Bee Town of Leyte

Buyogan Festival Photo Courtesy of Ronnie Barcelo

                Let me share to you the best of my hometown – Abuyog. Perhaps we have already proven the talent in street dancing and our colorful Buyogan Festival. Now it’s time for you to know where the crib of the buzzy bees.

                If you are flying in from Manila, you can take the first available flight to Tacloban. There are many flights servicing this route, for example Cebu Pacific Air. They have the most number of flights and lowest year-round fares. Then, upon arriving, you can take the public jeepney service going to downtown or avail the unique taxi of Leyte. Though I have not tried it myself, but it looks cozy and the fare might not be that expensive.

                Arriving at the new bus terminal you have a choice if you will take the van (some of which are not air conditioned) or the bus servicing the Tacloban to Abuyog route. There is a slight difference but if you are the type of rush and go, then go for the van, otherwise if you would like to enjoy the trip and the scenery, the bus is for you. Of course there many things you can see along the way. The mountainside roads, the provincial life and how laidback it is but really loving it sometimes, then there is the Marcos Mansion in Olot, Tolosa. Just enjoy the view at no extra cost.

                When you arrive in Abuyog, if you are traveling here for the first time, you can check some accommodations like, The Florina Country Lodge and Abuyog Hotel. However, if you are joining a family, relative or a friend, that is better. The food is very cheap and delicious, especially the moron. You will simply look for more once you tasted it.

Bagalongon Cold Spring Photo Courtesy of Ronnie Barcelo

                Going around the town is very easy because there is “motorpot” (read: motorized pedicab) that can take you anywhere within the poblacion. There are places wherein you can chill with your friends. Bars like Judge Bar if you are into displaying your singing act and they accept short orders like pancit, fried chicken and lomi. While just beside the park across the municipal hall, you can find Plan B. It is a simple place to chill while listening to amateur singers takes the stage to drive bad spirits away.

"Yunik" In one of our visits sponsored by Uncle Eddie de Paz.

                I love mornings by the beach in Abuyog, the black sand that glistens to the ray of the rising sun while early fishermen pulls the net out of the sea to bring the finest catch into the market. You can either soak your foot as you watch the rising sun or jog along the beach. These are just few of the things I love to do when I am in Abuyog. While after having an early appointment at the beach, you can also try the cold springs of Bagalongon on the next day. The water is really cold and will give you the best feeling during summer time.

Tab-Ok

                Abuyog has many barangays that almost each one of them celebrates their own fiesta, especially on the month of May. We are talking about a generous banquet prepared for the family, relatives, friends and friends of friends. This is the warm hospitality of Abuyognons that I take pride of. Not to mention the disco almost every night with the “curacha” numbers as the main attraction. This is a tradition that despite of major financial drought declared here and abroad, we can still throw some presidents and heroes in the dance floor.

                I always believe that Abuyog is one of the most promising towns in Leyte when it comes to economy and technology. It is regarded as one of the first class municipality in the province of Leyte. Anyway this is my blog, so I have the bragging rights to say that there are now two colleges, two private high schools, banking facilities, competitive business establishments, resort, hotel, lodging house, telecommunications and a lot more. It might not have the qualities of a premium destination like Boracay and Puerto Princessa. The thought of visiting a town with hospitable people and be surrounded with warm welcoming people, I think that makes a vacation more special. If I were you, come and visit Abuyog!