The first time I ever flew into Tacloban was in March of 2014, just a few months after Typhoon Yolanda devastated the city. Most of the people on board the Air Asia flight that day were aid workers headed to Leyte to help with the recovery. I was there for different reasons — I was making a documentary film about Jessica Cox, a Filipino American woman.

As the city continues to rise again after the devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda, Tacloban City is a must visit destination. It is a primary tourism hub in the Eastern Visayas region and the main gateway to Leyte and Samar islands. Before Typhoon Yolanda wrecked havoc the city, Tacloban is one of the fastest growing cities of the country.

The Romualdez Museum aka Sto. Nino Shrine is located In the heart of Tacloban City.

Sangyaw is a popular native festival held every 29th of June in Tacloban city. Sangyaw, which means “to announce or herald a news” in the local dialect, has assumed a popular following after its creation by then former First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1976. The current festivities became an annual event until 1986 when the late Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency and abolished Sangyaw.