In Tacloban City, the capital of Leyte, I spent a few days working on a presentation for a conference I was invited to in Manila. Presenting my research proposal on culinary tourism for balikbayans at the Kain Conference will always be a highlight of my professional life! While preparing for my talk, I hung out at coffee shops filled with students from the local university. I was told to visit Ocho Restaurant, known for their seafood selection, and agree that everyone should. Along the waterfront, later that week, I visited the memorial in front of the arena, dedicated to those who lost their lives to Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
I took two jeeps to reach the nearby town of Palo, known as the landing site wherein Macarthur promised people he would return. How and why it’s become the place it is, I find intriguing and as much a reflection of our culture as those metal statues in the shallow pool.
On a weekend trip to Ormoc, I wandered around the waterfront and ate spears of fresh pineapple. Life here revolves around it! I found and went into the Ormoc City New Art Museum, with incredible exhibits including a few sculptures from BenCab. The dolls featuring dresses made for the city’s Pineapple Festival were an unexpected treat from local high school students. Art and food were everything here.
