Island Resort

GUIUAN: Gateway to Pacific Adventure

History Guiuan is widely known for two significant events in history 423 years apart. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil in Homonhon on his way to discover the Philippines for the Western World. In 1944, the American Forces landed on the island of Suluan where they fought their first battle in the Philippine territory three days before Gen. Mac Arthur stormed the beaches of Leyte.

The name of the town originated from its geographical location. The first settlers named the town "Guibang" when they discovered a sharp brake in the mountain range (Tenigbang – part chiseled off) which screens the town from the Pacific Ocean in the East. Subsequently, settlers modified its name to Guiuan.

The occurrence of World War II shook the town and people moved to the mountains to find comfort. In June 28, 1943, several Japanese soldiers set foot on Guiuan soil. Not as fearful and brutal as they were thought of by the local populace, a cordial relation soon existed between the conquered and the conquerors. Evacuees came down from the mountains and resumed a normal urban life.

Except for a few killings of suspected traitors by both Japanese and guerillas, not a drop of blood was shed needlessly. This made Guiuan one of the few places in the islands where World War II did not leave so many tragic memories.

The first sign of liberation of the town came on November 27, 1944 when a US Navy submarine chaser steamed the harbor for reconnaissance duty. On December 1, 1944 a fleet of LCTs, Liberty ships and barges poured into the Guiuan Bay to unload machines that was to transform Guiuan into one of the biggest Naval Base in the Far East that time.

Many years after the American Liberation, Guiuan has slowly progressed from a sleepy town to a bustling municipality.

On November 10, 1978, Proclamation No. 1801 was issued declaring Guiuan, Eastern Samar as a Tourist Zone and Marine Reserve under the administration and control of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

Guiuan, Eastern Samar is locatedat the southernmost tip of the thirdlargest island (Samar) in the Philippinearchipelago. It is where Calicoan Islandlays, also known as the "Surfer’sParadise". With its rugged landscape,tropical forests, wonderful lagoons,breathtaking white beaches, crystal clearwater, and magnificent sunlight, Calicoanis a must see for the nature lover,adventurous traveler, deep-seafisherman, and intrepid surfer.