Philippines is composed of different islands unlike other countries that are composed of big and massive lands. This is the reason why the country is so full of diversity especially in languages and natural resources. 

Leyte is one of the Visayan Islands in the Philippines and it is the seventh largest island by area. This is why there are a lot of municipalities and places that can be found in Leyte. One of these municipalities is San Miguel. A lot of people don't know about this municipality and one of the reasons why this happens is because of geographical placement, this municipality is found in the deeper part of Leyte and somewhat far from the city. 

The purpose of this blog is to create awareness about San Miguel and also to show how proud I am of my own hometown. Here are some facts about San Miguel.

San Miguel is a 4th class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It is politically subdivided into 21 barangays namely Bagacay, Bairan, Cabatianuhan, Canap, Capilihan, Caraycaray, Libtong, Guinciaman, Impo, Kinalumsan, Lukay, Malaguinabot, Malpag, Mawodpawod, Patong, Pinarigusan, San Andres, Santa Cruz, Santol and Cayare. 

HISTORY

According to the manuscript written by Lorenzo Babula, one of the old town executives of this municipality, the first people were only few then so their homes were scattered in the forests where they tilled land for subsistence. Later, some settled along the seashore and they fished for food and as a means of livelihood.

As time went on, many of them lived in a place called "Sabang" which means mouth of the river then later it became a small barrio. This was the period when the "Moros" from Jolo who were pirates forced women to go with them to Mindanao so they couldbe sold to their "datu" or ruler as cooks or laundrywomen.

The history was the basis of the story in the town's festival which is named Bathan Festival. The festival is celebrated every town fiesta which is in the 29th of September. The festival is about a beautiful girl from Sabang named Bathan who was captured by the Moros and enslaved to be a laudrywoman. But later on, she escaped because he befriended a giant crocodile while she was washing clothes in a lake. The crocodile rescued her and brought her back to her own people.

PLACES TO VISIT

THE FARM is located at Guinciaman, San Miguel, Leyte. As the name itself says, this wonderful destination is a farm filled with crops, plants and including farm animals. Recently, an event called "For the Love of Leyte" was held in The Farm. To know more about the event, please visit this website https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/thefreeman/20181125/281784220144344.

NANAY DELIA'S FARM is a newly opened resort which is located at Lukay, San Miguel, Leyte. This resort has a twist because not only it offers a pool for tourists to enjoy, it is also a farm which sells its crops and vegetables grown locally in the place, it has also a mini zoo and it offers an activity which is horseback riding.

DELICACIES

MORON is a rice cake similar to suman. It is a native delicacy in Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. It is cooked with glutinous rice, coconut milk and sugar. It is also gyrated with chocolate or tablea and has a hint of vanilla. It is usually partnered with coffee. 

SUMAN LATIK is another version of rice cake that is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, brown sugar or calamay, which makes the taste distinct. Just like with the other delicacies, suman is also wrapped in banana leaf. The latik, a mixture of coconut milk and brown sugar or calamay also is topped in suman to have a sweet taste in it.