Background

Visayas is the name of a group of islands located in the central Philippines comprising Western,
Central and Eastern Visayas regions. These group of islands is where many of the pristine white beaches of
the Philippines can be found such as Boracay Island in the Western Visayas, Panglao Island in Central Visayas
and Calicoan Island and the Britania Group in Eastern Visayas, not to mention Siquijor Island off Negros
Oriental's Dumaguete City and its dramatically beautiful, diving and snorkelling-friendly neighbour Apo Island.

Boracay island has brought the Visayas into worldwide focus as it is continually featured as either the best or
one of the top five best beaches in the world or in Asia, beating Thailand's beaches for many awards. The
powdery white sand of many Visayan beaches has to be experienced in person: it is always comfortable in
bare feet.

Western Visayas includes the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and
Negros Occidental. Central Visayas region includes the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.
Eastern Visayas comprises the provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte and
Western Samar.

The main islands in the Visayas group are Panay Island, Negros Island, Cebu Island, Bohol
Island, Siquijor Island, Leyte Island, Biliran Island and Samar Island: the best known is tiny Boracay Island off
Panay Island's Caticlan.

The main dialects in the Visayas region are Hiligaynon, Cebuano and Waray. The people in
the Western region re commonly called Ilonggo, in the Central region they are known as Cebuano while in the
Eastern region they are generally called Waray. Generally, the people in the Visayas are called Bisaya since
they speak Visayan languages.

The best Filipino dive sites, beaches, massive caves, falls and rock formations can be found
in the region together with some surfing sites. The region is between the main island of Luzon and the
southern Mindanaon region.

Investment opportunities in the tourism industry are primarily in the hotel sector (including
smaller bed and breakfasts) due to the increasing arrival of tourists from South Korea, mainland China,
Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and the United States. Tourism from Japan had markedly declined, a
worldwide phenomena, but has now started to rise again. Demand for accommodation by local travellers is
five times the demand by foreigners.
The diversity of accommodation has markedly improved since 2000 with Cebu and Boracay in particular
enjoying a wide selection from budget to luxury 5-star. Previously less prominent islands such as Siquijor are
starting to attract Europeans, UK residents and Australians in particular due to their stunning white sand
beaches and the absence of multi-storey tourism developments.

The Philippines' transport options from both Manila and Cebu have dramatically improved since 2004 with
airline Cebu Pacific now hubbing some smaller ATR-500 flights through Cebu to previously unserved
destinations such as Dumaguete, Tanday and Siargao. Philippine Airlines reintroduced some Cebu-hubbed
inter-island flights during 2015. Flight frequencies from Manila to Cebu and Kalibo (the latter for Boracay) are
excellent with PhilippinesAirAsia and Cebgo (a Cebu Pacific subsidiary) the other doemstic airlines.

Airliines such as Cebu Pacific have begun to develop other hubs such as Iloilo.

2 Go Travel (http://travel.2go.com.ph) is the main ferry operator. It traverses the Manila to Cebu and vice
versa route at least four times a week. TransAsia and Cokaliong Lines are two reputable large ferry operators
that link many large cities to the Visayas' Cebu using modern vessels with a typical one way sole use or cabin
for two costing about P3200.

The quality of food has risen in the past decade. For an example of Filipino urban planning that beats many
Western cities, visit The Terraces' three-storey dining area next to Cebu's Ayala Center Mall.

The Visayas is known for fresh mangoes, scenic drives, frequent bus services by companies such as Ceres
Liners (although not fast at an average speed of 30 to 35 kilometres per hour depending on traffic conditions)
and a multitude of smaller islands to explore, dive or snorkel at.

Island hopping in small islets is undertaken by outrigger boats ('bangkas', sometimes spelt 'banca.') Foreign
travellers often agree that local residents are among the most hospitable people on earth and speak English.

The best months to visit are December to early June, although most of the region avoids the typhoons that
plague Manila and northern Luzon between August and Novem ber.
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Cebu is a kaleidoscope of varying cultures and lifestyles, a meeting of east and west, a fusion of things
traditional and modern.

This is influenced by the various phases of Cebu: being the spot where Philippine history began,
becoming the cradle of Christianity, experiencing American and Japanese occupation, and later on
transforming itself into a regional hub of everything — from arts and craftsmanship, to business and
information technology.

All these, plus the convergence of personalities and groups from varying backgrounds give the island a
culture and lifestyle that is uniquely Cebu.

Traditions remain unchanged over the years, while every taste of things that are modern is embraced.

Cebu Province has 44 towns and seven cities, various urban centers and countryside, islands and
mountain ranges, age-old crafts, and new technology. These diverse factors give the many faces of Cebu
but still, all lead to one culture of excellence and piety, and a lifestyle of stylish fun all rolled into one.

Traditions and Fiestas

Famous among a myriad of festivities in the province are the Siloy Festival of Alcoy, Mantawi Festival of
Mandaue City, Kadaugan sa Mactan of Mactan Island, Palawod Festival of Bantayan Island, Haladaya
Festival of Daanbantayan. A must see also is the Sinulog Festival in honor of Señor Sto Niño de Cebu,
which is celebrated every third Sunday of January.

Siloy Festival, celebrated every last Saturday of August, pays tribute to Patron Saint Rose of Lima. It
promotes the Mag-abo Forest that shelters the renowned but endangered black shama (siloy).

Mantawi of Mandaue City illustrates the city’s heritage and identity as industrial center through floats,
food festival, and trade fairs. The Kadaugan sa Mactan, meanwhile, commemorates the historic battle
between the Spanish leader Ferdinand Magellan and Mactan Chieftain Lapu-lapu.

Of the many islets in Cebu, perhaps the most well-known is the Bantayan Island. During their Palawod
Festival every last week of June, locals and guests alike participate in street dancing, which captures the
traditional fishing, a livelihood inherent in the island.

The more than 40 festivals in Cebu province are highlighted in one grand event dubbed the Festival of
Festivals, which is organized by the Cebu Provincial Government during its annual founding anniversary
celebration every August.

Recreation

Being part of a tropical country, Cebu is lined with pristine white sand beaches perfect for weekend and
holiday getaways. Famous resorts include Alegre Beach Resort in the municipality of Sogod, renowned
for its white powdery beach and efforts in marine wildlife preservation.
At the sunset coast of Cebu, another prominent tourist destination is the Badian Island Resort and Spa. A
first class resort, it boasts of crystal blue waters, fine white sand beaches and the splendor of nature in
the little island basking at Badian Gulf.

Sanctuaries also abound in the province. One of these is the Olango Wildlife Sanctuary, six miles off the
east coast of mainland Cebu. The island play host to a total of 77 species of migratory birds in the East
Asian Flyway.

For nature and butterfly lovers, a must see is the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery. It houses
about 53 butterfly species and different kinds of moths.

Down south, Moalboal has the biggest Orchid Display in South East Asia. Take in the majesty of vast
orchid varieties from Asia, South America, and Hawaii which are cultured in the Orchid farm.

Cebu province offers a wide range of recreational activities — from diving spots to golf courses, from
heritage walks to eco-tourism adventures.

In the metropolitan, entertainments centers thrive with vibrant discotheques and bars, specialty shops,
savory restaurants and dining areas, internet cafes and distinct shopping malls.

Religion

The most celebrated patron saint in Cebu is the Señor Sto Niño de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus. The
original statue is housed in the Basilica Minore del Sto Niño, near the famous cross erected by the
Spaniards.

Historical accounts say the image was given by the Portuguese Captain Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of
Cebu Chieftain Raja Humabon for their pledge of allegiance to the King of Spain. This event is depicted in
the Sinulog Festival.

Majority of the population in Cebu are Roman Catholics. Spanish-era churches are dotting the coasts of
Cebu province. One of the oldest churches in Central Visayas is the one in Boljoon, Cebu, which is more
than 400 years old and is currently undergoing renovation.

Literature

Cebuano literature, as most literary works in the Philippines, started with fables and legends of pre-
colonial Philippines along with Spanish influences. Since the local alphabet was not widely spread in the
Visayas, most of the literature produced was oral, handed down to generations. These were documented
by the Spanish Jesuit Fr. Ignatio Francisco Alzinal.

During the American period, Vicente Sotto, now called the Father of Cebuano Literature, wrote the first
short story Maming and was published in the first issue of his newspaper, Ang Suga. Sotto’s reputation as
a playwright started after he wrote and directed the first Cebuano play entitled Elena.
Ang Suga became the medium for publication of Cebuano writers. From that, a community of writers
gradually grew to include the names of Florentino Rallos, Filomeno Veloso, Marcial Velez, Timoteo
Castro, Segundo Cinco, Vicente Ranudo, Dionisio Jakosalem, Selestino Rodriguez, Filomeno Roble, Juan
Villagonzalo, Leoncio Avila, and Filemon Sotto. However, their contributions to the Cebuano literature
were lost to subsequent generations.

Legendary works consist of Felicatas by Uldarico Alviola in 1912, Mahinuklugong Paglubong Kang Alicia
(“The Sad Burial of Alicia”) by Vicente Garces in 1924, Apdo sa Kagul-anan (“Bitterness of Sorrow”) by
Angel Enemecio in 1928-29, and Ang Tinagoan (“The Secret”) by Vicente Rama in 1933-34.

At present, Cebuano writers are being encouraged to re-establish Cebuano literature. Institutions like the
UP National Writers and Iligan National Writers conduct workshops in which in every seminar, Cebuano
works are being dissected and discussed by panelists.

In 1998, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature opened the Cebuano short story category.

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Visayan Riddle: Baboy sa lasang, ang tunok puro lansang.

English Translation: A wild pig of the forest is covered with spikes. WILDPIG

AY MALI JACKFRUIT PALA

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Visayan Riddle: Tigmo, tigmo agokoy, ugma ra kita magasoy

English Translation: Riddles made in the night will be answered in the morning light.. a dream

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Visayan Riddle: Kabayo ni Adan, dili moka-on ug dili kabay-an.

English Translation: The horse of Adam does not eat unless someone rides on it.. a coconut grater

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Gipalit ko bisan ug mahal,

Apan magpulos lamang ug magbitay.

Tubag.

I bought it and it is costly,

But I use it for hanging only.

Answer.

Gamay pa si pari,

Kusog nang mosaka ug lubi.

Tubag.

No matter how small is the compadre

He can climb a coconut tree.

Answer.

Na-ay kaban sa pari,

Ukbon dili mauli.

Tubag.

There's a priest's trunk,

When opened, could not be closed.

Answer.

Kahoy nga kahibulongan,

Ang panit morag puthaw,

Ang udlot morag bangkaw,

Namungag kasakitan

Nanahon'g kalipayan.

Tubag.

What a mysterious tree!

Its bark resembles iron,

Its young leaves are like spears,

Its branches are thorny,

Its leaves are useful

Answer.

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Eastern Visayas is composed of the islands of Samar, Leyte, Biliran and the smaller outlying islands. In
terms of political divisions, it is made up of six provinces, namely Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar,
Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte. As of Census 1995, the region’s total population stood at 3.5 million
with Leyte having the highest population concentration at 1.5 million, and Biliran, the smallest
population at 132 thousand.

The region is humid, and has no definite wet and dry seasons. It is generally agricultural and its main
crops include coconut, banana, potatoes, cassava, abaca, and sugarcane. Its other source of income is
fishing. Frequent occurrences of typhoons have perennially disturbed the economy of the region but
people seem to have adapted well enough.

The City of Tacloban is the major center of trade and commerce and education in the region.

THE SOCIOLINGUISTIC SITUATION

The mountain ranges that traverse the islands of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran have influenced the
development of dialectal varieties of Waray and distinct speech communities. In Leyte, the Central
Cordillera that bisects the island has provided the condition for the establishment of two distinct speech
communities, the Waray and the Cebuano, and the growth of dialectal varieties of Waray. In Biliran, a
similar speech situation exists. The hilly and mountainous terrain of Samar has contributed to the rise of
Waray dialects, and likewise has nurtured a small number of Cebuano speech communities.

The 1995 Census Report reveals that there were more than 2 M speakers of Waray and 1.2 M speakers
of Cebuano in the region. About 80 per cent of the total population in the region were registered
functionally literate – that is, being able to read, write, and count.

THE LITERATURE

The literature of Eastern Visayas refers to the literature written in Waray and Cebuano by writers from
the region. Of the two, it is Waray literature that has been collected, recorded, and documented by
scholars and researchers, a movement largely spurred by the interest of German priests, managing a
university in Tacloban City, who saw the necessity of gathering and preserving the literary heritage of the
region. It is in this light that whenever East Visayan literature is written about, it is usually Waray
literature that is being described.

Earliest accounts of East Visayan literature date back to 1668 when a Spanish Jesuit by the name of Fr.
Ignatio Francisco Alzina documented the poetic forms such as the candu, haya, ambahan, canogon, bical,
balac, siday and awit. He also described the susumaton and posong, early forms of narratives. Theater
tradition was very much in place – in the performance of poetry, rituals, and mimetic dances. Dances
mimed the joys and activities of the ancient Waray.
With three centuries of Spanish colonization and another period of American occupation, old rituals,
poetic forms and narratives had undergone reinvention. A case in point is the balac, a poetic love joust
between a man and a woman. According to Cabardo, the balac retained its form even as

it took new names and borrowed aspects of the languages of the colonizers. During the Spanish period,
the balac was called the amoral; during the American occupation, it was renamed ismayling, a term
derived from the English word “smile.” According to a literary investigator, in certain areas of Samar, the
same balac form or ismayling has been reinvented to express anti-imperialist sentiments where the
woman represents the motherland and the man, the patriot who professes his love of country.

Modern East Visayan literature, particularly Waray, revolves around poetry and drama produced
between the 1900s and the present. The flourishing economy of the region and the appearance of local
publications starting in 1901 with the publication of An Kaadlawon, the first Waray newspaper, saw the
flourishing of poetry in Waray.

In Samar, Eco de Samar y Leyte, a long running magazine in the 1900s, published articles and literary
works in Spanish, Waray and English. A noteworthy feature of this publication was its poetry section, An
Tadtaran, which presented a series of satirical poems that attacked the changing values of the people at
the time. Eco likewise published occasional and religious poems.

In Leyte, An Lantawan, which has extant copies from 1931 to 1932, printed religious and occasional
poetry. It also published satirical poems of Bagong Katipunero, Luro, Datoy Anilod, Marpahol, Vatchoo
(Vicente I. de Veyra), Julio Carter (Iluminado Lucente), Ben Tamaka (Eduardo Makabenta), and Kalantas
(Casiano Trinchera). Under these pseudonyms, poets criticized corrupt government officials, made fun of
people’s vices, and attacked local women for adopting modern ways of social behavior..

With the organization of the Sanghiran San Binisaya in 1909, writers as well as the illustrados in the
community banded together for the purpose of cultivating the Waray language. Under the leadership of
Norberto Romualdez Sr, Sanghiran’s members had literary luminaries that included Iluminado Lucente,
Casiano Trinchera, Eduardo Makabenta, Francisco Alvarado, Juan Ricacho, Francisco Infectana, Espiridion
Brillo, and statesman Jaime C. de Veyra. For a time, Sanghiran was responsible for the impetus it gave to
new writing in the language.

The period 1900 to the late fifties witnessed the finest Waray poems of Casiano Trinchera, Iluminado
Lucente, Eduardo Makabenta, and the emergence of the poetry of Agustin El O’Mora, Pablo Rebadulla,
Tomas Gomez Jr., Filomeno Quimbo Singzon, Pedro Separa, Francisco Aurillo, and Eleuterio Ramoo.
Trinchera, Lucente, and Makabenta were particularly at their best when they wrote satirical poetry.

The growing acceptance of English as official language in the country strengthened these writers’ loyalty
to the ethnic mother tongue as their medium for their art. The publication of Leyte News and The Leader
in the twenties, the first local papers in English, brought about the increasing legitimization of English as
a medium of communication, the gradual displacement of Waray and eventual disappearance of its
poetry from the pages of local publications.
Where local newspapers no longer served as vehicles for written poetry in Waray, the role was assumed
by MBC’s DYVL and local radio stations in the seventies. Up to the present time, poetry sent to these
stations are written mostly by local folk – farmers, housewives, lawyers, government clerks, teachers,
and students. A common quality of their poetry is that they tend to be occasional, didactic, and
traditional in form. The schooled writers in the region, unlike the local folk poets, do not write in Waray
nor Filipino. Most of them write in English although lately there has been an romantic return to their
ethnic mother tongue as the medium for their poetry.

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Gipalit ko bisan ug mahal,

Apan magpulos lamang ug magbitay.

Tubag.

I bought it and it is costly,

But I use it for hanging only.

Earrings.

Gamay pa si pari,

Kusog nang mosaka ug lubi.

Tubag.

No matter how small is the compadre

He can climb a coconut tree.

Ant.

Na-ay kaban sa pari,

Ukbon dili mauli.

Tubag.

There's a priest's trunk,

When opened, could not be closed.

Egg.

Kahoy nga kahibulongan,

Ang panit morag puthaw,

Ang udlot morag bangkaw,

Namungag kasakitan

Nanahon'g kalipayan.

Tubag.

What a mysterious tree!

Its bark resembles iron,

Its young leaves are like spears,

Its branches are thorny,

Its leaves are useful

Buri palm

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Visayas is popular with its chocolate hills and Masskara festival. You will find Chocolate Hills in this region
one of the most visited places in Bohol. There is also the rich cultural heritage of the Dumaguete that
you will appreciate once your visit the land. Visayan foods are loved by people because of their vibrant
and flavorful tastes. You will not just love the main dishes from the region, but also appetizers to dessert
dishes.

In this article, you will find the delicious dishes coming from Visayas region. You can even try it yourself
in your home. Each dish has their own uniqueness. You will be surprised on how it lingers on your taste
bud.

Humba

You might have tasted the typical adobo. Well, this Humba is the adobo version of Visayas region. Humba
is one of my favorite dishes. This Visayan cuisine has the best taste with the combination of steamed
rice.

Chicken Molo Soup

This is the perfect dish every rainy season. Dumpling dish is popular with Visayan people, but there is
more. What if the dumpling turns into the soup? Then, that is what they call chicken molo soup. The
ingredients for the dish are ground pork, minced chicken, and chopped prawn. These ingredients ae
cooked with chicken broth that makes the dish much tastier. Pancit Molo started in Molo, Iloilo City, that
is why the dish named after the place. The irony about Pancit molo is that it doesn’t have any noodles in
it, but a dumpling instead.

Kinilaw
Do you prefer raw foods? Well, kinilaw is one of the Visayan favorite dishes, and you will surely love it,
too. Visayas is surrounded by water and rich land, that is why you could find lots of seafoods and other
sea products. This is the reason why they came up with variety cuisines. Kinilaw is one of their main
dishes served in different food stalls or “carenderia.” To cook this recipe, you need vinegar, chilies, lime,
garlic, spring onion, onion, and ginger.

Piaya

Piaya literally means “pressed party” in traditional Chinese. To make this delicacy, you need to make
unleavened bread and put a filling of muscovado. You can see this food in pasalubong centers most of
the time. This desert originated in Negros Occidental. It is popular not just in this region, but also in
other part of Visayas. As time passed by, they decided to make variations of this delicacy. The
alternatives for muscovado are ube and mango. There is also the piayito if you like the tiny, thin, and
crispy version of Piaya.

Chicken Inasal

You can find various Inasal stores in different regions, but there is something different in Visayan chicken
inasal. This is the chicken inasal in Bacolod-style. They use astuete or oil and annatto seed to give
flavoring to the chicken. Make sure that you have extra rice. Eat it with bare hands to relish the original
taste of Bacolod Inasal.

Pocherong Bisaya

During rainy season, you are surely looking for your comfort food. Pocherong Bisaya is the best dish you
can try every cold and rainy season. This Visayan pochero is seasoned with light lemongrass broth.

Binakol

If you know Tinola soup dish, this dish will probably look familiar, but with just slight difference. Binakol
has coconut milk in it, which adds tasty flavor to the dish. Native chicken is also used in Binakol. Native
chicken is much more delicious than the common poultry, though its meat is much tougher, so they have
to boil it in several hours to make it tender.

Dried Mangoes

Every Filipino loves mangoes. Good news is that you can also buy it in the market in different style. It is
dried, and you will surely love it once you have a taste of it. This delicacy is chewy and sweet. Foreigners
and even locals buy this food as their “pasalubong”.

Otap

Here is another favorite snack of Filipinos. They usually serve this delicacy during meryenda or some
visitor comes in their home. To make this delicacy, you need coconut milk, shortening, sugar, and flour.
Two things you will love with this snack is that it is flaky and crunchy. I promise, you will ask for more.
La Paz Batchoy

This soup dish originated from La Paz Iloilo. It is one of their bestsellers especially during cold and rainy
seasons. To make this delicious soup, you need miki noodles, pig’s guts, and sliced pork. There is another
variation of La Paz Batchoy which you can find in Iloilo – which is called buko batchoy.

Are you planning to Visayas for your next trip? Do not forget to try their bestseller and authentic dishes.
Happy travel and food tripping everyone, and I hope you got an idea on what to buy in your tour.

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dadansoy

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Pamuwa Sa Bata

(Bukidnon)

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Ug Binhi

(Ang Binhi)

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Uwak Ug Banug

(Negros Oriental)

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Eastern Visayas is composed of the islands of Samar, Leyte, Biliran and the smaller outlying islands. In
terms of political divisions, it is made up of six provinces, namely Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar,
Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

As of Census 1995, the region’s total population stood at 3.5 million with Leyte having the highest
population concentration at 1.5 million,

Biliran- is the smallest population at 132 thousand.

City of Tacloban-is the major center of trade and commerce and education in the region.

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