Padre Burgos, a coastal town in the province of Southern Leyte, occupies a land area of approximately 25.65 square kilometers, or 9.90 square miles, which constitutes 1.42% of the total land area of Southern Leyte.

As of the 2020 Census, the municipality had a population of 11,159, accounting for 2.60% of the total population of Southern Leyte or 0.25% of the entire Eastern Visayas region. From these numbers, the population density of the municipality can be computed as 435 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,127 inhabitants per square mile, indicating that the town is relatively densely populated.

History

Padre Burgos is a coastal town located in the province of Southern Leyte in the Philippines. The town was named after Padre Jose Burgos, a Filipino Catholic priest who was executed for his involvement in the 1872 Cavite Mutiny.

The history of Padre Burgos dates back to the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. The town was established as a separate municipality in 1910, during the American colonial period. Prior to this, Padre Burgos was a barrio (village) in the town of Hinunangan.

During World War II, Padre Burgos was occupied by Japanese forces and liberated by American forces in 1945. After the war, the town became part of the newly created province of Southern Leyte.

In the 1960s, the town of Padre Burgos gained national attention due to the discovery of a rare fish species known as the coelacanth. The coelacanth was believed to have been extinct for millions of years, and its discovery in the waters off Padre Burgos was considered a major scientific discovery.

Today, Padre Burgos is a quiet coastal town that is known for its beautiful beaches and natural attractions, such as Sogod Bay and the nearby islands of Limasawa and San Pedro. The town is also home to several resorts and dive shops that cater to tourists who come to enjoy the town’s natural beauty and marine life.

Native Delicacies in the Town

Padre Burgos town is known for its beautiful beaches, marine sanctuaries, and diverse cuisine. Here are some of the native delicacies that you can try when visiting Padre Burgos:

• Budbud Kabog – a sticky rice delicacy made from millet (locally known as “kabog”) that is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.

• Binagol – a sweet delicacy made from taro root, coconut milk, and brown sugar. It is cooked in a coconut shell and wrapped in banana leaves.

• Kinilaw – a dish made from fresh raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar, calamansi juice, onions, ginger, and chili peppers.

• Inun-unan – a sour and savory dish made from fish or seafood cooked in vinegar and spices.

• Utan Bisaya – a vegetable soup made from a variety of local vegetables such as malunggay leaves, okra, eggplant, and squash.

• Puto Maya – a sweet rice cake made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar. It is usually served with ripe mangoes or hot chocolate.

• Binakhaw – a crunchy snack made from puffed rice that is mixed with caramelized sugar.

These are just some of the many delicious native delicacies that you can try when visiting Padre Burgos.

How to get there?

To get to Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte, you can take a combination of land and sea transportation from the nearby cities.

By air, you can fly to Tacloban City and take a van or bus to Padre Burgos. Another option is to fly to Ormoc City and take a van or bus to Padre Burgos.

By land, you can take a bus or van from the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, or Maasin, which are all accessible via bus or van from major cities like Manila and Cebu.

Once you reach Padre Burgos, you can easily get around by foot or by tricycle.