Rediscovering Liloan's Hidden Beauty

Panoramic view of  LILOAN, SOUTHERN LEYTE

I was born in a place named Liloan. It is one of the towns in the province of Southern Leyte, Philppines located in northern part of Panaon island.
It is reachable from Manila by air via Tacloban or Cebu then connecting by land from Tacloban, and from Maasin, Bato or Hilongos if from Bohol or Cebu, or by ferry if from Surigao. Panaon Island is surrounded by the waters of the Mindanao Deep,  it is frequently visited by schools of whales and dolphins and has the biggest reef areas in Southern Leyte. 

Wonder how the place got it's name?
Old folks said that "Liloan" is derived from the local term for whirlpool, which is "lilo". Whirlpools can be seen at the narrow strait (Wawa)
between the main island of Southern Leyte and Panaon. Through the Liloan Steel Bridge (Wawa Bridge),now Diosdado Macapagal Bridge
the island is connected to the mainland of Leyte. The often invisible strait is a sight to behold from the town; one could simply while away his time and get a relaxing feeling by going to this point to get a glimpse of its beauty..

The area’s main attraction is the drift dive in the channel under the Liloan Bridge. It is an exhilarating and challenging dive in strong alternating currents with rich coral formations and many caves along the route. It is recommended for experienced divers only. It is home to people who loves simple, serene, peaceful and laid-back life. But for us, the island is paradise.

Gorgonian Fan Corals at Wawa Strait

Most of its hidden beauty are awaiting to be developed. It is where our childhood memories started and beautiful souls were molded. Some of the talented men and women from this town soared high and spread their wings in distant shores...The recipient of the 1997 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership : Sra. Eva Fidela Maamo, SPC was also born and raised in Liloan. But even if we have already migrated,and settled in other places, We always beam with pride,looking forward, going back to visit, the place, we simply called "our hometown".

Farming ,fishing , and copra making are the main source of living,

with some enterprising men doing the trading. We enjoyed growing up eating delectable fresh seafoods,

*"Sutokil" more often is every family's favorite dish.
The taste of the local kakanins like: 
bibingka, sinaging, dinurog, binignit na kulo, biko, puto ( steamed glutinous rice with coconut milk and ginger slightly salted and sweetened) with sikwate( native chocolate drink) and mangga, salvaro, maruya,  binangkal, niligid na kamoteng kahoy( steamed grated sweetened cassava with coconut milk wrapped in banana leaves), ginamos tugnos (salted fine anchovies) in calamansi (lemon juice) 
with boiled unriped saba banana, rabitikong( sweetened mongo beans with congee rice sometimes with or with-out landang in coconut milk), nilusak and nilamaw ( young cocconut in evaporated milk with ice and sugar) are so irresistible and delicious that a single bite begets another one! The "Balikutsa" ( muscuvado sugar in coconut milk thickened 
down until sticky, flavored with anise) was every child's favorite.
We don't mind how we look after eating. Not even "Ferrero" can beat how good it is tasting. The church is overlooking the Liloan pier. Our high school graduation was held up here.

The pier used to be a portal to Cebu and during high tide some locals, enjoyed swimming.

                        

                                   

                                    

Now, it becomes a boulevard for jogging, strolling
and probably dating. The sea is beautiful, its luster and appeal
awaiting to be re- discovered. Slowly modern amenities are evolving.
Some attractions found in Liloan are:


Bito-on Beach, under the Wawa Bridge

Bito-on Beach is near Barangay San Roque in Liloan in Southern Leyte, Reachable by boat, it offers the tourist a splendid view of the skies, perfect for strolling on the beach. While you can lie on the beach and feel the sun, others prefer to look at the various seashells that appear on the seashore. You can take a bus ride from Maasin through 157 kilometers of road via Mahaplag and Sogod to San roque. At the port, take a 10 min banca ride to the opposite island beach Maamo. It is a 30-minute boat ride from the town proper. 

Maamo Beach

Just like Bito-on Beach, Maamo Beach is also situated near Barangay San Roque in Southern Leyte. Maamo (meaning “gentle”) Beach can be reached by way of a boat. The deep sea is host to numerous fish, making it a haven for fishermen. The coastline on the other hand, is noted for its white sands and the cool breeze emanating from the ocean. You can take a bus ride from Maasin through 157 kilometers of dusty road via Mahaplag and Sogod to San roque. At the port, take a 10 min banca ride to the island beach opposite Bito-on beach.

It is about half a kilometer long, the white sandy beach meets clear waters and wide mossy rocks where schools of fishes can be seen. Numerous coconut trees line the beach. While a short distance from the shore, two small islands jut out, heavily forested and ideal for nature tripping. It usually takes 3 hours by bus from Maasin to Himay-angan, Liloan followed by a 10 min motorcycle ride to the beach.

Molopolo White Sand Beach

It is about half a kilometer long, the white sandy beach meets clear waters and wide mossy rocks where schools of fishes can be seen. Numerous coconut trees line the beach. While a short distance from the shore, two small islands jut out, heavily forested and ideal for nature tripping. It usually takes 3 hours by bus from Maasin to Himay-angan, Liloan followed by a 10 min motorcycle ride to the beach.

Tagbak Marine  Park
A place in town that is best for snorkeling, wild duck watching. Please visit the Municipal tourism and Investment Promotion Office for more information, trip schedules to the cottages, reservation and fees.

Tagbak Marine park wild duck sanctuary

A good site for the snorkel enthusiasts

Tabugon Fish Sanctuary

It has white sandy beaches filled with various kinds of colorful shells, good for picnicking, swimming; fishing and shell hunting including sea urchins and diving, whale shark hunting. Some coconut trees are also found in the beach line giving shades and a refreshing taste of fresh young coconut. About 90 hectares big, the sanctuary is the location of the province's largest reef area for marine conservation and is an ideal place for underwater photography and diving. It is also a site for schools of whales and dolphins and for sharks.

Kandaw Beach

Located between Brgys. Ilag and Himay-angan in Liloan Southern Leyte, with white sandy beach where families can enjoy the sun, sand and the taste of freshly catch seafoods, fruits and vegetables that are all gastronomic delights. Along the beach line coast are coconut tress that gives shades and fresh coconut juices, with very sweet and refreshing taste. 

White Rock Cave

Asug Cave where  rock formation of Stalactites can be found. Feel the coldness of cascading waters from the mountain from Asug water falls.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cross

Anilao Hidden Valley Resort

Visiting Liloanon's family birthday celebration

A family getaway resort located in Barangay Anilao, Liloan So. Leyte

Maugoc Rosette Park

Located in Barangay Maugoc, Liloan So. Leyte, perfect for wall climbing and enjoy watching the view of the Pacific Ocean from the top


Candayuman Rock Formation

Gud-an Coral Reef Preservation

Liloan Light House

The lighthouse used to guide inbound and outbound vessels to Liloan pier

and sometimes to Liloan Ferry Terminal. By its location, it is a good sheltering ground for ships seeking a safe harbor during typhoons.
Liloan Ferry Terminal

The Liloan ferry terminal is the gateway to Mindanao from Luzon and vice versa.

Fatima Mountain Ridge

Beautiful Sunset

Watching the beautiful sunset is a relaxing way to wind up your day.

A breath taking sight to behold, in a place best to spend life's twilight moments. Indeed, a perfect haven for tourist and retiree's .

The leisure it gives to tourists is an income to the natives of the town.
If the municipality will continue to invest in the development of the
town's eco tourism there is still a long way to go for improvements.

Truly, "'there is no place like home".

But for the moment, I can only sigh...Ahhh!!
someday I can set my foot back into your soils again.

By way of this article, I hope to pay it back to the people
and the place that made up my being. Wishing all Liloanons a Happy Feast Day on July 31, in honor of our patron St. Ignatius de Loyola.^.^'
Please contact the Liloan Tourism and Investment Office for more details of the sites and the accommodations in town.
Accommodations:
Ofelia Lodging House
Poblacion, Liloan Sothern Leyte

Anilao Hidden Valley Resort
Anilao, Liloan
Mobile No. 0919-636-9972

Notes:
a.) Ecotourism involves visiting natural areas with the objectives of learning, studying, or participating in activities that do not bring negative effects to the environment, whilst protecting and empowering the local community socially and economically.
b.)*Sutokil...is an acronym for Sinugba.(grilled), tinola (boiled),
kinilaw (raw seafood in vinegar)
c.) My gratitude to my town mates (Cane Pretencio via Minen Edulan Cubi, Moises Barba, Emma
Marqueda Keron, Sally Duterte, Emma Bernales, Odilord Rodriguez, Terry Hong, Joy Beto,Lea Saliente, Julius Ocba  and Junel Uy-Oco for some of the pictures used in this article ).
d.) Whale shark photos from:  http://www.tourleyte.com/the-whalesharks-of-southern-leyte.htm
e.) Uploaded town photos in Google and flicker
d) Municipality of Liloan Tourism and Investment Office


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