Cagayan Wedding Destinations

Cagayan – Spelunker’s Paradise

Cagayan is considered as a spelunker’s paradise because of the number of caves found in the province. From the flooded caves of Odessa-Tumbali Cave System, to the large chambers of Callao caves, each cave offers spelunkers and thrill seekers a set of challenging routes and pathways.

The province is also popular for pilgrims and Marian devotees. The 14 Stations of the Cross in Iguig and the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat are among the well known religious destinations in Cagayan.

Demographics

1. Population - 1, 072, 571(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area -9,002.7 sq. km
3. Capital - Tuguegarao City
4.Language/Dialect- Ybanag, Ytawit, Malaweg, Ilocano., English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (1)

  • Tuguegarao City

Municipalities (28)

  • Abulug
  • Alcala
  • Allacapan
  • Amulung
  • Aparri
  • Baggao
  • Ballesteros
  • Buguey
  • Calayan
  • Camalaniugan
  • Claveria
  • Enrile
  • Gattaran
  • Gonzaga
  • Iguig
  • Lallo
  • Lasam
  • Pamplona
  • Peñablanca
  • Piat
  • Rizal
  • Sanchez-Mira
  • Santa Ana
  • Santa Praxedes
  • Santa Teresita
  • Santo Niño (Faire)
  • Solana
  • Tuao
Famous For ...

Iguig Calvary Hills
Around the 11-hectare rolling hills are the statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ablanca Caves
The town of Peñablanca is filled with breathtaking caves, each with its own special characteristic which makes them a spelunker’s paradise.

Cagayan River / Rio Grande de Cagayan
The Cagayan River is the longest and widest river in the country.

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat
Known here and abroad as the Black Mary, this century old image was brought from Macau to the Philippines in 1604. From then on until today, hundreds of pilgrims visit the shrine to give thanks and pray to the Virgin Mary.

Delectable food
Tourist should be ready to sink their teeth in the native delicacies of Cagayan.
1. Tuguegarao Pancit (Batil Patung) from Tuguegarao City.
2. Carabao milk candy from Alcala

Places of Interest

Cultural

Cagayan Provincial Museum & Historical Research Center
Location: Provincial Capitol Complex, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
It houses an extensive collection of artifacts, antiques, ethnographics, tradewares, heirloom pieces and liturgical works of the province, and fossils of animals. The museum and research center was inaugurated on August 15, 1973.

Pannaddamman Museum
Location: Cagayan State University, Brgy. Carig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Tour Days: Monday – Friday (Weekends – by appointment)
Tour Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Php. 10.00
Mannequins portraying the traditions from birth to death of the native Ibanag and Ilocano. The museum also has a collection of archeological items from Lallo, old coins and historical documents.

Historical

St. Hyacinth Church / San Jacinto Chapel
Location: Camalaniugan, Cagayan
The invading American forces used the church as their headquarters during the Philippine – American War in 1899.

Man-made

Buntun Bridge
Location: Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
It is the second longest bridge in the country, measuring at 1.124 kilometers. It offers an unobstructed view of the majestic Cagayan River and serves as the connection between Tuguegarao City and the 2nd and 3rd District Municipalities of Cagayan and Apayao Province.

Cape Engaño Lighthouse
Location: Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
The lighthouse was made during the Spanish Regime and now, it is the only operational lighthouse in the northeastern coast

Natural

Cagayan River / Rio Grande de Cagayan
Location: Cagayan Province
The Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country.

Callao Caves
Location: Brgy. Callao, Peñablanca, Cagayan
The seven-chambered Callao Cave has massive limestone and rock formations, skylights and a chapel. The Callao Cave Tourist Zone comprises more than 300 caves, 75 of which have been documented by the National Museum since 1977.

Jackpot Cave
Location: Sitio Tumallo, Brgy. Quibal, Peñablanca, Cagayan
It is the second deepest cave in the Philippines at 115 meters. The cave has a walking-size passage, shafts and drops of varying depths that provide for a lot of rope works.

Odessa-Tumbali Cave System
Location: Sitio Abbenditan, Brgy. Quibal, Peñablanca, Cagayan
At 12.60 kilometers, it is the third longest cave in the Philippines. It is a flood prone cave excellent for wet sport caving.

San Carlos Cave
Location: Peñablanca, Cagayan
The cave has several notable chambers including the “Ice Cream Parlor” which contains a cluster of white stalagmites that resemble scooped ice cream. The “John the Baptist” chamber, on the other hand, is a very deep underwater sump that one has to take a deep breath and swim to the other side of the chamber.

Aparri Delta
Location: Aparri, Cagayan
This is where the Cagayan River meets the South China Sea. It also offers a great view to the mouth of the Cagayan River.

Religious

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat
Location: Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
The Our Lady of Visitation image was brought from Macau to the Philippines in 1604. It was first enshrined in Nueva Segovia of Lallo but was brought to Piat to convert the Itawes people to Christianity. Now, pilgrims and devotees of the Black Mary from here and abroad come to give thanks and pray to the Virgin Mary.

Iguig Calvary Hills
Location: Parish of St. James the Greater, Tuguegarao City
The statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting Jesus Christ’s suffering before his death at Mount Calvary were completed in 1982. The Station of the Cross, as well as the church is a popular destination during Lenten Season

Sts. Peter and Paul Metropolitan Cathedral
Location: Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
The church was constructed under the supervision of Fr. Antonio Lobato, OP on June 17, 1761 and was finished in 1767. Now the cathedral serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao.

San Jacinto de Polonia Parish
Location: Camalaniugan, Cagayan
The parish church is the keeper of the oldest bell in the Far East. Forged in 1595, it was brought to Manila in 1937 as part of the attractions during the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress.

Festivals

St. Peter Thelmo Festival
Place: Aparri, Cagayan
Date: May 10
The feast day of the patron of Aparri is highlighted by a colorful fluvial parade of about a hundred boats of different sizes and shapes.

Piat Sambali Festival & Feast of Nuestra Señora de Piat
Place: Piat, Cagayan
Date: June 23 – July 2
The Piat Sambali is held from June 23 – 30. Sambali is a war dance of tribes that were united and converted to Christianity through the intercession of the Lady of Piat. Locals recreate the Sambali wearing their ethnic costumes. The feast day of Our Lady of Piat is celebrated from July 1 – 2. Procession and religious activities highlight the festival.

Aggao nac Cagayan
Place: Cagayan Province
Date: June 24 – 29
The feast is in commemoration of the establishment of the civil government of Cagayan on June 29, 1583. Trade fairs, beauty pageants, and cultural activities are held during the week long celebration.

Learn More

How to get there
By Land
Independent motorists may take the North Diversion Road and exit at Sta. Rosa Exit or use Maharlika Highway. Commuters may take a bus from Manila bound for Tugegarao City for a ten-hour ride.

By Air
There are direct flights from Manila to Tuguegarao. Travel time usually takes one hour