EVERY electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer dreams of breaking the 1,000-kilometer (km) barrier on a single charge. Currently, a few manufacturers claim their EVs can achieve this. So, if that is possible now, where in the Philippines could you drive to to achieve such a feat? If road markers are your guide, the 1,000-km markers can be found in the Eastern Visayas region. During a previous road trip, I found the 1,000-km markers in several locations, including Guiuan in Eastern Samar, and Mahaplag, Baybay, and Ormoc in Leyte. If I had to choose one location for this challenge, it would be Ormoc, a major economic, commercial and transportation hub in Western Leyte. Ormoc now boasts several large malls and car dealerships, which will likely have EV charging stations in the near future. Despite its modernization, Ormoc's economy depends on a mix of agriculture, geothermal power, industry (home to the country's largest fertilizer factory and copper processing plant), and eco-tourism. The city also offers numerous natural, cultural and heritage attractions worth visiting after a long drive from Manila. The 1,000-km drive The 1,000-km journey to Ormoc follows the Pan-Philippine highway, which passes through the South Luzon Expressway, the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon, and the Bicol peninsula. From Matnog, you cross the San Bernardino Strait to Allen using roll on, roll off (Ro-Ro) ferries. From Allen in Northern Samar, the road passes through Calbayog and Catbalogan, crosses the San Juanico Bridge to Tacloban, and continues through Palo in Leyte. From Palo, take the auxiliary road N70, passing through Santa Fe, Alangalang, Capoocan, Kananga, and finally arriving in Ormoc. The 1,000-km marker is located in Kananga, which used to be part of Ormoc. There are regular buses from Manila covering the same distance to Ormoc, taking 22 hours. Alternatively, you can fly to Cebu and take a ferry to Ormoc, or fly to Tacloban and take a van to Ormoc. Natural attractions Ormoc derives its name from the Visayan term "ogmok," meaning "lowland" or "depressed plain." This likely referred to the settlement facing Ormoc Bay. The rest of the city consists of gently rolling plains, with the Amandiwin mountain range separating Ormoc from the eastern region. This area of the mountain was heavily affected by Typhoon Uring in 1991, causing flash floods that claimed thousands of lives. Lake Danao National Park, declared as such park in 1998, covers 2,193 hectares, including the Amandiwin mountain range. Its protected status helps prevent threats like illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming, which were partly blamed for the 1991 flooding. At the center of the park lies the guitar-shaped Lake Danao, at an elevation of 650 meters. Just a 30-minute drive from the city, the lake is a favorite weekend getaway for local tourists. Freshwater clams, known locally as "tabs" (short for "tabang"), are found in the lake and are best enjoyed as adobo or sisig. Other natural attractions worth visiting include Tongonan Hot Springs National Park, Alto Peak (the highest mountain in the region), Sahayan Falls, Lake Kasudruran, and the 210-hectare pineapple plantation in Barangay Hibunawon that produces Ormoc's famous Queen pineapple. Historical and heritage attractions Most of Ormoc's cultural, historical and heritage sites are located within the city center. Veteran Park, behind the old City Hall, was constructed to honor the Filipino soldiers who fought during the liberation of Leyte. In the middle of the park is a monument dedicated to the Western Leyte guerrilla forces. The park also features a baywalk where locals gather for leisure. The old City Hall of Ormoc, an Art Deco building constructed in 1947, is now the city's museum. The ground floor exhibits cover the liberation of Leyte during World War II and the impact of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Ormoc, while the second floor showcases artwork by local artists. Across from city hall is the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, established in 1630. The church has undergone several reconstructions, the latest following the destruction caused by World War II. It is currently under renovation, with a dome and new portico in the works. Also noteworthy is Puente de la Reina, a Spanish-era bridge built in the 1800s. It once served as a docking area for ships from China and Java and is still used today as a footbridge. The old structure symbolizes the city's progress, and it wouldn't mind welcoming a modern EV driven 1,000 km from Manila 200 years later.
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