Friday, September 02, 2011

Passing Through San Juanico Bridge

When one speaks of Leyte, one thing that comes to mind is San Juanico Bridge. And for those who like action movies of the eighties, who would ever forget the stunt pulled-off by Dante Varona who jumped from that bridge into the sea below.


So when I visited Leyte, I made sure to see this bridge which is the longest bridge in the Philippines that connects the Province of Leyte and Samar.

San Juanico is considered one of the most beautifully-designed bridges in Philippines. It is supported by 43 spans rising 41 meters above the sea and has a large arch beneath which allows boats to pass. View from the top will reveal the letters L and S shape of the bridge which stands for Leyte and Samar. It was previously known as Marcos Bridge because it was built during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Although the bridge is long, it is quite narrow and consist only of two-lanes. Vehicles are not allowed to stop at any point within the bridge so you really cannot go down there and took pics. However, I told our driver to drive slowly so that I could take some pics of the San Juanico Strait. However, the cars at our rear keeps on signaling us to speed-up so I was not able to take the shots that I like.

The San Juanico Strait presents some of the most beautiful landscape that you will ever see from groups of islets to passing boats to fishing structures. Too bad, we are not allowed to walk on the side rails because it is just too narrow and dangerous.

We passed by the bridge four times just to maximize our viewing experience, so literally, I have been though Samar twice already. Santa Rita is the first municipality you will arrive at in Samar.

I was hoping to have at least a decent shot of the structure but I was utterly disappointed because there isn't a viewing deck where you could see the bridge entirely. There is a small square/park at the beginning of the Leyte side of the bridge but you can't have a good look at the bridge because there are lots of trees and structures blocking the view. Hopefully, the Local Government there could construct a viewing deck because that bridge is one of the country's best.

By the way, stories have it that San Juanico Bridge was offered by President Marcos to his wife Imelda as a gift because she has difficulty going to her hometown in Leyte. But whether the story is true or not, this bridge in reality is a gift to all people in the Eastern Visayas area because it literally bridged the gap between those islands.

And speaking of Imelda Marcos, everyone in Leyte seem to love her because of the developments and the progress she had brought to the province. In fact, of the people I have talked to there, they are still very grateful of hat she has done for them. One of the projects she has made in Leyte is the Sto. Nino Shrine which served as the first Family's residence in Leyte. More of this Shrine which have turned now into a Heritage Museum on my next post.


Look Back Friday. Originally posted on June 19, 2009.

37 comments:

  1. atty oman, thank you for "taking us" here. i've come to know that this is the longest bridge in the country and your photos gave a good view of what's in my mind about this historical landmark. hope to set foot on this bridge in the future. :)

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  2. wow, the bridge is really beautiful! and you took some amazing shots! so people are not allowed to walk on the sidewalk??? pwede ba, at-your-own-risk na lang? (lol) maybe the best time to cross the bridge is on a Sunday morning when everybody is attending mass para walang traffic sa tulay.:D

    now, i'm itching to see this bridge in person!

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  3. I would love to jog across this bridge. It's so beautiful

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  4. I think the reason why people are not allowed to walk nor cars are not allowed to stop was there was attempt before of bombing the bridge. Yun sabi nila. But nice shots! Love it!

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  5. how can i forget this bridge? we stopped in the middle of the bridge went down and enjoyed the scene while our van went straight and returned for us because parking along the bridge is prohibited.

    thanks for the added info about it.

    i like the idea of the L and S shape.

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  6. Kung hindi ko nabasa ang text , masasabi ko pa rin na perfect ang mga shots mo lalo na ang 2nd and sixth photos. Medyo nadisappoint ka lang siguro dahil hindi ka nagtumbling, sirko, o ano pang position sa pagkuha ng photos. joke! I heard nga noong time na kinu-construct pa ang bridge na 'to ay uso ang kidnapping sabi nila inaalay sa bridge na yan. lol.

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  7. i agree, san juanico bridge is one of the country's most picturesque bridges.

    it once been the longest bridge in the country but it was replaced by candaba viaduct (going to pampanga) when it was finished in 2005. san juanico bridge's length is just 2.2 kms compared to candaba viaduct's 5 kms in length.

    PEACE out! Cheers!

    reference: www.bisean.blogspot.com

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  8. "And for those who like action movies of the eighties, who would ever forget the stunt pulled-off by Dante Varona who jumped from that bridge into the sea below."

    Cool yan si Dante Varona! I remember watching his films back in the '80s! The hair, the clothes, the swagger.... Hehehe. =P

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  9. what a beautiful bridge...i so like the curvature of it against the sea.
    have a fab weekend.

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  10. i love bridges. :) cool trivia about san juanico bridge, especially the L and S shape.

    ganda ng view!

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  11. Wow that is a fantastic bridge. Wondered why it cant be a straight bridge? But it looked very lovely. Have a nice weekend.

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  12. wow, ang fabuloush ng bridge! im amazed sa structural design. nice photos!

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  13. welcome to my world of drive by shooting. anyway, i really like the photos you took, they represented the bridge very well. how long was the bridge again?

    when did you go?

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  14. Lovely bridge and lovely scenery. I won't mind going back and forth there.

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  15. ...hello..you seem to like bridges...we build bridges here in KL... :-)

    Nice posts...

    Just blog-hopping....

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  16. helo panero..uy, bagong header n thumbnail..iwas beer belly pala ang san mig ano, (makashift na nga hehe)..

    san juanico, bata pa ko naririnig ko na to, pero sa blog mo lang nakita ko. txs for the added trivia. it must be too long for u to take the more perfect angle shot.

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  17. Atty, great pics and informative post... I have long since hoped to be able to cross this bridge on foot... hehe...

    Hopefully this year... :D

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  18. i remember having our pictures taken here
    sabi bawal daw
    pero huminto talaga kami para lang magpa-picture
    pasaway talaga
    hehe

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  19. gusto ko din dumaan dyan... teka, gaano katagal byahe sa tulay na yan? :D

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  20. wow ganda ng shots mo sa bridge! kelan kaya 'ko makaka-cross jan haha

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  21. I admit, this is the first time I've seen that bridge and it's AMAZING! Ang galeng! Like Lalaine, I'm curious how long it took you to cross...

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  22. curious ako pero parang natatakot ako . sa picture palang nalulula na ako. heheh

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  23. I've been wanting to see the structure myself but till now I've never gone to this place yet. Your pics are okay, ha? I like the first pic of the bridge. Well composed.

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  24. Hi Norman! Excellent pictures! I love the blue and the amazing design of the bridge!!

    As far as Imelda is concerned, did she left some shoes in Leyte? ;))

    Blogtrotter has moved to another country on its 250th post. Enjoy and have a great Sunday!

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  25. Paano kung walang sasakyan o kaya walang pamasahe yung tao e di hindi siya makakapunta sa kabilang isla kung ang mode ng transport niya ay paa lang? It looked like there is enough space by the rail guard to walk safely.

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  26. napanuod ko ang bridge sa HARI NG STUNT ni dante varona dati.dyan sya tumalon sa SAN JUANICO BRIDGE

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  27. What wonderful shots! Excellent captures! :-)

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  28. very pretty bridge indeed. Man, I wish I could visit this place too :) Nice shots bro.

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  29. We were able to stop by (ooops, that's a secret). But the bridge seemed to be swaying everytime heavy vehicles passed by. I think it's because of the flexi foundation.

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  30. Nakaka fascinate talaga yung place na yan

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  31. i've never been to Leyte and I hope to travel there soon :). Napaka picturesque talaga ng bridge na yan

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  32. You know what? you could have taken off at the mid of the bridge, let the driver go to the end of the bridge and wait til you're done. And drive by again the bridge to let you in. It would have been a great experience...

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  33. This is perfectly amazing! :) I thought people we're allowed to have a little jog at the side walk of this bridge :) Anyway, I'll visit this place soon :)

    Thank you sir for visiting my site :)
    God bless :)

    Biboy Fotograpiya
    http://www.biboyordinario.tk

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  34. This is a truly beautiful bridge. It really is a shame there is no viewing platform, or at least a place where cars can stop.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  35. nice. I wish they make more of these bridges to link the islands !

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  36. The bridge itself is a landmark between Samar and Leyte... The 2nd pic is decent one.

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