PALO LEYTE: THE BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE

As I’ve read a quote saying “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that our highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them” I’ve realized that everything in our town, the Palo Leyte, seemed so beautiful, because one time I was roaming around Palo and suddenly strucked me into imagining how deeply thoughtful and appreciative of people living in this town, Palo is so extraordinary that there were a lot of history that has been made in this place. I couldn’t agree more to our ancestors living in this place that Palo is considered to be one of the best places to stay and best places to roam freely.

(The road of Guindapunan, going to Palo proper)

History of Palo:

The discovery of the advancing communities of Palo dates back to the early 16th Century A.D. along the banks of Bangon River. The first known settlement were the kingdom of Takuranga, first name of Palo under King Guban, and the Kingdom of Kaluugan, the second name of Palo under King Pitik. From the 14th to the 16th centuries, some other settlements were formed which also became the succeeding names of Palo, until finally in 1550 Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi coalesced the settlements and named the new confederation "Palo". The other settlements were Kasangitan, Binangalan, Kasuguran, Bunga, Bangon and Guindapunan. The settlers of Bunga played a vital role in the history of Palo, having formed the settlement of Bangon which is now the town center. Palo formally became a town in 1768 with Kapitan Balasabas as its first administration.

The town is very active in commerce and in tourism. It attracts a significant number of tourists every year. The town also has its historic Municipal Building which was the former Seat of the Provincial Government of Leyte. Its location is conducive to and ideal for trading and commerce. Palo is strategically located in the northern part of the Province of Leyte, 8 miles from the capital city of Tacloban. It is composed of 33 barrios (barangays) with a total population of 40,000. The main source of income for most of the citizenry is the buying and selling of farm products and the production and fermentation of the local wine "tuba". Palo is a town that takes pride not in its material wealth, which rates poorly in terms of economic growth, but in the fame and glory of its being a rare "Town of Firsts"---culturally, historically and spiritually.  Municipality of Palo, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 70,052 people.^[3]

The municipality is the seat of most government departments, bureaus and regional offices of Region VIII, although some are situated at the neighboring city of Tacloban. The town is also home to the offices of the ecclesiastical government of the Archdiocese of Palo; the archbishop's residence; as well as the secondary, tertiary and theology seminaries of the archdiocese.

Palo has also several well-known Educational Institutions such as Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, one of the Nation’s well known college school because of numerous students passing the CPA Board Exams, we also have Sacred Heart Seminary, St. Mary’s Academy of Palo, AMA Computer College, Philippine Science High School, UP Manila School of Health Sciences,  and many more institutions that has been stood in this historic place.

There are also several food/products that people in Palo make such as:

Tuba (Coconut Wine)-  the coconut wine tuba is matured for up to one to 2 years such that an echoing ring is made when a glass container is tapped explanation required; this variation of tuba is called bahalina.

(Example picture of Tuba or Coconut Wine)

Next one is, here in Palo we also make the Leyte’s famous Suman Latik, another version of rice cake made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, brown sugar and flavored with lye solution, which makes the taste distinct. Also wrapped in banana leaf, this dessert is served with the “latik” sauce on top and is best enjoyed with coffee or hot chocolate. Grated coconut meat can also be used as topping.

(Example picture of Suman Latik)

Next product is we also make Tablea or Filipino Tsokolate.

(Example photo of Table-making in Palo)

(Photo taken from crispypatakarekare.com)

Aside from these products That the Palo people made there are also Tourist Spots that makes the Palo Leyte magnificent and historic as it is.

                                       (Photo of Palo Cathedral)

One example is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration. The cathedral, built in 1596, was transferred from Jesuits to Augustinians (1768) and to Franciscans in 1843. It was proclaimed as a cathedral on March 25, 1938, with Manuel Mascariñas as the first bishop. The grand altar of the church contains eight images.

Next is we have the, McArthur Landing Memorial National Park. “I shall return,” a famous line in Philippine history associated with General Douglas McArthur. The celebrated event happened in Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944, where the general fulfilled his promise of returning to the Philippines. He was recalled to duty during World War II to be the commander of the US Army and with the purpose of uniting the Philippines and the United States under one command.

                   (Photo of McArthur Land Memorial National Park)

Few meters from the statues is a rock garden park having tablets from different countries who worked together in preserving peace 50 years after the war. The commemoration plate states that “It is dedicated to peoples of all nations who share and cherish the same ideas of freedom and democracy.” The garden was inaugurated on October 20, 1994, five decades after World War II.

Next is we have the Guinhangdan Hill, a destination of Holy Week pilgrims. The hill is now a forest reserve.

Next is we have the famous Red Beach of Palo - The landmark that has brought Palo to the annals of world history is the Red Beach, in barangay Candahug, where Gen. Douglas MacArthur first landed to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese occupation on October 20, 1944.

(Photo of red beach palo)

Next is we have the Korean Veteran Memorial Park/ Araw Memorial Park, it is located in Candahug Palo, Leyte. A memorial park that is down the road from McArthurs park, by the roundabout.
The land was given to the Koreans for their assistance in Yolanda and they, in turn, created the memorial for the Filipinos who helped in the Korean War. It is a nice show of friendship between the two countries. This was unveiled on December 5, 2014 a few days before the South Korea Military Joint Support Group left.  South Koreans were able to repair of 66 public buildings including; 37 schools and 25 government facilities. They also helped in the clearing operations, medical services and feeding programs.

(Photo of Korean Veteran Memorial Park/Araw Memorial Park)

Next is we have the Eternal Flame Memorial Garden Common Graves located in Brgy. San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte is the final resting place of 378 residents of the said barangay who lost their lives to the Super Typhoon Yolanda. The memorial is located right outside San Joaquin Parish. Names of the residents who were buried in the mass grave are written on granite. There is also a shade-like structure with names of the people who died including their birth date and death. There is also a sculpture of a candle at the center called “Eternal Flame”, instead of flame; a praying hand would be seen on top.

Eternal Flame Memorial Garden in Brgy. San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte

We also have the Sacred Heart Seminary, it is a beautiful place to visit, it is located in National Road, Brgy. Salvacion, Palo Leyte. It is where seminarians who serve God are educated in this Institution.

(Photo of Sacred Heart Seminary)

There are lot of various more placed to visit in Palo, it is also a developing place and a beautiful place to stay. The barangay has power and authority over its domain. The improvement of the barangay rests on the barangay officials. The barangay chairman, the barangay council and the local businessmen forge the prosperity of the barangay. Not the president of the Philippines, senate, nor congress, not the governor of the province, not the mayor nor council of the municipality or city. Poor barangays stay poor because of weak and ignorant barangay leaders.

When roads need to be built or any infrastructure within the barangay is needed, all the barangay officials have to do is make a resolution and demand for it from the city or municipality council. The resolution will force the city council and congress to hear the legitimate demands. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

Practically anything that has to do with the barangay, the barangay officials have a say on it and most likely the authority over it. The majority of the barangay officials are not aware of their duties and power. They depend on the city council or mayor. The elected barangay officials are afraid of the mayor and city/municipality's "Sangguniang Panlungsod".

Here in Palo, a place you must visit and be astounded by beautiful surroundings you’ll ever see. A lot of history has been made, In the present time I’ll surely enjoy fast-food chains such as McDonalds, Jollibee, Andok’s, Shakeys, JC Foodspot, Panny’s, Mister Donut, and now we have the 7/11 near jollibee and many more food establishment. Palo is becoming a developed town because of the glorious and tremendous works by our Mayor and a lot of help from other government officers too. This is my town, this is where I live. I will forever cherish my lovely town of Palo Leyte.