Hinungan in Southern Leyte is a typical seaside town that is a 2.5 hours drive away from Tacloban City. It may be considered a third class municipality but most of the locals here are seafarers so the houses here look pretty nice and are fitted with the latest amenities. The locals speak Bisaya or Cebuano but can easily understand Waray.

Once unspoiled and only known to the locals, it is now slowly gaining popularity with Warays due to viral social media posts so better get there before it gets trashed like the other islands.

If you are wondering how this town is one of my favorite stomping grounds, it is because of my two best friends, Emma and Liza. Their paternal grandmother, the Maiz, hails from this once sleepy fisherman's town!

HOW TO GET THERE
Take a bus or van that is headed for Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. If you are coming from Ormoc City, it will take you about 4 hours to get here. Both of these modes of transportation will set you back 140php.

HOW TO GET AROUND
There are single motorcycles locally known as habal habal and motorcycles with sidecars. Both of these will cost you from to 10 to 20php depending on the distance.

WHERE TO EAT:
Carenderias or canteens can be found in the town center. It's basically homecooked food so you will also get a chance to sample the local fares.

WHERE TO GO:
1. Calag-itan Fish Sanctuary 
This is my personal favorite when I am with my best friends in Hinunangan! The best times to get here according to moi is during sunset because it's not hot plus I get to look at the island and just watch the smoke rising up from houses who are preparing their dinners snaking in between coconut trees! You will also get to see quarrel of sparrows heading home and other flocks of birds!

However, the highlight of any trip to this spot is definitely chasing the school of zebra fishes! Of course! Obviously! So when you're here bring snorkeling gears to make most of your time. There's a 10Php entrance fee and cottage rent ranges from 100-500Php.


2. San Pablo Island (Pong Gamay)
To get to any of the twin-islands, take a motorcycle to Brgy. Canipaan then, from there, take a common boat to any of the islands for . However, if you are traveling by group and wants the freedom to leave the island at your whim, just rent one for 1000Php. You can contact Kenneth at San Pablo Island.

Food and other commodities on these island barangays are limited so it is best to these basics with you. If you want to stay the night, there are rooms for rent and you can even pitch a tent! I bet the night sky is beautiful here considering there is little light pollution so enjoy stargazing with the one you love!

San Pablo is the smaller island but my favorite among the two. It has finer sand and the calm and clear water is perfect for snorkeling plus I do not really have to worry that I might step on some poor sea urchins! There is also a diving board for all you daredevils out there.


3. San Pedro Island (Pong Dako)
The bigger half of the twin-island but I consider this the rockier version. It is rich in sea urchins so you can buy them from locals to savor! You can even help out the local kids harvest them!


4. Pungkay Mountain Park
To get here, one must take a motorcycle ride from the town center then hike up the hill for around 15 minutes and pay a 10Php fee. This is a much shorter hike compared to Heart Shape. There are three stations although the first station with its Balinese inspired hut disappointed me. Why do we need to copy other countries architectural designs?

You can catch the sunrise here or the sunset but I think the sunsets here are more dramatic with all the different cloud formations and beautiful hues.

Sunrise.

A quick breather on the first peak.

Twin warrior pose at this Bird's Nest platform.

Check out the trail on the lower right of the photo.

Sun salutation to the setting sun.

5. Heart Shape
This is about 30 minutes uphill hike from Calag-itan Fish Sanctuary. Don't worry! Parts of the road are paved and the rest is under construction. However, as of May 2018, only single motorcycles are able to reach the last leg of the journey. It offers a view to the heart-shaped or to the cynical, butt-shaped view of the Hinunangan coastline. There is an entrance fee and two separate places where you can camp overnight.

If you are adventurous, take my advice and go off the beaten track to experience the provincial life and discover the charms that give character to Hinunangan like ending up lost in the middle of towering coconut trees!