Underrated Holy Week Destinations in Cagayan Valley

Underrated Holy Week Destinations In Cagayan Valley

3/2/2017

Isinulat ni Rodel Ambas/Lamudi PH and MyProperty.ph

Cagayan Valley, the region in northern Luzon that directly faces the Pacific Ocean, is composed of five provinces: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

For many, the region evokes images of rugged coastlines, heavily forested mountains, a mighty river, and unexplored terrain. And for this article, MyProperty puts the spotlight on three—Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Cagayan—as it takes a virtual road trip on the road traversing them, and all the while absorbing the beauty, understanding the culture, appreciating the people and knowing their heritage.

A mixture of rugged mountains, emerald plains and fine beaches, this trio of provinces are situated some 300 kilometers away from Manila. The national highway connecting them is one of the country’s busiest and serviced by many air-conditioned and ordinary bus lines, among them Dalin, Victory Liner, Five Star and Florida. There are also regular flights to Cauayan and Tuguegarao airports, via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Of course, if you opt to travel with your own vehicle, you can always do so.

Economically, the region is one of the fastest growing in the country. Businesses are mushrooming all over and development has brought with it the trappings of modernization like hotels and malls. Now, it is taking its place as a tourism haven because the region really has much to offer, starting with…

Balete Pass Tourism Complex, Nueva Vizacaya

Balete Pass or Dalton Pass_Photo by Ramon FVelasquez_Wikimedia Commons

Santa Fe is Nueva Vizcaya’s frontier municipality and a typical stop for many travelers because of its assortment of restaurants and tourist shops selling a variety of wares, from hand-carved items and woven textiles from the Cordillera region to locally produced pastries, sweets and vegetables.

But its crown jewel is the Balete Pass Tourism Complex. Situated at around 3,000 feet (910 meters) above sea level, the site was the scene of many battles during World War II, all in a bid to secure its strategic location as the only gateway between Central Luzon and the Cagayan Valley. Shrines and monuments commemorating them have been erected at the complex, all offering stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and the plains below. It is also home to a critically endangered orchid, the Ceratocentron fesselii, whose orange and purple flower lightly glows in the dark. A zip-lining service has been recently put up as an added attraction to the place. Indeed, in this quaint town of towering peaks, history and natural beauty go together.

Magat Dam and Camp Vizcarra, Isabela

Magat Dam_Photo by Handtell_Via Wikimedia Commons

When you enter Isabela, one of the first towns you will see is Ramon. Primarily agricultural, time runs slow in this land of swaying rice fields and foothills that soar as citadels of the Cordillera Mountains. But there is a colossal structure that contrasts with all these tranquility of nature: the Magat Dam.

One of the largest in Asia, it harnesses the mighty Magat River to irrigate the valley’s agriculture and supplies much of its electricity. The site is truly a marvel to behold and reminds the traveler of the boundless capacity of man’s genius. Nearby is Camp Vizcarra, a sprawling park that overlooks the river. Long a site of scouting jamborees, it features a hanging bridge where one can see the picturesque rapids and forests. Picnic facilities are also available.

Our Lady of the Visitation Shrine, Isabela

Our Lady of the Visitation Shrine_Photo by Gerry Oquias_Flickr Creative Commons

Located at Guibang in the town of Gamu, this national shrine has long attracted the heartfelt pilgrimages of thousands of devotees with its fervent stories of hope, faith and healing. Miraculous powers have been attributed to the statue of Virgin Mary standing on its beautiful altar. Religious icons are sold in profusion outside the Church, lending beautiful colors to the solemn tableau. The shrine is a must in the go-to list of every Christian traveler and all those who believe in the beauty and majesty of the Divine.

Santa Ana Beaches, Cagayan