A contending theory states that the name came from the word bilir, which was defined in an old Visayan dictionary to be the “corner or edge of a boat, vase or anything protruding, like veins, or the furrow made by the plow.” The dictionary also gives biliran as an alternate spelling for bilir. This theory is supported by the fact that Biliran was site of the first large-scale shipyard, built in the 17th century. Galleons were built to support the Galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco in Mexico.
Some info about biliran island: Biliran, known for its sweetest and clearest mineral water in the world.
Biliran island's history:Biliran Island was known as Isla de Panamao, referring to its northernmost mountain which was an eruptive volcano described in the 1668 manuscripts of Jesuit Father Francisco Alcina.
How to go to Biliran?
By land:
- Via Manila – Go to Pasay or Cubao terminal. Buses travel to Naval Biliran daily. Travel time is more than 24 hours.
- Via Davao – Go to Davao City Overland Bus Terminal. Buses travel to Tacloban Daily. Travel time is 15 hours.
- Via Tacloban – There are several buses that travel daily to Naval, Biliran. Travel time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- Via Ormoc – There are several buses that travel daily to Naval, Biliran. Travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
By Sea:
- Via Cebu – Ride a ferry and travel 10 hours to Naval. You can also take a fast craft to Ormoc city ,travel time is 3 hours. From there take a shuttle bus to Naval. Travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Via Manila – Ride a ferry going to Ormoc City. Travel time is 24 hours. From there take a shuttle bus to Naval, Biliran.
By Air:
- Via Mactan Airport – Fly in straight to Cebu. Travel time is 60 minutes. Grab a taxi and go straight to the port. You have an option to take a fast craft to Ormoc or the overnight trip to Naval, Biliran.
- Via DZR Airport – Fly in straight to Tacloban. Travel time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ride a jeepney to the Tacloban downtown and ask for the driver to take you to the shuttle buses going to Naval, Biliran.
Travelling Trips In Biliran.
Best and fastest way to Biliran? Cost? Travel time?
The fastest way to get to Biliran is to book a flight to Tacloban(TAC). Buses ply the Tacloban to Naval route (Naval is the capital town) but vans are faster, taking just over 2 hours and 30 mins; fare: 130php.
Brief History
Biliran Province
In the early Spanish chronicles, Biliran Island was known as Isla de Panamao, referring to its northernmost mountain which was an eruptive volcano described in the 1668 manuscripts of Jesuit Father Francisco Alcina. Other accounts also described the island as a shipyard during the Spanish period.
Famous Attraction In Biliran Province
SAMBAWAN ISLAND
SAMBAWAN ISLAND
How to get there in Sambawan Isalnd?
- Hire a private boat for roundtrip to Sambawan Island, Maripipi, Biliran from Naval Port (Naval is the capital town of Biliran Province). Boat rental is Php 7,000* for 10-15 pax.
- Go the local way; catch a ride at one of the ferry boats going to the Maripipi Islandvia Naval Port, fare per head is Php 60. Travel time is 1.5 hours. Once you reached the town of Maripipi, hire a habal-habal, fare is Php 30 per head to Brgy. Ol-og. From there hire a boat for Php 600. Travel time to Sambawan is 15 minutes. [The ferry departs at 10:30 Am from Mon- Sat and leaves the following day for Naval at 4:30 Am
- Ride a habal- habal to Kawayan Municipality Php 60 per head. Rent a boat at Php 3000* and travel to Sambawan. Travel time is 60 minutes. Boat Capacity maximum of 10 persons.
SAMBAWAN ISLAND: Sambawan Island is Biliran’s answer to paradise. White sands, thriving marine life and warm blue waters lapping up the tree-lined shore is a must for those wanting escape from reality. Maria Benita, our good fairy must have worked wonders in this place.
Sambawan Island is located 5km of the west coast of Maripipi Municipality, south of the Samar sea, is fast becoming the most visited attraction by the tourists. The semi- curved beach with soaring rock formations covered with green grass as a backdrop create a bubble of fantasy that you are entering another dimension.
PRODUCTS IN BILIRAN PROVINCE
RG Herbal : RG Herbal oil is a liniment made from specially selected herbs that are traditionally considered as medicinal combined with fine mineral oil.
Smoke Fish (tinapa):
Made from freshly caught fish smoked using DOST ITDI designed smoke house and cleanly packed in high density PE bags.
Comes in various size: 250g or 500g
Produced by: Looc Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association
Looc, Culaba, Biliran.
Sample Itinerary In Biliran Province:
Day 1: The Long Road to Sambawan Island
0530H – 0700H: Arrival in Tacloban / Proceed to Downtown / Breakfast
0700H – 0930H: Tacloban to Naval by van
0930H – 1100H: Arrival in Naval / Buy boat ticket / Early lunch / Shop for supplies
1100H – 1300H: Boat departure from Naval to Maripipi
1300H – 1400H: Arrival in Maripipi Island / Proceed to Barangay Olog by motorbike
1400H – 1500H: Departure from Barangay Olog to Sambawan Island
1500H – 1900H: Arrival in Sambawan Island / Free time / Explore the island / Prepare dinner
1900H onwards: Dinner / Socials
0700H – 0930H: Tacloban to Naval by van
0930H – 1100H: Arrival in Naval / Buy boat ticket / Early lunch / Shop for supplies
1100H – 1300H: Boat departure from Naval to Maripipi
1300H – 1400H: Arrival in Maripipi Island / Proceed to Barangay Olog by motorbike
1400H – 1500H: Departure from Barangay Olog to Sambawan Island
1500H – 1900H: Arrival in Sambawan Island / Free time / Explore the island / Prepare dinner
1900H onwards: Dinner / Socials
Day 2:
0530H – 0630H: Call time / Sunrise / Breakfast
0630H – 0730H: Departure from Sambawan to Kawayan
0730H – 0900H: Arrival in Kawayan / Proceed at Naval for Breakfast
0900H – 1730H: Biliran Island Tour: Pundol Falls, Iyusan Rice Terraces, Ulan-Ulan Falls, Recoletos Falls, Kinaraha Falls, Sampao Rice Terraces, Tinago Falls
1730H – 1900H: End of Tour / Check-in at El Romane Pensionne in Naval
1900H onwards: Dinner at Jelo’s Place / Socials
0630H – 0730H: Departure from Sambawan to Kawayan
0730H – 0900H: Arrival in Kawayan / Proceed at Naval for Breakfast
0900H – 1730H: Biliran Island Tour: Pundol Falls, Iyusan Rice Terraces, Ulan-Ulan Falls, Recoletos Falls, Kinaraha Falls, Sampao Rice Terraces, Tinago Falls
1730H – 1900H: End of Tour / Check-in at El Romane Pensionne in Naval
1900H onwards: Dinner at Jelo’s Place / Socials
Day 3: Sidetrip to Tacloban
0600H – 0700H: Call time / Breakfast
0700H – 0910H: Naval to Tacloban by van
0910H – 0930H: Arrival in Palo / Sidetrip in Mac Arthur Memorial
0930H – 1000H: Palo to Downtown by Jeep
1000H – 1045H: Downtown to Basey (San Juanico Bridge)
1045H – 1145H: Arrival at San Juanico Bridge (Sta. Rita, Samar) / Cross to Leyte
1145H – 1215H: San Juanico Bridge to Downtown by jeep
1215H – 1315H: Lunch at Chew Love Tacloban
1315H – 1415H: Dessert and coffee at Libro Cafe
1415H – 1500H: Proceed to Tacloban Airport
1500H – 1700H: Arrival in Tacloban Airport / Check-in / Pre-departure
1700H: Tacloban to Manila flight
0700H – 0910H: Naval to Tacloban by van
0910H – 0930H: Arrival in Palo / Sidetrip in Mac Arthur Memorial
0930H – 1000H: Palo to Downtown by Jeep
1000H – 1045H: Downtown to Basey (San Juanico Bridge)
1045H – 1145H: Arrival at San Juanico Bridge (Sta. Rita, Samar) / Cross to Leyte
1145H – 1215H: San Juanico Bridge to Downtown by jeep
1215H – 1315H: Lunch at Chew Love Tacloban
1315H – 1415H: Dessert and coffee at Libro Cafe
1415H – 1500H: Proceed to Tacloban Airport
1500H – 1700H: Arrival in Tacloban Airport / Check-in / Pre-departure
1700H: Tacloban to Manila flight
EXPENSES IN BILIRAN PROVINCE
P707 – Promo airfare (Manila – Tacloban- Manila)
P50 – Jeepney Fare (Airport to Downtown)
P120 – Van Fare (Tacloban to Naval)
P70 – Boat Fare (Naval to Maripipi – P60 fare + P10 terminal fee)
P30 – Habal-habal to Olog
P75 – Boat contribution one-way from Olog, Maripipi to Sambawan (P300 one-way or P500 two-way)
P100 – Entrance Fee at Sambawan Island
P130 – Cottage and mooring fee contribution (P500 for open air cottage, P20 for boat mooring)
P250 – Private boat share from Sambawan to Kawayan (P1000 per boat)
P500 – Share for Island Tour (P700 for motorbike and driver + P300 gas)
P20 – Entrance at Tinago Falls
P225 – Share for accommodation at El Romane Pensionne (P700 aircon + 200 extra 2)
P120 – Van to Tacloban
P9 – Jeep to Downtown
P20 – Jeep to San Juanico Bridge
P13 – Jeep to Downtown
P13 – Jeep to Airport
P150 – Terminal Fee in Tacloban Aiport
P1110 – Food expenses
P400 – Miscellaneous and personal expenses
——
P4,112 – All in for 3D/2N in Sambawan, Biliran and Tacloban
P50 – Jeepney Fare (Airport to Downtown)
P120 – Van Fare (Tacloban to Naval)
P70 – Boat Fare (Naval to Maripipi – P60 fare + P10 terminal fee)
P30 – Habal-habal to Olog
P75 – Boat contribution one-way from Olog, Maripipi to Sambawan (P300 one-way or P500 two-way)
P100 – Entrance Fee at Sambawan Island
P130 – Cottage and mooring fee contribution (P500 for open air cottage, P20 for boat mooring)
P250 – Private boat share from Sambawan to Kawayan (P1000 per boat)
P500 – Share for Island Tour (P700 for motorbike and driver + P300 gas)
P20 – Entrance at Tinago Falls
P225 – Share for accommodation at El Romane Pensionne (P700 aircon + 200 extra 2)
P120 – Van to Tacloban
P9 – Jeep to Downtown
P20 – Jeep to San Juanico Bridge
P13 – Jeep to Downtown
P13 – Jeep to Airport
P150 – Terminal Fee in Tacloban Aiport
P1110 – Food expenses
P400 – Miscellaneous and personal expenses
——
P4,112 – All in for 3D/2N in Sambawan, Biliran and Tacloban
Where to eat?
Jelo's is one of the best places to eat in Naval. There are many different staff working there at any given time and the service is usually quick. The menu is diverse, breakfasts, sandwiches and burgers, pastas, and filipino dishes. There is a big drink menu with coffee and shake options. The english breakfast is fillng, offering two eggs, bacon.
Things To Do In Biliran .
Natural Attraction
The place is not only for beach lovers. We have a good concentration of waterfalls and hot springs surrounded with rich foliage. Biliran has everything that you can ever want in nature.
Most visitors are drawn to the turquoise waters and scintillating beaches.It is haven for beach lovers who wanted to frolic in the sand and dive deep in the waters. Recently some of our islands have been featured in the national broadcasting television. The availability of diving equipment gave way for the discovery of the rich marine life that can rival even the best of Cebu.
