The Oriental Leyte, the leading hotel in the Eastern Visayas region, hosted once more the recent luncheon reception and VIP events of the Leyte Gulf Landings 78th anniversary celebration.
Spearheading the commemorative events were the Province of Leyte, Municipality of Palo, and the Department of National Defense–Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, and the Department of Tourism, in cooperation with the Veterans Federation of the Philippines.
Also taking part were diplomatic representatives from the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, which were the protagonists in the Pacific theater during World War 2.
The four-star resort was also the venue of the one-man show of noted artist Nemi Miranda of Angono, Rizal, who exhibited paintings depicting the quincentennial of Christianity in the archipelago and the return of Allied Forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur on Oct. 20, 1944.
Considered as the Asian counterpart to the massive Allied amphibious landings in Normandy, France, the Leyte Gulf Landings marked the start of the liberation of the archipelago from Japan.
It also triggered a series of naval battles in the seas of Sibuyan, Samar and Surigao Strait where Japanese naval capability was crippled.
Located beside the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, the Asian-themed hotel boasts of 128 well-appointed rooms and suites, several function halls, a fitness center, a spa, and the Samsara Restaurant.
According to The Oriental Hotels and Resorts chief executive officer Rebecca Lee, aside from being the regular venue of the annual observance, the property chain has taken on the corporate social responsibility of promoting historical and cultural awareness and preservation in the communities where they are present.
An accredited tourist establishment of DOT–Region 8, it is offering guests heritage and nature tour packages around the Samar and Leyte provinces, World War 2-related spots in Tacloban City and environs, and the iconic San Juanico Bridge which boasts of a newly installed Aesthetic Light and Sound Show.
From Fridays to Sundays, the resort has an Asian and international dinner buffet with mesmerizing pop moves by the hotel staff and fire dancers.
The Oriental Hotels group has hotels in key destinations such as Legazpi City, Tagaytay Ridge, and Mariveles, Bataan, and will soon open the Proxy sub-brand in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, and The Inn sub-brand in Bacolod City.
