Landing at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport of Tacloban was as calm as the view of the Leyte Gulf. Certainly, a stark opposite of what the gulf is more historically known for – ships and battle. Downtown Tacloban did very well not to remind tourists like me about wars of ancient past but I definitely remember that food was good this side of town. I still remember Ocho, a seafood place a few blocks away from the impressive Governor’s building, where I went a few years ago. This time, we tried a place by the Cancabato Bay called Lion’s Den, a few meters away from the Leyte Park Hotel.
Lion's Den, the restaurant by the bay and the apparently-famous spa of Cristina Romualdez
Tacloban has become a bustling city of multi-cabs, Jollibee outlets on several corners and Cristina Gonzales’ (now Romualdez) spa centers blending the old with the new.
Speaking of new, locals on my way to Palo, Leyte would call my attention at a towering mall along the way and point at a Robinson’s Mall. Opened just last June 10, one said. I took a mental note to watch The Proposal if ever i have the time. But then again, one wouldn’t really want to be holed up in a cinema especially on a short stay in Leyte. I found it much more rewarding to go spend time out along the boardwalk of Palo, Leyte and watch fishermen when they go by in their daily grind as the sun sets on the horizon.
'I shall return' - the McArthur Park in Palo, Leyte.
