Isabela - Rice Granary of the North
Dubbed as the ‘Rice Granary of the North’, Isabela is gifted with vast agricultural lands which grow quality rice, tobacco, and crops which are exported to other countries. Most farmlands in the province are highly mechanized.
The biggest dam project in the Asia during its construction, the Magat Dam, is located in the province as well. The dam supplies water to the farmland and households and electricity to certain parts of the region and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Demographics
1. Population - 1,401,495
(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area -10,644.6 sq. km
3. Capital - Ilagan
4. Language/Dialect -Ilocano, Ibanag, Yogad, Gaddang,
English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (2)
Municipalities (8)
Magat Dam
It was Asia’s biggest dam project at the time
of its construction. Aside from serving as a water reservoir,
it is also used as a hydro electric power plant.
St. Mathias
Church
A National Historical Landmark, this church has a unique
cylindrical belfry, the only one of its kind in the
country.
Northern
Sierra Madre Natural Park
This 300,000-hectare protected rainforest is home to
endemic species of flora and fauna and exceptional biological
diversity
World’s
Biggest Butaka
This lounge chair is a Guinness Book of World Records
holder for the biggest lounge chair in the world. It
was constructed by 25 workers in 29 days.
Our Lady
of the Visitation National Shrine
The image of the Miraculous Lady of the Visitacion is
as popular as the Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan. Every
July, religious pilgrims come to offer prayers of thanks
and to ask for another year of good fortune.
Delectable
food
Savor the taste of the famous binallay, a special rice
cake wrapped in banana leaves. This delicacy from Ilagan
requires certain skill to be able to eat every single
bit of this stick and sweet desert.
Cultural
Isabela Museum and Library
Location: San Pablo, Isabela
Artifacts, fossils, ethnographic items, heirloom pieces,
visual arts (photographs, paintings, sculpture, and
graphic arts); historical and cultural dioramas, and
miniature models of provincial landmarks are among the
contents of this 10-year old museum.
Historical
Aguinaldo
Shrine
Location: Palanan, Isabela
This is the site where the American forces capture President
General Emilio Aguinaldo, thus ending the Philippine
– American War in 1901.
Natural
Northern
Sierra Madre Natural Park
Location: Palanan, Isabela
It is the largest protected area in the country with
more than 300,000 hectares of rainforest, and the lowest
at 800 feet above sea level. Due to the lack of roads,
it has remained unpolluted and undisturbed by loggers.
It is a confirmed habitat of the endangered Philippine
Eagle and the Cloud Rat.
Man-made
World’s
Biggest Butaka
Location: Brgy. Alinguigan Ilagan, Isabela
This world record butaka measure at 11 feet 4 inches
high, 20 feet 8 inches long, and 9 feet 7 inches wide.
Thus, Ilagan was tagged as the “Butaka City of
Isabela.”
Magat Dam
and Magat Hydro Electric Power Plant
Location: Ramon, Isabela
The water from the dam generates 360 megawatts of electricity
for the Luzon Grid and supplies the irrigation for the
agricultural land in Region 2 and CAR. Its reservoir
area of 4,450 hectares has a great potential for water-based
recreation like fishing, boating and water skiing, among
others.
Religious
Shrine of
Our Lady of the Visitation
Location: Brgy. Guibang, Gamu, Isabela
The shrine is filled of devotees every July 2, the feast
day of the Our Lady of the Visitacion. These pilgrims
come to offer prayers of thanks and to ask for another
year of good fortune.
Parish Church
of St. Mathias
Location: Tumauini, Isabela
It is an ultra-baroque church unique for its extensive
use of baked clay both for wall finishing and ornamentation.
This church of stone features a unique cylindrical bell
tower that is the only one of its kind in the Philippines.
Bambanti
Festival
Place: Isabela Province
Date: May 10
Banbanti is a term which means ‘scarecrow’.
The festival is a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest
of rice and corn and other agricultural products of
Isabela. Locals celebrate through street dancing and
float parades.
Feast of
Our Lady of the Visitacion
Place: Brgy. Guibang, Gamu, Isabela
Date: July 2
Pilgrims from all over and outside the province participate
in the religious activities prepared by the parish.