Ormoc City is not exactly a major tourist destination in the
Philippines, but it is a growing agricultural and industrial center. The
city is located on the western end of the province of Leyte in the
Visayan Region of the Philippines. Ormoc is also known for its
excellence with regard to its educational institutions. It is more of a
cultural, commercial, and economic center of western Leyte.
A Brief History of Ormoc City
The territory we know today as Ormoc already had a small settlement
even before Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the
Philippines in 1521, particularly the province of Leyte. The early
settlers were the people known as the Ogmok. Ogmok literally meant a
lowland plain depression. Incidentally, this was also the name of the
spring in heart of the area.
During the Spanish era, the fertile plains of Ormoc attracted
migrants from neighboring islands. It is also evident that the early
settlers already had trading relations with traders from Java, China,
and Indonesia. The entire province came under a civil government when
Americans drove out the Spanish in 1901. This form of civil government
allowed the locals to govern their own affairs independently.
May 25, 1942 was the date of the Japanese occupation of the entire
province of Leyte, including Ormoc. This occupation was short lived
since it only lasted for three years. Ormoc finally attained the status
of a city in 1947. Today, the city is moving forward as an economic hub
in the region.
Ormoc City Weather
Ormoc is a coastal city situated on the western side of the island
province of Leyte. The city experiences two seasons each year, like much
of the Philippines. The rainy season usually starts in June lasting
until February of the following year. The rest of the year, Ormoc City
would usually get fewer rains and will be much warmer when the dry
season enters in. The coolest temperature here is around 21.1 degrees
Celsius while the warmest goes up around 34 degrees Celsius.
What to See in Ormoc City
Though the city is evidently not geared up as a major tourist
destination in the country, there are a few interesting sights to see
here. Those who love nature trails will enjoy have a swell time when
they try the rainforest tour. The trail is a trek through a rainforest,
lakes, and waterfalls. Lake Danao, in particular even has a floating
restaurant and some boats for rent.
Those who are willing to face the challenge and bring out their
swinging skills can have a whack at it at the Leyte Golf and Country
Club. Visitors can stroll and have a picnic in the Centennial Park,
which is also a popular rendezvous for the local folks. Other notable
sights in Ormoc City include the Tongonan Hotsprings National Park and
the Pineapple Plantation.
Hotels and Other Accommodations in Ormoc
You'll find accommodations and lodgings in Ormoc City of different
grades. Since the city has a connecting port to Cebu, accommodations
have been set up here for those who would want to make a stop over. Take
note that if you choose a hotel or an inn located at or near the center
of town where all the hustle and bustle is, you should expect to get
some noise from the busy streets.
Zenaida's Chateau is a fine place to stay and isn't within the
blasting range of the city's nightlife. The rooms are air-conditioned
and you get cable in your room. Ormoc Villa Hotel is another nice place
to check out. In spite of its proximity to the central area of the city,
the place is able to manage a quiet and relaxing ambience. It is
conveniently located near restaurants, malls, and other important
destinations in the city.
Other lodging options in the city are Bantigue Beach Resort, Don
Felipe Hotel, GV Pension Hauz, JB Pension Plaza, Pelacor Lodge, Pongos
Hotel, Sabin Resort Hotel, Vegstar Lodge, Tourist Inn, Cristina Business
Suite, and 3M Pension House. Rates here range from P600 to more than
P3,000.
Ormoc City is a growing economic center in the province of Leyte. It
also has a distinguished educational sector with good colleges and other
educational institutions among its ranks. It may not exactly be a major
tourist destination in the Philippines, it has several attractions that
it boasts of.
Recognized by political authorities as a high class city in the
Visayan region of the Philippines, specifically in the province of
Leyte, Ormoc is the economic as well as the transportation center of the
western part of Leyte. Based on the history of this city, its name came
from a Visayan word that is used when referring to depressed plain or
to others, lowland. Based on the results of the 2007 census done at the
city, its estimated population is 177,524.
Next to Calbayog City in Samar, Ormoc is the biggest city in the
eastern region of Visayas. Since the inauguration of the city on June
21st, 1947, the city is able to get the attention of many people in the
different parts of the Philippines because of the fast economic
expansion of Ormoc. Due to the popularity and economic improvements in
Ormoc, business tycoons established business operations in the city.
One of the fast improving sectors of this city is the banking
industry. Allied Bank, Bank of Commerce, Bank of the Philippine Islands,
China Bank and Metrobank are the popular banks in Ormoc. Aside from the
banking industry, there are cooperatives that ae created to help
improve the lifestyle of people in the city like Macario Primary
Cooperative, Metro Ormoc Community Cooperative and Leyte Fourth District
Women’s Credit Cooperative. Meanwhile, there are also some business
people who established resorts and hotels in the area since the tourism
industry of Ormoc is also developing.
Don Felipe Hotel, Pelacor Lodge, Vegstar Lodge, Amber’s Inn, Pongos
Hotel and 3M Pension House are the most visited hotels and lodges in the
city. One the other hand, the attractive and high-class resort hotels
in Ormoc are the following: Bantigue Beach Resort and Sabin Resort
Hotel. There are also diners and restaurants in the city like Tempura
Haus and IKEA Cakes and Snacks wherein travelers and tourists can enjoy,
have fun and relax.
To further strengthen its workforce, the government of this city also
prioritize the improvements in its education sector. Along with this
plan is the establishment of prime universities in the city such as
Western Leyte College and Syntacs College. In addition, the government
constructed public schools that will help its residents improve their
educational status like Ormoc City Central School.
Because of the improvements in the economic, tourism and educational
sectors of this city, it is just safe to say that Ormoc is a
fast-improving or developing city in the Philippines. With this
knowledge, travelers and business people are encouraged to visit the
city and look for the opportunities that it offers to them.
Restaurants in Ormoc
Ormoc restaurants are such great finds when you are tired and
famished wandering around the city and enjoying its sights and sounds.
From Filipino dishes, Chinese, and Japanese to delectable snacks and
quick foods to grab when youre in a hurry, these Ormoc restaurants are
ready to serve you with absolutely convenient prices for a light or
heavy meal that strikes your fancy.
So why look far when you can have your fill anywhere around the city
of Ormoc? You would see that there are absolutely many choices to keep
your tastebuds satisfied. For a quick access to some of those dining
places, here are some of the choices of other diners that you may want
to try, too, when you feel the hunger pangs strike you while you are in
this high-class city.
Chicken Ati-atihan
Located at Aviles Street in Leyte is one of those Ormoc restaurants
named as Chicken Ati-atihan where different chicken dishes with rice
meals are priced at affordable amounts that would suit any budget. That
is why P300 to 500 would be most appropriate to bring with you if you
head off to this part of Leyte.
Tempura Haus
Among the Ormoc restaurants, Tempura Haus is proud to be the only
Japanese dining establishment in Ormoc. Like the other Ormoc
restaurants, Tempura Haus use only the choicest of ingredients that will
satisfy everyones tastes. You can choose to be adventurous and try
eating everything you order with chopsticks. But if youre still not
adept at using that, just use the regular utensils and you will still be
able to enjoy a good Japanese meal. You can find this restaurant in
Badminton City, Barangay Linao. For inquiries, you can reach them
through Globelines at (053) 564-2323 or by Ortelco at (053) 255-5013.
IKEA Cakes and Snacks
When youre looking for deliciously-looking-and-tempting-to-eat
delicacies and quick snacks, IKEA Cakes and Snacks is a place you should
try to go to when you are in Ormoc city. This restaurant specializes in
Swedish sweets, and drinks that are truly delectable.
El Comedor
Within the posh interiors of Hotel Don Felipe in Ormoc is another of
those Ormoc restaurants that is best for lavish and fine dining
arrangements. The ambience is practically Mexican, and a variety of
Mexican foods and Continental dishes are served. Favorites of diners
include Chorizo San Martin, Spanish sausage with bell peppers, Calamares
a la Romana, Croquettas (or potato fritters), Tortilla Española, fried
calamari with aioli pesto sauce, and many more.
Chitos Chow Bar & Restaurant
Among the Ormoc restaurants, Chitos Chow Bar & Restaurant is also
a place where you can dine, relax, and enjoy the food. Located near
Veterans Park and the Ormoc City Coliseum, this restaurant basically
serves Filipino and Chinese dishes to its visitors. You can make
inquiries with the staff at +63-53-255-3520. With inner and outer dining
areas to choose from, it is such a good option to unwind and fill your
tummies. The price for the meals is delightfully inexpensive; these are
priced below P100.
Jos Milagrina
Located at Real Street is another of those Ormoc restaurants that is
such a favorite dining option of many tourists and visitors of the city.
The price of the meals is such a steal! Its wonderfully less expensive.
In Jos Milagrina, the BBQ chicken, which includes a serving of rice and
papaya pickles, is a usual choice of many diners. Bring P500 or less,
and you get your fill.
There are actually still more Ormoc restaurants that you can choose
to try. But these few seem to be included in the top picks of many
visitors of Ormoc. Try them when you get the chance to do so, and see
why these are usually visited by many locals and foreigners.
Credits : ( http://www.ormocboard.com/ormoc-restaurants.php )
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