Sleepless, tired and hungry from the 4-hour land trip from Tacloban and that bland and unappealing fried bangus for lunch in a fast-food joint in Uptown mall, Borongan City in Eastern Samar did not easily give that "wow" factor. It appears more like a sleepy town at the Eastern-most part of the Philippines.

I even thought it was boring and, save for century-old church, I even resigned to the strong possibility that I will not have a photo opportunity with my work-related travel in Borongan. It would be less interesting a travel for me because, aside from reports I will do, I might not be able to bring home stories from Borongan.

In the course of accomplishing my tasks--moving around and meeting people--I noticed something uniquely interesting in Borongan! Aside from its blue church (which I will blog about later), Borongan is teeming with old houses that are maintained up to this day!

Borongan has a hidden gem in its old houses. I thought, with all the old houses still intact, Borongan could be the next heritage town! However, like any other modernizing town due to fast-paced economy and mobility, new buildings and structures sprout after tearing the old ones down.

I just wish that the local government would be able to come up with policies and projects to preserve their town heritage.

Old houses beside the town plaza.

James McGuire Building, 1931

This house beside the James McGuire Bldg was built in 1919.

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