The islands was first discovered by a Portuguese explorer (Ferdinand Megellan). He was in search for an island that has spices that Spain could use but he found Samar on 1521.
“Samar Province occupies the southwest of the island of Samar. It is a mix beautiful coastlines and rugged terrain with low mountain ranges. It is one of those places in the Philippines that is nestled between the sea and the towering mountains.”
And, the start of Spanish colonization in the Philippines.