Leyte belongs to the Visayas group of islands and lies on the eastern part of the Philippines.
Leyte has a colorful history. The islanders of Leyte were among the first to welcome the Spaniards but they were also among the first to resist the Spanish invaders. The early revolts and uprising against the encroaching Spaniards was started by the freedom, war–like, heavily tattooed inhabitants of Leyte. In Leyte, the early seeds of nationalism were planted.
In 1521, after the perilous crossing half way around the globe Magellan reached the island of Homonhon. The friendly natives welcomed and fed the starving sailors. After stocking up on supplies, Magellan set sail for to the island of Limasawa, Leyte. He entered into a blood compact with Rajah Kolambu. On Eastern Sunday, March 31, of that year, was celebrated the First Mass in the Philippines. Some historical researchers, however, are now disputing this. However a recent publication by the National Historical Institute supports its initial claim that Limasawa was the site of the First Mass.
The Spanish occupation of the Phillippine islands was riddled with revolts and uprising. First off on the scene was a religious uprising lead by Bancao, the Limasawa chief, and his high priest, Pagail in 1622. The revolt began in Carigara and spread to neighboring towns before it was quelled. This revolt lasted for 27 years. Then the Sumuroy rebellion which was gaining popular support in Samar found its foot hold in Leyte. Rebels burned churches and convents in retaliation of the excesses and avarices of the friars.
In 1768, Leyte and Samar were separated into two provinces. Leyte now is a politico-military province. The set up continued until the end of Spanish rule, when Gen. Vicente Lukban took over Leyte and Samar in the name of the Revolutionary Government.
World War II put Leyte on the map of world history. Leyte is the site of the fiercest and largest naval battle in world history. Known as the Battle of the Leyte Gulf in the World War II, the four day battle culminated in the beachhead landing of the Allied forces headed by Gen. McArthur. The successful naval and air battle in the Leyte Gulf includes the naval fighting of the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar.
In the Battle of the Leyte Gulf, the Japanese first launched its kamikaze attacks against the Allied forces. The Battle of the Leyte Gulf is celebrated annually with a ceremony known as the Leyte Landing, in which the heroic courage of both the Filipino guerrilla soldiers, and Allied forces are remembered and honoured.
On May 22, 1959, the province was divided into Leyte and Southern Leyte. In 1992 Biliran became a separate province of its own.
Leyte is now divided into three provinces: Leyte, Biliran and Southern Leyte. Southern Leyte is includes the island of Panaon. Biliran is a small island on the northern coast connected from the Leyte mainland by a bridge.
The major cities in Leyte are, Tacloban City, Ormoc City on the northwest of Leyte, Bayabay City on the western coast, and Maasin City on the south.
Recently, Tacloban City turned into a Highly Urbanized City ( HUC), by virtue of the November 2008 plebiscite. As a Highly Urbanized City, it is independent of the supervision of the Leyte Province, and a lone congressional district. Proponents of the HUC status believed that by being an HUC Tacloban City government will attract more investors and business.
Leyte is known for the Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Tongonan, a demonstration of using natural resources to provide electricity to the province and even neighbouring islands.
The prime exports of Leyte include coconut, and abaca. It is also the home of coconut wine called “tuba”. Aged for six months to a year, this “tuba” is then called bahalina, priced liquor in every occasion. The municipality of Palo is known for its smooth bahalina, whose recipes and techniques are guarded family secrets.
The town of Dagami in Leyte produces binagol, moron, sagmanai and roscas. These delicacies are a