Must Visit Holy Week Destinations In Leyte 2021
Holy Week in the Philippines is the best time to travel and spend a fulfilling getaway with your family.
Deciding where to go this holiday is a cause for much excitement, so I am giving you a number of churches to visit and traditions you can partake in while enjoying your week-long vacation.
Traveling to Leyte for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.
Get Started
HOW TO GET TO LEYTE
Direct Flights from Manila,Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and more are being served to Tacloban. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia.
✓ ENTRY POINT MANILA (NAIA) or CEBU (MCIA) or DAVAO
- By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia and Philippine Airlines)
Manila to Tacloban.
✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (Pier 3)
- By Boat (Roble Shipping Lines)
From Cebu, ride the Roble Shipping lines boat at Pier 3 to Naval, Biliran. Roble Shipping Lines serves the route 6x a week and at 7:30pm. Travel Time is around 6 hours. Fare is about PHP 660.00 per person.
At Naval, Biliran ride a Van (van-vans, Duptors or Grandtours) to Tacloban. The trip will take approximately two hours and a half. Fare is PHP 120.00 per person.
- By Fast Craft or Fast Boat (2GO, Oceanjet or Weesam)
From Cebu, ride any of the three boat at Pier 1 to Ormoc City, Leyte. The three fastcrafts serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 3 hours. Fare is PHP 600.00 per person.
At Ormoc City, ride a tricycle to Robinsons near Simangan. Note: make sure to point out that you will be riding a van because there are 2 Robinsons in Ormoc. Fare for the tricycle is PHP 8.00 per person.
At Robinsons Ormoc Van Terminal, ride a Van to Tacloban. Travel Time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fare is PHP 130.00 per person.
✓ OPTION 3 (BY PRIVATE CAR/VEHICLE)
Entry Point is in ORMOC CITY.
- Just use the “WAZE” or “GOOGLE MAP” app to navigate your way to Leyte.
Exact location: Leyte, Philippines
Below is the Map showing the route to Leyte
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines
🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
🏷️18% OFF Private Cebu & Mactan Twin City Tour
Philippines 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental
See more blogs & travel guides
Pre- Travel Tips
✓ When is the best time to Visit?
✓ Travel Must Haves
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Bestt time to visit is on weekdays to avoid crowd.
Travel Must-Haves
✓ Google Map App – A life-saver for me because without it, I might get lost.
✓ Google Translate – Super powerful app. Translate anything.
✓ Sunscreen – Protect yourself from sunburn or much worse – Cancer.
✓ Pocket Wifi or Sim Card – The convenient of searching anything is a go-to. Please don’t forget this baby. It is a life-saver for me though.
HOLY WEEK DESTINATIONS IN LEYTE
DID YOU KNOW?
Leyte, known as Tandaya to early Filipinos, was renamed Filipina by Roy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543, a name that later extended to the entire archipelago. Four centuries later, in 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle between the Americans and the Japanese in world history, transpired in Leyte. General Douglas MacArthur, at the head of an army of more than 250,000 men waded ashore on the island at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte. This began the end of the Japanese Imperial Army, eventually, the second World War. Leyte is the largest of the six provinces of Eastern Visayas.
The island is divided into two provinces: (Northern) Leyte and Southern Leyte. Territorially, Southern Leyte includes the island of Panaon to its south. To the north of Leyte is the island province of Biliran, a former sub-province of Leyte.
The major cities of Leyte are Tacloban, on the eastern shore at the northwest corner of Leyte Gulf, and Ormoc, on the west coast. The island was once the location of Mairete, a historic community that was ruled by Datu Ete. Before being colonized by Spain, the island was once home to indigenous animist Warays to the east and other indigenous animist Visayan groups to the west.
Leyte today is notable for the geothermal electric power plants near Ormoc.
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
🏷️12% OFF 4G/3G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Philippines
Check out these Must-Do activities in Leyte
1. Monte Cueva
3. Adoration Monastery of Mama Mary
4. Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio De Padua, Pomponan, Leyte
5. Mama Mary Shrine Located In Maasin Southern Leyte, Province
6. Castle-Like Marian Monastery in Hilongos
7. Crucified Christ Monument in Tacloban City
8. Immaculate Conception Church in Guiuan, Eastern Samar
1) Visit the Chapel Inside a Cave – Monte Cueva
Monte Cueva is also called “Our Lady of Assumption Diocesan Shrine – Monte Cueva, Maasin City”. A statue of Our Lady of Assumption can be found at the top of the cave. You need to climb a few stairs to reach it. No need to worry because it will not exhaust you.
READ MORE: Visit the Chapel Inside a Cave – Monte Cueva
|Check out: Ultimate Tourist Spot Guide for Tacloban
2) Miraculous Church at Hanginan
Hanginan, is a place for faith and fitness. A chapel can be found at the end of the trek. The St. Francis Javier Chapel is visited by many people during the Lenten season. The chapel is small that it cannot occupy hundreds of people.
If you go there and want to trek, then be my guest. It will not be easy but it can be self-rewarding and so worth it. My trek time is around 3 hours. There are many food and water that can be bought while trekking so if you forgot to bring one then it is fine.
Read More: Miraculous Church at Hanginan
3) Adoration Monastery of Mama Mary
Adoration Monastery of Mama Mary is located in Brgy. Marangog, Hilongos, Leyte, Philippines. It is situated east of the town proper of Hilongos.
The road to Adoration Monastery is not cemented but can easily be accessible by any kind of vehicle. It is approximately 12 kilometers away from Hilongos Public Market.
|Check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Ormoc City, Leyte
4) Miraculous Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio De Padua, Pomponan, Leyte
The Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua, which draws hordes of pilgrims to venerate the century-old image of the saint, is believed to be miraculous.
Located in the coastal barangay of Pomponan, the shrine draws Catholics from around the country who venerate the saint every 13th day of the month, although the devotion actually starts the day before. A traditional religious dance called sirong is performed during the saint’s feast day on June 13, two days before Baybay’s cityhood anniversary.
READ MORE: Miraculous Pomponan Church
5) Mama Mary Shrine Located In Maasin Southern Leyte, Province
The Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Maasin City has been elevated to a “diocesan shrine”, a fifth for the southern Leyte diocese.
The declaration was held during Mass officiated by Bishop Prescioso Cantillas on Friday, which marked the diocese’s 52nd anniversary.
This shrine built on top of a hill summit at 104 MASL is lower by 68 meters compared to the other Lady of Assumption shrine. Because of its accessibility, more people are scaling it.
Try to count the steps. See if it is exactly 253 steps.
6) Castle-Like Marian Monastery in Hilongos
There are two churches that are in the vicinity of the Monastery. The first one is the Adoration of Mama Mary Church. This can easily be seen because it is at the very entrance of the Monastery. On the other hand, the other church is a little bit tricky to be seen because it is located at the furthest end of the Monastery. You need to look up and find a big red-colored roof to locate this one or simply, ask the people around about the church; Divine Mercy Church.
The same as the Adoration Monastery of Mama Mary, the Divine Mercy Church is located in Brgy. Marangog, Hilongos, Leyte, Philippines. It is situated east of the town proper of Hilongos.
The road to Adoration Monastery is not cemented but can easily accessible by any kind of vehicle. It is approximately 12 kilometers away from Hilongos Public Market.
7) Crucified Christ Monument in Tacloban City
What makes this pilgrim sight unique from others with the typical statue of a Saint is that it is actually inspired by the map of Leyte. If you’d look closely, you’ll see the shape of the province of Leyte in the statue itself with the narrowing part of Leyte as the waist.
The sad part is this was destroyed in 2013 because of the Typhoon Haiyan.
8) Immaculate Conception Church in Guiuan, Eastern Samar
The Immaculate Conception Parish Church, also known as La Inmaculada Concepción, or Guiuan Church, was founded by the Jesuits in 1595, and completed by the Franciscans in 1844. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines, and it is one of only a few churches to retain its original architectural design and interior fittings.
Furthermore, it is the only church in the Philippines that is decorated with natural shells and coral throughout the interior. The church is treasured by local parishioners and others for its outstanding beauty and decorative features. Indeed, it is a designated National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
You may also want to see 13 Best Things to Do in Ormoc, Leyte.
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines
🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
🏷️18% OFF Private Cebu & Mactan Twin City Tour
REMINDERS, TIPS AND NOTES
1.Study Your Location
Every location is unique and so are the rules while trekking on it. Carry a map with you all the time so that you know exactly where you are so that you can find your way back.
2.Medical Kit
Stuff your bag with all the necessary medicines and medical tools.
3.Emergency Contacts
Remember “Prevention is better than cure.” This is just a precautionary step. I genuinely do not want to see you in any trouble at all
4.Please Inform
“Leaving a simple text to your family or trusted friends.” If something unfortunate happens, your loved one’s will find you.
5.Plenty Of Essentials
Carry at least 3 liters of water and plenty of nutrition bars. They are light and filling till the time you find any other source.
Read More: 101 Things to Do in Cebu
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without Shellwander’s notice. Should you know the updated information, please message me on Facebook.
WHAT’S NEARBY?
✓ Quadro Ormoc: Foodie Night Market
✓ 5 Must Try Delicacies in Ormoc
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines
🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
🏷️18% OFF Private Cebu & Mactan Twin City Tour
MAP TO HELP YOU LOCATE NEARBY ACTIVITIES
Have you ever been to the places I’ve listed above? Go and try them yourself!
Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“
XOXO,
