[11] On November 8, 2013, the city was largely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, having previously suffered similar destruction and loss of life in 1897 and 1912.

[citation needed] The constant threat of pirates due to its lack of a natural barrier hindered the development and progress of the settlement.

When the Jesuits (the first evangelizers of Leyte) left in 1768, the Augustinians took over, and in 1770 they established the barrio with a chapel (visita) of Tacloban under the jurisdiction of Palo.

[citation needed] The Augustinians who came from the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus based in Cebu were also responsible in introducing the devotion to the Santo Niño becoming therefore the heavenly patron of the settlement.

The decision to make Tacloban the capital was based on the following reasons: 1) ideal location of the port and 2) well-sheltered and adequate facilities.

Before World War II, Tacloban was the commercial, education, social and cultural center of the Province of Leyte.

[citation needed] In November 1912, a typhoon swept through the central Philippines and "practically destroyed" Tacloban.

In Tacloban and Capiz on the island of Panay, the death toll was 15,000, half the population of those cities at the time.

Since San Pedro Bay was ideal for larger vessels, the Japanese Imperial Naval Forces made Tacloban a port of call and entry.

This time was considered the darkest in the history of Tacloban and the country due to the incidence of torture among civilians, including the elderly.

These landings signalled the eventual victory of the Filipino and American forces and the fulfillment of MacArthur's famous promise: "I Shall Return.

"[citation needed] Three days later, on October 23, at a ceremony at the Capitol Building in Tacloban, MacArthur, accompanied by President Sergio Osmeña, made Tacloban the temporary seat of the Commonwealth Government and temporary capital of the Philippines until the complete liberation of the country.

On November 8, 2013 (PST), Tacloban was hit by the full force of Typhoon Haiyan, causing massive destruction across the city.

Dead bodies were scattered on the streets, trees were uprooted, and a 13 ft (4 m) storm surge largely destroyed the airport, though it functioned soon after as a makeshift command and evacuation center.

"[24] Widespread looting and violence is reported to have taken place[25] and local government virtually collapsed, as many city officials were victims.

[27] On January 17, 2015, Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, arrived in Tacloban to celebrate Mass with the survivors of Haiyan (Yolanda).

Tacloban is located on the northeastern tip of Leyte Island, with its easternmost part facing Cancabato Bay.

Tropical rainforest climates have no pronounced summer or winter; it is typically wet throughout the year and rainfall is both heavy and frequent.

A decade before the end of Spanish sovereignty, it was largely a typical colonial community: most of its residents were either pure Iberian families or the new generations of Spanish-Filipino blood.

Today's population consists of a mix of Spanish and Chinese mestizos, foreign expatriates and native Leyteños.

Proximal to the city proper is the 237-hectare Eastern Visayas Agri-Industrial Growth Center (EVRGC), which was approved and accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.

After its massive devastation on November 8, 2013, Tacloban was declared by its local government as a start-up city, which means everything had to start back from scratch.

Tacloban City is part of the 1st District of Leyte, alongside seven other municipalities: Alangalang, Babatngon, Palo, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tanauan, and Tolosa.

The city's emblem stands for the following physical attributes and character:[43] The week-long celebrations peaks on June 30,[44] the Grand fiesta of Tacloban celebrated with the traditional turn-over ceremonies of the "Teniente" made by the immediate past Hermano Mayor to the incoming Hermano Mayor.