Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES CHAPTER

Office of the Vice President for Branches and Campuses
Santa Maria Bulacan Campus 2
Km 39 Pulong Buhangin Santa Maria Bulacan
Region 1 - Ilocos Region

This chapter presents the major tourist destination areas in Ilocos Region. Major
discussions will be on access, health and safety issues, geographical characteristics, major
attractions, gastronomy, and distinctive cultural attributes of the region related to the development
and promotion of tourism in the Philippines.
2.1 Objectives
By the end of the chapter, students should be able to:
1 identify the different major attractions, activities, accommodations, and cultural highlights in
the provinces within the Ilocos Region;
2. create different tour packages that carry different types of tourism activities within the region;
and
3. assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the region in terms of the 4 As of
tourism.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Branches and Campuses
Santa Maria Bulacan Campus
Km 39 Pulong Buhangin Santa Maria Bulacan

2.2 Introduction
Ilocos Region offers a wide variety of tourism products-from a historical walk on Calle
Crisologo, taking a dip in the popular beaches of Pagudpud, and to take a selfie at the picture perfect
Bangui windmills. It successfully developed an array of tourism attractions and activities, hence, having
one of the most vibrant tourism industries. The Ilocos Region includes the provinces of

 Ilocos Norte:
 Ilocos Sur
 La Union and
 Pangasinan.

2.3 Fast Facts

Capital Lan Area Major Industries No. of No. of Towns and

(in hectares) Cities Municipalities
La Union San Fernando 149, 770 Agriculture, Handricraft, 1 19
City Cottage
Ilocos Norte Laoag City 346,789 Agriculture, Manufacturing, 2 21
furniture, Tourism
Ilocos Sur Vigan City 259,600 Agriculture, Cottage, Furniture, 2 32
Food Processing

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Branches and Campuses
Santa Maria Bulacan Campus
Km 39 Pulong Buhangin Santa Maria Bulacan
Pangasinan Lingayan 545,101 Agriculture, Handicraft 4 44

A. Ports of Access
The region's gateway is through the Laoag International airport which has daily flights from Manila
and some international destinations. It is accessible by land, though located at the northernmost part of the
country.

By Air: Currently, only Philippine Airlines services offers Manila-Laoag domestic flights with a
frequency of one to two flights per day. Laoag is just 45 minutes away from Manila.
By Land: Several bus companies offer regular trips from Manila to Laoag, passing through the
other provinces in the region. The average travel time is 10-12 hours: hence, night trips are recommended.
Getting Around: Private van and car rentals are available to move around the region as well as
public modes of transportation. One can take a bus to move from one province to the other, or a jeepney
and tricycle to get around towns.
A. Attractions and Activities

Historical, Culture, and Heritage Nature Attractions Built Attractions

Attractions
 Laoag Sinking Bell Tower  Pagudpod Beach  Bangul Windmills
 Paoay Church  La Paz Sand Dunes  Malacañang of the
Ilocos Norte  Marcos Museum and  Capurpuraoan North
MAuselum Rock Formation  Patapaat Viaduct
 Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
 Calle Crisologo  Dancing Fountain
Ilocos  Bantay Bell Tower  Buluarte
 Syquia Mansion
 Baluarte Watch Tower  Tangadan Falls  Ma-cho Temple
La Union  Basilica of Our Lady of  Tuddingan Falls  Eagle of the-North
Charity  Bahay na Bato
 Cape Bolinao Lighthouse  Hundred Islands
Pangasinan  Minor Basillica of Our Lady  Patar Beach
of the Rossary Manaoag  Enchanted Cave

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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Branches and Campuses
Santa Maria Bulacan Campus
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 Redeemer’s Cross

B. Range of Accomodation

Budget Mid-Range High-End

(less than P1,500 per night) (P1,500 to P3,000 per (at least P3,000 per night)
night)
 Grand Octagon Resort  Hotel Tiffany  Fort Ilocandia Resort
 Farm side Hotel La  Aurello’s Mansion and Casino
Elliana Hotel  Balay da Blas  Pamulinawen Hotel
 Bueno’s Penthouse Pensionne House  Plaza del Norte Hotel
 Gertes Resort Hotel  Northview Hotel  Java Hotel
Ilocos Norte Isabel Suites  Rio Grande de  Viven Hotel
 Straight Lodging House Laoag Hotel Resort
 Parklane Hotel
 The Palacio de
Laoag

 Hotel ni Among  Gordion Hotel  Hotel Luna

 Ancieto Mansion  Vigan Plaza Hotel  One Vittoria Hotel
 El Juliana Hotel  Hotel Venetio De  Ciudad Fernandina
 Hem Apartelle Vigan Hotel
 Casa Teofila Lodge  Villa Angela  Hotel Felicidad
 Green R Hotel Heritage  Hotel Salcedo de
Ilocos Sur  Mojica Recidencia Hotel  House Vigan
 Manuela’s Inn  . Grandpa's Inn  Fiesta Garden Hotel
 Coffee Swings  Cordillera Inn Resort and Spa
 Vigan Carlainton  Metro Vigan Inn  Vitalis Resort
Transcient Haus  Casa Rica Hotel
 Vigan Riverside Hotel  Condotel Asuncion
 My Vigan Home
 Vigan Heritage
Mansion
 Vigan Ergo Hotel
 • Casa Soledad
 Hotel Almira  Alcora French Resto  Thunderbird Resorts
 La Union Blue Marlin Mansion Poro Point
Resort  S.R. Paradise Resort  Aurero La Union
 Villa Alfredo’s Resort  The Circle Hostel La  Villa d’ El-Lita Hotel,
 Sea Park Beach Resort Union Resort & Restaurant
La Union  Del Carmen Bed and  Oasis Country Resort
Breakfast  Awesome San Juan
 Costa Villa Beach  Sea of Dreams
Resort Resort-Spa
 Isla Bonita Beach

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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Branches and Campuses
Santa Maria Bulacan Campus
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Resort
 Ilog Malino  Villa Soledad  Puerto Del Sol
Beach Resort Beach Resort Beach Resort
 Villa Carolina Y  El Pescador  Veue Beach
Juan Beach Reassort and Cabins
Resort Hotel  Treasures of
Pangasinan  SCL Garden  Rock View Bolinao Beach
Paradise Resort Beach Resort Resort
 Paz Patar Beach  Rullan Apartelle  Punta Riviera
House Resort  Casa Almarenzo Resort
 Solomon’s Bed and  Birdland Beach
Paradise Bar Grill Breakfast Resort Club
Beach Resort  G. Beach Resort

C. Food and Delicacies

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan

Bagnet Bagnet Halo-halo de iloko Puto Calasiao

Empanada Empanda Chulates Creamy Deremen
Pakbet Pakbet Dinakdakan Nilatikang Bibingka
Longganisa Lumpianada Jumping Salad
Pinapaitan Vigan Milki Ilokano Espress

D. Festivals and Special Events

Ilocos Norte

 Pamulinawen Festival - (February 10) in honor of St. William, the celebration features floral and
street dance parade.
 Guling-guling - (a day before Ash Wednesday) the residents of Paoay dress in their Ilocano
traditional costume adorned with antique jewelries, dance and sing around the town while being
given the sign of the cross using pounded rice instead of gray ash.
 Talip Festival - (May 19-20) commemorates the ancient peace pact that has brought peace among
ethnic tribes in the province of Ilocos Norte.
 Ani Festival - (March 23-30) a thanksgiving celebration for the bountiful harvest of rice in the
town of Dingras.
Ilocos Sur

 Longganisa Festival - (January 22) showcases the longganisa delicacy of Vigan; highlight of the
celebration is the street dancing competition.

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 Tobacco Festival - (March 28-31) showcases the major industry of Candon City tobacco-in line
with the founding anniversary of its cityhood.
 Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts - (1st week of May) showcases the rich history, heritage, and
cultural treasure of the city of Vigan; it has become the biggest cultural event in the region.
La Union

 International Long Board Cup - (January 25-27) an international surfing event for both amateurs
and professionals organized by the La Union Surfing Association.
 Buybuy Festival - (February 9-11) showcases the major produce of Burgos, La Union, the buybuy
or tiger grass.
Pangasinan

 Dagupan Bangus Festival - (April 16-May 4) showcases the major product of Dagupan, the
milkfish or Bangus; features street dancing, trade fairs, fluvial parade, and others.
 Binongey Festival - (April 17) showcases the traditional taste of rice cake cooked in bamboo
using direct firing.
 Mango-Bamboo Festival - (April 20-27) aimed to promote San Carlos City as a major trading
center of bamboo-based products and producer of carabao mangoes.
F. Major Cultural Groups
This Region has three (3) distinct groups: Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, and Igorots. llocanos occupy
the coastal provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and certain parts of Pangasinan. The natives
of Pangasinan are the Pangasinenses. There are also Tingguians who live in the secluded mountains of
Ilocos Sur.
The Ilocanos are from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, and Cagayan.
The people are essentially rice producers but also plant cash crops like tobacco and garlic. Due to the
limited agricultural potentials in Ilocos, Ilocanos are known to be thrifty, self-sufficient, and enduring.
Most have also resorted to outmigration, wherein the Ilocanos can be found all over the Philippines as far
as Mindanao and overseas. For families who chose to stay in the region, most of these families have a
family member working in Manila or abroad (Peralta 2000).
The Pangasinan live in the Peninsula just north of Zambales. There is a lush area for vegetation
and agriculture. Fishing abounds by the waters of the Lingayen Gulf. They also produce the some of the
best buri mats and the production of bolos (Peralta 2000).
G. Major Industries
Major industries are agriculture-based like crop production, mining, manufacturing, and cottage
industries. Its provinces are famous for agro-industrial businesses such as milkfish (bangus) cultivation
and processing, livestock raising, fish paste (bagoong) processing, among others. Income in the Ilocos
provinces also come from cultivating rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, and fruits; and from raising livestock
such as pigs, chicken, goats, and carabaos (Department of Trade and Industry n.d.).

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H. Languages/Dialects Spoken
Ilokano, Filipino, and English are predominantly spoken and understood within the region,
Pangasinense, Pangalatok. Bolinao, and Tagalog are also widely spoken in Pangasinan.

2.4 Travel Trivia

Ilocos Norte's location on the northwest corner of Luzon makes it ideal and suitable for wind power
generation. The 150MW Burgos wind farm in Ilocos Norte is the biggest wind farm in the Philippines and the
first wind project nominated for the Philippine Government's feed-in-tariff (FIT) incentive scheme. The wind
farm is expected to generate approximately 370GWh of electricity a year, which will be used to power more
than two million households, while offsetting approximately 200,000t of CO emissions annually (Power
Technology 2018).

2.5

My Travel Diary
Mesmerizing La
Union

If you are like me who would rather do away with the luxuries of fancy
hotels and prefer to experience a more group-centric and carefree stay, then The
Circle Hostel is perfect. It is the ultimate surfer's den complete with colorfully
painted exteriors, nipa hut buildings, bamboo floors, and banig-carpeted floors.
There are curtains drawn on each bed and mosquito nets, so it would not be a
problem

Authentic Greek food makes Gefsers in La Union such a blessing for city
dwellers like us that happen to visit The restaurant is open-air and decked in
pleasant blue and white colors, after the traditional whitewashed cliff-side houses
in Greece. I got the Lamb Souvlaki platter, which is usually served with two pitas
(we had it exchanged for rice, haha) and chunks of lamb smothered with

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homemade tomato sauce. The dish is good for two and also comes with a
side of fries, tomatoes, onions, and tzatzik/ sauce.

Surf Shack is known in the surf community for its sumptuous but very
affordable comfort food served in generous portions. There is the local chef's
rendition of Italian brick oven pizza and pasta dishes, putting a unique twist by
using local ingredients such as bagnet, tuyo, longganisa and the like. I tried the
Bacnotan Longganisa Pizza, filled with tomato concasse, a small slice of very savory
Bacnotan longgan/sa, and a fresh egg in the center balanced on a thin and crispy
crust "board. It was surprisingly cheesy and good!

Of course, San Juan of La Union, being the surfing capital of the North,
surfing is a must! The surf, the easy-going vibe, and the interesting eats may be
the draw for the destination such as La Union.

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At the highlands of San Gabriel, La Union, the cool climes of this

municipality entices with nature hikes and waterfalls like the Tangadan Waterfalls.
There are two ways to Tangadan Falls, as what Kuya James (our tour guide) has
told us the first one is a two-hour river trek along Baroro River, and the other one
is just a 20-minute descend. Speaking with the people who have done this trek,
they said that the first one is a lot scenic despite the longer time to get to the falls.
So of course, we took the longer route (plus, it is cheaper).

Fitting to the origin of the fall's name of "Tangad," which means "to look up
people would naturally look up from the ground to admire this falls. Tangadan is a
multi-layered falls, and the basins are also wide enough to swim in. The falls on
the upper level is a smaller one, but the basin is just as deep as the one below.
Large bamboo rafts can be rented to get under the falls. If one is looking for a
nature side trip as a break from the surf, Tangadan Falls is both magnificent and
fun. No wonder it attracted a mix of locals and tourist who also came to find the
hidden gem in Tangadan.

Macho Temple is located on a hill 70 feet above sea level at Barangay II, San
Fernando City, facing the China Sea. This majestic Taoist Temple is famous for its
towering arch that gives a romantic view of the China Sea sunset Aside from
incense, devotees offer food and money at the shrine. Here, people form all walks
of life come and pray for change of luck from Ma Cho. The sun was at its most
radiant at 5 p.m., as it lighted the facade of the temple with an array of warm
colors. I just stood there, mesmerized by the thought of ending another day in my
life-one day that will always be a part of my existence. Before we left, I silently

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prayed for everyone in the world, for all who are in pain and suffering,
and for everyone who have not yet known the beauty of faith. - Jasfher Callejo

Historic Vigan

After a tiring long drive, we arrived at midnight and saw the silent,
humbling, and true beauty of Ilocos Sur It is a place in the Philippines that would
captivate the interest of the people to really know what are some remnants of the
Spanish Colonial Era Still vivid in my mind, it was surreal to the point that I ever
had the opportunity to go inside a house situated in the famed Calle Crisologo that
has not been restored or reconstructed in any way that I saw the rawness and a
glimpse of beauty of the antiquities. Also, I had the chance to see a world heritage
site and one of the New7Wonders Cities, which are Sta Maria Church and Vigan
City, respectively We stayed at a transient house located near the rear end of Calle
Crisologo, it was a refurnished old house to accommodate short-staying clients. It
cheap amounting to 1,000 per night, which was good for four people. Also, I did
not miss the opportunity to try the famous Vigan empanada that you could
purchase in the town square-Vigan Longganisa, and Calamay in Candon.

Maybe the only lacking factor of this trip is that there is little known fact
about the history of Vigan itself and the importance of Calle Crisologo because
there is a need for a tour guide, information center, or anything that could be
used to educate the overflowing traffic of tourists. This historically rich and
significant place in our country is downsized to the point that people only use the
area for their own photos, for them to post in their social media accounts, whilst
not knowing the true essence of this place. On the other hand, I believe Ilocos Sur is
a truly remarkable and memorable place for tourists, especially for Filipinos, to see
once in their lifetime! - JB Rolle, Tourism Graduate

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Calle Crisologo

2.6 ASESSMENT
A. Guide Questions for Discussion
1. What are the major activities that can be done by tourists within Ilocos Region?
2. What rare attractions, activities, and flora and fauna exist in the Ilocos Region?
3. If you are to design a package tour for the region, what kind of tours will you have and what
sites and attractions will you include?
4.Prepare a SWOT analysis for the region by flling out the following table in terms of
attractions, accommodations, acceassiblity, accommodations, and amenities.

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Attractions

Access

Accommodations

Amenities

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B. Geography Check
Identify which parts of the map is Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

C. Activity
Choose one province within the region and convince your classmates to make that
province their next travel destination.

D. Regional and Provincial Slogans

Search the Internet for the current regional and provincial tourism slogans used by the different
provinces within the region. What does each slogan highlight? Knowing the attractions of each province,

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is it the most appropriate tagline to use? If not, do you have another suggestion on the
slogan/tagline to be used?
Region/Province Current Slogan Used
Ilocos Region
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Pangasinan

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CHAPTER

3
Course Title : PHILIPPINE CULTURE and TOURISM GEOGRAPHY
Course Code : TMHM 20033
Course Credit : 3 (Three Units)

LEARNING MATERIAL ON
Region 2- Cagayan Valley Region
(WEEK 2)

Region 2- Cagayan Valley Region

This chapter presents the major tourist destination areas in Cagayan Valley Region. Major discussions
will be on access, health and safety issues, geographical characteristics, major attractions, gastronomy,
and distinctive cultural attributes of the region related to the development and promotion of tourism in
the Philippines.

3.1 Objectives
By the end of the chapter, students should be able to:

identify the different major attractions, activities, accommodations, and cultural highlights in the
provinces within the Cagayan Valley Region;
create different tour packages that carry different types of tourism activities; and

assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the region in terms of the 4 As of
tourism.

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3.2 Introduction

Most of the region, as its name implies, lies within a valley between the Cordillera and the Sierra
Madre mountain ranges. The country's longest river also flows in this region while its east coast faces the
Pacific Ocean. Hence, the Cagayan Valley Region offers a never-ending adventure of caves, forests,
waterfalls, beaches, and century old heritage sites.
The Cagayan Valley Region includes the provinces of:

 Batanes;
 Cagayan;
 Isabela;
 Nueva Viscaya; and
 Quirino.

3.3 Fast Facts

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Capital Land Area Major Industries No. Cities No. of Towns
(in hectares) and
Municipalities
Batanes Basco 21,901 Agriculture, Fishing - 6
929,575 Agriculture, Fishing, 1
Cagayan Tuguegaro City Livestock, Woodcraft 28
Furniture
Isabela Ilagan 1,241,493 Agriculture, Commerce, 3
Trade, Woodcraft furniture 34
Nueva Bayombong 397,567 Agriculture, Commerce, - 15
Viscaya Trade
Quirino Cabarroguis 237,347 Agriculture, Woodcraft - 6
Furniture

A. Ports of Access
The region has three airports, namely Basco, Tuguegarao, and Cauayan servicing various airlines
to and from Manila. By sea, there is access from mainland of Ilocos Norte to Batanes. An extensive
road network via the Pan-Philippine Highway via public buses or private vehicles.

By Air: Manila to Basco and vice versa flights are offered daily by both Philippine Airlines and
Skyjet Airlines. There, Tuguegarao is serviced daily by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air flights.
Daily flights from Manila to Cauayan, Isabela is also offered by Cebu Pacific Air. Travel time is
approximately one hour. Smaller airports/airstrips served by charter services are in Palanan and
Maconacon, both are coastal towns of Isabela.
By Sea: MV Ivatan Princess offers trips from Currimao, Ilocos Norte to Basco, Batanes and vice
versa only every Wednesdays and Sundays. Travel fare is around P1,200 and the trip takes about 18
hours.

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By Land: Several bus companies offer regular bus and sleeper bus trips from Manila to
Tuguegarao via Pan-Philippine Highway and passing through the other provinces in the region. The
average travel time is 12 hours; hence, night trips are recommended. There are also passenger bus lines
that plies directly to Tuguegarao from both Baguio (10-hour trip) and Vigan (nine-hour trip).
Getting Around: Private van and car rentals are available to move around the region as well as
public modes of transportation. One can take a bus to move from one province to the other, or a jeepney
and tricycle to get around towns.
B. Attractions and Activities

Historical, Cultural, and Heritage Natural Attractions Built Attraction

Attractions
Batanes • Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel • Sabtang Island • Basco Lighthouse and
Naidi Hill
• Mount Carmel Chapel • Itbayat Island
• Honesty Coffee Shop
• Our Lady of the Immaculate of • Batan Island
Concepcion Cathedral • Chawa View Deck
• Yami/Amianan
• House of Dakay • Ranum ni
• Di-atay Beach Kumalakal/Racuh-a-idi
• Diura Fishing Village Spring of Wellness
• Chawa Cave
• Radiwan Point • Basco PAGASA
• Mt. Matarem
Station
• Mt. Iraya
• Old Loran Station
• Basco Marine
Sanctuary • Ruins of Songsong

• Basco Rolling Hills • San Jose Church

• Racuh A Payaman • San Carlos Borromeo

Church
• Liveng/Hedgerows
• Valugan Bay
Cagayan • Cagayan Provincial Museum • Callao Cave Tourist • Buntun Bridge
Zone
• Tuguegarao Cathedral • Magapit Suspension
• San Carlos River Cave Bridge
• Basilica Minore of Our Lady of
Piat • Sierra Cave • St. Paul University
• Cagayan Provincial Museum • Baggao Cave and • CARSUMCO
Water Systems
• Iguig Calvary Hills and Parish of
St. James the Greater • Portabaga Falls

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• San Jacinto de Polonia Parish • Claveria Sand Beach
• Palaui Island
• Sta. Ana
• Jackpot Cave
• Wide Expanse of
Black and Fine Sand
Beaches
• Cagayan River
• Aparri Delta
Isabela • St. Mathias Church • Bonsai Forest • Guibang Church
• San Pablo Church • Camp Samal • Shrine of Our Lady of
La Sallette
• Aguinaldo Shrine • Northern Sierra Madre
Natural Park • Magat Dam Tourism
• Our Lady of Atocha Church Complex
• Fuyot Springs
National Park • Giant Butaka
• Sta. Victoria Caves • Landmark of Heroes
• Crocodile Sanctuary of • Water World Grand
San Mariano Resort
• Dibulo Falls
• Dicotcotan Beach
• Honeymoon Island

Nueva • People's Museum and Library • Mt. Pulag • Provincial Capitol

Vizcaya
• St. Vincent Ferrer Church • Mt. Ugu
• St. Dominic Cathedral • Capisaan Cave System
• Imugan Falls
Quirino • Nagbukel Caves • St. Lourdes Calvary
• Aglipay Caves and • Municipal Park
Campsite
• Motocross Mountain
• Victoria Falls and
Natural Resort
• Addalam River

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Ecology Park
• Governor's Rapids and
Caves
• Bimmapor Rock
Formation
• Nagtipunan River
• Mactol Falls

The town of Peñablanca in Cagayan is the “Caving Capital of the Philippines,”having more than 300
known caves documented by the National Museum.
C. Range of Accommodation
Budget Mid-Range High-End
(less than P1,500 per (P1,500 to P3,000 per (at least P3,000 per
night) night) night)
Batanes • Marfel's Lodge • Valugan Hometel • Fundacion Pacita
• Ivatan Town Hometel • Seaside Lodge &
Restaurant
• Brandon's Lodge
• Batanes Homestay
• Troy Lodge Association
• DDD Habitat Lodge
• Shanedel's Inn & Café
• Ivatan Lodge
• Batanes Resort

Cagayan • Hotel Joselina • Ivory Hotel & Suites • Gonzaga Rirerview

Hotel and Resort
• Villa Blanca Hotel • Mango Suites
• Hotel Candice • Hotel Lorita
• Hotel Carmelita • Taj Hotel
• Pulsar Hotel • Holiday Plaza Hotel
• Hotel Kimikarlai • Callao Caves Resort
• Villa Victoria Hotel • Portabaga Falls Park
& Resort

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• Hotel Roma
• Hotel Defino
• Claveria Bayview Inn
Isabela • Villa Diana Hotel & • Dreamwave Hotel
Café
• Oryza Hotel
• Grace Hill
EconoSuites Hotel • The Hotel Andrea

• New Amity Hotel • Hotel Sophia

• Golden A Hotel • Spring Garden Resort

• Cherry Hotel
• Hotel Alta
• The Hotel Amancio

Nueva Vizcaya • 24/7 Inn & Resort • Highlander Hotel & • Lower Magat
Resort Ecotourism Park
• AM/PM Lodge
• Meaco Hotel
• Bamboo Inn
• Saber Inn
• Gamponia Farm
Resort
• Balai Gloria Hotel

Quirino • Disadeco Lodge • Villa Caridad Hotel

and Resort
• Diffun Lodge
• Capitol Plaza Hotel &
• CFFQI Training Ha Restaurant
• Abrasa MPC Hot
• Saber Lodge

D. Food and Delicacies

Batanes Cagayan Isabela Nueva Vizcaya Quirino

• Bangun a yuyunu • Pancit Batil • Pancit Cabagan • Abal-abal • Abal-abal
(anchovies) Patung
• Moriecos • Tateg • Tateg
• Vunes (dried • Longganisang

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gabi stalk chopped Tuguegarao • Binallay (suman) • Kakanin • Kakanin
with fish, beef, or
pork) • Luñis • Inatata (suman) • Pinakbet • Pinakbet
• Tugi • Binagen lobster • Dinengdeng • Dinengdeng
• Lataven (raw
fish) • Homemade Milk • Curacha • Palitaw • Igado
• Lunyis (salted Candy
• Dinengdeng
fried pork)
• Siniwsiwan
• Chinavules
(steamed gabi • Lechon Carnero
leaves) (lamb)

• Uved (grated • Rabong Corn

banana corm) Bibingka

• Yellow Rice
(sticky rice cooked
with turmeric)

E. Festivals and Special Events

Batanes

• Ivatan Festival - (June 19-July 1) previously called the Payuhuan Festival, it features the unique practice
in Batanes of voluntary working for others as one community

Cagayan

• Aggaa Nac Cagayan - (June 23-29) celebration of the establishment of the province in 1583.

• Piat Sambali Festival - (June 23-30) Sambali is a war dance of tribes that were later on united and
converted to Christianity through the intercession of the Lady of Piat.

• Bangkarera Festival - (May 10) a thanksgiving celebration that features an exciting boat race in honor of
their patron saint, St. Peter Thelmo.

Isabela

• Baka Festival - (February 15) in honor of their patron saint San Pablo, the festival is aimed to showcase
and promote the local cattle industry of the town of San Pablo.

• Binallay Festival - (May) showcases the binallay, a white cake that locals usually eat during Holy Weck,
as their symbol of the noble characteristics they aspire to have as an individual.

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• Binnadangan Festival or Palay Festival - (July 4) a thanksgiving celebration for the rich
agricultural bounty of Roxas.

• Gawagawayan Festival (April 10-13) a thanksgiving celebration for the bountiful harvest in the city of
Cauayan; also features the ethno-linguistics groups residing in the city.

Nueva Vizcaya

• Panagyaman Festival - (May 19-24) celebration of the founding anniversary of the province.

• Grand Ammungan Festival – (May) showcases the convergence of indigenous cultures of Nueva
Vizcaya.

• Citrus Festival - (August) a thanksgiving celebration for the bountiful harvest of citrus in the town of
Kasibu.

Quirino
• Quirino Motorismo - (July 22-24) dubbed as the only motor biking festival in the country.
• Panagdadapun Festival - (September 8-10) celebration of the founding anniversary of the province.
• Aquero Fesrival - (February 11-13) in honor of the Our Lady of Lourdes, it is a religious festival for the
pilgrims.
F. Major Cultural Groups
There are four major cultural groups in the Cagayan Region. These are the Ivatan, Ibanag, Itawes,
and Ilocano.
The Ivatans possessed unique skills to be resilient with weather conditions of typhoon and drought in
Batanes. They have built walls made of thick limestone and thick cagon roof for their houses. They also
have acquired the skill of predicting the weather through the behavior of animals. The relative isolation of
the Ivatans/Itbayats in the Batanes/Babuyan group of islands has led to a distinct indigenous culture with
strong self-sufficiency. Because they are located in typhoon prone areas, the houses, lifestyles, and
agricultural crops are conditioned to withstand strong winds. Agriculture is the base of livelihood with
self-sufficiency as the norm, hence, no marketplace exists in the communities. The Ivatans are known for
their oral traditions such as lyric songs (lagi), working songs (kaluan) and legends (kabbala) (Peralta
2000).
The Ibanag literally means "people of the river," as they are the people who settled along the banks
of the Cagayan River and the northern coasts of Luzon. The Ibanag are concentrated within the towns of
Tuguegarao, Solana, Cabagan, and Iligan. They originally inhabited the areas by the mouth of the
Cagayan River but have moved up and gradually influenced culture of older ethnicities like the Itawit,

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Isinay, and Ga'dang. The Ibanag language became the lingua franca for commerce. The culture
was also heavily influenced by the migration of the Ilocanos (Peralta 2000).
The Itawes have been variously called Itawit, Itawiq, Tawish, Itawe, Itaves, and Itabes. The Itawes
means the people from across the river. In many towns, the Itawes live with the Ibanag and Ibanag has
become the standard language.
The locanos make up the 3rd largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines and is the most
prominent ethnic group in the Philippines, Ilocano or Iluko is a Western Austronesian language spoken in
Northern Luzon, in various parts of Philippines, and around the world. It comprises its own branch in the
Philippine Cordilleran family of languages.

G. Major Industries
The main crops are rice, corn, and tobacco Fishing is prevalent in the coast of Cagayan, Isabela,
Batanes, and Magat Dam in Isabela
The region also produces livestock like cattle, hog, carabaos, and poultry. Other livelihood of the
region includes rattan furniture making and other indigenous materials mainly for export.
H. Languages/Dialects Spoken
Languages and dialects spoken in the region include Tagalog, English, Ivatan, Ichbayaten, Ilokano,
Ibanag, Itawis, Gaddang, and Isinay.

3.4

My Travel Diary

The House of Dakay

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Breathtaking Batanes

Batanes is the most beautiful place I have ever been to. Its beauty is
truly breathtaking and jawdropping. I had to remind myself that I am still
in the Philippines while touring the beautiful Batanes, the sceneries are just
so beautiful and serene. Everywhere, Batanes is picturesque and Instagram-
worthy. My personal favorites are the House of Dakay, Honesty Coffee Shop,
Vayang Rolling Hills, Marlboro Country, and Sabtang Island.

We stayed at Nanay Cita's homestay for three days. She is so kind and
accommodating. She really felt like a mother to us. Along with the other
locals who were so kind and honest, our stay was made more enjoyable and
safe. Batanes boasts of zero crime rate.

We traveled by plane from Manila. Though the airfare is quite

expensive and risks of flight cancellations are high, the beauty of Batanes is
unparalleled, you will be enticed to go back to see it again. The boat ride to
Sabtang and Itbang Island due to huge waves as we crossed the Pacific, can
be quite dizzying and not for the faint-hearted. The falua (boat used by the
locals) is sturdy and safe even when we thought we would be blown away by
huge waves. Our Batanes trip will not be complete without crossing the
Pacific to get to Sabtang and Itbayat Islands.

And before leaving Batanes, I made sure I got the stone house souvenir
which always reminds me of my Batanes experience. Next time, I will surely
stay longer so I can explore the islands and its other attractions more. -
Noel Binalla, Fitness Coach

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Batanes Marlboro Country Batanes Honesty Coffee Shop

3.5 ASSESSMENT
A. Guide Questions for Discussion

1. What are the major activities that can be done by tourists within the Cagayan Valley Region?
2. What rare attraction, activities, and flora and fauna exist in the Cagayan Valley Region?
3. If you are to design a package tour for the region, what kind of tours will you have and what sites and
attractions will you
include?
4. Prepare a SWOT analysis for the region by filling out the following table in terms of attractions,
accessibility, accommodations, and amenities.

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Attractions

Access

Accommodations

Amenities

B. Geography Check
Identify the provinces included in the Cagayan Valley Region.

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C. Activity
Divide the class in groups of five people and have them create a
three days/two nights itinerary for special interest tours on culture and
heritage for the Cagayan Region. This should include the attractions to
be visited, accommodations to stay in, and activities to do that will
showcase the culture and heritage of the region.
D. Regional and Provincial Slogans
Search the Internet for the current regional and provincial tourism
slogans used by the different provinces within the region. What does
each slogan highlight? Knowing the attractions of each province, is it the
most appropriate tagline to use? If not, do you have another suggestion
on the slogan/tagline to be used?

Region /Province Current Slogan Used

Cagayan Valley Region
Batanes
Cagayan
Isabela
Nueva Vizacaya
Quirino
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