General MacArthur is a third-class municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, located in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and local festivals. However, like many other municipalities in the Philippines, MacArthur faces various challenges, such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and natural disasters, particularly typhoons and floods.
Overall, the population and status of MacArthur, Eastern Samar are reflective of many small municipalities in the Philippines, and the local government and community continue to work towards improving the town’s economic and social conditions.
History
General MacArthur is a municipality located in the province of Eastern Samar in the Philippines. It was formerly known as Tubabao, named after the island where Chinese refugees were temporarily housed after fleeing Communist China in the late 1940s.
In 1950, the Philippine government, with the help of the United Nations Refugee Organization (UNRO), established a refugee camp on Tubabao Island to house Chinese refugees who had fled Communist China. The camp was originally intended to be a temporary shelter, but it lasted for several years as the refugees waited for resettlement in other countries.
During this time, General Douglas MacArthur, who was then serving as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific during World War II, became involved in the effort to resettle the Chinese refugees. He visited the camp on several occasions and even personally intervened to help expedite the resettlement process.
In 1953, the camp was closed and the remaining refugees were relocated to other countries. The town was later renamed MacArthur in honor of General Douglas MacArthur’s efforts to help the Chinese refugees.
Today, MacArthur is a peaceful town known for its beautiful beaches and natural attractions. It is also home to several cultural and historical landmarks, including the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, which commemorates General MacArthur’s return to the Philippines during World War II.
What are the native delicacies in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar
MacArthur is a municipality in Eastern Samar, Philippines known for its rich cultural heritage and cuisine. Some of the native delicacies that can be found in MacArthur, Eastern Samar include:
Binagol – A sweet delicacy made from grated taro mixed with sugar, butter, and coconut milk. The mixture is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked.
Moron – A sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and chocolate or peanut butter filling. It is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked.
Puto sulot – A sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar. It is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked.
Kakanin – A type of rice cake made with coconut milk, sugar, and glutinous rice. It comes in different flavors such as ube, pandan, and latik.
Banana cue – A popular street food in the Philippines made by skewering bananas and frying them in oil with brown sugar until caramelized.
Kamote cue – Similar to banana cue, but using sweet potato instead of banana.
Kalo – A type of soup made with native chicken, vegetables, and spices.
These are just some of the native delicacies that you can find in MacArthur, Eastern Samar. There are many more local dishes to discover and enjoy.
Ways to visit General MacArthur, Eastern Samar
Fly to Tacloban Airport: The nearest airport to MacArthur is the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, Leyte. There are several flights daily from Manila to Tacloban, operated by various airlines.
Hire a private vehicle or take a public transportation: From Tacloban City, you can hire a private vehicle or take a public transportation, such as a van or a jeepney, to MacArthur. The trip takes around 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
Get off at MacArthur junction: When you reach the town of MacArthur, tell the driver to drop you off at the MacArthur junction. This is the main intersection in the town where you can find the municipal hall, market, and other establishments.
Take a tricycle: From the junction, you can take a tricycle to your specific destination in MacArthur. Tricycles are the main mode of transportation within the town, and they can take you to various locations, such as the beach, the church, or other tourist spots.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by land from Manila to MacArthur, you can take a bus or a van from Cubao or Pasay City to Tacloban City. The trip takes around 24 hours, and you can choose from various bus companies, such as Philtranco, DLTB, or CUL. From Tacloban City, follow steps 2 to 4 to reach MacArthur.
