A ‘time capsule’ in Tacloban
†
IF YOU EVER have a chance to visit the history-rich city of Tacloban, chances are you would find yourself billeted at the Hotel Alejandro right at the middle of downtown Tacloban. †If not — and you still have the opportunity to change hotels — I strongly suggest that you book yourself in Hotel Alejandro (if they have an available room for you, that is). †The hotel, though nothing grand, is a time machine, almost literally.
I had the good fortune of being able to visit Tacloban for the very first time in November 2007 when my company’s management team went there for our planning conference for 2008. †I was doubly lucky that our accommodations and conference venue were both at Hotel Alejandro.
Hotel Alejandro is a complete destination in itself, and it was the case for me during that short visit of mine in Tacloban City. †On my way there I had planned to visit several places in and around Tacloban City during our 5-day conference, only to find out early on the third day that I had to cut short my conference participation, pack my luggage and head back to Manila for some urgent concerns that I needed to personally attend to in our company. †Aside from the airport, Hotel Alejandro was the only place I was able to set foot on in Tacloban. †I have seen not even the shadow of San Juanico Bridge, the primary must-see attraction for first-timers in Tacloban.
It was a good thing that during my first two days in the hotel I have spent all my available time to devour the WWII photos and memorabilia displayed all around the hotel. †The place is actually a “WWII – Battle of Leyte Gulf” museum masquerading as a hotel. †I seriously doubt if there is any other place with more photos and memorabilia from the Battle of Leyte Gulf during the 2nd World War than Hotel Alejandro.
