Honestly, I only wanted to visit this place because I was fascinated with the church inside the Callao Cave.
Our flight via Cebu Pacific was delayed for 1-hour due to unorganized set-up during check-in. People can just transact to any counter available, thus they couldn’t control who they need to prioritize or sort out people with specific flights. Result, we’re all aboard but still couldn’t take off since we’re still waiting for some passengers that were stuck in the check-in counters! Okay, so we waited for 30 mins and then another 30 mins because of air traffic.
Touchdown to Tuguegarao, the airport was small but decent (looks larger than Tagbilaran Airport). Once inside, the old campaign for tourism, WoW Philippines – Cagayan Valley Region gives away brochures and maps for free, get one, this will be very helpful.
We opted to stay at Hotel Ivory, since this was the only one that responded to our inquiry. There’s really not much you can see when you browse the net for places to stay. I’ve sent an inquiry to Las Palmas but no response ever! I’ve also tried calling Candice Hotel (but an old lady answered and was angry telling that that’s her private number, hmmm Candice Hotel should really check out the info they’re posting in their web!) Well, Hotel Ivory was still a nice place to stay and it’s affordable too! The staffs were all accommodating and friendly. Their rooms have cables, hot & cold shower, with free wi-fi too. Quite near the airport also, around 10-15 minutes away. They also have a pool, which you can use for only Php79.00, but trust me, you wouldn’t really wanna use it! Check it out first before you use it, that’s all I’m saying.
Very hungry due to our delayed flight, we headed out once we’re able to secure our belongings. Not really knowing where we can dine, we just asked the tricycle driver we hailed for any place he would suggest. Well, it turned out to be a big mistake because he brought us to Jomar’s Bulalohan and Panciteria. The worst place you can imagine. Believe me, you wouldn’t wanna eat here at any cost! LOL! I swear, they’ve got the saltiest Bulalo one could ever imagine! We we’re also looking forward to tasting Tuguegarao’s Pancit Cabagan. Everyone around looks like they were really enjoying eating it.
Verdict: We also didn't like it
On our first night, we dined out at Koby Kubo. From the hotel you’ll just hail a tricycle, it will only cost around Php50 or 60 a ride. This was near Victory Liner’s station and Brickstone Mall. Koby Kubo serves quite affordable meals and they’ve got very delicious Pinakbet and Paksiw.
The bekis I’m with doesn’t want to call it a night yet so they urged the tricycle driver to take us to a club or any night spot they can hangout. So off he drove us to Elleyma Resto, well that’s what the sign says. But lo and behold, I figured it’s a resto during day time but turns into a club at night! Imagine, there were literally teenager boys queueing just to get inside! This was the first time I actually saw how beki’s do their “booking!” At this point, I’m no longer comfortable with what’s happening, so Aiko and I just opted to go home early. I’m not being righteous or what, but hey, I’ve got two teenage brothers and the idea of these young boys hooking with gays doesn’t really sit well with me. I realized that it’s another story when the bekis tell us their booking adventures, compared to actually witnessing it.
I can say, our second day was spent ala Bisita Iglesia! We felt sooooo holy after visiting all those churches! Quite the anti-thesis of what happened last night huh! We rented a van to take us around. You actually don’t have any choice when it comes to tour packages being offered here. Tuguegarao wasn’t really a commercialized vacation destination, like Bohol or Palawan.
OUR LADY OF PIAT ~ this was a one-hour ride from our hotel. I bought as a souvenir a little relic of the patron saint for my mom and a colorful rosary for me. There’s actually a priest readily available to bless these holy artifacts. Before we left, we also bought their delicacy Pawa, made of sticky rice with grinded peanuts on the inside, 10 pieces for only Php25.00.
JUBILEE CROSS CHAPEL ~ very quaint little chapel.
CALVARY HILLS ~ this was just at the back of Jubilee Cross Chapel. Very spacious and very relaxing. This is a favorite pilgrimage site during the Lenten Season since it has larger than life concrete statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross. It is located on top of an 11 hectare rolling hills in Iguig. If time will permit, I can just spend my whole afternoon here.
ST. CLARE MONASTERY ~ very interesting architecture. I actually believed it when they told me that you have to offer eggs to the nuns! But it’s just fine if you’re going to offer monetary. You can also make a wish by writing on a piece of paper and then drop it to the boxes. The nuns will include whatever wish you have into their prayers.
We also passed by Buntun Bridge, the longest river bridge in the country connecting Tuguegarao City proper and the town of Solano. The bridge crosses the famous Cagayan River.
Then we had our lunch in Kusina Cagayana, only Php180.00 for an All Filipino Buffet (super affordable!). Two thumbs up for very delicious food. I also enjoyed their dessert area, where you can make your own Halo-Halo! 🙂
After lunch, we headed to my most awaited moment out of this whole trip!
Callao Cave was actually in Penablanca, Cagayan. Also roughly less than an hour ride from Tuguegarao. You’d know you’re near when you can already see the Pinacanauan River. You can go boat riding, kayaking, rafting and swimming here. Surprisingly, this wasn’t a running river!
Callao Cave consists of 7 explorable chambers (The Column, Chapel, Skeleton, Elephant’s Head, Praying Angel, Rocket, Lion’s Head and Dog’s Head). You will find the man-made church in the second chamber. Our tourguide said that mass was still celebrated here, but only on special occassions. Inside the cave you’ll see the usual fascinating rock formations and limestones. The path was quite muddy and sliperry. Some areas doesn’t really have much lighting, so one should be really really careful! The church was very serene plus very relaxing, you’d instantly feel the cool breeze coming from the other chambers. I would love to spend some time here and pray, or just waste time and contemplate on things 🙂
Though, the place was very calming, I still can’t help but notice how the place was being neglected, not really well-maintained. Also sadly, you’d see that some of the limestones where already bandalized! Nakakalungkot! The local government should really preserve this place.
I told you, the place was muddy and slippery, so it’s bound to happen to someone so clumsy to get out of balance! Hehe, but no worries, exploring this cave wouldn’t be complete without these bloopers (palusot!) 😀
A little trivia about our tourguide.
We also stopped by at Pinacanauan River to freshen up a little. Then two more churches on the way back. You know what, with all those churches I saw, I’m really contemplating on compiling pictures of these beautiful architectures!
ST. PETER & PAUL METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL ~ largest cathedral of the north
ST. HYACINTH CHURCH
Come dinner time, we don’t know again where to dine. Kainan Pilipino was already closed so we asked again the tricycle driver we hailed to bring us somewhere worth dinning. This time, we were brought to Leng-Leng’s, I think this was also along the highway where Koby Kubo was. Trust me, they have the best Lomi and Sinangag! Again very affordable too! 🙂
On day three, we opted to go to Aparri since there’s nothing much more to explore in Tuguegarao. We would have opted to go to Sta. Ana, the so-called Boracay of the North, but we do not have time anymore to spare for this trip. We were advised that you have to stay overnight to really enjoy the place. The earliest trip going there was around 8am, travel time was roughly 3 hours and then the last trip would be at 1pm. Imagine, we’d have only 2 hours to spare to enjoy the beach (sayang!).
Before we head out for Appari, we had our lunch in Kainang Pilipino. Buffet here costs only Php180.00. Well, did you notice that all of the eat-all-you-can resto’s here were very affordable? Food was great, two thumbs up again, and they also have dessert area where you can make your own Halo-Halo! Super duper like! 😀
The trip to Aparri was so filled with “are we there yet?!” Hahahahaha! Kaloka! Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit. Travel from Tuguegarao to Appari was only 2-hours, but it took almost 3-hours to reach the place since there were so many stopbys to pick up passengers. The van fare was Php150.00 per person.
I didn’t even imagine that someday I’d be actually able to visit this place. As a child, I only hear it on Eat Bulaga’s opening song! (Aminin mo, dun mo rin lang naririnig ‘tong lugar na ‘to noh at dun mo rin lang nalaman na nasa dulo sya ng Pilipinas!) 😛
We saw where the Cagayan River and South China See meets. The place somehow looks like a dumpsite due to surrounding industries. I saw our rival company have a depot here, tsk tsk! There were also Japanese owned industries that added up to the pollution of this place.
Going home, the bus fare was only Php60.00. Then there’s a stop over at Teano Alcala Milk Candy store. They were quite famous for candies made of carabao’s milk. Dinner time was spent again at Leng-Leng’s, I told you, the place instantly became our fave. Then, homebound the next day.
So that’s how our whole Tuguegarao + Aparri trip went.
Toodles!
#goodvibes
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