Leyte
Encyclopedia
Leyte is a province
of the Philippines
located in the Eastern Visayas
region
. Its capital is Tacloban City
and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island
. Leyte is located west of Samar Island
, north of Southern Leyte
and south of Biliran. To the west of Leyte across the Camotes Sea
is Cebu Province.
, first came to the island in 1543 and named it Las Islas Felipinas.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf
took place in the seas surrounding this island from 23 October to 26 October 1944. It was the largest naval battle in modern history
, when at least 212 Allied ships clashed with the remnants of the Imperial Japanese Navy
, some 60 ships, including the super battleships Yamato
and Musashi
.
The First Battle of Leyte
occurred on 20 October 1944. A successful Allied invasion of the island was the crucial element to the eventual Filipino and American victory in the Philippines.
The Japanese Imperial forces was they recaptured in Leyte on January 1945 after the post-first battle by the successfully to the Allies. When the Second Battle of Leyte occurred on January 1945. Many local Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary units and U.S. Army 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment enters to the recaptured and they found liberated the province of Leyte and helped the U.S. & Australian troops and they attacking Japanese Imperial forces. The element to the eventual Allied victory in Leyte on August 1945 after the second battle.
.
, while in the north and east is the Waray-Waray.
The Cebuanos in south-western, central and southern part of the province have ties with Cebu, the most populous province in the Visayas; the Warays in north and north-east are more tied to Samar. Cebuanos there speaks Boholano, a dialectal variant of Cebuano language, with some words from Waray-Waray like "luto" in place of "kan-on" (rice) and "bungto" in place of "lungsod" (town). Only few Warays have Cebuano as their second language, but majority of Cebuanos really cannot understand Waray-Waray. Because of this, Cebuano tourists coming to Tacloban resorted to speak English
or Tagalog
or a combination of these. There are also some Spanish mestizos and some natives of the province who can understand and speak Spanish
due to the province's colonial history.
According to the Year 2000 census, 97% of Leyte's population is Roman Catholics, one of the highest percentage in the Visayas. While the remaining 3% are either adherents of other different Christian sects such as the indigenous Iglesia ni Cristo, Baptists, Evangelicals, Mennonites, and Mormons.
is farmed in the lower flatter areas specifically those around Tacloban, while coconut
farming, for coconut oil
is the main cash crop of the more mountainous areas. Fishing is also a major source of livelihood among residents.
The province is the site of the largest geothermal plant in Asia, making it one of the resource-rich provinces of the Philippines.
and two cities
. The municipalities are clustered into 6 congressional districts.
Ormoc City
is an independent component city, while the capital Tacloban was declared a highly-urbanized city in 2008. Both cities govern themselves independently of the province and their residents do not vote for elective provincial officials. Baybay
attained cityhood in 2007 but reverted to its municipal status when the Supreme Court declared its city charter unconstitutional in 2008; however, Baybay would regain its city status following the reversal of the Supreme Court decision dated December 22, 2009. But on August 2010 a resolution has been passed striking down the 16 cities, since Baybay is part of the cities,it is no more a city.But, on February 15, 2011 Baybay is a city once again. The Supreme Court reversed its decision once again and Baybay now is a city.
The upper portion is a perspective of the national Freedom Park commemorating the landing of General
Douglas MacArthur
and the American Liberation Forces in Leyte during World War II
. The white cross represents the 2nd phase of Leyte's development when Magellan stopped here on his way to Cebu. The alphabet on the cross argent is the ancient Visayan paleographic syllabary of the letter L which stands for Leyte. The stars around the inner circle symbolize the forty-one (41) towns of Leyte and the everlasting flame symbolizes the soldiers who died during World War II.
Provinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
located in the Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...
region
Regions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...
. Its capital is Tacloban City
Tacloban City
The City of Tacloban is a port city approximately 360 miles southeast of Manila. It is the first in Eastern Visayas to be classified as a Highly Urbanized City. It is the capital of the Philippine province of Leyte and is the largest city in terms of population in Eastern Visayas...
and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island
Leyte Island
Leyte is an island in the Visayas group of the Philippines.The island measures about 180 km north-south and about 65 km at its widest point. In the north it nearly joins Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2 km in some places...
. Leyte is located west of Samar Island
Samar Island
Samar is an island in the Visayas, within the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar province, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran are part of the Eastern Visayas region...
, north of Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
and south of Biliran. To the west of Leyte across the Camotes Sea
Camotes Sea
The Camotes Sea is a small sea within the Philippine archipelago, between the Eastern Visayas and the Central Visayas. It is bordered by the islands of Leyte to the north and east, Bohol to the south, and Cebu to the west. The sea is connected to the Visayan Sea to the northwest, and to the Bohol...
is Cebu Province.
Discovery
The explorer Ruy López de VillalobosRuy López de Villalobos
Ruy López de Villalobos was a Spanish explorer who sailed the Pacific from Mexico to establish a permanent foothold for Spain in the East Indies, which was near the Line of Demarcation between Spain and Portugal according to the Treaty of Saragossa in 1529...
, first came to the island in 1543 and named it Las Islas Felipinas.
Battle of Leyte Gulf
During World War II under the Japanese Occupation, the 9th and 92nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was reestablished from 1942 to 1946 at the military general headquarters and military camps and garrisoned in Tacloban and Ormoc before the liberation of the Philippines was the military unit organization and started by the Anti-Japanese military operations in the province of Leyte from 1942 to 1945 to helping the local guerrilla groups under by Colonel Ruperto Kangleon and the American liberating forces and fought against the Japanese Imperial forces.The Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
took place in the seas surrounding this island from 23 October to 26 October 1944. It was the largest naval battle in modern history
Largest naval battle in history
The title of "largest naval battle in history" is disputed between adherents of criteria which include the numbers of personnel and/or vessels involved in the battle, and the total tonnage of the vessels involved...
, when at least 212 Allied ships clashed with the remnants of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
, some 60 ships, including the super battleships Yamato
Japanese battleship Yamato
, named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was the lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She and her sister ship, Musashi, were the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing...
and Musashi
Japanese battleship Musashi
, named after the ancient Japanese Musashi Province, was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet. She was the second ship of the...
.
The First Battle of Leyte
Battle of Leyte
The Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by...
occurred on 20 October 1944. A successful Allied invasion of the island was the crucial element to the eventual Filipino and American victory in the Philippines.
The Japanese Imperial forces was they recaptured in Leyte on January 1945 after the post-first battle by the successfully to the Allies. When the Second Battle of Leyte occurred on January 1945. Many local Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary units and U.S. Army 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment enters to the recaptured and they found liberated the province of Leyte and helped the U.S. & Australian troops and they attacking Japanese Imperial forces. The element to the eventual Allied victory in Leyte on August 1945 after the second battle.
Proposed Division of Leyte
In March 27, 1923, Act No. 3117 proposed to divide Leyte into Occidental Leyte and Oriental Leyte but was not proclaimed by the Governor-General of the PhilippinesGovernor-General of the Philippines
The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
.
People and culture
The people of Leyte are divided into two main groups, primarily by language. In the west and south are the CebuanosCebuano people
The Cebuano people , are a Visayan ethnic group in Cebu and form the second largest cultural-linguistic group in the Philippines.-History:...
, while in the north and east is the Waray-Waray.
The Cebuanos in south-western, central and southern part of the province have ties with Cebu, the most populous province in the Visayas; the Warays in north and north-east are more tied to Samar. Cebuanos there speaks Boholano, a dialectal variant of Cebuano language, with some words from Waray-Waray like "luto" in place of "kan-on" (rice) and "bungto" in place of "lungsod" (town). Only few Warays have Cebuano as their second language, but majority of Cebuanos really cannot understand Waray-Waray. Because of this, Cebuano tourists coming to Tacloban resorted to speak English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
or Tagalog
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
or a combination of these. There are also some Spanish mestizos and some natives of the province who can understand and speak Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
due to the province's colonial history.
According to the Year 2000 census, 97% of Leyte's population is Roman Catholics, one of the highest percentage in the Visayas. While the remaining 3% are either adherents of other different Christian sects such as the indigenous Iglesia ni Cristo, Baptists, Evangelicals, Mennonites, and Mormons.
Economy
The economy of Leyte depends on agriculture. RiceRice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
is farmed in the lower flatter areas specifically those around Tacloban, while coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
farming, for coconut oil
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts harvested from the coconut palm . Throughout the tropical world, it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has various applications in food, medicine, and industry...
is the main cash crop of the more mountainous areas. Fishing is also a major source of livelihood among residents.
The province is the site of the largest geothermal plant in Asia, making it one of the resource-rich provinces of the Philippines.
Political divisions
Leyte is subdivided into 41 municipalitiesMunicipalities of the Philippines
A municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit...
and two cities
Cities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
. The municipalities are clustered into 6 congressional districts.
Ormoc City
Ormoc City
The City of Ormoc is a 1st class city in the province of Leyte, Philippines. The city's name is derived from ogmok, an old Visayan term for lowland or depressed plain. It is the first non-provincial city of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 177,524 people...
is an independent component city, while the capital Tacloban was declared a highly-urbanized city in 2008. Both cities govern themselves independently of the province and their residents do not vote for elective provincial officials. Baybay
Baybay, Leyte
The City of Baybay, is a component city located in the Province of Leyte, Philippines. It is situated on the western coast of the province of Leyte...
attained cityhood in 2007 but reverted to its municipal status when the Supreme Court declared its city charter unconstitutional in 2008; however, Baybay would regain its city status following the reversal of the Supreme Court decision dated December 22, 2009. But on August 2010 a resolution has been passed striking down the 16 cities, since Baybay is part of the cities,it is no more a city.But, on February 15, 2011 Baybay is a city once again. The Supreme Court reversed its decision once again and Baybay now is a city.
Municipalities
|
Carigara, Leyte Carigara is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 43,455 people in 8,571 households.-Barangays:Carigara is politically subdivided into 49 barangays.-History:... Dagami, Leyte Dagami is a municipality in the Province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the August 2007 census of population in the Philippines, the town has a population of 30,451 inhabitants with a density of 188 persons per square kilometer... Dulag, Leyte Dulag is a third-class municipality in the province of Leyte in Eastern Visayas in the Philippines. This coastal town covering 11,007 hectares of land is home to 44,143 residents... Hilongos, Leyte Hilongos is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It borders with the municipality of Bato in the south. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 53,911 people in 10,763 households. Land area : 19,292... Hindang, Leyte Hindang is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. In the north, it borders with the town of Inopacan while it borders with the town of Hilongos in the south. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,493 people in 4,009 households.-Barangays:Hindang is... Inopacan, Leyte Inopacan is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. In the south, it borders with the town of Hindang and Camotes Sea in the west... Isabel, Leyte Isabel is a 1st class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 38,486 people in 8,303 households.... Jaro, Leyte Jaro is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 38,797 people in 7,554 households. It is located just 20 kilometers west of tacloban or a 45min ride on a jeepney. Tacloban Is a large city and is famous for General... Javier, Leyte Javier is a fourth class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines, and a 14,180 hectare rural town approximately 73 kilometers south of Tacloban City. It is located between the boundaries of Baybay on the west side and MacArthur & Abuyog Towns, along the Leyte Gulf... (Bugho) Julita, Leyte Julita is a municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 12,096 people in 2,537 households.-Barangays:Julita is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.* Alegria* Anibong* Aslum* Balante... |
Kananga, Leyte Kananga is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 42,866 people in 8,665 households.... La Paz, Leyte La Paz is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,627 people in 3,473 households.-Barangays:... Leyte, Leyte Leyte is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 35,241 people in 6,889 households.-Barangays:Leyte is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.* Bachao* Baco* Bagaba-o... MacArthur, Leyte MacArthur is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 16,844 people in 3,410 households.Mayor: Rene Ruba Leria Vice Mayor: Leonardo Balaga Leria-Barangays:... Mahaplag, Leyte Mahaplag is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 26,511 people in 5,199 households.-Barangays:Mahaplag is politically subdivided into 28 barangays.* Campin... Matag-ob, Leyte Matag-ob is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,527 people in 3,523 households.... Matalom, Leyte Matalom is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It borders with Bato in the north. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 30,216 people in 6,093 households.-Name:... Mayorga, Leyte -Barangays:Mayorga is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. In 1957, the sitios of Picas, Guintulayan, and Bañgag were converted into barrios and renamed Santa Cruz, General Antonio Luna, and Calipayan, respectively.* A... Merida, Leyte Merida is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,326 people in 5,622 households.-Barangays:Merida is politically subdivided into 22 barangays.* Benabaye* Cabaliwan... Palo, Leyte Palo is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 47,982 people in 9,272 households.-Barangays:Palo is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.* Anahaway* Arado* Baras... |
Palompon, Leyte Palompon is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 50,754 people in 10,790 households.Lat 11°03’N Long 124°23’E W coast of Leyte Island SE of Canagayan Point, Palompon, Leyte.... Pastrana, Leyte Pastrana is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 14,351 people in 2,805 households.-Barangays:Pastrana is politically subdivided into 29 barangays.* Arabunog* Aringit... San Isidro, Leyte San Isidro is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 29,410 people in 6,611 households.-Barangays:San Isidro is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.* Banat-e* Basud... San Miguel, Leyte San Miguel is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 15,153 people in 3,017 households.-Barangays:San Miguel is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.* Bagacay* Bahay... Santa Fe, Leyte Santa Fe is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 15,042 people in 2,899 households.-Barangays:Santa Fe is politically subdivided into 20 barangays.* Baculanad* Badiangay... Tabango, Leyte Tabango is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 31,433 people in 6,724 households.-History:In 1957 the sitios of Gibacungan, Catmon and Manlawa-an were converted into barrios.... Tabontabon, Leyte Tabontabon is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 8,372 people in 1,692 households.In 1957, the barrios of Capahu-an and Guingawan were transferred from the town of Dagami.... Tanauan, Leyte Tanauan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 45,056 people in 9,224 households.-Barangays:Tanauan is politically subdivided into 54 barangays.* Ada* Amanluran* Arado... Tolosa, Leyte Tolosa is a 5th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 14,539 people in 2,963 households.... Tunga, Leyte Tunga is a 6th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 6,222 people in 1,307 households, or an average of 4.76 individuals per household.... |
Villaba, Leyte Villaba is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 36,042 people in 7,787 households.-Barangays:Villaba is politically subdivided into 35 barangays.* Abijao* Balite* Bugabuga... |
Official Provincial Seal
The Official Seal of the Province of Leyte.The upper portion is a perspective of the national Freedom Park commemorating the landing of General
General of the Army (United States)
General of the Army is a five-star general officer and is the second highest possible rank in the United States Army. A special rank of General of the Armies, which ranks above General of the Army, does exist but has only been conferred twice in the history of the Army...
Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
and the American Liberation Forces in Leyte during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The white cross represents the 2nd phase of Leyte's development when Magellan stopped here on his way to Cebu. The alphabet on the cross argent is the ancient Visayan paleographic syllabary of the letter L which stands for Leyte. The stars around the inner circle symbolize the forty-one (41) towns of Leyte and the everlasting flame symbolizes the soldiers who died during World War II.