Waray-waray is the major dialect spoken in the province, along with Inabaknon, predominantly spoken in Capul Island.
Useful Phrase:
Embajada Festival
Place: Catarman and Catubic, Northern Samar
Date: Second week of January
The festival depicts the conflict between Christians and Muslims that has existed in the archipelago brought about the Spanish occupation. In a Catubi, a fluvial procession highlights the celebration.
Bankaton Festival
Place: Lavezares, Northern Samar
Date: August 20
It is an annual boat racing contest to celebrate the feast of Nueva Señora de Salvacion, the town’s patroness
Manoglaya Festival
A cultural-tourism festival held in the town of San Antonio from the 9th to the 12th of June annually, celebrating the fishing skills of the townfolks. The festival composed of cultural performances, street dance, beauty search and exhibit complemented with “sugod-sugod sa plaza”, a nightly entertainment of music and other performances from leading local performers in the community.
Expenses (in Philippine Peso)
10- Tricycle fare (UEP – Catarman)
10- Tricycle fare (Catarman – Dalakit Airport)
15- Chocolate Moron (Breakfast)
25- Terminal Fee (Airport)
__________
Php 60.00
Expenses (in Philippine Peso)
100- Van fare (Catarman Bus Terminal – Catubig)
10- Bread (Brunch)
5- Banana Nilupak (Lunch)
100- Van fare (Catubig – UEP White Beach)
10- Entrance fee (UEP Beach)
35- Dinner
___________
Php 260.00
Expenses (in Philippine Peso)
22- Pandesal and Coffee
50- Boat fare (Biri Wharf – Lavaserez)
15- Jeepney fare (Lavaserez – Allen)
35- Breakfast (Dilis and Panat na laing)
15- Internet rental (near Allen port)
10- Bread
5- Puto with bukayo inside
60- Boat fare (Allen – Capul Island)
40- Motorcycle (Capul centro – Abak Beach Resort)
11- BBQ and bread (merienda)
20- Motorcycle fare (Abak beach – Capul Municipal Bldg.)
51- 1 liter gasoline to Capul Lighthouse
40- Dinner
__________
Php 374.00
Expenses (in Philippine Peso)
60- Boat Ride (Capul – Allen port)
15- Internet rental
80- Jeepney fare (Allen – Calbayog)
10- Trisikad (Calbayog Terminal – City Hall)
35- Lunch
10- Peanuts
10- Bread
5- Turon
5- Trisikad
10- Trisikad (to Grand Tours vans)
100- Van fare (Calbayog – Catarman)
30- Trisikad, Tricycle fares (looking for cheap accommodation)
150- Blue Inn Lodging (near the Public Market)
24- BBQ
10- Bread
40- Dinner
______________
Php 594.00
Expenses (in Philippine Peso)
16- Ginataang Bilo-bilo & Puto(breakfast)
10- Tricycle fare (N. Samar Capitol – Terminal)
50- Jeepney fare (Terminal – Lavaserez)
12- Bread
50- Boat fare (Lavaserez – Biri)
70- Motorcycle fare (Biri wharf – Magasang Rock Formations and back to Biri town)
5- Trisikad to Ate Glo (Homestay)
50- Lunch
150- Homestay Accommodation
___________
Php 413.00
Fly from Manila (1 hour) to Catarman.
Ride a bus (14 to 16 hours) from Manila to Catarman. The trip includes a two-hour crossing through the San Bernardino Strait.
Ride a boat (9 hours) from Cebu to Calbayog, before embarking on a land trip (1 hour and 30 minutes) to Catarman.
Swimming at Spice of Life Beach is a must-do event everytime we go to Samar. This beach offers fine creamy sand and super clear waters with a few fishes swimming right beside you when you are lucky. The waves are small, i often feel the sea’s bouyancy by floating. From the beach, one can see nearby Capul island and the roro ferries that sail from/to the nearby Dinalupihan and Allen ports.
Since the water is very clear, one can see right through the ocean flooR! This has caused us embarrasing trouble before.: lulled by the “security” of our tire floatation devices, we embarked in improvised snorkelling. Before we knew it, we were way off the shore. The sun was setting, the tide was against us and swimming with my olive oyl arms were useless!! In the end i just gave up the fight, relaxed on my tire and waited for a banca has to fetch me. Needless to say, a small commotion was caused with beach onlookers upon my descent from the banca. Hehe, grand entrance! Since then, we have wisely contented ourselves with staying put near the shore, hehe.
Around the city’s main square is the Handumanan Museo de Calbayog. The building was a former jail and now renovated with a 2-storey 19th-century-Filipino -building look, now houses a museum that tells much of the city’s history. The museum is also a regular host of art exhibits in this part of the country. The building is where the Calbayog City Tourism & Information Office is located as well.
Considered to be the biggest church in Samar, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral being rebuilt and renovated through the years has evolved to a blending of many architectural eras. The structure reveals some are new and some are old. The old dome, the spire and the thick walls are what is left from the original Spanish-built old church. In general, the Spanish influence in the architecture and materials used is but revealing.
Driving the western coast of Samar, the sight of beaches and coves filled with people enjoying the shallow calm water is a usual sight. What more could you ask from feasting on food on a floating cottage anchored a few meters away into the sea and diving into the water anytime you wish. Most of the times, happiness come in simple ways.
Off the northwestern coast of Samar is an elongated island surrounded by crystal clear waters that embrace extensive white sand beaches.
A short 20-minute boat ride from the town of Victoria, Dalupiri is the name of the island conterminous to the municipality of San Antonio. Slowly getting famous for its laid-back tropical atmosphere, it is poised to become a prime destination for locals and visitors looking for a place to unwind and bond with family and friends.
Despite its proximity to a largely Waray-speaking region, Cebuano is the dominant language spoken in San Antonio. Owe this to the huge number of migrants from Cebu and Bohol who reside on the island — establishing small businesses and exploiting the rich fishing grounds in the area.
From Manila, RoRo buses (e.g. Philtranco) bound for Tacloban and the rest of Mindanao will pass by the town of Victoria in Northern Samar. Travel time from Manila to Victoria takes around 15 hours.
PAL flies daily from Manila to Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar. From Catarman, there are vans and jeepneys going to the towns of Victoria and Allen.
From the town of Victoria in Northern Samar, unlimited number of passenger boats make the crossing to San Antonio with last trip normally around 6:00 PM. Travel time from the port in Victoria to San Antonio is 20 minutes with fare costing ₱30.
Alternatively, if you are coming from Allen (the first town of Northern Samar arriving via ferry from Sorsogon), there is a direct boat trip to San Antonio leaving Dapdap Port in Allen around 12:00 noon every day. Travel time from Dapdap Port to San Antonio is 1 hour with fare costing ₱30.
Seashore Beach Resort and Haven of fun Beach Resort are just a quick 5-minute pedicab ride from the Port in San Antonio. Rate starts at ₱500/night in a single fan room.
Another island municipality almost the same size and shape of San Antonio is Capul. This island played a crucial role in the Acapulco-Manila galleon trade during the Spanish occupation.
Samar island was the first Philippine island spotted by Spanish trading ships as they approached the end of their long voyage from Acapulco, Mexico.
They would make a quick pit stop on Capul, offer thanks for a safe crossing at the Jesuit church, and then head towards Manila, their final destination.
Capul was also the last stop before the ships would start their long journey back across the Pacific ocean to return to Acapulco.
Only 30 minutes away by boat from San Antonio and an hour from the main island of Samar, the people in Capul are proud to have a distinct language called Inabaknon, one that is not related to Cebuano, Waray or Bicolano but rather to the Sama language of Sulu Archipelago in Mindanao. A runaway king from the Sinama tribe of Tawi-Tawi named Abak, is said to be the bringer of the peculiar language to Capul, and with phrases often spoken in a fast-paced manner, expect most locals in Capul to talk like they are late for a meeting!
There are two main attractions in Capul which many visitors come to see: the 417 years old Capul Church and the 117-year-old Capul Lighthouse.
A few meters from the port in Capul just beside the municipal hall, Capul Church was established by the Jesuits in 1596. Constructed using piles of coral and rock, the high walls of the church also functioned as a garrison against Muslim fighters in the 1600s. Separated from the main structure is a towering belfry which ushers a 360-degree view of the quiet neighbourhood.
Taking a 20-minute motorcycle ride north along the scenic coastal road leads to the most popular landmark in Capul, the island’s old historic lighthouse. Erected at the corner of a grassy slope, the time-torn beacon was first lit on December 1896.
Standing at a height of almost 15 meters, it provides a wide panorama of San Bernardino Strait with the clear outline of Bicol and Samar in the distance.
From Manila, RoRo buses (e.g. Philtranco) bound for Tacloban and the rest of Mindanao will pass by the town of Allen in Northern Samar. Travel time from Manila to Allen takes around 14 hours.
PAL flies daily from Manila to Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar. From Catarman, there are vans and jeepneys going to the town of Allen.
From Looc Port (also known as Balwharteco) in Allen, there are two passenger boats bound for Capul leaving at around 12:00 noon everyday. Travel time is 1 hour and fare costs ₱50.
Antique House located a few meters from the Port in Capul is a nice place to stay. Rate at ₱150 per night in a single fan room.
People do not often go to Biri to look for beaches. They come to look for rocks. Yes rocks…stunning rock formations! Rock formations that will make you appreciate nature’s magnificent work of art.
Situated off the northern shores of Samar, Biri is an angular island lying at the mouth of San Bernardino Strait, facing the Philippine Sea. Gigantic waves matched by strong winds coming from the east helped in shaping a landscape atypical to most islands in the country.
Characterized by layers upon layers of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone sharply exposed on the surface, the rock formations of Magasang, Magsapad, Macadlaw, Bel-at and Caranas offer some of the most incredible views on the island.
From the vast field of pygmy mangroves which separate Magsapad from Macadlaw, to the natural infinity pools of Bel-at and Caranas, a tour along the rugged coast of Biri will definitely leave one speechless.
From Manila, RoRo buses (e.g. Philtranco) bound for Tacloban and the rest of Mindanao will pass by the town of Allen in Northern Samar. Travel time from Manila to Allen takes around 14 hours. A quick 20-minute jeepney ride from Allen brings one to the town of Lavezares.
PAL flies daily from Manila to Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar. From Catarman, there are jeepneys going to the town of Lavezares.
From the public market in Lavezares, passenger boats to Biri are available between 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Travel time is 1 hour and costs ₱50.
Ate Glo’s Homestay, being one of the first guesthouse in Biri, is popular among backpackers. Rate starts at ₱150 per night in a single fan room.
BY HARLY LIMLINGAN MARCUAP ON JUNE 20, 2014
Website: http://insights.looloo.com/3-towns-in-northern-samar/
Wonders of Northern Samar 