DATA CENTER COLLEGE of the

Philippines laoag City, Inc

In partial fulfillment of the course requirement in Reading in the Philippines History

RIGEON 2; CAGAYAN VALEY

SUBMITED BY;

RYAN, D. ALIBUYOG

SUBMITED TO;

MR.JOHN PHILIP, C. FELIPE

HISTORY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY
Cagayan Valley has a distinct history. Long before the coming of the Spaniards into the valley,
fishing villages existed on the banks and at the mouths of the rivers and creeks flowing into
the sea. The Spaniards found natives inhabiting the narrow coastal plains in Northern Luzon
and flood plains of the Cagayan River – the Ibanags.

Ibanags
They named that way because they lived on the banks of the bannag, a native word for river.
They were of the sturdy Indonesian type with a culture of their own. They maintained
commercial intercourse with China, Japan and other neighboring countries. The early Ibanags
kept their writings on barks of trees and bamboo, depicting the heroic deeds of their chiefs.
These tales were used as songs by bards during victories in wars, on weddings and other
important events and were therefore handed down from generation to generation like the
famous epic of Biuag and Malana, chief of Malaueg (Rizal) and Maquilat (Cabagan Viejo).

When Don Juan de Salcedo explored Northern Luzon in 1567 he landed his forces at a place
now called Mission, in the Municipality of Buguey located near what is believed to be the
original mouth of the Rio Grande de Cagayan. In the course of centuries, the Cagayan River
gradually straightened its meandering course by leaving a Rio Muerto or lagoon south of
Buguey. The lagoon, believed to be the original mouth of the Cagayan River, measures about
sixteen kilometers long and roughly one kilometer wide.

It was however, in 1581 that the Spaniards headed by Captain Juan Pablo Carreon with his
soldiers and their families settled in the region. Thereafter, Spanish missionaries gradually
penetrated deeper into the valley, teaching and converting the natives. Lalloc was named
Nueva Segovia by Juan Pablo Carreon in 1581 and was visited by Juan Salcedo in 1572 and
Luis Perez Dasmariñas in 1592. The Parish Church of Lallo was constructed under the direction
and supervision of the Dominican Friars in 1588. Lalloc was the seat of Nueva Segovia created
by Pope Clement VIII on August 14, 1595 and continued to be so up to 1755 when it was
transferred to Vigan.

Lallo was the capital of Cagayan Province from 1581-1839 when the Provincial Government
was moved to the town of Tuguegarao which was made capital of Cagayan up to the present.
The first Revolutionary Government was headed by Gov. Vicente Nepomuceno, appointive
Governor in 1898. On April 10, 1910 Pope Leo XII proclaimed Tuguegarao as a Diocese.
Later, the Americans improved the educational and political system and introduced
improvements in infrastructure. Today, Cagayan Valley Region is one of the more progressive
regions in the country.

Geography
The Region is located on the northeastern part of mainland Luzon, covering an area of about
26,858.79 square kilometers. It has rugged terrain along its boundaries, with the Pacific
Ocean bounding it on the east, the Bashi Channel on the north, the provinces of Nueva Ecija
on the south, Quezon on the south east and the Cordillera in the west.

Dialects
Major dialects spoken are Ilocano, Ybanag, Ytawes and Filipino. In Batanes, the people speak
Ivatan. English is generally understood and spoken regionwide.

Industries
Major industries are agriculture with rice and corn as main crops, livestock production of
cattle, hog, carabaos and poultry, furniture making of rattan and other indigenous materials,
fishing especially along the coast of Cagayan, Isabela and Batanes and Magat Dam in Isabela
and also exportation of fruits, fruit preserves and vegetables.

Transportation Facilities
Transportation facilities in the region are available at all times. There are about 15
transportation companies that ply the Tuguegarao-Manila route and vice-versa.

Inter-regional transport is also readily available and runs the extensive road network of the
region along the national highway and into the municipal roads to interior towns. Water
transport facilities include cargo ships that dock in Aparri, and inter-island ship that dock at
Port Irene in Sta. Ana and Claveria in Cagayan.

In Batanes, there is an acute shortage of inter-island transport from Batan to Itbayat and
while Sabtang Island has a regular ferry that leaves from San Vicente Port in Ivana at 7 o'clock
in the morning daily. In Sabtang Island, boats are available for Ivuhos Island trip at about
P300.00 one way from Barangay Nakanmuan or Savidug. Chartered flight to Itbayat is
available at P700.00 per person one way. There are about eighty registered passenger
jeepneys and tricycles for public use in Batan Island. Other vehicles are owned by the
government and some privately owned motorcycles. A cargo ship from Manila visits the
island of Batanes once a month.
There are four domestic airports servicing the region- Tuguegarao City Domestic Airport,
Cauayan City Domestic Airport, Basco Domestic Airport in Batanes while Bagabag Airport in
Nueva Vizcaya services charter planes. Smaller airports/airstrips served by charter services
are in Palanan and Maconacon, both are coastal towns of Isabela.

Communication Facilities
Government and private communication facilities are found all over the valley. Direct dialing
and wireless cellular phones are also available. Smart Company operates in Batanes while
Globe Company is still expanding its operation. Internet service providers are available in
urban centers.

CULTURE OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

The Cagayan Region is made up of the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino,
and Batanes in the north. area is 26, 837.7sq. Typhoons are frequent in this region bringing
rains throughout the year.

Unlike in the Mountain Region, land in the Cagayan Region is fertile for profitable agriculture.
It is no wonder that crops such as rice, corn, and tobacco, and fruits and vegetables, are
produced in amounts that exceed the community requirements.

A significant number of the original settlers- the Ilongots, Igorots and a few Dumagats is still
found living along boundaries of the province or inhabiting the forests. The Ilongots were
believed to have descended from the Indonesians. They are quite good-looking and friendly.

In the Ilongot society, the man is an absolute king. The women cook and farm. The men fish
and hunt, bring firewood, build fences and take care of the kaingin. They can have as many as
six wives as long as they treat each one fairly and build a house for each wife.

Childbirth among the Ilongots is simple. The pregnant mother goes to a spot near a tree a bed
of ashes has been prepared. When the time to deliver comes, the pregnant woman holds on
to the tree trunk allowing the baby to fall on the bed of ashes. She cuts the umbilical cord
with a sharp objects washes herself in a nearby river, and gives the baby to the father. Having

done these, she returns to the field to continue working .

 FESTIVAL IN CAGAYAN VALLEY
- SAMBALI FESTIVAL

The Sambali or Piat Sambali Festival is celebrated every year in Piat, Cagayan
from June 23 to July 2. A spectacle of color, form and movement and songs is to
be expected in this celebration, all brought about centuries-old cultural
traditions.

The Sambali festival originated from the Sambali dance which is a war dance of
the Itawis tribe of Cagayan that was converted to Christianity through the
intercession of the Lady of Piat. It was revived in 1989 with the belief that it
would promote the identity of the people of Piat, as well as strengthen unity
and harmony among its people. Since then, it has been an annual event for the
residents of Piat.
-Sinabalu Festival

This festival is celebrated in the Malueg town by cooking “sinabalu”, which is a

glutinous rice with coconut cream cooked on bamboos and roasted in open fire
in the town square. As in most festivals and celebrations, there are singing and
dancing presentations showcasing the culture of Malueg. The festival is held

yearly on April 25th and 26th .

-Pamplona Town Fiesta

The Pamplona Town Fiesta held annually in the last days of April (29-30) is full
of fun, color, and entertainment for everyone. The fiesta celebration is always a
grand one with all the trimmings of a real town fiesta. The celebration which
focuses on Pamplona’s cultural heritage is always well-attended especially
during sports activities, cultural presentations and challenger of makeshift wine
making and videoke bars (locally termed as canteens) singing. It is a great time
to gather around, celebrate, and renew relationships with friends and relatives.
 TOURIST SPOT IN CAGAYAN VALLEY
-Palaui Island

Nangaramoan has a powdery white sand located 20-30 mins away from the bus
terminal of Santa Ana, and is FREE of entrance fee, but they have available
cottages in the area allowing overnight swimming.

-Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

Beautiful church.A Pilgrimage Site for the Whole FamilyDevotees of Our Lady of
Piat, flock the place to pray and ask for divine intervention
-Anguib Beach

One of the best beach of the north perhaps the best beach of the north of the
Philippines,This place is secluded, pure powdery white sand with long stretch of
the beach.

-Basco Lighthouse

Beautiful scenery Provides 360° view of Basco Clean and has a little souvenir
shop The light house still lights up at night.
-Tuguegarao Cathedral

“Grand”

The church is huge and grand. Very high ceiling, well-maintained, clean and
spacious church.

-Iguig CalvaIguig Calvary Hills & Parish of St. James

the Greater

“Holy Week”

You will have a great view from calvary hills. People often go here during the
holy week.
-Governor's Rapids

Is famous for its gigantic limestone formations which serves as shelter for the
Dumagats and to the adventurers