On a sunny Sunday, the luxury cruise ship MS Europa 2, carrying 490 German tourists, made a memorable stop at Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte. This visit marks the first of three anticipated cruise ship arrivals in Eastern Visayas this year. The picturesque 6.8-hectare island, located 15 kilometers from Palompon’s town center and accessible by a 40-minute boat ride from mainland Leyte, was a hit among the visitors. Named after the Visayan word ‘langgam’ meaning bird, Kalanggaman’s unique bird-shaped sandbars were a highlight for the tourists. The German guests spent their day engaging in activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and stand-up paddleboarding. They were warmly welcomed by students and teachers from Taberna National High School, who performed dance routines, while a local band entertained with bossa nova tunes. Crew members, including Claudine Sieras from Bulacan, who has been with the company for a decade, also enjoyed their time on the island. This was Sieras’s first visit to Kalanggaman despite the ship having docked there five times previously. She expressed pride in showcasing the beauty of Filipino islands to international visitors. After their day at Kalanggaman, the MS Europa 2 continued its journey to Boracay Island, having previously visited Bohol. Karina Rosa Tiopes, the DOT Eastern Visayas regional director, announced that two more cruise ships, the Heritage Adventurer and Coral Geographer, are scheduled to visit the region this year. Although fewer cruise calls are expected compared to previous years, Tiopes remains optimistic, noting the expanded itinerary that includes new destinations. She emphasized the importance of expedition cruises in promoting lesser-known but stunning locations in Eastern Visayas to a global audience. Other sites now on the cruise destination list include Limasawa Island and Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte, Cuatro Islas, Tacloban City, and Palo town in Leyte, the islands of Sambawan, Maripipi, and Higatangan in Biliran, and Biri Island, Capul Island, and Lalaguna Mangrove Eco-Park in Northern Samar. The Department of Tourism continues to explore additional sites to enhance the cruise experience in the region.
