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The town is unassuming and calming as I set my foot on its grounds. For most of us Filipinos, we know this place associated with the famous phrase “I shall return.” BUT this town takes a step forward beyond its place in history. It is a town that speaks of faith and resilience from its tough and painful past. I guess that is why it is a striking Palo for me.  The story of Palo in Leyte is a story of rising up even after getting a hit. Often living under the shadows of its neighboring city, the town of Palo in Leyte is forever etched in the history of the Philippines and the world. It is along the shores of this town that General McArthur fulfilled his promise of “I shall return.” when World War 2 broke out. From this symbolic return, the town has evolved into a thriving political and religious center in the province of Leyte being home to a new provincial capital and the Archdiocese of Palo. What does this sleepy town have to offer? MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park At the heart of Palo’s tourism is the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park. This seaside park is the site where the historical promise of the esteemed general to the Filipinos was fulfilled in October 20, 1944. The monument is the centerpiece of the sprawling complex where a couple of governments are also located. The complex is also home to a number of memorials like the Boy Scout of the Philippines Monument at the center of the complex.  Palo got rooted in history when General MacArthur's fulfilled his promise. The park was declared a National Historical Landmark in 2004. The main monument depicts bronze statues of General MacArthur, President Sergio Osmena, and their entourage wading through water as depicted from a picture captured by Gaetano Faillace. The NHI Historical Marker was installed in front of the shallow pool. A bronze cast of his footprints is on display just right across the seven-men monument. A mural depicting World War 2 scenes was installed at the backend of the pool to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Leyte Landings.
The park also features other smaller monuments honoring the heroes of World War 2. There is a small theater on one end of the park and adjacent to it are the barges that carried liberation forces that landed along the shores of Palo. A Visitor Center stands right across the park where guests can have a full view of the park from its balcony. The back part of the park is connected to a baywalk that offers a panoramic view of San Pablo Bay and Samar Island. On a good day, you can do planespotting as these planes make their final approach to Tacloban Airport. Red Beach and Leyte Lighthouse Red Beach is the stretch of black sand coastline behind the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park. It is along these coastlines where the liberation of the Philippines from the hands of the Japanese started during the end of World War 2. The beach is not exactly red. In fact, the sand is grayish black. Some narratives claim that “RED” was the code that the Americans used in reference to this coast along Palo. Eventually, the name was later adopted by locals.
The MacArthur Landing Walkway now runs along part of the Red Beach. You will also find a string restaurants and a resort along the baywalk. A public beach is located at the far end of the walkway where you can rent a small hut is you intend to stay longer to enjoy the beach. You can also see from this area the Leyte Lighthouse at a distance. I am not sure though if you could walk to check out the lighthouse from Red Beach. The beach spot and the baywalk is a favorite spot of locals to do their morning or afternoon jogs. Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) Founded in 1596 by the Jesuits, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration or Cathedral is an ecclesiastical province that leads a large part of Leyte. The church was built on the same year with the two towers being added in 1850. It was proclaimed as a cathedral in March 1938. It was later utilized as a medical facility during the liberation of the Philippines in 1944.  The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration stands majestically at the heart of Palo. The church structure stands out at the heart of the town. A statue of the Risen Christ greets visitors at the entrance of the church compound. The two towers of the church structure dominate the skyline of the town like a guardian watching over its domain. Its simple facade glows in yellow with the image of the Risen Christ at the top of the structure.
The interior of the church is elegant with its stained-glass windows, its Stations of the Cross mounted on the side walls of the church, and the niche, featuring saints, mounted on the upper walls of its front walls. Its intricately designed retablo is the main feature of its interior. The three-level retablo also features saints with the Risen Christ taking the top niche of the retablo. The retablo glows in gold catching your attention as you enter the sanctuary. A Yolanda Memorial was also installed within the church compound. The memorial is one of the many in the province that honors the lives lost during the onslaught of one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country. It features a three-story “lighthouse” structure. Angels were installed on the plot, guarding the area. Tombstones of those who perished line the garden walls around the memorial. La Purisima Bridge / Bangon Bridge Located at the base of Guinhangdan Hill, the La Purisima Bridge, also known as Bangon Bridge, has its own play in the town’s history. The bridge spans across the Bangon River connecting the town center to the area of the town’s historical hill. It carries the value of being the first steel bridge in the area.  The La Purisima Bridge is said to be the first steel bridge in the area. There are efforts to breathe new life to the bridge. A riverwalk was being constructed along the river banks of Bangon to create an attraction/fitness area on this side of the town. The LGU once had a project where lovers could put the locks with their messages on the grid of the bridge but I did not find any at the time of my visit. Guinhangdan Hill Standing at 522 feet, the Guinhangdan Hill rises from the edge of Bangon River. Its strategic location made it a focal area of the encounter between the Liberation and Japanese forces when General MacArthur landed in Palo. The hill was referred to as Hill 522 and was a stronghold of the Japanese at that time.
Locals have shared that a wooden cross stood at the top of the hill during the Japanese occupation. It was later replaced by a concrete cross after the war and, later on, became a pilgrimage site. From a Japanese stronghold during the war, the hill has become a religious destination for the faithful, especially during the Holy Week. Pilgrims climb to the cross to light candles to show their gratitude and faith to the Almighty.  Enjoying the panoramic view at the top of Hill 522. There is a cemented trail leading to the top of the hill. There is a small chapel as you start the hike. There are rest stops along the way where you can enjoy the overlooking views of the surrounding areas. I initially thought that the hike was going to be easy but it was a bit of a challenge because of the steep ascent to the top. The cross stood majestically overlooking the flatlands around it. It offered a panoramic view of its surrounding areas. You get to enjoy the breeze and view as a reward after huffing and puffing along the trail of Guinhangdan Hill. POST TRAVEL NOTES The name of the town of Palo has two versions on how it was named as such. The first is its association with the “palo” - a defense weapon similar to a club and/or the hammer used by carpenters. Another version that is based off on a superstition where it is said that the area is visited by typhoons every eight days. A phenomenon that they often refer to as “walo-palo”. No matter where the town derived its name, this town really sledged out its history with General MacArthur’s triumphant return to the country and, more recently, being battered by Typhoon Yolanda. It is a town that faces its battles, falls on its knees, BUT graciously picks up the pieces to comeback stronger and better.  I long for the beach even when it rains. Every town has its own story to share. It takes one to have the courage to explore its nooks and crannies to uncover the stories beyond the usual. These stories make you understand how it molded the town, its people, and its beliefs. It makes you appreciate their present by learning their past. You uncover what lies beneath the beauty of the place and the smiles on the local’s faces. You don’t just visit. You understand. That is key in making every trip an exciting one. Check out my Palo, Leyte adventure on my Youtube Travel Channel or you may click on the link below.
#MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Getting there: There are direct flights to Tacloban City from major airports of the country. From the airport, there are public transports like jeepneys and trikes going to the city center where you can take another jeepney to the town of Palo. Tricycles are the way to go around in Palo. Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels and MAGWAI for their alternative and eco-friendly products for my local travels.
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Who would have thought that a rustic and old town in Cavite could yield such great natural beauty and a story where history comes alive. This was the goal when our team explored a rustic town where nature and history perfectly blends together. Hindi lang kami bastang umikot dito kundi hinanap namin ang mga nakatagong ganda at mga kwento na talaga naman nagpawindang sa amin dito sa Indang.  Exploring the town of Indang with my ChangeMe and Fit4Life teams. Tucked under the shadows of Cavite’s tourism gem - Tagaytay, the town of Indang is a silent attraction in the province. Most people would probably affiliate it with garden resorts and coffee BUT this town has its own stories to share. Founded in 1655, its name was said to be from the tree “Yndan” which grew abundantly in the area. It was during the 1986 Philippine Revolution that it adopted the name “Indang". Interestingly, it became prominent in the same period because it was in its forested area where the great Filipino plebeian and Katipunan Supremo, Andres Bonifacio, was captured. He was eventually detained at the Old Municipal Building of the town before facing trial in Maragondon. At present, the town is a favorite spot for those looking for a quick weekend escape from the metro. Indang Community Museum Let’s start exploring the town of Indang with the Indang Community Museum. The museum is housed on the old two-story Municipal Hall that also holds historical value. It is in this same building that the Andres Bonifacio, together with his wife, Gregoria de Jesus, and brother, Procopio, were imprisoned after they were captured and arrested in Indang. A National Historical Institute marker and bust were installed in the complex as a reminder of the value of the structure in Philippine history.  The Indang Community Museum is housed at the historical building of the Old Municipal Building of Indang. Managed by the local tourism office of Indang, the museum has four galleries that give you a glimpse of the town’s glorious past. You get a guided tour from tourism students of the Cavite State University where they walk you through different time periods of Indang. Most of these collections are from Indangons who donated these antique pieces as part of their contribution to keeping the town’s history alive.
The museum also features their local heroes and attractions. From old Spanish structures to natural attractions, they have photographs that will catch your interest. I hope that they would be able to map out these attractions in one frame for easier reference of tourists. The Indang Community Museum puts the town on a different light. It gave us a deeper appreciation of the town beyond its rustic and quiet vibe. Indang Town Plaza At the heart of the town is the Indang Town Plaza. This is where everything radiates from, From commerce to governance to daily chores of locals, the town plaza is a central piece of their daily lives. The town was designed under Spanish township where the munisipyo, church, and market is at the core of the town. The plaza is where the action happens.
The town plaza of Indang is complete with Indang Sign, a monument honoring Dr. Jose Rizal, and open park areas. The typical town plaza in the provinces. There are small stores along the main street where you can get local products of Indang. Don’t miss out on getting your fill of their famous kalamay. But one thing that stood out for me was a hero’s wall where the town honors its local heroes from the Spanish period to World War 2 veterans. St. Gregory the Great Parish Church and Convent Established in 1611 and became a separate parish in 1625, the St. Gregory the Great Parish Church, more popularly known as Indang Church, is one of the oldest churches in the province of Cavite. The construction of the stone church was completed in 1710. However, it got damaged during the Philippine Revolution of 1896. It had undergone 2 restoration programs in 1953 and in 1987.  The St. Gregory the Great Parish is one of the oldest churches in the province of Cavite. The church greets locals and guests like a guardian over the town as you enter the poblacion area. The simple facade and its 5-story belfry looms majestically over the town center. The intricate rose-colored ceiling paintings will catch your attention as you enter the church. The intricately designed two-tiered altar has the images of the Crucified Christ and St. Gregory the Great as its centerpiece. A unique religious artifact inside the church is the painting “Siete de Arcangeles de Indang”. Mounted on the Epistle Altar, many miracles are attributed to the images of the 7 Archangels. Interestingly, it is believed that the painting is the oldest painting of the angels in the country.
The adjacent Indang Church Convent is also the oldest and the longest convent in the province. You can find the church’s Station of the Cross at the back of the church with life-size images depicting the “Last Supper”. The stations are lined along a trail along a steep ravine. The whole experience is enhanced by nature sounds as you walk along the trail. A replica of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was also installed at the base of the ravine. Bonifacio Shrine The town of Indang was pivotal in the life story of the Great Filipino Plebeian, Andres Bonifacio. It was on the outskirts of this town where he was captured by the men of General Emilio Aguinaldo after his rift with the former President escalated during the Tejeros Convention. A monument now stands at the location where the skirmish happened that eventually led to the capture of the Father of the Katipunan.
The small shrine stands in honor of Bonifacio with a monument of him surrounded by the different flags of the Katipunan. The walkway underneath the monument is framed with details of his capture, the different Katipunan flags, and his poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”. A National Historical Institute Marker was installed at the front of the shrine to indicate the historical significance of the place in our search for independence. Palsahangin Falls It took us two attempts before we had the chance to finally see the beauty of Palsahangin Falls. The waterfalls is the prime waterfall destination in Indang. It is a favorite hangout of locals and tourists especially during summer months for a quick relief from the heat of the dry season. Unfortunately due to an accident, the waterfalls attraction was temporarily closed by the barangay.
We were lucky that the barangay officials were kind enough to allow our team to explore this tourism destination in Indang. BUT we had to take the steeper route to the waterfalls. Surrounded by rock cliffs and boulders, spring-water cascades from a height equivalent to a two-storey building. The base of the pool is very deep that one can cliff jump into the pool from the surrounding rock walls into the pool. The rugged terrain gives Palsahangin Falls that rustic charm to adventure seekers who are up for a quick adrenaline rush in Indang. Kaytapos Falls The search for Kaytapos Falls starts with a cemented pathway that runs along the side of a stream. The dense forest cover in the area gives you that fairytale vibe that you read in books. The trail then turns into a dirt trail as you walk further upstream. The challenge is when you start walking along the stream onto slippery rocks and mud. And then you catch a glimpse of Kaytapos Falls… you look back at the picture you’re holding, stare back at the falls in front of you, and you gasp - “eto na ba yun?”
Kaytapos Falls gave our teams a hearty chuckle in the midst of our Purple Trail Challenge. After scurrying up a muddy trail, we all got our “small” surprise looking at Kaytapos Falls. The waterfall is not the usual “roaring” waterfall. It has around a 3 to 4-meter cascade that drops into a shallow pool. The surrounding area is calm and peaceful giving it that serene vibe. The gentle slush of the cascade and the sounds of the forest covers will definitely ground you. This is a great spot to enjoy the natural peace that nature gives you. St. Anthony Falls Located along the outskirts of Indang, St. Anthony Falls is the most developed for tourism. The waterfall was named after the patron saint of Barangay Tambo Malaki, St. Anthony de Padua. It is also tucked along the forested area of the town giving it that rustic vibe. It is a popular destination and that paved the way for its development with restrooms and cottages that dot along the rived side. There is an entrance fee charged by the locals for the upkeep and there are also stores in the area where you can buy food and beverages.
A small dike was built upstream where the spring water is collected making that part of the headwaters deeper. This makes that area ideal for swimming. During one of our visits, I caught a couple of kids swinging on a rope and jumping into its deep pool. The cascade of St. Anthony Falls sits between two large boulders. The waters fall from a height of 6-8 meters into a deep pool at its base before running to shallower depths downstream. The base pool is deep that one can jump into the pool from the top of the falls. The different depths of its pool make it an ideal spot for any age to enjoy a quick cold swim. POST TRAVEL NOTES The town of Indang is a great example of a destination that is not a top of mind destination in Cavite but has a lot of amazing spots to explore and discover. A great deal of tourism initiatives must be pioneered by the local tourism, in partnership with barangay officials, to develop and promote these destinations. A barangay official that we spoke with did mention the need for additional tourism funds to be able to make their attraction safer for tourists. I hope that with the little attention that our group gave the town, it will bring renewed attention to taking more proactive efforts to consolidate and c Qaa e promote Indang’s tourist attraction.  We had a tiring and fun weekend getting our teams together from Laguna, Manila, and Cebu. Local government initiatives are crucial in the development of programs that promote tourist sites in their area. They should take the initiative to work closely with local officials that would consolidate information for tourists. This move alone can help in putting their town in a position of a preferred destination and not just an option. Check out our Indang teambuild adventure here:
Getting there: You can take a bus bound for Indang at Paranaque Integrated Transport Exchange. Alternatively, you can also take a bus bound for Tagaytay/Mendez. You can then take a jeep bound for Indang at Mendez. You can take the tricycle to get around Indang. Huge shoutout to my team for the team pictures shared on this blog. #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels and MAGWAI for their alternative and eco-friendly products for my local travels.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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November 2025
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