Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
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REGION EIGHT Eastern Visayas AUDIO
VIDEO
MSC: Fade in Visayan tune
GFX: REGION VIII EASTERN VISAYAS REGION
Welcome to Region Eight – the Eastern Visayas Region.
GFX: THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE REGION Dissolve to GFX: Map outlining region 8
Made up of six provinces… GFX: PROVINCES IN EASTERN VISAYAS NORTHERN SAMAR WESTERN SAMAR EASTERN SAMAR BILIRAN LEYTE SOUTHERN LEYTE four cities and one hundred thirty nine towns, Eastern Visayas is called as such because it is located in the easternmost coast of the Philippines.
Measuring almost 21 thousand 600 square kilometers, it embraces three whole islands…
GFX: CITIES IN EASTERN VISAYAS CALBAYOG TACLOBAN ORMOC MAASIN
GFX: AREA – 21 562.8 sq. kms. the Island of Samar which is marked by broad upland areas and low rugged hills… the Island of Biliran which has fertile plains, lush green hills and long, undulating coastlines…
Show map outlining R8 highlighting Island of Samar
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
and the Island of Leyte which has mostly vast plains. Armed with that kind of topography, Region Eight has more than eight reasons to shine.
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Show map outlining R8 highlighting Island of Biliran
Show map outlining R8 highlighting Island of Leyte
From the Island of Samar… Northern Samar holds the distinction of being the region’s leading supplier of coconuts. GFX: NORTHERN SAMAR CAPITAL CITY: CATARMAN The province is endowed with such rich and fertile soil that most crops can grow Shot: coconut plantations on it. Western Samar boasts of a fine potential in tourism. It includes almost every kind of topography: mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, plains, coasts, and islands…
GFX: WESTERN SAMAR CAPITAL CITY: CATBALOGAN Shot of physical environment
And is blessed with a lush rainforest of tropical flora and fauna, coupled with mysterious caverns and refreshing waterfalls. And Eastern Samar is known as the first step to Philippine discovery – whether physical… As its coast faces the Pacific Ocean…
GFX: EASTERN SAMAR CAPITAL CITY: BORONGAN
or historical… being the first island spotted by Ferdinand Magellan when he entered Philippine waters on his way to conquer for the western world. It was Magellan who christened the island Zamal. Shot: Homonhon island
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
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GFX: ‘ZAMAL’ dissolving to ‘SAMAR’
On the left side of Western Samar and the topmost area of Northern Leyte, the Island of Biliran stands out for its scenic island beauty. White sand beaches and rice terraces much like that found in the GFX: BILIRAN Mountain Province of Luzon dot the CAPITAL CITY: NAVAL island. Shot: Biliran beaches, rice terraces The province continues to flourish from its fishing and seaport industry. Most of its towns like Naval and Biliran are considered excellent ports and are often the gateway to further destinations Shot: seaport within the Visayas and the Mindanao region. Right beneath Biliran, the Island of Leyte stands with glorious history… The province of Leyte is known as the site not only of a major uprising against the Spaniards but also of the famous landing of U-S forces during World War 2, marking its place in history as the point of entry for the American forces of liberation…
GFX: LEYTE CAPITAL CITY: ORMOC Shot: Leyte’s Red Beach
That it has been synonymous to the name of Douglas McArthur and his famous “I Shall Return” phrase. While Southern Leyte is mostly hailed GFX: “I SHALL RETURN” for its significance in the religious history of the Philippines. It was where the first Christian mass in the orient was held. GFX: SOUTHERN LEYTE CAPITAL CITY: MAASIN Different bodies of water surround the Shot: Limasawa’s first mass Eastern Visayas region. Located in its northernmost part is the San Bernardino Strait which separates
GFX: outline of map showing bodies of
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
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Luzon from Visayas,
water
While the Visayan sea and the Camotes sea are in the west,
Highlight San Bernardino Strait
And the Pacific Ocean in the East. Highlight Visayan sea and Camotes sea MSC: Segue to music 4 MSC: Up “Waray, Waray� The people of Eastern Visayas are called Warays. They have a language, a body of literature and a set of values distinct from the rest of the Visayas.
Highlight Pacific Ocean Shots of beaches by the Pacific Ocean
GFX: THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION THE WARAYS
Warays have a natural rhythm and grace Shot: typical warays in their movement. They are hailed as an industrious people and are very wellknown to never back out from any fight. Shot of Leytenos and Samarnons in parks and churches One of their brave ancestors is Ruperto Kangleon, who headed the revolt Shot of singing groups against the Japanese during the second Shot of Nida Blanca in old film world war. Another famous Region Eight personality is former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos. The Romualdezes are well-known to have come from the province of Leyte.
Shot of Kangleon GFX: RUPERTO KANGLEON Shot of soldiers at war
Wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Madam Imelda was a politically active first lady. She took a leading role in prestige cultural and social welfare projects and was governor of Manila. She was also minister of minister of
GFX: CULTURE OF THE REGION
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
human settlements and ecology, from 1978. Her influence increased during the 1980s, as her husband's health deteriorated, but she became accused of using her public position improperly to amass private wealth.
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Cut-to-cuts of colorful body tattoos of Pintados participants GFX: PINTADOS DE LEYTE Insert: early Pintados of Leyte
MSC: Up closing lyrics of “Waray, waray” What holds the Warays together must be their rich culture. MSC: drums Pintados de Leyte is something to look forward to every first month of the year.
This is one huge celebration honoring the first pintados of the land. MSC: Transition music Come May, the sweet smiles and exotic beauty of the Warays brighten the region. Heavily-beaded gowns are donned by the reynas of the Santacruzan, escorted by consorts and a marching band.
MSC: Up “Lubi-lubi”
Dissolve to shot of typical Visayan plaza Shot of Reyna Elena walking with partner GFX: SANTACRUZAN Dissolve to shot of Santacruzan ladies with candle-holding participants
Cutaway to footage of newlyweds dancing while visitors pin money on them GFX: BAKAYAW
Cutaway to shots of horses or carabaos fighting GFX: TURUGPO Shot of horses fighting GFX: PAAWAY Shot of carabaos fighting GFX: PASUNGAY
During weddings, they have a tradition called “bakayaw” where the bride and Dissolve to panning shot of Leyte gulf the groom dance the tinikling or the curacha while their guests pin money on Shot of boats GFX: TACLOBAN DAY their clothes. Shot of Subiran Regatta in progress While cockfights are familiar in other parts of the country, the Warays have the “turugpo”, wherein cocks but horses
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
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and carabaos fight! Dissolve to shots of coconut trees Shots of Lubi-lubi festival GFX: LUBI-LUBI FESTIVAL MSC: Fade in “Lubi-lubi” The Subiran Regatta is a new festival that takes place every month of June, during the celebration of Tacloban Day. The regatta is a race of sailing boats on Leyte Gulf. MSC: Up “Da Coconut Nut” As Agriculture and fishing are the primary industries in Eastern Visayas, the coconut tree is an essential part of the region’s life. A festival was even created with the significance of the coconut tree – the Lubi-lubi Festival.
GFX: THE REGION’S INDUSTRIES AND PRODUCTS Shot of farmers at work Series of dissolves: Coconut plantation Green ricefields Tobacco fields Sugarcane Abaca and rattan plantations Basket-making, cottage industries
The festival showcases dances which use the different parts of the coconut tree.
Fishermen hauling in their catch
MSC: “Da Coconut Nut” fade up
Women drying fish in their backyard
Apart from the versatile coconut, other agricultural products of the region include rice, tobacco, sugar, abaca and rattan.
GFX: SIGHTS OF THE REGION Dissolves showing sample trees as mentioned Shots of Leyte’s virgin forests
These are made into baskets, mats, and other household items. The fishermen get their catch from the wide open seas surrounding the region. Fishing communities earn from selling dried fish, especially the “danggit”.
Panning of diverse bioecological resources Shots of springs, waterfalls and beaches
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
One of the region’s natural resources is its forest. Narra, tanguile, apitong and molave come from their forests. It is also one of most beautiful sights to behold when one visits this region.
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Shot of Mainit Springs, Hamorawon Springs
Shot: Lake Danao The lush vegetation and rich forest cover are just enticing as they are relaxing. It actually offers a splendor of both mountain and sea as there are also numerous springs, waterfalls, and beaches here. The Mainit Springs in Caibiran, Leyte, and Hamorawon Springs in Eastern Samar are just two of the many springs surrounding the region.
Shots: Bangon Falls, Lologayong falls
Cut to cut shots of different caves Dissolve to shots of Suhotan Cave, Panhulugan Cave Shots of stalagmites/stalactites
In Ormoc, Lake Danao stands still.
Dissolve to Calbiga Cave GFX: AREA – 2968 HECTARE
While in Samar, the falls just keep inspiring. Two of these are the Bangon Falls in Calbayog, and the Lologayong Falls near Borongan.
Dissolve to shot of San Juanico bridge and its environs
The caves are also magnanimous. The stalactites and stalagmites in the Suhotan and Panhulugan caves are simply awesome that they have been listed as must-sees. But the Calbiga cave offers much, much more. This almost three-thousand hectare cave system contains Asia’s Samar Archaeological Museum largest karst formations! And as for man-made sights, there is the Dissolve to shots of stone implements and clothing during Stone age spectacular San Juanico Bridge – the longest and most beautifully-designed bridge in the country. It connects
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
Barangay Cabalawan, Tacloban City on the Leyte side and Sta. Rita town on the Samar side. Consequently, is offers many picturesque views, especially of the San Juanico Strait with its thousand whirlpools as well as lovely islets.
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GFX: THE HISTORY OF REGION VIII Waves splashing along Leyte gulf
Sepia: Magellan arriving at Homonhon Shot of conquerors surveying the land
The Samar Archaeological Museum also lands as a significant man-made architecture in Region Eight. It contains preserved garments and belongings of Samar’s interesting past.
Shot of Kulambu island or caricature showing blood compact
Apart from a rich culture and splendid sights, the Warays also have a rich history to boast of.
Shot of Magellan cross in Magallanes
In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese conquistador, first set foot in Homonhon island.
Sketch of Villalobos Shot of King Philip GFX: FELIPENAS Dissolve to: PILIPINAS
Shot of first Catholic mass in Limasawa
In the island of Kolambu, the first blood Archipelagic map of Philippines compact between a foreigner and a Dissolve to blue skies native of Samar took place. Upon the arrival of Magellan, the Spaniards supposedly celebrated the first mass in Limasawa, Leyte. A huge cross stands in this place to commemorate the event.
Dissolve to fighter planes during WWII
Shot of Leyte gulf prior to Leyte Upon his arrival in Leyte, Ruy Lopez de landing File footage: McArthur’s landing christened the archipelago “Felipenas” in honor of King Philip, the King of Spain. Not long after, “Felipenas” the archipelago occupied by Spain for three hundred years, became known as “Pilipinas”.
Shots of Japs and Americans fighting
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
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MSC: suspenseful war music SFX: Bombs dropping When world war two broke out, the region became witness to significant events in the Gulf of Leyte.
Shot of other officials with McArthur Shot of Sergio Osmena Shot of Romulo
SFX: soundbytes of McArthur announcing his return
Dissolve to shots of monument
The historic return of General Douglas McArthur, the American General who helped Filipinos drive out the Japanese invaders, took place in Red Beach in Palo, Leyte.
Dissolve to MTV shots of Region 8: Typical Warays at work
Cut-to-cut of cultural activities Then president Sergio Osmena and Carlos P. Romulo accompanied McArthur in his return.
Brief shots of Beautiful scenery
Today, a monument stands in Leyte as a Shot: Magellan arrival remembrance of that momentous event. Warays MSC: final closing msc The Warays of Samar, Leyte and Biliran have a lot to be grateful for. They are blessed with magnificent culture and tradition, Breath-taking tourist attractions, And a history to be proud of‌ Which made them evolve into courageous but warm people with a positive approach to life. MSC: up final score This is Eastern Visayas.
Superimpose final shot of Eastern Visayas map with GFX: Region VIII: Eastern Visayas
Regions: Eastern Visayas By Chared Q. Ballo/30 Nov 2005
Region eight of the proud Filipino race. #
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