Borongan
Borongan is the capital of Eastern Samar, in the Eastern Visayas region of Philippines.
Understand
Borongan is perhaps known for its golden sunrises, so its nickname "City of the Golden Sunrise", also helped by the sunlight being reflected by the Pacific waters, but beyond that, there are some undiscovered natural wonders as well. The city is also a surfer's paradise, mostly frequented during the cool, rainy months, but it is not as known as places such as Siargao or Baler.
Climate
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Borongan is in the typhoon belt, and also an important location for typhoon tracking by the national weather forecaster PAGASA.
The climate is tropical with oceanic influence, having no dry season due to moist Pacific air causing frequently overcast, rainy conditions; however, the rainiest months are on the other way around, being between October and March, when the temperatures are cooler and the northeast monsoon is at full intensity. Average daytime highs during the drier months are sweltering 31.7–32.6 °C (89.1–90.7 °F), but still expect rainy afternoons with thunderstorms.
The peak season is during the rainiest months, with February and March the best times to visit, with not much high rainfall and more tolerable heat.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Borongan Airport. Has a 1,200 m (3,900 ft) runway, but no commercial flights. Cebu Pacific once served this airport using turboprop jets, but ceased service due to security concerns.
The nearest airport with commercial service is in Tacloban (TAC IATA), within 3 hours via UV Express.
By bus or minivan
There are buses and minivans to Tacloban, Guiuan, Catbalogan. Jeepneys are available from Guiuan.
Silver Star has buses from Cubao or San Pedro, with a ferry ride to Samar Island from Luzon. They follow the highway though the eastern coast of Samar from the ferry port in Allen.
Get around
Tricycles are available within town, with a base fare of ₱11/km.
See
- Cabong Beach (five-minute tricycle ride from town). Suitable for swimming.
- Borongan Cathedral. Place of worship.
- Kaputian Falls, Brgy. San Gabriel. Refreshing running water wherein some tourist chooses to visit here to calm themselves.
- Hilangagan Beach, Brgy. Punta Maria (It is a 20– to 30-minute tricycle ride from Borongan City Transport Terminal to Punta Maria). Enjoy the white sand and natural pool in the secluded nook beach facing the Pacific Ocean.
- Hebacong Sea of Clouds and Nature Park (Little Baguio of Borongan City), Brgy. Hebacong (a 40-minute drive from the city). It is the newest tourist attraction in Borongan City. The best time to visit the Hebacong Sea of Clouds and Nature Park is from 5AM to 7AM. Tourists are required to pay an environmental fee amounting to P20 for students, senior citizens, and PWD; P40 for local residents and P70 for non-residents; and P100 for foreigners.
- Ganap Cave. Located in Barangay Cagbonga which is about 13km. northwest of Borongan town proper. with beautiful spring. Stalactites and Stalagmites of various colors and sizes.
Do
- Baybay Boulevard (Surf City), Baybay Boulevard. Big waves, ideal for surfing.
- Ando Island or Andis Island (Puro Halaba), Brgy. Ando Island (from the city you can ride a tricycle to Brgy. Sabang South Fish Port and a half an hour boat ride from Fish Port to Ando Island). Aside from enjoying the picturesque view from the top of Bantayan Cliff, you can also do rappelling with your friends and families at Bantayan Cliff which is a 10-minute trek from the jump-off point of the island.
- Margielyn Didal Skate Park. Located beside I Love Borongan Landmark. Scrimmages available from 3PM till Evening.
- Basketball park. Located beside Rottea borongan at Baybay4. Scrimmages available at 3PM till sundown everyday.
- Soccer. Located at Surf City tower. Soccer enthusiast are welcome to experience sports that also available in the area.
- Ultimate Frisbee. Located at the back of the Borongan Ticketing office, Everyone is welcome to try such extreme and unique sport played in Borongan. Scrimmages are from 3PM to sundown.
Buy
- Metro Bank, Real Street. 24-hour ATM. Has a Master Card/Visa Card ATM.
- Wilsam Uptown Mall (Rizal Street National Highway.). 9AM-8PM. Has a supermarket.
- 578 Emporium Department Store and Supermarket, Cinco Street. 8AM-8PM. Budget friendly store.
- Puregold Borongan Branch, Brgy. Songco (across Wilsam Uptown Mall and at the groundfloor of J & F Mall). It is a supermarket where you can buy food products and home essentials.
Eat
- Salukara (Rice Cake). Salukara is a crepe-like delicacy which is a mixture of ground rice, coconut milk, water, sugar and coconut wine as a riser instead of baking powder.
- Jollibee (Jollibee Borongan Branch), Real St, ☏ +63 917 502 2978. 6AM-9PM. Philippines-based chain known for its burgers, fried chicken, spaghetti & Filipino dishes. Dine-in, takeout, delivery.
- Brew & Bistro (Coffee shop), 301, 304 Circumferential Road, ☏ +63 919 858 3246. 2PM to 2AM. Open for dine-in and take-out.
Drink
- Tuba (Coconut Wine). It is a fermented alcoholic beverage obtained from the sap of coconut palm.
- Tacos & Beer, Baybay Blvd, ☏ +63 9530043873, tacosandbeer.6800@gmail.com. Rain or shine's it's time for tacos. Open Tuesday and Thursday from 4PM to 11PM; Friday and Saturday from 4PM to midnight, closed on Wednesdays.
- 1 McDonald's Borongan (McDo), Real St., Brgy. Sonco (One ride within the city.), ☏ +63 883141992, mcdoborongan@gmail.com. 6:00AM-10:00PM. First Drive Thru Golden Arches in Eastern Samar.
Sleep
- Hotel Dona Vicenta, Real Street, ☏ +63 55 2613585. Check-out: noon. A/C single/double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. from 995.
- Borongan Pensionne, Rizal Street National Highway.
- GV Hotel, Rizal Street National Highway, ☏ +63 55-5609791. Check-out: noon. Fan/air-con single/double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. from ₱550.
- Domsowir Hotel, Real Street, ☏ +63 55 2612133. Check-out: noon. Fan/air-con single/double rooms with own bathroom. From ₱350.
- Primea Hotel Borongan, G. Abogado St., Brgy. C (near Capito Cultural Stage and Hamorawon Park), ☏ +63 9771379395, primhotel23@gmail.com. Experience a safe, comfortable and clean rooms designed to enhance your stay. They also offer additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, key card lock system, key card lock system, wireless internet access, cable television, access to dipping pool and hot and cold showers.
- Borongan City Multi Purpose Building. Mostly serve as the venue for basketball, volleyball and other recreational activity in Borongan City.
- Rawis Resort and Restaurant (ride a tricycle going to Barangay Alang Alang Detour), ☏ +63 9771837288, rawisresort@yahoo.com. Spend special occasions with your loved ones and enjoy the best view of the ocean. Live bands play at the venue.
- Resort and Restaurant Melindas Resort and Restaurant (Melinda's Farm), Circumferetial road,Brgy, Songco (ride a Tricycle), ☏ +63 9171358558, melindasresortandrestuarant@gmail.com. With scrumptious foods,KTV rooms, acoustic bands,beautiful and affordable hotel rooms, and a safe playground and swimming pools for children.
- Golden Creek Farm & Resort, Barangay Calicoan, San Jose Road (ride a tricycle from Borongan City Market), ☏ +63 9451638381, goldencreekfarmandresort@gmail.com. Various activities are offered in the resort: swimming, play golf, mountain climbing and sight seeing where you can see the town of Borongan and the seashore. and the resort also offers other event such as birthdays,debut,and seminars.