Zumarraga – Samar – Philippines
The pumpboat from Catbalogan to Zumarraga leaves every morning at 10am, Filipino time, from pier uno by the fish market.
It begins it’s journey at 5am in Zumarraga.
The fare is 50 pesos one way.
This is the municipal pier in Zumarraga on the island of Zumarraga. Looking across the water you see the island of Daram.
Zumarraga is a friendly place. It was established as an administrative and trade hub back in the Spanish days and lost some of its influence when the San Juanico bridge was built to connect Leyte and Samar.
There is an old fort up on the bluff behind the school but is has fallen into disrepair. It is a strategic overlook and was an important defensive position years ago.
It was called Buad in the 18th century, when the fortifications were built, but the name was changed in later years to Zumarraga to honor an official’s hometown in Spain.
The town separated from Catbalogan in 1859.
There’s a panoramic view of Maqueda Bay from the old fort. The small island, connected by a natural causeway, is accessible during low tide.
The bell still swings in the old Spanish Belfry, but the ringer is missing. You are asked not to ring it anyway because the town’s people feel it will bring bad luck.
This island is really laid back and frankly there is not a lot going on most of the time.
During the heat of the day it’s kind of nice to just hang out in the shade somewhere and eat halo halo.
The garden at the end of the pier has some interesting murals painted by someone with a sense of humor.
The town’s fiesta is the biggest event of the year.
The fish market is at the pier too. Dried fish, or “bulad” is a big thing in Samar.
These fish are dried in the sun as a way of preserving them until they are cooked for the family meal later on.
There is electricity in Zumarraga, so refrigeration is possible, but this age old method works just as well. You will develop a fondness for these dried fish after a while.
There are no hotels in Zumarraga so you will have to ask around for a home stay.
These are places where they will make room for you to join the family and eat their meals with them.
Usually they are very inexpensive and it is a great way to experience some of the local ways.
Nimfa could be considered a “tour” guide, but the industry is just being developed in the Catbalogan and is still undeveloped.
She was working with the school system in Manila but is now back with her family for a break.
She can be contacted nim_1181 @
yahoo.com
We stayed with her family during our one night visit. You can contact her by e-mail but wait a few days for a response.
Here she is up at the ruins of the old fort on the top of the hill.
They put on a good feed for us.
Later we did the videoke thing whilst enjoying some of the local brew “tuba”.
“Boy” and “Boy”. Their other brother is also named Boy – a common nickname in the Philippines.
The locals are a friendly lot and we had a great time.
Thanks, Ninfa for being our gracious host!
…gotta love Zumarraga!
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
mabuhay zumarraga
Hi john jay ong,
zumarraga is a sleepy but friendly place!
cheers
dp
Hi To all Zumaraganhons! Its me Nimfa, acting as if a local tour guide…hehehe… Kumusta kayong lahat…!!!
this is my new number 09063235771
Hi Nimfa!
Nice to hear from you. We had a great time there on your peaceful little island!
Thanks for your hospitality!
dp
My old hometown! thank you for featuring it.
Reading your article & looking @ the familiar scenes, I became nostalgic & sentimental. I cant promise to come home soon but i’ll try, maybe during the town fiesta. Thanks again.
Hi carlo lim,
Have a happy return trip!
dp
Nimfa:
Nice pictures of Zumarraga. I look forward to seeing Zumarraga soon. Is that Boy Bulan in the picture? He is related to my wife. Wow…he can sing Wari-Wari real good!! Hope to see you when i get to Zumarraga.
TM
elow , hehehe..
i just wounder for the zumaraaga town .that all only (smile)
hello ate empang!tour guide ka ngayan h8 zum~ ig tour daw ako!hehehe
Hi! to all Zumarraganhon it’s nice to see my home land once again.I can’t promise when to come home or visit but sure I would.
hi to all Zumarraganhon…
hi any number of ms. nimfa her phone is always un atended
Hello! Mga Zumarraganhon!
I was just reading all comments from the web and I saw Jaime Isanan’s commment.Hello Jaime this is judith “Hilvano”Walls.How’s your sister Virginia? tell her hi!.Your niece Charito and i live in the same town her in North carolina.I got to meet here sister too last year before she left for the the phillippines.Where are you now?
Your long lost classmate Judith.Anybody hear from Shirley or Sergio Villanueva?
Hi Judith,
Thanks for your comment!
Happy Reunion!
dp
Hi! Judith, I’m glad to hear from someone who remember me but sorry to say that I don’t have a sister named Virgie, I am working abroad as a poor construction laborer. To know more about us and to those long lost friends or in ZUMARRAGA my e-mail is jaimeisanan @ yahoo.com Thanks Judith
Hi To all Zumaraganhons! Its Nimfa, Here’s my new number 09077839752…. Keep in touch!
Hi to everyone!
HI SA MGA ZUMARRAGANHON HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL, WELCOME 2010 WITH LOVE AND PEACE TO ALL. . .
Hello Nimfa! Please say hello to Agnes Bulan from her Uncle Tom and Aunt Fe. Thank you
helo
musta na ate nimfa. hain kaw yna? musta man it zum? i’m here in cebu
regards to all.
Hello Zumarraganhon,
Zumarraga is a beautiful town to visit,” my old hometown”. thanks for featuring it in you column. just went home last yr to attend the town fiesta, and I had a BLAST to say the least.seeing old familiar faces, eating delicious food, especially in the house of mana Millet Avestrus (Marlon’s mom)the lechon. kinilaw nga isda,gaway,damo la poro magrasa.and in other houses too.oh my gosh poro pagkaon.I enjoyed sooo much.Lastly, I just want to say hello to my niece Glenda Bulan n her family. mana Millet. mana Cita,Mana Leonora, and to all my relatives n friends in town.
Hi Nimfa,
Perhaps on your next issue,you can also feature the Municipal building,the quandrangle were all activities are held, our old Church, Elementary Schools were most of us graduated, especially the Home Economics building, that would be a nice reminder to all us who’ve been away for a long time. besides I can show it to my children n grands. nice to reminisce the good old days espicially when ur in melancholy mood.dba? Regards to all my fellow Zumarraganhon abroad. Thanks Nimfa
Hi Virgie.
Thanks for your comment. For sure I will have to get back there and make some additions!
dp
hi…tta nimfa mzta na? kadadati m website h8 zumarraga. i just saw it now, pati mga paraghubog…he..he…he…..
Hi Nimfa,
Thanks for ur reply, hope you’ll get a chance to go back there soon., You know what? I just realized that old “Spanish bell”. Is it located in Campanario? bec. I haven’t seen it. Amazing that it still exist. after how many centuries. keep searching Nimfa for more
of ” ZUMARRAGA’S GOLD”
vzb
Hi Virgie,
Nimfa is the girl in the pictures above. She is a sweet woman and actually is from Zumarraga. She took us on a tour of her place and we stayed at her house.
That bell is still up there in the ruins of the old fort above town!!!
Here is a message from Nimfa:
Hi To all Zumaraganhons! Its Nimfa, Here’s my new number 09077839752…. Keep in touch!
dp
Hi dp,
Thanks for the correction. If Nimfa is from my hometown, I should know her parents. Being away for more than 40 yrs. I lost touch to some folks around. let alone the young generations. I just want to know who she is. might be my relative(s). Thanks, vzb
Hi Virgie!
I don’t know Nimfa’s surname but look at the bottom photo in the story and see if you recognize them.
Her father is one of the boat builders in town.
I know that Nimfa spent a few years in Manila working but then returned to her hometown for a bit.
She is a sweet girl and I enjoyed her hospitality. Note her cell # – maybe you can email a friend to text her to get more info.
cheers
dp
Hi dp,
Nope, I don’t recognized any of them. but, thanks anyway. I’ll find out from my niece who live in Catbalogan. her name is Glenda Bulan. daughter of my late sister (Benilda Zosa Bulan)maybe Nimfa will know her. Damo nga Salamat- Thanks a lot. vzb
ma upay na may nakakita han potential han zumarraga. I will plan to be there sometime this year.
Hello Nimfa!!! Look forward to seeing you during our next trip to Zumarraga. We were there in June 2008 and plan to be there again soon. Please say hello to all the Bulans and Tio Victor….Happy 2010!!!!
Fe Bulan Melvin
Hello Nimfa…say hello to your parents and Enay Ester and Mana Eunora…we enjoyed seeing them last time we were there in Zumarraga…hope you have a good Valentines Day on February 14th….it will be good visiting Zumarraga and revisiting all the people i knew when i was growing up there in the 1950′s and 1960′s===a growing time for Zumarraga after the war.
Fe Bulan Melvin
I left Samar in 1960 and now live in California. I would like to come visit in the near future. Can you contact me via e mail so I can get info about what its like in Samar now and would it be easy to visit. My cousin Bading Gaza and Psstora Gaza are there but I have lost contact with them.
Hello Rolando,
I am now living in Leyte but put up quite a bit of information about Samar when I was living in Catbalogan.
around Samar
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/samar/around-samar.html
There s probably around 100 pages of info in the Samar section under “Philippines” on this site.
I really don’t know what to say because you do not say what are looking for. What part of Samar did you come from?
Do you still speak waray-waray? Abaknon?
The National Highway was paved last year making Samar a joy to visit. It was not that long ago – it was a real endurance trial.
If you have specific questions maybe I could be more helpful.
Ingats
dp
This message is for Rolando Gaza(Lando)
Hi Lando,
I just happened to read your message. and right away I recognized you. the Gaza’s brothers; Boy, Nalding and Lando. sisters; Linda, Nora and I forgot the name of your youngest sister.I don’t know if you have any recollection but we’re neighbors and playmates before.we used to lived around the corner from your house on the other side next to the house of Ben Versoza remember him? asked your big brother Boy/Vic. who is “Virginia Zosa” he’ll tell you. infact,my husband and I went to see him when he came to visit my cousin Boy Montalban’s restaurant in Fairfield Calif.also,I had the chance to see your mama when she was still alive. So, how you guys doing? Your cousin Lydia daugther of your auntie Pacing lives in San Diego.and if you want to know about Zumarraga, asked your cousin Lydia she can tell you everything. she goes home all the time.
Extend my best regards to your brothers and sisters. Thanks, vzb
Hello Nimfa…the pictures of Zumarraga look very beautiful. My husband enjoys looking at them. Please say hello to my brother Say-Say Bulan and the rest of the Bulans in Zumarraga. FBM
HI! TO ALL ZUMARRAGANHON 2010 QUALIFIED VOTERS, YOU MUST SURELY SELECT THE BEST CANDIDATE WHO IS DEDICATED AS A LEADER OF OUR MOTHER TOWN AND SEEK ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO LIFT PEOPLE FROM POVERTY.
hi to all zumarraganhon!!!! it was a nice pics……..
cheers,
sche
09299678704
i Nimfa!
April 8, 2010
It’s nice to see pictures from my birth place, I was born in Zumarraga but lived in Catbalogan and studied at the same place until College, now living in British Columbia, Canada. My mother was from Zumarraga, name Ponsay sister of Juling zosa. I bought a house in Apitong, Tacloban and land in Zumarraga where Aunt Juling live, planning to build a house there soon for my retirement. we’re going home and attend the fiesta in Zumarraga this year and hope to see you there. My husband has been there one time and excited to see the place again.
zumarraga is my lola’s hometown,i was there when i was 6 yrears old,i graduate there in elementary.
its been too long that i cannot visit zumarraga’i,almost 5years na, hope someone gave a photo of some place in zumarraga.
thank you…………
i live now in canada,hope this coming fiesta i can visit there.
you know my uncle Aurelio”roger”costo ong he is my uncle and counsilor Michelle Ong Jabiguero she’s my aunt.
here’s my rooming # 09227310519
thank you…….
email me at:
johnjayong @ rocketmail.com
or comment me though friendster and facebook
habby_yabz @ yahoo.com
hi pp0l in zumarraga..
Hi to all Zumarraganhons!
This message is inteded for Mrs. Virgie Booker. I know Glenda Bulan cause she is my Untie. I am grandchildren of Ester and Meding Bulan, my father is Boy Bulan, maybe u just forgot him. kpatid kapo ba ng late Tiya Benilda. Maybe im one of your grandchildren too. God Bless!
Sincerely,
Nimfa
Hi to all Zumarraganhons!
If you wish to contact me. just send a message in my email address: its nim_1181 @ yahoo.com or nymph_1181 @ yahoo.com/ and heres my new number
+639077839752
+639077839752
+639077839752
+639077839752
+639077839752
… God bless to all! I have FB and friendster account to!
Hi Nympha,
Thanks for your message. Sure I know your parents. Boy n Tani?.and yes I’m the sister of late Mana Benilda. I don’t think you remember me. Nestor n Boy wasn’t married yet when I left Zumarraga. so, I don’t know any of his children, except w/ Nestor n Marlyn. I already meet their son. Were you there last town fiesta 2009? I went home to attend, but I stayed w Mana Neleph n her family in Catbalogan. and I got a chance to see Mana Esther n Mana Leonora for a brief moment. omoli la ako pakisayaw. didto kami kanda Mana Mellitte nakaon dida han patron. tapos kanda Mana Cita, omagui liwat kami kanda Mano Toni Zeta, tapos didto liwat kanda Mano Jose Conge. enjoy na enjoy ako. nag kirigta liwat kami nira imo Tiyo Teddy hira ngatanan. I went to see them at their house Rowena came to fetch me. Maopay nala kay nag pakilala ka.
Regards to your parents. Nestor n Marlyn, your lola Esther, n Mana Leonora. n Glenda n family ofcourse.
Hello Nimfa:
Maybe you know Agnes Bulan and her mom and dad Say-Say and Neila. She has been busy with her store snce she left Our Lady of Fatima. My wife is cousin to your mom and dad. I visited evrywhere in Zumarraga when i was there. Some of the people I saw and places I saw were St Anthonys and Zumarraga Elementary and Tio Victor. We also visted the Lataba’s and Ida Lim’s and saw Governor Tan. We plan on going to the Philippines again sometime in the future. Hope you have a great day. MABUHAY!!!!
Thomas Melvin
Principal
To Fe & Thomas Melvin
I am happy to read your communication w/ this web site. You know my sister, Rosie living in Alameda, she was the one who told me your wherabouts. Somewhere, I saw the the picture of your beautiful house.
It is a pleasure to know you’er doing well & hope
you & yours are in good health too !
Your kababayan/zumarraganhon
Carlo Lim:
It is always a pleasure to see your sister Baby and Lito. They are very gracious people and we enjoy talking about the Philippines with them. We have seen them a few times at their home in Alameda. They have renovated it very nice and it looks beautiful. Fe has mentioned your name and looks forward to seeing you someday. Your home in Zumarraga is very nice. We visited it with Marina, Fe’s neice. I am glad you are a Doctor for the Veteran’s Administration—thank you for supporting the troops! Again..Fe and I hope to meet you soon. Mabuhay!!
Tom and Fe Bulan Melvin
Nimpfa….we heard that you visited Agnes Bulan in Buntay. That is nice. If you plan to visit America—Call us if you plan to come….you can visit us in San Diego (619-421-0911) or Monterey County (619-370-7289).
Hi ZUMARRAGANHONS!
Kaupay la pag.kinita ngan huna.huna.on nga may ada na sugad hini nga interaction ha website.
Salamat!
OI, IMPANG, musta na?
Be there in Zumarraga this month, be delivering my 1st baby in Catbalogan.
hehehe!
GOD Bless us all!
Kumusta liwat han akon pamilya dida ha Zumarraga.
Labi na an akon pinalangga nga LOLO,hi TATAY TONY ZETA ha RAWIS ngan iya minayuyo nga asawa, hi MAMA ESTIE LONZAGA-ZETA.
You may also reach me on my work email (maryjeane.belarmino @ ph.aegisglobal.com) or my phone num 09266962266.
Thanks.
Nimfa—Do you go to Zumarraga often?
hi nimfa kmusta na rai kman kuno mgreply kanda auntie fe
hi to my auntie fe and uncle tom,
hi maryjane kumusta na upai kapa nkabuo na hehehe kami rai pah….
hi hello auntie,uncle kumusta na kamu dida adto na tiu ernie umuli na bikol
maupai na aga zumarraganhon!!!!! kumusta na liwat it akon mga pamilya labi n akon mga kag anak kay tatay saysay ngan nanay nelia…
agnes
Hi to my Auntie Fe and Uncle Tom,in San deigo California…hope everything is ok…god blessed…we miss you…wen you come home????
Hello Agnes…we read all your emails…take care of the house in Buntay and the motorcycle….when we come and visit…we hope it stays new….look fwd to seeing you in zumarraga….say hello to say say and nelia..and dinosia and nestor…neda ramil and alice and romey….hope you are in good health…
Auntie Fe
hello auntie,fe uncle tom
dont you worry everything is fine,,,
Hello to all Zumaraggahons and to the new Mayor of Zumarraga—Myrna Tan. Congratulations! From Fe Bulan
Agnes—-we are travelling between San Diego and Monterey. We have houses at both locations. If you visit USA—you are welcome..we will send yu a picture of the house in Monterey soon. Monterey is nice—there is a Fishermans Wharf and it is close to San Francisco….you can fly into San Jose or San Francisco when you come. Talk to you soon…say hello to the people in Rawis and Buntay……Auntie Fe
hello auntie fe and uncle tom
i would like to say hi to all my cousins in U.S.A namely:Ate gina Kuya michael,kuya junior…and also to auntie melda and uncle martin
from:
your cous in phil.agnes
Zumarraga,samar
Hello Agnes—-i hope everything is going ok, especially for you and your husband Ronron….MERRY CHRISTMAS TO BOTH YOU AND YOUR DAD AND MOTHER
Agnes —-hope yu have a wonderful Christmas—-
hi hello auntie fe and uncle tom,merry xmass
Auntie fe Uncle tom..
My wishes for you in year 2011: Great start for Jan, Love for Feb, Peace for March, No worries for April, Fun for May, Joy for June to Nov, Happiness for Dec. Have a lucky and wonderful 2011. Happy New Year…take care always…love you…
your niece,agnes
I would like to say Hi and Hello to our beloved Mayor in Zumarraga,Samar Myrna Ojeda Tan..thank you poh..
Agnes hope your 2011 is going well. Say hello to the Mayor of Zumarraga–Myrna Ojeda Tan. Hope the Fiesta celebration in June will be very nice. Hope everyone in Zumarraga is healthy, wealthy , and wise! Auntie Fe and Uncle Tom
maupay nga adlaw mga zumarraganhon. di gud ako masyado nga nakilala ha m Nimffa but while reading the notes above i recognized some people mentioned there. first cousin ko hi virginia booker ug umangkon ko he glenda bulan. hope to hear from you soon. regards to everybody.
this message is for Rolando Gaza
Hello! First of all i want to introduce my self, I am son of Bading Gaza a sister of Pastora Gaza. I was in vacation at this time with tiya iday home when we read your message. We want to take this kind of opportunity to contact you.They are both happy when they read your message.They want to know your contact number?
This is their no. Tiya Iday # 09284950081,Bading # 09082489593.
It is a pleasure to know you as my uncle.Hope you will keep in touch with us to know us better.Thank you and God Bless To all your Family.Reagrd’s
Hello sa inyong lahat madlang people ng zumarraga specially to nimfa.ang ganda3X mo parin..prang hindi ka tumatanda AHH..hehehe.. I’ts me… marlon costo! see u all soon..advance merry christmas!….. at nag-iiwan sa inyo ng isang MAGANDANG ARAW…BAYAN!!
Hi every one!
Maupay nga Adlaw ha iyo ngatanan!
I’m back,, its been a long time since i read the last article in this site… It feels really good to read all those messages and to know that the site helps some people to contact there relatives….
How r u Ricky.? Thank you for making this site… It helps a lot with my fellow Zumarganhons.!
This message is for Tiya Fe.
Sorry if i was not able to reply of your messages. I was a little bit busy. lie low for a while. i will be in Zumarraga this coming June. We will have some chismisan ni Agnes… Ragards to everyone!
Its me.,
Nimfa
Maupay ng adlaw ha iyo ngatanan!
Hi! Ricky.. How r u? Thankyou for making this site, it helps a lot of people and my
kababayan!
Hello Ninfa : )
Thanks – I really enjoyed staying there with your family ! Very good time !
ricky