WHAT CAGAYAN PROVINCE CAN OFFER AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

Location: Cagayan Province, Cagayan Valley (Region II), Philippines

Welcome Arch to Cagayan Province (Photo credit:One Cagayan Valley International)

Let's visualize the locations I will be mentioning about the province of Cagayan and its vicinity through a map below:

The Map of Cagayan Province and its vicinity map of the world/philippines/cagayan

I was amazed to know that Cagayan, Kalinga and Apayao provinces also provide the Philippines with rich culture and history. Its key city of Tuguegarao showcases a rapidly developing urban community where its commercial hubs with the two major components of SM Mall and Robinson’s Mall can be competitive with that of Metro Manila.

The vast expanse of rice fields before entering Cagayan province

Since I had a night trip, I arrived early in the morning in Cagayan province but before approaching the province, there were so much I have seen along our way which describe the beauty of the countryside.

The Cagayan River

As our bus entered the welcome arch to the province, I noticed a few vast corn plantations after Barangay Libag Norte. There were some stalls along the highway selling fruits and boiled corns.

The NK6410 Corn Plantation

Part of the NK6410 Corn Plantation

Because of this, I decided to go back at this place and explored it. This is just along the highway and it is accessible. I bought some fresh harvest of corns from the stalls along the highway.

Part of the NK6410 Corn Plantation

Not far from the corn plantation is the famous Josie's Panciteria and Restaurant where one of their specialties is the Pancit Cabagan and my friend, Manuel Bermudez tried it for the first time and it was worth it. Its taste is authentic for a Cagayanon specialty.

Pancit Cabagan: Part of Cagayanon cuisine

My friend Manuel Bermudez with me at Josie's Panciteria and Restaurant

There is one thing I noticed as we passed after the bridge from NK6410 Corn Plantation, there are flood markers erected in some parts near Cagayan river. The driver told us that during typhoons this area along the river is being flooded.

Flood markers as high as 2.5 meters

There are so much to see in the city like cafes, dining and fastfood restaurants, nightlife, museums, banks, gymnasiums, busy public market at the centro and universities at that where these institutions give prominence to the city.

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

The city of Tuguegarao is identified to be as very hispanic as evident of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral which can tell that even at present religion is playing a major influence of its people.

St. Paul University Philippines

To support the fact that Catholicism played a major part of its people, St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP)founded by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres in 1907 is also an influential institution of the city. This is not to mention that the city has also St. Louis University

Cagayan State University - Andrews Campus

In providing educational services, the Republic of the Philippines through former President Ferdinand E. Marcos established Cagayan State University on June 11, 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1436 as a result of merger of 8 colleges of the province of Cagayan. This further shows how committed the province is in promoting its quality of education.

Cagayan National High School

But looking back, it can be told that the people from Cagayan valued much education not only because of the presence of St. Paul University since 1907 but public education has since started in this province when Cagayan High School was established ahead of St. Paul University in 1905 which is called at present Cagayan National High School nationalized by virtue of Presidential Decree 1050 on July 1, 1976.

The best place to buy souvenirs at The Lighthouse Cooperative

To choose for a variety of souvenir and pasalubong items, then go to the Lighthouse Cooperative at 39 Luna Street, Corner Taft Street of Tuguegarao City with landline number at (078) 373-0188. The link above is their Facebook page.

The iconic statue of DA CBS in Maguirig of Solana (Photo Credit: Manuel Bermudez)

Just around 13 kilometers away from Tuguegarao City, one can visit the Department of Agriculture's Cagayan Breeding Station (DA CBS) in Barangay Maguirig which they mainly raised there for goats.

A field of blooming flowers at DA CBS (Photo Credit: Manuel Bermudez)

The DA CBS complex has been developed already as it is the source of quality goat stocks that caters not only Cagayan farmers but raisers of Region 2 and nearby areas. In fact, as part of their fiesta celebration, a farm festival has been held to showcase integrated farming with crops, livestock, organic agriculture and fishery in small space at different affordable capital requirements.

The Calvary Hills of Cagayan Valley

At approximately 19 kilometers away from the city is another famous attraction in the name of Calvary Hills of Cagayan Valley which is located in Barangay Ajat of the municipality of Iguig. This showcases the 14 Stations of the Cross

Pottery production in Brgy. Malabbac, Iguig

Along the highway of Iguig halfway to Calvary Hills are dotted with stalls selling pots of different designs and sizes.

Mrs. Marvie Cusipag's house

While in Iguig, we had our host Marvita Labuguin Cusipag Our group had a chance to be hosted by a colleague in Mandaluyong who happened to have her vacation in their mansion-like house in Iguig in the name of Mrs. Marvie Lavide.

The facade of the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

The Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat is located in the Municipality of Piat, a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan. Thus, the place is known to be the Pilgrimage Center of Cagayan Valley because of the thousands of devotees and tourists who visit the place to pay their homage.

The interior of the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

Coming from Tuguegarao City, it takes 33 kilometers for a road travel via Cagayan-Apayao Road.

While at the Municipality of Kalinga Municipal Hall

Kalinga is a neighboring province of Cagayan and I just boarded a passenger jeepney going there loaded with an overloaded number of passengers together with chickens, vegetables and cargoes.

A souvenir photo at PNB Tabuk Branch

Tabuk is a 5th class city and is the capital of the province of Kalinga. Apayao is now a separate province from Kalinga. Its distance is 52.7 kilometers from Tuguegarao for a road travel of 1 hour and 20 minutes via Kalinga - Cagayan Road/Mount Province - Tabuk - Enrile - Cagayan Road and Santiago - Tuguegarao Road.

The interior of Callao Cavas (Model: Manuel Bermudez)

Another exciting tourist destination to visit is the Callao Caves which is 41 kilometers away from Tuguegarao via Larion-Cabbo-Cabasan-Bical-Baliaug Road. It is situated in the municipality of Peñablanca, a first class municipality of the province of Cagayan.

The entry point to Callao Caves

The municipality is home to the Protected Landscape and Seascape which contains the Callao Cave (part of the Callao Limestone Formation Paleolithic Archeological Site). It is also home to the charcoal-drawn Peñablanca petrographs. Both the Peñablanca petrographs and the Callao Limestone Formation are included as tentative sites of the Philippines for future inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Callao Limstone Formation has at least 93 archaeological sites that yielded stone tools of Paleolithic industry and bones and shells of animals still living in the vicinity. (Wikipedia)

Upon entry to the municipality of Tuao

Tuao is a landlocked first class municipality in the coastal province of Cagayan with a land area of 215.50 square kilometers which is 31.8 kilometers from Tuguegarao for 50 minutes land travel via Cagayan – Apayao Road.

PNB Sanchez Mira Branch: A stopover in my Laoag City-Aparri trip

Sanchez Mira is the third municipality of Cagayan province which separates Ilocos Norte province which I passed of my Laoag City - Aparri Trip.

Magapit Bridge of Lal-lo, Cagayan Province Cagayan Province Facebook Page

I visited Aparri in September 2003 as it served as the jump-off point for my trip to Camiguin de Babuyanes island. I just came from my 8-day Batanes trip then. The trip was quite a long road travel as I came from Laoag City for 112 kilometers or 6 hours travel. The bus is going to Tuguegarao and I lifted in Lal-lo where I took a mini bus going to Aparri.

As per my diary, my bus travel from Laoag City had passed the following municipalities, namely: Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, Claveria, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Allacapan, Lallo and finally reached the Magapit suspension bridge dubbed as the Golden Gate of Cagayan. It connects the east and west sides of the Cagayan River.

The municipal hall of Aparri

Aparri served as the jump-off point for my trip to Camiguin de Babuyanes Island trip. I just came from my 8-day Batanes trip then. The trip was quite a long road travel as I came from Laoag City

Anguib Beach of Sta. Ana of Cagayan Province (Reddit)

Anguib Beach of the municipality of Sta. Ana which is dubbed as the Boracay of the North rivals its title with Saud Beach of Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte.

Palaui Island at a distance (Photo credit: Manuel Bermudez)

Sta. Ana is on the north-easternmost point or the right horn of the island of Luzon and includes Palaui Island. I first visited the place in 2003 after my Camiguin de Babuyanes and Batanes trip. From Tuguegarao City, one has to take either a bus or van to Sta. Ana for approximately 3 hours for 152 kilometers. However, when I visited Sta. Ana, I came from Aparri. By that time, Anguib beach was simply nothing but white sand beach without no modern resorts but just nipa huts.

Overlooking picture from Cape Engano (Photo credit: Manuel Bermudez)

When I visited Palaui, I just had my 43-day forced vacation from Camiguin de Babuyanes Island. For one to reach Palaui Island, take a tricycle from Sta. Ana proper to San Vicente Port with a travel time of 15-20 minutes. Then, there is a passenger boat going to the inhabited island of Palaui which will take 20-25 minutes depending upon the calmness of the sea.

Cape Engano Lighthouse(Photo credit: Manuel Bermudez)

By that time, there was not even a single place to stay in the island. There was no even single homestay there. The boatman just referred us to stay in a vacation house of an engineer which I forgot the name already.

While at Pinon Islet of Camiguin de Babuyanes Island

Camiguin de Babuyanes is just one of the five islands of Babuyan Group of Islands. The other islands are: Babuyan Claro, Fuga, Dalupiri, and its capital Calayan. I went there boarding a boat from Aparri for a boat travel of 7 hours. I stayed there for 43 days because when I went there, I was the only passenger of the boat and they did not tell me that between the months of September and October, the waves are too high and it is dangerous to travel. Only then I knew that there are no trips going back to Aparri when I was already in the island. Thus, I was forced to stay there until November 2, 2003.

CAGAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Location: Lakandula Street, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Cagayan National High School seemed like a tourist attraction of its own

You may wonder why I decided to include a public school like Cagayan National High School (CNHS) as part of my travel blog. Well, I was just impressed of its amenities and its building structures.

How creatively refreshing is this design

Design like these umbrellas line up to give a shadow has been seen by me in Dona Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Malate, Manila but they were just a small part of the school but this one covers the space between two buildings.

The facade of the school main building

But of course, CNHS did not just come from nowhere, because it has a rich history. It is locally known as Cagayan High is just across Cagayan State University. It is considered as the universal high school of Region 2. It was established in 1905, it is the oldest public secondary level school in Cagayan and the province’s premier secondary school. It originally created as Cagayan High School and was changed to Cagayan National High School by virtue of Presidential Decree 1050 on July 1, 1976.

This is a mini fountain inside the campus

Mall-like comfort room facility

Usually, the first part of the building structure that I look at is the comfort room. It should be clean and spacious not just one or two urinals just like this one. It is even better than the comfort room of Cagayan State University.

Still a part of the comfort room

Wow! their comfort room is like in a hotel. Very spacious and hand soup is even provided. It was very clean inside despite users coming in and out. You can ease your gall bladder with a smile.

How could you be lost, comfort rooms are in a very strategic location

WOW! Indeed, this mural!

CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY - ANDREWS CAMPUS

Location: Caritan Highway, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Cagayan State University Main Campus

Indeed, Tuguegarao City is not only the seat of Catholicism being the Archdiocese but also the center of education. One proof of this is having the Cagayan State University. In my city tour, I only walked from St. Paul University Philippines to Cagayan State University (CSU). But mind you, I did it under the searing heat of the sun as Tuguegarao is noted for being the hottest place in the Philippines.

Concrete benches and tables at the university

CSU Main Campus is known as Andrews Campus which is just one of the university’s 8 campus and the biggest one is the Carig Campus located on a 19.8 hectare land area which houses seven colleges offering 24 undergraduate program in the arts, agriculture, natural sciences, and technology.

The campus water fountain with the main building at the background

Andrews campus is very welcoming. It has concrete benches and tables where students and teachers alike can study or relax under the giant shady trees. Comfort rooms were well-maintained. I can also see some tourists roaming around there.

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.

ST. PETER METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF TUGUEGARAO CITY

Location: Rizal Street, Barangay Centro 10, Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley, Philippines

St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral's nightscape

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.

The 18th-century baroque architecturally designed St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral

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)

The church plaza fronting St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral

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.

A crowded Sunday mass despite the COVID 19 scare

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.

The social distancing of COVID 19 was disregarded inside the church

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.

The altar as captured from an elevated choir's loft

A closer picture of the altar

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.

SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY OF TUGUEGARAO CITY

Location: Mabini Street, Ugac Norte, 3500 Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley

The Gothic architecturally designed Chapel of St. Paul University Tuguegarao City

One of the famous landmarks of Tuguegarao City, is the Saint Paul University Philippnes (SPUP) founded on May 10, 1907 by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres (SPC) in the Philippines, which also owns, manages, and operates 40 schools in the Philippines. It is running to 113 years in operation to date. It is the only University among the schools of the SPC Sisters in the Philippines, offering basic education to graduate school programs.

The eco-friendly campus of St. Paul University Philippines

It was originally as the Colegio de San Pablo by six nuns from SPC led by Mother Ephrem Marie Fieu. They came to the Cagayan Valley region upon the invitation of Bishop Dennis Joseph Dougherty. The school was initially hosted inside a Spanish convent adjacent to a cathedral. The institution changed its name to Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus in 1909 and later to Sacred Heart of Jesus Institution (SHOJI) in 1925. The school was moved from its previous location in a convent to a separate grounds acquired by the SPC from the Dominica Order due to increased number of enrollees and the expansion of its curriculum.

The spacious and world-class campus of St. Paul University Philippines

The school complex which was razed by the Allied forces after being used as a military garrison and hospital by the Japanese during the World War II Japanese occupation of the Philippines, has been changed by its name to St. Paul College of Tuguegarao (SPCT) in 1948 since it became the first Teacher-Training Institution in Cagayan Valley. It was first accredited by Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) in 1961. However, the entire school complex was razed by fire on January 18, 1965.

Touring around the university campus

The school became the first university in Cagayan Valley in 1982. The school received accreditation from more bodies and institutions such as TUV Rheinland which gave the SPUP, ISO 9001 Certification in 2000 and the Asian Association of Schools of Business International in 2014. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines through the Episcopal Commission on Culture (CBCP-ECC) designated the SPUP as a Catholic Center for Culture in 2012.

Source: Wikipedia

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.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN CALVARY HILLS OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

Location: Ajat, Iguig, Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Calvayry Hills in Iguig of Cagayan Valley

Calvary Hills is located in Barangay Ajat of the Municipality of Iguig, a municipality next to Tuguegarao City of the province of Cagayan Valley which is 19.3 kilometers from the city center of Tuguegarao for 35 minutes drive via Cagayan Valley Road/Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26.

Calvary Hills marker

This religious site is now considered the Mount Calvary of the Far East initiated by Rev. Fr. Rogelio Cortez and constructed in 1982. It is located in a sprawling 4 hectares of rolling hills overlooking the Cagayan River which resembles the Jordan River. This site features the 14 Stations of the Cross and larger than life-size concrete statues depicted Jesus Christ suffering before His death at Mount Calvary and likewise the giant statue of the Resurrection is now considered a major Pilgrimage tourist destination.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death

2nd Station: Jesus carries His cross

3rd Station: Jesus falls the first time

4th Station: Jesus meets His mother

5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross

6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

7th Station: Jesus falls the second time

8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

9th Station: Jesus falls the third time

10th Station: Jesus' clothes are taken away

11th Station: Jesus is nailed on the cross

12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross

13th Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross

Unfortunately, I haven't seen the 14th Station which depicts that Jesus is placed in the tomb. Meanwhile, the following are pictures taken within Calvary Hills.

The scenic hills with the backdrop of residential houses

Students tend to use the spacious hillsides for practices, informal meetings and rehearsals

Facade of the 18th-Century San Antonio de Galicia Parish Church as an entry point to the Calvary Hills

The rear view of San Antonio de Galicia Parish Church

While at the 13th Station of the Cross

Photo taken by my service tricycle driver for the nth time

Yes! Calvary Hills is in the municipality of Iguig

HOW TO GO THERE AND OTHER CONCERNS

There are number of daily trips of Victory and Florida bus liners in Sampaloc of Manila 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. If you travel alone through DIY arrangement (which means cheaper by cost), it is highly recommended that you charter a tricycle from the Tuguegarao City to Iguig. Iguig is another town so, it is really very far. Try to haggle the price between P300 to P350, that is round trip. There are no public utility jeeps (PUJ) servicing these municipalities. The best time to go there is early in the morning and late in the afternoon. An entrance fee is charged for P10 per head.

As an alternative, coming from the city center of Tuguegarao, look for the trike terminal going to the van terminal going to Iguig. It will only cost P12 per head and maximum capacity is 5. The van going to the jump-off point of Calvary Hills cost P30 per head. From the jump off point, you can either walk or take another trike but it is not far trekking up the hill. Take the same route back to the city. Just a word of caution, vans going to the city are only up to 6:00 P.M. and trikes coming from Iguig may charge you round trip. It is safer in the morning.

One thing, I noticed. On my way to Iguig, I saw buses going to Sta. Ana of Cagayan Valley and Aparri, passing thru the same highway. But the problem is, if you will not charter a tricycle then, going back to Tuguegarao is a problem. While if you charter a trike, you have already a driver and photographer.