The Leyte Yoga Festival is already on its 4th year, and the organizing group, Soulfulnest Yoga Ormoc, whose members I met at the Bohol Yoga Festival, invited me to be a guest teacher for the one-day event. Moreover, they paid for my transport, lodging, and food plus a little stipend for my troubles. I guess they liked the Siddhi Activation classes I conducted in Bohol. How cool is that? Siddhi Activation has been my core practice and I'm also eager to share what I have been learning. Of course, I accepted the invitation. I say YES to life.

But in the back of my head, I wanted to explore Ormoc as well for a possible relocation - Tagbilaran's energy has fizzled out.

This was my first time in Leyte. I'd been wanting to visit this place but it never happened. This is the moment. The route was OceanJet from Tagbilaran to Cebu (2 hours), then another OceanJet from Cebu to Ormoc (3 hours). From the Ormoc port, my lodging, Ia Lodge, was walking distance. I brought my folding bike with me - when folded, the bike is technically luggage and not subject to surcharge - at least that has been my experience with Lite Ferries, a cargo ferry. To my chagrin, Ocean Jet charged me P100 and P525 respectively on both trips. I insisted that my folded bike was luggage - they refused. At that point, I had no choice. I took pictures and intend to write their head office for clarity and reimbursement.

boarding OceanJet

En route, I met Reds at the Cebu Port, a Cebu yoga teacher who was also participating. Joan, Uela + Marnie and common friends were also checked in at Ia Lodge.

Upon checking in at the hotel, I was already on my bike exploring Ormoc - the market scene and SM Center. Having a folding bike on a trip greatly enhances the experience and extends my range.

Annie, who founded the organizing yoga group, Soulfulnest Yoga Ormoc together with the core members hosted dinner for us teachers at the Sabin Resort Hotel. The resort was almost heritage-like given its wooden old-world charm, architecture and expansive coverage. It's owned by the Larazabals, one of Ormoc's established 'doctor' families. The food was superb and its alfresco ambiance was refreshing. This place has been the venue of past LyFest events.

Sabin Resort Hotel

Breakfast was memorable. I was hungry and the breakfast spread was lavishly prepared on a long table. I was salivating. But my class was in 2 hours - I had to teach it on an empty stomach. By the time it ended, lunch was being served. I missed breakfast altogether. I'd rather have what was served during breakfast. Oh well, that's life.

Breakfast on a long table

The teachers were locals and some came from Cebu and Bohol, with everyone contributing their knowledge, skill and experience - Joan (Satsang / Gentle Hatha), Gigit (Siddhi-Activation), Reds (Acro Yoga), Maribeth (Power Yoga), Melissa (Yoga Nidra / Pranayama), Annie (Cacao Ceremony), Ara (Bachata).

I wanted to attend all classes, but I was exhausted from my 2-hour class, not to mention I had a full stomach after lunch. Too bad I missed Reds and Maribeth's classes. But I made it to Melissa's and Joan's classes. Ara's? I can't dance...thank God I have other gifts.

Joan started the festival with a Satsang (a gathering of the tribe that entails chanting, meditation and spiritual grounding) on her harmonium.

Joan leading the Satsang

After the Satsang, 10 am - 12 noon, it was my turn. I specifically asked for a 2-hour session so as not to feel rushed and also to allow me to do more explainers as I take them through the motion, breath-holds, focus and energy locks. Siddhis are superhuman powers inherent in all of us but they remain dormant. Yogis in deep states of meditative absorption developed protocols to awaken these energies - this class was an emulation of these protocols. I began with stretches and limbering to prime the muscles and energies. This was followed by a combination of asana (movement), pranayama (breath regulation), kumbhaka (breath-hold), mudra (energy rechanneling) and bandha (energy lock).

Maha Vedha Mudra during the Siddhi-activation class

Lunch was served after my class. Given what they went through, I could imagine they worked up an appetite.

Annie conducted a cacao ceremony using cacao from AltoPeak, Ormoc's purveyor of artisan chocolates. We were gathered in a circle as she performed the cacao rites. We then formed 2 lines facing each other. One by one, the participants walked in the middle of the line with eyes closed, guided only by well-meaning hands who invoked goodwill and good wishes. I've attended many cacao ceremonies and this "walking the line" is new and moving.

Cacao Ceremony with Annie as the High Priestess

LyFest was a system reset and a refreshing break from the monotony of Tagbilaran. I was with my tribe again - a community of like-minded yogis. I immensely enjoyed myself, met new and wonderful people, got to share my unique brand of yoga, and somehow bonded with a few promising souls.

From being a guest teacher at the Bohol Yoga Festival and now at LyFest, it seems that my Siddhi-Activation yoga is touching a nerve amongst yoga festival organizers and practitioners. I'm just grateful that doors open up and abundance sets in as I continue to deepen my practice and share my gains.

Thank you Soulfulnest Yoga Ormoc, Leyte Yoga Festival and Sadhana Wellness for the wonderful and memorable experience.

1. - xxxxxxxxxxx

Ormoc
ORMOC


Exploring Ormoc, Leyte Oct 19-25, 2024
Icebath at Sadhana Wellness October 24, 2024
Splashing at Lake Danao, Ormoc October 20, 2024
Leyte Yoga Festival October 19, 2024

The Spanish colonizers (fronted by the Jesuit missionaries) stepped foot in Ormoc in 1595. This began the 300 years of colonial rule by the Spaniards. The town was often raided by the moro pirates. In 1634, the worst of these raids plundered the town and took 300 natives. Every man who resisted was killed. A few uprisings took place against the oppresive Spaniards. One revolutionary and folk hero was Faustino Ablen who formed the Pulahan Movement. In 1900, after 300 years of Spanish brutality, America defeated the Spaniards and the Philippines changed masters (yes, the Americans were colonizers as well who cleverly disguised their intentions as benevolent Big Brother but exploited the country nonetheless to serve US interest). When WWII broke out in the 1940s, the American high command abandoned the Philippines and fled with MacArthur's infamous, "I shall return". The cruel and barbaric Japanese took over (yes, another colonial master). With the atom bomb dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan surrendered. MacArthur did return on the shores of Leyte. The Philippines was then returned to its former master - the 'great' USA. Shortly after the war in 1946, the Philippines gained its independence from the USA ('thank you', Uncle Sam). The Philippines became a republic and Ormoc became a city a year after in 1947.

In 1991, the city was devastated by a series of landslides and flashfloods that took 10,000 lives due to Typhoon Thelma. This was largely caused by illegal logging that prevented trees from absorbing the water (these illegal loggers are the oligarchs and politicians so the practice continues to this day). The city slowly recovered but in November 8, 2013, the city was again severely damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Between oppressive colonizers, corrupt politicians and natural disasters, it is a testament to the resilience and survival instincts of the Ormoc people that its city remains viable and vibrant.

1. Lake Kasudsuran - one of the three lakes of Ormoc. The lake is only accessible by foot
2. Alto Peak - the highest mountain in Eastern Visayas
3. Sayahan Falls - it's a newly discovered spot that gained popularity in social media
4. Puente dela Reina - the oldest bridge in the city, built in the early 1800s. It is still in use to this day
5. Centennial Park - the park honors the Filipino soldiers who fought for the liberation of Leyte. It was erected in 1998 and is now a leisurely picnic ground
6. Queen Pineapple - Ormoc's pride, in a pineapple plantation in Brgy. Hibunawon
7. Tongonan Hotsprings National Park - the largest power plant in Southeast Asia. It lies 2,000 ft. in a 272-hectare forested park
8. Lake Danao - picnics, floating cottages
9. Guerrilla Warfare Forces Monument - this monument commemorates the Filipino guerillas who fought against the Japanese invaders
10. Ruins of Cong. Dominador Tan Residence - this mansion became a Japanese garrison during wWII. It was ruined by the carpet bombing of the Americans before liberation day

Ormoc is a port city serving as gateway to Eastern Visayas.

1. SUPERCAT - 3 hours, 5:30 am | 9:00 am | 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm
   Business Class: Regular 1500, Student 1,200, Senior/PWD 1,071
   Tourist (Aircon) & Economy (Non-aircon): Regular 1100, Student 880, Senior/PWD 785
2. OCEANJET - 3 hours, 6:00 am | 8:30 am | 9:30 am | 1:00 pm |3:30 pm | 4:30 pm
   Open-Air (OA) 1100, Tourist Class (TC) 1100, Business Class (BC) 1600
   Folded bicycles are charged P 525.00
3. SEACAT - Daily, 5 am and 12 nn, Economy P1100, Business Class 1600
4. LITE FERRIES - 6 hours, 10 pm, Economy P600, RORO (folded bicycles free)
5. ROBLE SHIPPING - Daily, 11 am

Leyte FYI / Tips

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Ormoc Port to xxxxxxxxx

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Things to do, Places to go in Leyte

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Leyte
Leyte
Ormoc
ORMOC


Exploring Ormoc, Leyte Oct 19-25, 2024
Icebath at Sadhana Wellness October 24, 2024
Splashing at Lake Danao, Ormoc October 20, 2024
Leyte Yoga Festival October 19, 2024