Exploring Ormoc, Leyte

Ormoc has a small SM Center and Robinsons Mall. Both have a cinema (my benchmark for a relocation place) and offer a place to walk about on a dull day. It helps that it's air-conditioned. SM has a convenient bike rack and even tools for repairs.

Ormoc also has a boardwalk that has seen better days (if compared to the boardwalk of Dumaguete). It remains a popular go-to for the locals. I also defaulted to it on mornings as I smell the ocean air. The general feeling of the boardwalk is 'tired' - it is maintained, but not repaired or renovated.

lifetime friendships have their beginnings here

Ormoc's market is organized by city blocks. The wet market has its own city block, same as the dry goods, grocery, eating nooks, etc. And these city blocks are clustered together. Combined, their total area is quite big. I would promenade along its alleys and narrow corridors every day to experience the hustle and bustle of frenzied buying and selling.

enjoying sikwate (P20) and puto maya (P10) at the carinderia

Much of the people I met in Ormoc were from the yoga festival - some were fleeting HIs and Hellos while others begged for more connection. It was good to see Joan again after her months-long overseas trip. Likewise, seeing the yogins of Ormoc whom I met at the Bohol Yoga Festival was refreshing - Uela, Allel, Annie, Ed and Melissa (2). Ivy and her minnie-me, Isabella were a pleasant surprise. Cebu yogis Ara, Reds and Heidi were a throwback to my Cebu days.

My 1-day extension in Ormoc led to a 3-day extension because of Tropical Storm Kristine - boats were canceled. There was nothing catastrophic in Ormoc - it rained, the waves were choppy and there was a slightly strong wind. But the Bicol region was hit hard with landslides, heavy flooding, submerging villages and evacuating people. If it was raining, I would cocoon myself at Le'dure and binge-watch Breaking Bad. I reached Season 3. Having Netflix in my hotel room made me thankful that I don't have a TV at my home, otherwise, it would suck me in like a Black Hole.

during Typhoon Kristine, I binge-watched 3 seasons of Breaking Bad

Ormoc, energetically, feels old and tired - like a person in his 70s who no longer wants to do anything new and vibrant but simply lets the ticking of the clock take the rhythm of the day from sunrise to sunset. The place definitely needs new blood - perhaps young energetic politicians with fresh eyes (who will not destroy good roads). It's ironic that the young, handsome and worldly Richard Gomez and his wife, the lovely Lucy Torres take turns being mayor and congressman/woman - somewhat oblivious to the much-needed infrastructure needs of the city. Perhaps they should have just stayed in showbiz.

Like many of the smaller cities in the Visayas, Ormoc has its idyllic charm and gentle people who feel unrushed as they go about their daily lives. Social ties and tradition remain big in this place.

Getting out of Tagbilaran and exploring a new place was a refreshing break. In hindsight, I should have ventured further to Tacloban which was only 100 km away. From Tacloban, a border city to Samar, I could venture further. Perhaps I should move to another place in Bohol where my rent is only about P 3000/month - this means I can take off and be gone for even 2 months without the rent killing me.

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

• xxxxxxxx

Ormoc Port to xxxxxxxxx

1. xxxxxxx

Things to do, Places to go in Leyte

1. xxxxxxxxxxx

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