Tuguegarao which is a third class city with a total land area of 144.80 square kilometers as compared with Metro Manila of 619.6 square kilometers is almost ¼ the size of the latter. It was not as big as it is when I visited it in October 2000 being connected with Philippine National Bank. Unlike, Metro Manila, travelling is easier because we have jeepneys. But there, within the city, only tricycles are available. In some cases, the drivers take advantage especially to those who are not speaking Ilocano. Thus, I was hesitant to go out in my first day since I have no companions to charter a whole trip of a tricycle. It was in the evening that my companions were already available that we decided to go out for a visit to St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral. It was late in Saturday evening and the church was already closed, but it was worth it.
Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral is also known as Tuguegarao Cathedral situated at the vast expanse of St. Peter and Paul Complex as the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. This cathedral with the belfry is the biggest Spanish-built church in Cagayan Valley region. It was built by Spanish colonist and was constructed by the supervision of Fr. Antonio Lobato, OP on January 1761 to 1767. (Wikipedia)
Since I was staying in Cataggaman Viejo, the cathedral was really far from where I stayed. Tricycle routes at first were very confusing. However, tricycles TODA officers were very much willing to assist. They would tell the driver, you charge him P12 for the route going to cathedral, which is the rate within the city. If the routes are quite far within the city, you need to ride again another tricycle to your desired destination, thus, it is another P12. You need to ride along with 4 other passengers. Students and PWDs are charged P10.
Upon hearing that the mass was in English, I was relieved because at least I can readily participate. However, the songs were in Ilocano and I can hardly follow how to read Ilocano lines confused where will be the accent and to syllabicate them when singing.
I was relieved again during the homily because the mass celebrant who happened to be a bishop had it in English. I knew then that a lot of church goers were tourists. They came in groups and families.
HOW TO GO THERE
By land, there are number of daily trips of Victory and Florida bus liners in Sampaloc of Manila to Tuguegarao City which runs 479.5 kilometers for a road travel via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26 for 9 - 12 hours considering the traffic conditions along the way.
By air, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific flights are available from Manila to Tuguegarao City.
