Leyte, Philippines

Leyte is considered the largest province in the Eastern Visayas Region and is one of the six provinces of Eastern Visayas Region. It is located in Central Philippines adjacent to Cebu. The province ranks eighth in size among larger islands in the Philippine Archipelago. It is situated in the island of Leyte and is the oldest province in the region.

Leyte is strategically located in the Visayas region. It is bounded on the north by the Province of Biliran, by the San Juanico Strait and the island of Samar in the east, in the west by the Visayas and Ormoc Seas and in the south by Southern Leyte. The province is considered the regional center of the Eastern Visayas where the regional government offices are located an

d the provincial capital, Tacloban City, is situated. The capital site of Leyte changed several times before Tacloban City became the permanent capital in 1787. The first capital was Carigara, then successively, Palo and Tanauan.

Leyte has a colorful history. Leyteños like to point out of that their forebears were among the first to welcome the Spaniards but later against all odds they were also among the first to resist them when they found out that their rights were at stake and being trampled upon by the Spanish colonizers. Nationalism was strong then and still is very dynamic in the province these days.

In 1521, Magellan sailed from the island of Homonhon, Samar to the island of Limasawa, Leyte, entered into a blood compact with Rajah Kolambu. On Eastern Sunday, March 31, of that year, was celebrated the First Mass in the Philippines. Some historical researchers, however, are now disputing this. Source