The Malitbog Chamber of Commerce

It’s core industry is still in Agriculture and fishery, but recently, due to the influx of foreign visitors and the seasonal visits of its own residents who have gone to other countries -- the restaurant, retail, and especially the tourism sectors are also beginning to have a marked stronghold.

Malitbog now boasts its very own Seaside Resorts and Diving Spots -- key ingredients in the tourism industry. While the beaches of Malitbog does not have the vaunted white sands of other more visited spots in the Philippines -- that very same reason of being relatively still unknown is what’s drawing other vacationers to Malitbog: A chance to be away from everyone else.

A Whale Shark Tale

Malitbog sits on the left side of Sogod Bay (if you are facing it from the opening of the bay) -- and it is a good thing. It is protected from the yearly onslaught of the ever-increasingly strong typhoons that passes by the Visayas Region, thus making the Malitbog waters prestine enough for the Whale Shark to passs by and for other species to thrive, as well as ensuring its coral population remain mostly intact and thriving.

The Coral Population of Malitbog is entering its new phase of growth and abundance thanks to the efforts of the local government, spearheaed by its Mayor. Major Diving organizations are constantly visiting the vaunted Malitbog Cemetery Shoreline, now also a protected area.

The Malitbog Chamber of Commerce hopes to start working in partnership with some of the major Diving Operators in the world like PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), as well as NAUI and SSI -- as we work to provide resources and represent the local Diving Spot Owners and Business Operators.

The New Agriculture

For much of its history, the Philippines has been known as an Agrarian Country. And even though much of Manila and Cebu are now the technology support centers of some of the biggest companies in the world, most of the rest of the Philippines still, and indeed, rely on agriculture, to sustain a decent livelihood.

In Malitbog, one person is leading the way to help other local farmers adapt to this fast changing and challenging new Earth environment. Her name is Ivy Priscilla Sala Tomol.

The Malitbog Menu

When you think of Filipino food, you maybe forgiven if all you can think of is Adobo, Pancit, or Sinigang. You can add our own version of the egg roll as well. But that is probably what most non-Filipino who has ever been exposed to the Filipino Culinary Menu could ever think of.

Well, there’s more to those than what you see on Google.

With people nowadays looking for simple and healthy eating, there are vintage Filipino dish that Malitboganons have been concocting themselves all their lives. Take for example the Filipino Bitter Melon with Eggs -- a breakfast staple for so many Filipino families.

Variations upon variations of this menu can be found on several Malitbog Restaurants and Seaside Resorts.

Sautéed Seafood, like Squid or crab legs are some of the most popular add-ins to this menu. Pair it with Garlic Rice, or just a toast will do.

Malitboganons love having freshly pressed Lemon slices on Coconut Water, with a few drops of Honey.

You can avail all of the above menu at any one one of Malitbog’s Seaside Resorts, like the Por La Bahia -- one of Malitbog’s top new Seaside Resort.

Another pride of a Malitboganon is one’s ability to have their own version of a cookout. Yes. The Barbecue Grill. And you can experience a very uniquely Malitboganon Barbecue at Barbekyuhan ni Kuya, a unique establishment featuring Bar and Grill, Private Events, and catering all rolled into one.

Here, you can have all sorts of barbecued meat and seafood, as well as host your own private party inside.

Enjoy the Pork Barbecue with another Malitboganon specialty: Coconut Wine (To-ba).

Finally, did we ever mention to you that Malitbog, Southern Leyte is the home of the famous Giant Hopia? What is a Hopia? If you have never tried one, come to Malitbog and go to Jairus Bakery, where you will be treated to a most unique version of the ephemeral “moon cake” -- Bakpia or Hopia is a popular Indonesian and Philippine bean-filled moon cake-like pastry originally introduced by Fujianese immigrants in the urban centers of both nations around the turn of the twentieth century. It is a widely available inexpensive treat and a favoured gift for families, friends and relatives.

SINULOG: A uniquely Malitbog event

Every year on January 15th, the town of Malibog celebrates its annual Fiesta Celebration, during which the annual competition for the Best Sinulog Troupe is the week long celebration’s pinnacle event. You cannot miss this event, as it is both a cultural experience all its own, an amazing display of new choreography while staying true to it historical origin.

With competiting teams coming from as far as Manila and other major cities, this cutural phenomenon is one event you should put on your bucket list of reasons to come to Malitbog.

When you are done partaking in our amazing menu, having a great time experiencing the town that is Malitbog, and you have made so many new friends, you can now go back to your very own hut -- built by one of several seaside resorts dotting the shorelines of Malitbog.

A quick ride along the main roads of the town of Malitbog will tell you the rich cultural and infrastructural influence by different geopolitical players of this planet; from the first Spanish Gallons lead by Ferdinand Magellan who landed on the Limawasa Island just a few kilometers from Malitbog, to the American takeover after 500 years of Spanish rule, the natives adapted, intermingled with these foreigners, fought for independence, and today -- we are a proud mixture of everything that has influenced us: but still Filipinos to the core.

So come and take a gander, as they say.

You would not be disappointed.