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Guiuan

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Guiuan

Guiuan is a town in Eastern Samar, Philippines. It is part of the South-East region of the island of Samar, it has a population of 53,361 people, making it the most populated town in Eastern Samar.


Guiuan played a large part in the history of the Philippines, Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the island of Homonhon, Guiuan, making it the first ever European landing in the Philippines. The Guiuan Church is one of the oldest churches in Eastern Samar.


In November 2013, Guiuan was destructed when Typhoon Haiyan, one of the deadliest typhoons in the Philippines, hit the town.[1][2]

History[change | change source]

In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, the first European to land on Philippine soil, landed in Homonhon, part of Guiuan.[3]

A historical marker in Homonhon Island marking the site where Ferdinand Magellan's expedition landed in 1521
The Guiuan Church, built in the 18th century at the behest of Jesuit priests

Guiuan was where one of the first battles in the Philippine-American War happened. [4]

On June 28, 1943, Japanese soldiers went to Guiuan, they were peaceful, with only a few killings happening.

The airfield of the US naval base in Guiuan during World War II. It now serves as the town's airport.
The USS <i id="mwhw">ABSD-5</i> in Guiuan waters during World War II

On November 27, 1944, American soldiers went to Guiuan to make Guiuan into a big base, creating a naval base and an airfield. The airport was turned into the town airport.


In 1949, the International Refugee Organization, with permission, sended Russian Refugees to Tubabao Island, an island owned by Guiuan.[5] The Russian refugees made Guiuan their home until 1951, when they moved to Australia and the United States.[3]

Aerial view of Guiuan in November 2013 on the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

On November 8, 2013, the town was destructed, along with 107 deaths, 16 missing and over 3,626 injuries, because it was hit by the eye of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons in Philippine history.

Geography[change | change source]

Houses in Guiuan's shoreline facing Leyte Gulf, 2016

Guiuan is located in Southeastern Samar, it has many islands, including Homonhon, Manicani, Calicoan, Sulangan, Candulo, Suluan and Tubabao.

Divisions[change | change source]

Guiuan is split into 60 divisions,[6] 37 of is in mainland Guiuan, and the other 23 in the islands surrounding the mainland.

The Guiuan Town Plaza in 2019, part of Poblacion Ward 7
The Guiuan Municipal Hall in 2019, part of Poblacion Ward 9-A
View of Calicoan Island and the Philippine Sea from Barangay Sapao
The St. Anthony of Padua Church in Barangay Sulangan

Mainland barangays[change | change source]

Guiuan is split into divisions. Each division has their own government and smaller divisions.

 

  • Poblacion Ward 1
  • Poblacion Ward 2
  • Poblacion Ward 3
  • Poblacion Ward 4
  • Poblacion Ward 4-A
  • Poblacion Ward 5
  • Poblacion Ward 6
  • Poblacion Ward 7
  • Poblacion Ward 8
  • Poblacion Ward 9
  • Poblacion Ward 9-A
  • Poblacion Ward 10
  • Poblacion Ward 11
  • Poblacion Ward 12
  • Alingarog
  • Bagua
  • Banahao
  • Barbo
  • Bucao
  • Bungtod
  • Cagdara-o
  • Campoyong
  • Cantahay
  • Cogon
  • Dalaragan
  • Gahoy
  • Hagna
  • Hollywood
  • Lupok
  • Mayana
  • Salug
  • Santo Niño (or Sto. Niño)
  • Sapao
  • Surok
  • Tagporo
  • Taytay
  • Timala

Island barangays[change | change source]

 

Barangays in Homonhon:

  • Bitaugan
  • Cagusu-an
  • Canawayon
  • Casuguran
  • Culasi
  • Habag
  • Inapulangan
  • Pagbabangnan

Barangays in Tubabao Island:

  • Camparang
  • San Antonio
  • San Juan
  • San Pedro
  • Trinidad

Barangays in Calicoan Island:

  • Baras
  • Ngolos
  • Pagnamitan
  • Sulangan

Barangays in Manicani Island:

  • Banaag
  • Buenavista
  • Hamorawon
  • San Jose

Other island barangays:

  • Victory – Victory Group of Islands
  • Suluan – Suluan Island
View of Leyte Gulf from Guiuan

Transportation[change | change source]

Motorized outrigger boats moored at the Guiuan Integrated Transport Terminal
Motorized rickshaws, buses and other vehicles on stand-by in the Guiuan Integrated Transport Terminal
A busy street in downtown Guiuan, with both human-driven and motorized rickshaws
US military planes in Guiuan Airport on the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)
By air

Guiuan Airport has a runway which can serve small planes. Cebu-based airline Mid-Sea Express had flights from Cebu City to Guiuan on Saturdays and Mondays, Service started in 2012 but was stopped.

By land

The town is connected, by road from Tacloban City, several buses and vans drive travelers to Guiuan. It is also connected to Borongan. It is also connected by road and ferry to Manila.

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Coren, Anna; Botelho, Greg (November 12, 2013). "'Everything is gone' in Guiuan, tropical paradise forever transformed by typhoon". CNN. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Severe Weather Bulletin #6 for Typhoon 'Yolanda' (Haiyan), issued at 5:00AM, 08 November 2013". Facebook. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. November 8, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Labro, Vicente S. (2011-06-11). "Guiuan's treasure chest of history, natural wonders". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-02-17. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":1" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ Labro, Vicente S. (2011-06-11). "Guiuan's treasure chest of history, natural wonders". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  5. ↑ "A forgotten episode in Russian history leaves links with the Philippines". INDEPENDENT.co.uk. 4 December 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Province: Eastern Samar". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.

Other websites[change | change source]

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