Although I am always looking for places to go to, Samar never really popped into my mind. Due to the buzz of the media, Batanes and Siargao have been the most booked local destinations here in the Philippines. On the flip side, if it’s the media that made those two provinces popular, it’s also the media that can highlight the beauty of the least-talked-about region of the Philippines: Samar.  

You might know Samar for their specialty rice or abundance in seafood, or you might recall the place as the home of the San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the country. If those are the only things that you can associate the region with, though, you might be surprised to learn that there are actually numerous things to do and a lot of sceneries to admire in Samar; and that is the goal of #SparkSamar: to “unravel the true beauty of our province” as stated by the province’s governor, Governor Sharee Tan. 

Spark Samar is a tourism campaign initiative of Gov. Tan herself, with collaborative efforts from the Department of Tourism and other local governments in Samar. Thanks to it, the tourist rate has been steadily increasing for the past few years and Samar is continually proving itself to be a rising destination for adventurous wanderers.  

We took a tour around Samar and went to various spots recommended by #SparkSamar; here’s how it went: 

Places / People to See in Samar

Lulugayan Falls, Calbiga

The Lulugayan Falls are famous primarily because of their uniqueness. Instead of being a vertical water-gushing beast, it’s almost a tranquil horizontally-wide falls! During the summer, you can even go up the falls to take some pictures. Going to the falls entails a 30- to 45-minute hike, but the view afterwards is hella rewarding.

Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge, Basey

Even if you’re afraid of closed spaces, the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge shouldn’t scare you. This wide cave is spacious and perfectly easy to venture into. In fact, it’s almost like a walk in the park minus the sun and plus the breathtaking rock formations. You will be fascinated by the stalagmites, stalactites, crystalline, and the drum stalactites, which produce sounds similar to an instrument!

Sohoton Center and Eco-Lodge

You will travel to Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge by boat; but before you get on board, they will have a lounge for you to wait in. In the Sohoton Center and Eco-Lodge, you are free to sit back and relax in their canteen and lodging. There are also local tribes there whom you can interact with to know more about their culture. If you want a souvenir, you can buy their handmade necklaces and bracelets made out of fruit seeds and strings.

Things to Do in Samar

Kayaking

After caving in Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge, you can opt to kayak your way to a secluded river where the sun hits the water just right. The kayak takes approximately 30 minutes and upon reaching the riverbank, you’re free to take pictures and take a dip in the cool river of Sohoton! There will be guides around, so it’s perfectly safe; no need to worry.

Read on for more adventures in Samar!