Northern Samar covers a land area of several square kilometers from the Pacific Ocean in the East to the Samar Sea in the West. The “Balicuatro Islands” of BIRI, CAPUL, SAN ANTONIO & SAN VICENTE offer an amalgam of adventure and nature – each with their own unique tourism jewels.BIRI’s attraction are the seven geologic ROCK FORMATIONS that are breathtaking similar to Australia’s 12 Apostles. CAPUL, on the other hand, is replete in history as an anchorage for the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade in the 17th century. A Fortress Church is still relatively intact in the town proper and on the northern-most tip stands the FARO standing like a rampart to the Golden East. One can also learn Capul’s unique dialect known as “Abaknon” a derivative from the Austronesian language of the SAMA-BADJAO.SAN VICENTE prides itself with its PINK SAND beach in SILA ISLAND.
Northern Samar (Waray: Amihanan Samar/Norte san Samar; Tagalog: Hilagang Samar]), officially the Province of Northern Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and is located at the northern portion of the island of Samar. Bordering the province to the south are the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar. To the northwest, across the San Bernardino Strait is Sorsogon; to the east is the Philippine Sea of the Pacific Ocean and to the west is Samar Sea.
SAN ANTONIO is the most developed of the four island-municipalities with a chain of resorts spanning the entire eastern shores of the island. Northern Samar’s capital, Catarman, is home to the University of Eastern Philippines, a repository of the region’s rich history.In PALAPAG one can see the remnants of a town still steeped with its historicity tied to the SUMUROY REBELLION. The Church ruins are a sight to behold coupled with the centuries-old Watch Tower. In 1999, the internationally – renowned ELF AUTHENTIC ADVENTURE started its run in Northern Samar’s hinterlands due to the varied challenges it offered.
Where to Go?
LAOANG HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE TOWN
Laoang is one of the oldest town of Northern Samar after Papalpag. It lies on the mouth of the great Catubig River and has a port which in olden times serviced the northern parts of Samar Island. It holds the disctinction of having a Spanish-built school house although its façade has been smoothened. Inogkahan or the Grand Canyon is a manmade shortcut pass through the Tumagingting Hill and was excavated in 1913. St. Michael the Archangel Church is of 18th century architecture.
