bridge connects Leyte to the island province of Biliran in the north.

Wawa Bridge in Liloan, So. Leyte, connects Leyte with Panaon Island in the south.

A view from the bridge in Liloan. Liloan is derived from the word "lilo" meaning whirlpool of which there are many in this narrow strait.

From the poblacion of Liloan, one has an exquisite view of the Wawa Bridge.

The most famous and the longest bridge in the Philippines is the two kilometer San Juanico bridge which connects Leyte to Samar. It connects Tacloban City on the Leyte side and San Rita town on the Samar side. It offers many picturesque views, especially of the San Juanico Strait with its thousand whirlpools as well as the islets of the province. It is approximately 10 minutes from downtown Tacloban City and is accessible by passenger jeepney, bus, motorcab or private vehicle.

The Biliran Bridge connects Leyte to the island province of Biliran. Completed around 1975, this bridge is about 150 meters long and its central span, held in place by an arched steel structure, hovers above a short and narrow channel of water measuring about 40 meters wide at low tide.


The third other bridge which is in the south is the Wawa Bridge in Liloan, Southern Leyte. This bridge connects Leyte to the Panaon Island which has four towns, the biggest of which is Liloan. It is from Liloan where buses take on the ferry to cross over to Mindanao.

Kawayan, Biliran

The beach in Cogon, Kawayan lies on a natural cove which is about 15 minutes by boat from the town of Kawayan in Biliran. Except by a motorbike, the beach is inaccesible by land. The beach is made of coral stones, not fine white sand. From the beach of Cogon, Kawayan one can see clearly the island of Maripipi.

This beach was seen by the priests from Naval as they were on the boat to Calbayog for the installation of Bp. Abarquez. The parish priest of Kawayan, Fr. Peejay Pabatao, OFM had to check it out first and had the cottage repaired for our coming.

The island of Maripipi is clearly seen here at the back. When one sees the tip of the mountain of Maripipi it means that the sea going there is calm.

The corals in the sea were mostly destroyed and they said it was because of dynamite fishing. But here and there, there was some growth of soft sea vegetation.

Frs. Fabs, Vic and Bedel enjoying the sea.

From left to right: Frs. Jess Ty, Fabian Mariano, Peejay Pabatao,OFM (our host), Bedel Mocorro and Sam Salazar, OFM.

Bp. Bactol of Naval relaxing after a hearty meal.

Some of the seashells that we partook. It was a seafood-galore banquet prepared by the parish priest of Kawayan.

We pitched tent for the night at the beach.

The downside for swimming here is during lowtides, as it has a shallow seashore. One has to wade further in order to swim.

The following morning, the tip of the mountain of Maripipi island was covered with clouds and it was a sign for the locals that the waves are high in crossing over to the island.

At the pier of Kawayan with Jess and Fabs with other times called Obispo island at the background.

Puerto Galera

What makes Puerto Galera special is that it has everything that a beach can offer: quiet private coves for swimming, beautiful corals for snorkeling and places for scuba diving. At the beach front one has the choice of rowdy party going scenes at the Sabang and the laid-back joints and restaurants in White Beach. One unique experience we had when we went snorkeling at the Coral Gardens was having to hold on to a rope which was attached to the outrigger of the banca. As the banca sailed through the Coral gardens, we had a faster way of snorkeling getting the sights of the corals and the fishes.

The port in Batangas City

Sabang, Puerto Galera

Resorts in Sabang, Puerto Galera