Whether or not one has been to Palaui Island, the name likely rings a bell. That’s because the island in Sta. Ana, Cagayan—located in the northeastern tip of mainland Luzon—is the site of the reality show, Survivor USA, not just once, but twice. In 2016, CNN Travel even ranked the island 25th in its list of 100 best beaches around the world. The following year, it moved up to 10th place in the same list.

All this attention is well-deserved as Palaui Island’s features—white sand beaches, undisturbed corals, camping site, and even a century-old lighthouse—speak for itself. 

Before the world took notice, though, the few tourists who came by were the first to spread the word about the island’s beauty. 

“It was in 2006 when a number of tourists began visiting the island,” says Edwin Tabucul, a Palaui Island local and a Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited tour guide. “The good thing about it was when there are two or three visitors here going home to Manila, they would come back here with more guests.” 

In 2010, tourism eventually picked up prompting the DOT, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), the local government of Sta. Ana, Blue Water Consultancy, and Palaui Environmental Protector Association (PEPA)—an organization composed of island locals, including Tabucul—to develop the area as an ecotourism destination while ensuring its protection. Palaui Island, after all, is a declared Protected Seascape and Landscape. 

This included everything from camp site development to trail management training, enabling the local residents in providing services to visitors. 

Today, these services are readily available for tourists to try and ultimately, explore the 8,000-hectare island’s natural attractions. 

Exploring Palaui

The island, which takes about an hour boat ride from Sta. Ana’s Port of San Vicente, is home to pristine white-sand beaches: Engaño Cove, Siwangag Cove, and Punta Verde. In any of these locations, guests can freely swim or simply chill. The island’s coral-rich waters also make it an ideal place to go snorkeling. 

“Palaui is rich in corals, specifically the branching and table corals,” Tabucul says. “You would notice that there are corals at the shore, instead of sand. It’s due to frequent typhoons, which cause the corals to drift ashore.”

The island has a total of four snorkeling sites, all with rich and unspoiled coral reefs: Engaño, Peace Sanctuary in Punta Verde, Siwangag, and Isabelle’s Garden. 

Within the island, there’s a 105-hectare mangrove forest that guests can visit or better yet, help thrive. Tourists can plant seedlings themselves, which can help mangroves do its functions: a shelter for wildlife species, reduction of coastal flooding, and protect water quality. 

Cape Engaño

Nature isn’t the only attraction in Palaui Island. In fact, one is man-made—a lighthouse called Cape Engaño. 

Situated at the summit of a hill, the tower is 110 meters above sea level. 

“The Spaniards built this,” Tabucul shares. “They planned it in 1887, started construction in 1888, and finished it in 1892.” 

One of the four lighthouses built during the Spanish colonial period, Cape Engaño and its 11-meter octagonal tower made of two foot-thick rocks served as a guide for incoming ships.

Today, even after over a century, light is still visible even in the nearby Camiguin Island, through the 300 LED bulbs placed inside the tower. It’s now helping local fisherfolks. 

Meanwhile, little remains of the housing pavilion around the tower that served as an office and workers quarter. 

Tourists are not allowed to go inside the tower anymore for safety purposes, but the view makes the 30-minute hike up the mountain worth it: the Babuyan Island and the nearby pair of islets, Dos Hermanas Island, on the north, Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Engaño cove on the west. 

It’s for the place’s rich history and stunning sights that Tabucul considers the lighthouse as a must-visit. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has also declared it a National Cultural Treasure—one of five in the whole Cagayan Valley region.

“You’ve never been to Sta. Ana if you did not visit Cape Engaño,” he says. “‘The lighthouse is the landmark of this place.” 

Punta Verde 

Palaui Island’s mountains are also its defining features, which is why trekking is one of its main activities. There are three trails to choose from: Leonardo, Lagunzad, and Siwangag. All these trails begin at Punta Verde, a fifteen-minute boat ride away from Port of San Vicente. 

The Lagunzad trail, which leads to Cape Engaño, is seven kilometers long and offers views of the beach, mangroves, forested areas, and grassland. Leonardo’s trail, meanwhile, passes through Punta Verde’s hidden gem, the Baratubut Falls, a 15 feet high waterfall. Here, guests can relax and cool down before what Tabucul describes as a more challenging, four-kilometer hike that gets steep at certain points. The end of the trail, however, is a rewarding view of the coast. 

The Siwangag trail, as the name implies, leads to the Siwangag cove. 

“This trail divides the island,” Tabucul explains. “The trek lasts for an hour or more, depending on the pace of the visitors.”

For those who wish to stay within the island overnight, camping is possible at Punta Verde. This residential village is where the island’s locals reside. In the middle of the community is the Nature Village, the only tent campsite (Php250/person) for tourists. 

For more spacious accommodations, rooms (Php1,200/four guests) and eco-lodges (Php1,200/four guests) that resemble native huts are available. In the same village, the prop used in the filming of Survivor USA—a tiny shed and torches each contestant owns—are on display.

For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, guests can trust the Palaui Island Women’s Catering: Village Kitchen to cook up meat, vegetable, and seafood dishes (Php150-Php300). 

Completing a relaxing time in the island are affordable spa services from local women of the island: full body (Php300), foot (Php150), hand (Php150), head (Php150), back (Php200)

Tour Packages

Tabucul and fellow guides offer tour packages to visitors. 

Mini Tour North (Php1,500) is a guided half-day trek from Punta Verde to Cape Engaño, inclusive of packed lunch and snack. 

Mini Tour South (Php1,350), meanwhile, is a guided half-day trek at Punta Verde, starting from the Leonardo trail then going to Narrang dawer, Baratubut Falls, Butress Alley, then the mangrove transplantation. This also includes a morning snack and lunch at the Nature Village. 

For a water activity-focused experience of the island, guests can opt for a tour package called Reef Day (Php2,550). Included in the package is whole-day guided snorkeling at up to 2 sites, use of mask, snorkel, fins, and personal floatation device, as well as morning and afternoon snacks and packed lunch. 

For mountaineers, Trek Day (Php2,100) is the best bet. From Punta Verde, a guide will take guests on a whole day trek to Cape Engaño via Lagunzad trail, inclusive of packed lunch and morning and afternoon snacks. 

For a fuller experience of the island, Tabucul recommends what the guides call as 642 (Php4,300). 

“I highly recommend this because every spot on the island can be visited,” he explains. “There are instances where guests are still enjoying the view and we wouldn’t want to rush them and this is why 642 has no time limit unlike other tour packages.” 

The package includes, as the name indicates, six activities for two days: mangrove planting, lighthouse tour,  snorkeling at marine sanctuary, hiking along Lagunzad Trail, weaving with demonstration, and overnight stay at Nature Village with homestay accommodation or tent with beddings. It also comes with meals from lunch of day 1 to snack of day 2, and guides. 

An upgraded 642—aptly called 642 Plus (Php7,200)—adds island hopping in the tour package. This means that guests can go on a half day tour to Snake Island, Crocodile Island, locally known as Manidad Island, and the Dos Hermanas Islands. There’s also an additional night of camping at Nature Village or homestay accommodation with beddings, and additional breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.

Meanwhile, boat rental is not included in any of the packages and rates vary (for instance, Php1,500 for Mini Tour North and Php7,000 for 642) depending on the activities and the duration of the tour.

Protecting Palaui

As a Protected Landscape and Seascape, it is imperative to prevent any destructive human exploitation. 

Even before they were formally trained, PEPA and its member guides have been strictly enforcing dos and don’ts when visiting the island. It’s a practice that exists to this day. 

At the foot of Cape Engano, for instance, guides like Tabucul brief tourists prior to the trek going to the lighthouse. 

“When it’s a protected area, there are rules that need to be followed,” he says . “It’s ‘garbage in, garbage out’ here, and vandalism at the lighthouse and getting any type of plant or corals are prohibited.” 

At Punta Verde’s Nature Village, guests are told to dispose of their trash in designated bins. It is also the only campsite allowed inside Palaui.

“PEPA deliberately set up the camping site there,” Tabucul explains. “This is to monitor those who are staying on the island overnight.” 

How to get there

By land: Ride a Tuguegarao-bound bus along Cubao or Buendia. Take Sta. Rita exit to Nueva Ecija, leading to the Cagayan Valley region. Cagayan’s capital is 485 kilometers away from Metro Manila, so land trips are typically 10-12 hours long. 

By air: From Manila, book a 45-minute flight to Tuguegarao City or Cauayan City for faster travel time. You may check with local carriers for daily flights going to Cagayan Valley.

It’s highly recommended to book tours with DOT-accredited tour operators so that van rides are easily available to get to Sta. Ana, which is three hours away. From there, ride a boat going to Palaui Island.  

Outsource the Planning

For a seamless trip, you may leave the planning to DOT’s accredited tour operators in Cagayan:

• Pink Diamond International Travel and Tours

(078) 305 0339, 0926 324 4702

For Department of Tourism-accredited accommodations, visit the official Cagayan Valley Tourism website, region2fun.ph. 

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Cagayan have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel, Apple Store, or Google Playstore.

The post When In Cagayan, Explore Palaui Island appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

Also known as the Rio Grande de Cagayan, it is the widest river in the Philippines, and the longest at 400 kilometers. 

It flows through Apayao, Aurora, Cagayan, Ifugao, Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino. The basin is surrounded by the Sierra Madre, the Cordillera Central, the Caraballo-Maparang, and the Babuyan Channel.

Nourishing the earth

The river nourishes the valleys along the bank, where farmers grow produce such as bananas, citrus fruits, coconut, corn, rice, and tobacco. According to a study in 2005, the river provides irrigation for more than 200,000 hectares of rice fields and more than 130,000 hectares of cornfields. 

In 2017, Cagayan was dubbed the grains granary of the Philippines, and Isabela was called the corn capital of the country.

Tourist spot

The river plays another important role in the province: tourist attraction.

Over the years, it has become a favorite of tourists, who do everything from kayaking and river trailing to swimming and ferry touring at different points on its long stretch. Some parts even have bancarera, or boat racing, and a fluvial parade for the Lady of Piat is celebrated every July. 

For those unfamiliar, whitewater rafting is an activity when people navigate rough waters on an inflatable boat. It may look intimidating but it’s open to everyone, including beginners.

Today, there are five companies that offer rafting services at the Cagayan River, with courses ranging from beginner to extreme. All have been certified by the International Rafting Federation, and trained guides will accompany groups.

Any day is a good time to visit the Cagayan River, as there are rapids every 10 to 15 minutes.

Those who’d like a more relaxing ride down the river can try canoeing or river tubing. Tubing is exploring the river on an inflatable donut. River conditions may affect the experience, though. Calm waters mean a carefree ride, while rougher days may be more thrilling.

Cagayan River

Budget: A Siitan River tour package at Quirino is PHP 699 (USD 13.88) per person. This includes boat rental, river tubing, lunch, and a guide as company.

Contact: Provincial Tourism Office at Cabarroguis / +63 9174165945 / tourismquirino@yahoo.com

How to get there: Tuguegarao City is accessible by plane from Manila and other local airports.

Travel Safely!

Tourist destinations in Cagayan are ready for local travelers! Guests are required to wear a face mask and shield, practice social distancing, and regularly wash hands before dining in. These places have sanitary and contact tracing procedures such as registration and temperature check at the reception and using alcohol to sanitize hands before entering the premises. To know more about Cagayan, visit http://www.cagayan.gov.ph/.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

The post Cagayan River: Lifeblood, Light Giver, Tourist Spot, and Home appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

When in the city of Tuguegarao it’s impossible to miss the plethora of panciterias, from roadside eateries to full-service restaurants. This city, after all, is home to a distinct version of a Filipino food favorite—the pancit batil patung. 

Unlike the regular pancit served during birthdays for “long life,” the locals consume it as a daily staple, much like eating rice. It’s also unique in that it features miki noodles with ground carabao beef or cara-beef, fried egg and other toppings, as well as a serving of egg drop soup called kaldo, hence the words patung (topping) and batil (to beat) in its name. 

Its cooking process takes about 20 minutes and typically begins with sauteing onion, garlic, vegetables, and cara-beef in oil. Once cooked, it’s set aside. In the same pan or wok, water, noodles, and soy sauce are added. The noodles are drained and added to the sauteed ingredients, while an egg is cracked and stirred in the beef stock. 

Both components of the dish should be present for optimal flavor, along with a side of chopped onions, soy sauce, chili, and vinegar sauce to taste. 

A basic pancit batil patung has a poached or fried egg on top, but panciterias often get experimental with the toppings to distinguish their version from others. They put any topping imaginable: balut or fertilized duck egg, chicharon bulaklak or crispy pork intestine, carajay or deep-fried pork belly slices, among many others.  

The origins of pancit batil patung are unclear, apart from the fact that it’s the city’s own spin on the dish brought by Chinese traders to the Philippines long ago and that it first became famous in the city during the 1980s. What’s certain, though, is that one has never truly visited Tuguegarao if they’ve never had pancit batil patung.  

Among the many panciterias to choose from, here’s where you can get the best pancit batil patung in Tuguegarao. 

Lokal Kanan + Pasalubong 
01 Airport Rd. Pengue Ruyu

“It’s easily the most iconic dish of Tuguegarao,” says Eric Lim, owner of a Lokal Kanan + Pasalubong, a restaurant that, as the name implies, serves local dishes. 

Lim, a self-confessed foodie, came back home from the States and contemplated between getting a regular 9-5 job or putting up his own business. He chose the latter. 

“When I went back home to our province, I thought of a concept for a restaurant,” he shares. “That’s how I came up with Lokal because no local-food-centric restaurant had opened at the time.”

When it did open, Lokal made sure to serve pancit batil patung to diners. 

Operating on a made-to-order basis, they serve the standard pancit batil patung with cara-beef (Php100) and a special version (Php150), which is topped with calamares or fried squid rings.

For families or groups of friends, they sell it by bilao, too: a 14-inch serving good for 10 people (Php300) and a 16-inch serving good for 15 people (Php500).

At their open-air restaurant, a bunch of pasalubong items are also available, like carabao milk candies, carabao chicharon or fried carabao rinds, Tuguegarao longganisa or pork sausage, and even a Lokal-made vinegar. These come in limited quantities, however, due to the pandemic. “In the future, once the situation is better, we’ll definitely bring more of it back,” Lim says. 

Located 500 meters away from the Tuguegarao Airport, Lokal is open all days of the week in limited capacity, from 9AM – 7PM. They also accept walk-ins and reservations for groups via their Facebook page, Lokal Kanan + Pasalubong. All of its staff have been fully-vaccinated and they do not require vaccination cards for diners. 

Billy Jack’s Panciteria
Buntun, Santiago-Tuguegarao Road

Frequented by both locals and tourists alike, Billy Jack’s Panciteria is another must-visit spot in the city for pancit batil patung. 

The panciteria, opened in 2014 by Billy Anchanzar Lim, offers the standard version of the noodle dish (Php60-P80) and a variety of toppings to choose from: Tuguegarao longganisa or pork sausage (Php20), tapa or meat jerky (Php45), chorizo (Php25), sisig or grilled parts of pig’s face (Php60), chicharon bulaklak or crispy pork intestine (Php40). 

But perhaps its claim to fame is this: Billy Jack’s is the first panciteria to offer pancit batil patung with balut or fertilized duck egg (Php18).

The open-air panciteria, which boasts of reggae-inspired interiors with references to surf culture and Bob Marley, is open from Monday to Saturday in limited capacity, from 9AM – 8:30PM, to walk-in diners. It’s just a kilometer away from Buntun Bridge. 

Jomar’s Pancit Batil Patung 
Luna Street, Centro 6

Ask any local in Tuguegarao for a pancit batil patung recommendation and it’s likely that they’ll suggest Jomar’s. 

Not only is the panciteria located in the city proper, it also serves large portions of the dish at affordable prices. One serving can easily feed two diners. 

There are three options available: Ordinary (Php70), Special (Php80), and Super Special (Php90). Apart from the serving size, the differences among the options is that the last two options have more crushed karahay or chicharon-like toppings, liver chunks, and cara-beef bits. 

Jomar’s panciteria has four branches in the city which is easily accessible to the public.

Criselda’s Restaurant
Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, Pan-Philippine Highway

Another local restaurant serving pancit batil patung is Criselda’s Restaurant. 

Established in 1986, the restaurant started out as a snack house and eventually became a full-service restaurant serving local dishes. Today, they have multiple branches open all over the city. 

Their bestseller, the classic pancit batil patung (Php98), remains a favorite despite the many versions that are now offered in other panciterias. The main dish is topped with egg, sauteed carabeef, karahay, chicharon, liver, and bean sprouts, and it comes with a serving of egg drop soup. As per usual, it’s also served with a side of chopped onions with soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi, and sili to taste.  

The most accessible location of Criselda’s Restaurant is currently in Robinsons Place Tuguegarao. It’s open all days of the week, from 10AM – 7PM, and is open to walk-in diners. 

Outsource the Planning

For a seamless trip, you may leave the planning to DOT’s accredited tour operators in Cagayan:

• Pink Diamond International Travel and Tours

(078) 305 0339, 0926 324 4702

For Department of Tourism-accredited accommodations, visit the official Cagayan Valley Tourism website, region2fun.ph. 

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Cagayan have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks and face shields, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

The post Tuguegarao’s Staple: Here’s Where to Get Pancit Batil Patung appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

When in Cagayan Valley, go on a spelunking adventure and explore these caves. 

Day 1

Callao Cave (Cagayan)

Located in the western foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range, Callao Cave is one of the 300 found in the  barangays of  Penablanca. These caves are the reason why the town got its Spanish name which, when translated, means white rock.

In 1935, Callao Cave and the 192-hectare area surrounding it became a national park, one of the earliest in the country. Today, the cave, named after the Kalaw bird endemic to Sierra Madre, is part of the enlarged 118,000-hectare, present-day Penablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape (PPLS). 

Most recently, the National Museum officially declared the cave as an “important cultural property of the Philippines” for the exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance of the discoveries inside it. 

Stalactites, or icicle-shaped formation that hang from the ceiling, and stalagmites, or an upward-growing mound of mineral deposits are abundant inside the cave. 

It has seven chambers. The Aviary Room is home to the balinsasayaw or swiftlets. The Chapel, which is set up inside the cave, features a rock formation serving as the altar with a figure of Our Lady of St. Lourdes and a natural skylight illuminating the long wooden benches for mass attendees. 

The Dark Room, called such because it barely gets any light, is a chamber featuring flowstones, glittering dripstones, cave curtains, crystal helictites, and columns sparkling brightly in the dimly-lit portion of the cave. 

The Cream Room gets its name from a notable formation that resembles a melting ice cream made more visible through the cave’s second natural skylight. Other notable formations at the fourth chamber include what seems like the head of an elephant, a lighted candle, and a heart-shaped stalactite

The fifth chamber, called The Jungle, is teeming with plants while another natural skylight brightens up the area. There’s no shortage of interesting formations here, which includes a mushroom-shaped and coral reef-like stalagmites, and even a skeletal system’s skull, eyeball, nose, and mouth. Singapore’s famous Merlion figure has seemingly found its way inside Callao Cave, too, except there’s no water coming out of its mouth.  

Meanwhile the sixth and seventh chamber, called The Danger Zone and The Dead End, respectively, are now off-limits to visitors for safety. From the fifth chamber, however, the remaining two chambers feature more rock formations and patches of greenery.

Callao Cave’s significance, however, stems from the discovery of a previously unknown human species at the first chamber. Approximately 67,000 years old, Dr. Armand Mijares and a team from the University of the Philippines, unearthed seven teeth and six bones from the feet, hands and thigh of at least three individuals.

In 2019, it was confirmed to belong to a now extinct human subspecies. It was named after its discovery site: Homo luzonensis or Callao Man. 

In 2021, Mijares and the team found fossils yet again. This time, a previously unknown giant rodent called cloud rat or locally, buot or bugkon was discovered. Unlike rats typically seen in homes, these rodents are much like squirrels who live in trees and have tails that can grow to as long as 13 inches. 

These cloud rats are believed to have lived alongside Homo luzonensis, but two species went extinct 2,000 years ago.

The tour inside Callao Cave takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs Php50 for the entrance fee.

At present the Penablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape (PPLS), which is under the management of a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Day 2

Santa Victoria Caves (Isabela)

Part of the 819-hectare Fuyot Springs National Park, a protected area, the Santa Victoria Caves are a series of limestone caves at the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. 

It is widely believed that nomadic Agta or Dumagat people occupied it in the past. 

Currently, exploring it is one of the many ecotourism activities offered at the Ilagan Sanctuary, which is a 200-hectare reserve park. 

Guests must go on a tree top adventure, which involves walking on a hanging bridge with seven stations featuring endemic tree species. This leads to the over 12 limestone caves that make up the Santa Victoria Caves. Three are currently open to visitors: Main Cave, Altar Cave and Adventure Cave. 

Inside these caves are various rock formations, which can be seen up close through relatively dry walk-through caverns, as well as a waterfall. 

Apart from an entrance fee (Php100), a vaccination card as proof of inoculation must be presented. 

Day 3

Aglipay Caves (Quirino)

Found within the hills and forests of Aglipay in the province of Quirino, Aglipay Caves is a network of eight limestone caves with a total of 37 interlinked chambers. 

Initially discovered in the 1970s, Aglipay Caves was opened as an eco-tourism destination in the 1980s. 

Today, six chambers are open to tourists and run as deep as 20 meters. 

A big cathedral-like chamber can be seen upon entry to the caves, revealing a variety of stalagmite, stalactite, and other limestone formations. 

Notable formations include a calcite structure that looks like the Banaue Rice Terraces, and a three-stalagmite tableau that resembles a wedding with a bride, a groom, and an officiating priest. 

Further into the cave, more rock formations can be seen, including those that resemble snakes and rollercoasters. There’s also an underground spring. 

Going deeper into the cave, the exploration becomes more challenging. Guests will have to duck, walk, crawl, and climb through muddy paths, and gaps as the spaces get tighter. Exiting the cave involves climbing up a slippery 26-rung ladder in dim light. 

Entrance and exploration of Aglipay Caves for an hour or so, depending on the guests’ pace. There is a Php25 entrance fee. The caves, along with the nearby campsite, spans 101 hectares overall.  

Day 4

Capisaan Cave (Nueva Vizcaya) 

Over 57 kilometers away from the provincial capital, Bayombong, the multi-chamber Capisaan Cave system is located at the Municipality of Kasibu, in a limestone-rich barangay of the same name.

Bat hunters were the early visitors of the cave but it was only in 1999, following an extensive exploration of the cave, when its potential as a spelunking destination was discovered. Capisaan Cave, with a total passage length of 4.2 kilometers, is the fifth longest cave system in the country.

With a total area of 1,515.96 hectares, Capisaan Cave houses rock formations that resemble curtains, solid waterfalls, pillars, columns, islands, castles, and even human figures. 

Two segments of the Capisaan Caves have been classified as Class I, which means that there are delicate and fragile geological formations in the area. 

This is also indicative of the cave’s threatened species, archeological and paleontological values, and extremely hazardous conditions. Mapping, photography, and educational and scientific purposes are its allowable uses. 

Another segment has been classified as Class II. These areas have sections with hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, biological, archeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality ecosystems. These are the areas open for experienced cavers or guided tours. 

The limestone cave is a karst, a type of landscape where the dissolving of the bedrock creates sinkholes, sinking streams, springs, and the like. Because of this, visitors can expect not-so-usual cave interiors once they begin the guided tour. 

“Caves are all uniquely beautiful,” says Jerry Laroso, the chief guide at Capisaan Cave. “Unlike Callao Cave, which is dry and terrestrial, Capisaan has a subterranean river inside.”

Capisaan has nine known entrances, including the main entrances Lion, Alayan, and Sabrina, and three others in Barangay Malukbo. 

These different cave openings are teeming with wildlife, too, including native and endemic species of plants and animals. There are a total of 91 plant species found in the said areas, 10 of which are endemic to the Philippines. 

Spiders, insects, and small crabs can be found thriving inside the cave. There are also snakes, frogs, lizards, and different kinds of fish, from orange carp and catfish to mudfish and wild guppy. 

There are at least four different bat species dwelling in various sections of the cave. Meanwhile, a total of 931 birds from 61 species were recorded, 36 of which are endemic while eight are threatened. 

As natural pollinators, both species are crucial in keeping the cave’s ecosystem thriving. 

Currently, however, only the halfway routes are open to tourists for safety purposes. 

Regardless of which route visitors will take, it’s a must to wear lightweight clothing that also covers the arms and legs to prevent scratches.

Guests can also bring their own but safety equipment is available for rent at Capisaan Cave: helmet (Php20), flashlight (Php30), life vest (Php30), and aqua shoes (Php30). 

There’s also an entrance fee (Php100) and guests are required to present a negative swab test result and follow all safety protocols.

Stay Here

For accommodations, visit the official Cagayan Valley Tourism website, region2fun.ph, for the list of DOT-Accredited enterprises. 

Outsource the Planning

For a seamless trip, you may leave the planning to DOT’s accredited tour operator in Region 2: 

• Isabela

Pink Diamond International Travel and Tours

pinkdiamondinternational@yahoo.com; http://pinkdiamondinternational.weebly.com/ 

• Quirino

Explore Quirino Travel and Tours

0916 635 9978; http://www.explorequirino.com/

• Nueva Vizcaya

Travelesque Tours 

book@travelesquetours.com; http://travelesqueph.wordpress.com/ 

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Cagayan Valley have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

The post Spelunking Paradise: Exploring Cagayan Valley Caves appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

Boracay isn’t the only tourism destination with a Crocodile Island. Cagayan’s municipality of Sta. Ana does, too and it looks just as stunning. 

Located within the Balintang Channel and just near Palaui Island, Sta. Ana’s Crocodile Island—locally known as Manidad Island—gets its name from its shape. 

From afar, the rocky islet can be likened to a crocodile resting or sleeping on a sandbar. 

Parts of the island disappear during high tide, but resurfaces when it’s low tide. Regardless of the water level, Manidad Island’s beauty stands out not only through its shape, but also in the white sand and clear blue waters that surround it.  

Sunrise-watching

Manidad Island is best for an early morning visit to watch the sunrise. 

In fact, it’s a recommended stop after an overnight stay at Palaui Island’s Punta Verde, which is the only camping and lodging area allowed within the island. 

Standing atop the islet’s rocky formation, visitors can watch the sky turn a gorgeous yellow-orange as the sun rises in the distance. 

How to get there

Visiting Manidad Island is fairly easy once guests are already in Sta. Ana. They just need to head to the Port of San Vicente, which is the pick up and drop off point for Palaui Island visitors. 

The 15-minute boat ride costs Php350 back and forth. Rates vary if visitors are coming from Punta Verde. 

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Cagayan have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regular handwashing, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

The post In Case You Didn’t Know, Cagayan Has Its Own Crocodile Island appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

The food locals love to eat and share are just as inviting as the region’s many attractions.

Here are all the dishes and snacks you should sample when in Cagayan Valley.

Patupat

At Bannawag Norte in Santiago, Isabela, a humble roadside shop called Bretania Organic Food Products sells a merienda favorite among locals—patupat.

Its owner, Jocelyn Bretania, wraps the glutinous rice in buri leaves, soaks it in water overnight, and cooks it in sugarcane juice to produce a naturally-sweetened snack.

Though the kakanin delicacy has different iterations in the northern region of the country, Bretania’s take on the rice-based delicacy guarantees the use of fresh sugarcane juice as the store is situated near a plantation.

“I, myself, used to plant sugarcane before,” Bretania says. “In 2006, however, I learned how to make patupat and began selling it.”

A bundle of 13 pieces of patupat retails for Php110.

Pancit Batil Patung

“You’ve never really traveled to Tuguegarao if you’ve never had pancit batil patung,” says Eric Lim, owner of Lokal Kanan + Pasalubong, a restaurant serving local dishes. “It’s easily the most iconic dish of the city.”

A spin on a Filipino food favorite, pancit batil patung features miki noodles with ground carabao beef or cara-beef, fried egg and other toppings, as well as a serving of  beaten egg dropped in beef broth called kaldo, hence the words patung (topping) and batil (to beat) in its name.

Both components of the dish should be present for optimal flavor, along with a side of chopped onions, soy sauce, chili, and vinegar sauce or calamansi to taste.

Panciterias often get experimental with the toppings to distinguish their version from others. They put any topping imaginable in what locals consume as a daily staple: balut or fertilized duck egg, chicharon bulaklak or crispy pork intestine, carajay or deep-fried pork belly slices, among many others.

Depending on the panciteria and choice of toppings, prices range from Php60 to Php150.

Sinanta 

As the unofficial pancit capital of Cagayan, it’s no surprise that Tuguegarao cooks more variety of the dish than anywhere in the province. Apart from pancit batil patung, they also have what is called sinanta.

The first to offer it on a daily basis, serving it just like any other local dish is, according to Lim, is Lokal Kanan + Pasalubong’s claim to fame.

“Its origins go way back, probably even before pancit batil patung but they don’t serve it at restaurants,” he says. “It’s because it’s typically eaten during wakes or funerals.”

The noodle soup dish features flat noodles, rice vermicelli noodles, dried shrimps, clams, and atsuete or annatto. According to Lim, it’s important that the two types of noodle be present in the dish because if not, “it’s not sinanta.”

“I would liken it to laksa,” he says. “It looks like laksa but instead of the soup being coconut milk-based, this one gets its flavor from seafood and its color from atsuete [or annatto].”

A bowl good for one person costs Php100.

Pawa 

The municipality of Piat in Cagayan may be famous among pilgrims for the century-old church and holy image of Our Lady of Piat, but it’s also home to an equally popular snack called pawa.

Its origins are unknown, but the root word of pawa is pau or bao in Chinese, which means “to wrap.”

True enough, the coin-sized sticky rice delicacy—typically consumed as a dessert or snack—hides sweetened peanuts inside. Its softness can be likened to mochi when still warm. To prepare, it is rolled into a ball, filled with sweet ground peanuts then steamed.

Pawa retails for Php 50 per 9-10 pieces and is taken home as pasalubong after a pilgrimage visit.

Birut

It’s called numerous names like bunog, talimuska, bukto, palileng, mori, udinga, or ipusan, but birut, as Tuguegarao locals call the goby fish, is another must-try when in Cagayan.

The small freshwater fish is black in color and can be cooked in a variety of ways: stewed in tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger and some vinegar; wrapped in banana leaves and steamed; or dipped in spiced flour and deep fried to a crunchy treat.

This dish is served for a limited time only, though. The best chance to try this is when it’s in season during the summer.

A serving good for two retails for Php 250.

LSB Buko Pie

While buko pie is not necessarily unique to Cagayan Valley, there’s a Nueva Vizcaya-based maker of this merienda favorite that’s worth trying.

LSB Restaurant and Buko Pie, located in Tuao North in the municipality of Bagabag, has a special take on the delicacy courtesy of a secret ingredient.

“The clue is in the milk,” says Menchie Dacanay, the restaurant’s owner. “There are different types of milk but there’s one that’s best for buko pie.”

Much of the coconut they use is also harvested in the provincial capital, Bayombong.

Each box containing a 400-gram buko pie retails for Php 100.

Inabraw

“This is an iconic Vizcayano dish,” says Jehan Damasco, head chef and co-owner of Nueva Vizcaya-based restaurant, Mrs. Baker’s, on inabraw. “Everybody here knows it and eats it.”

Also called dinengdeng or bulanglang in other parts of the country, inabraw is a vegetable soup dish with string beans, eggplant, okra, jute leaves and bitter gourd, flavored with fermented fish sauce then served with fried fish.

But ingredients for inabraw can be whatever vegetable is available.

“Whatever they want to put in the soup dish, they can. Locals have their own versions,” Damasco says. “Whatever was bought from the market or harvested from their backyard can be included.”

For every inabraw, bagoong or fermented fish sauce is key. At Mrs. Baker’s, Damasco and the rest of the kitchen staff make it more special than usual.

“What made our version special is we simmer our bagoong in fish bones, either fried or grilled, to give it a depth of flavor,” she explains. “It’s like when you eat it in our restaurant, you will think that it’s your mom’s cooking.”

Each serving good for two to three diners cost Php190.

Bennek and Bildat 

Though Mrs. Baker’s offers a variety of food, from pizzas to cakes, the Nueva Vizcaya-based restaurant still serves food locals love to enjoy.

“There’s always a touch of Vizcaya in everything we serve,” Damasco says.

Native clams like bennek and bildat, for instance, are available when both are in season. Damasco and the rest of the team cooks the clams in two ways: kinilaw or raw with vinegar-based dressing, much like a Latin American ceviche, and inuram or cooked over fire.

These freshwater clams are part of what the restaurant calls the Chef’s Table, a fine dining service featuring a custom menu. The rates differ for every Chef’s Table, so it’s best to ask the staff ahead of time through their Facebook page or landline at (078) 805 3500.

Tubikoy

Who would’ve thought that combining three native delicacies is a good idea? Apparently, the people of Diffun in Quirino did.

Putting together tupig, bibingka, and tikoy, the result is tubikoy. It’s made out of flour, ground glutinous rice, brown sugar, margarine, coconut, milk, and cheese. The result is a unique rice cake that’s just as delightful as the three delicacies individually.

A box of tubikoy retails for Php 65.

Chicharabao

Believe it or not, carabao skin, just like pork skin, can be fried into chicharon goodness. Instead of curling into crunchy morsels, fried carabao skin puffs into crisp and airy balls.

It’s enjoyable enough seasoned with salt and pepper. However, Lighthouse Cooperative, a local maker and seller of the snack, began offering it in three different flavors: garlic, onion and vinegar, and hot and spicy. It even gave its now well-known name, chicharabao, which is a portmanteau of chicharon and carabao.

Abundant in Tuguegarao and pasalubong centers all over the region, an 80-gram pack of any flavor retails for Php 40.

_

Outsource the Planning

For a seamless trip, you may leave the planning to DOT’s accredited tour operator in Region 2:

• Isabela
  Pink Diamond International Travel and Tours
  pinkdiamondinternational@yahoo.com; http://pinkdiamondinternational.weebly.com/
• Quirino
  Explore Quirino Travel and Tours
  0916 635 9978; http://www.explorequirino.com/
• Nueva Vizcaya
  Travelesque Tours 
  book@travelesquetours.com; http://travelesqueph.wordpress.com/

Travel safely!
All tourist destinations in Cagayan Valley have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regular handwashing, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

The post All the Must-Try Food When in Region 2 appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.