Touted as the spelunking, trekking and fishing paradise, Cagayan is an adventure and eco-tourism destination that boasts of a rich and multi-faceted character, complementing Cagayanon’s religious, adventurous, nature loving and culturally inclined ways.

A valley nestled between mountain ranges and the longest and widest river in the country (Cagayan River), the Province of Cagayan is located at the northeastern part of Luzon and is bounded with the Babuyan Channel in the north, the Province of Isabela on the south, Pacific Ocean in the east and Cordillera Mountain on the west.

According to historical accounts, Cagayan got its name from the Ilocano word karayan or river referring to the Rio Grande de Cagayan. Its local counterpart, the Cagayan River runs from the north via Babuyan Channel and all the way down south in Quirino.

Known as the 4^th largest region in the country, Cagayan is composed of five provinces (Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Quirino) and three cities (Cauayan Santiago and Tuguegarao), while the city of Tuguegarao serve as its capital and the regional center of the entire Cagayan Valley.

A religious encounter

Deeply rooted with their devotion to Our Lady of Piat, Tuguegarao and the rest of the Cagayan region are filled with old churches and religious markers that symbolizes the stronghold of Cagayan.

One of the interesting churches found in Tuguegarao is Ermita de San Jacinto, also known as St. Hyacinth. The church is made of “horno” or baked bricks and was used by the American soldiers as headquarters in 1899 during World War II. Estimated 100 years older than Sts. Peter and Paul Catendral, this elevated church is the patron saint of Tuguegarao City and is celebrated every 15^th of August along with the Pav-vurulum Festival.

Another church that is worth mentioning is St. Peter’s Cathedral or the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat. Also known as Lady of the Visitation,Lady of the Holy Rosary and the Black Mary, the image and originated from the Dominican friars who brought it from Macau to the Philippines in 1604.

More than four centuries old, Our Lady of Piat was first enshrined in Nueva Segovia (now called Lal-lo) then in Alcala, Igig and finally in Tuguegarao. Aside from being miraculous, it was also the only Marian image that was crowned twice by the pope in 1954 and in 2004.

Then there’s St. James Apostle Parish, where Calvary Hills can be found. This 11-hectare scenic and rolling hills houses life size concrete statue that depict the 14 Stations of the Cross, including a three centuries well, a Dominican convent ruin and the relic cross of Jesus Christ.

Caving adventure and more

Aside from going on a religious pilgrimage, visitors can also go on a caving exploration in Cagayan. They have Roc, Sierra and Callao caves to choose from, not to mention the 300 plus other caves found throughout the region. Because of the huge presence of explored and unexplored caves, the Department of Tourism declared Cagayan as the The Caving Capital of the Philippines.

The most famous among the explored caves is Callao (Cal-lao) Caves, named after the native bird that is frequently seen in the area. This seven-chambered cave features 187 cemented steps, massive limestone and rock formations, skylights and a chapel.