Region 2 (Cagayan Valley)

The Cagayan Valley region is hailed as the “Tilapia Capital of the Philippines” and is
the largest region in the country with regards to the land area. It is located in the northeastern
portion of Luzon Island. Cagayan Valley is a structural depression between the Central
Cordillera in the west, the Sierra Madre Mountains in the east, and to the south, the Caraballo
Mountain. It consists of five provinces occupying the northern-most portion of Luzon- Batanes,
Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, and Quirino. The Cagayan River, the longest and the biggest
in the Philippines and flowing northward, has its source at the Caraballo Mountain. The northern
portion of the Sierra Madre, which borders the eastern margin of the valley, is extremely rugged
and descends abruptly into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Northernmost island-province
of the region is Batanes, which is made up to two major island groups – the Babuyan Island and
Batan Island. The Babuyan Island channel separates Babuyan Island from Cagayan and
Balintang Channel seperates Batanes Island from Babuyan. Y’ami, the northern island of the
country is barely 50 miles away from Taiwan, which separates it from the Bashi Channel
Cagayan has twenty-nine (29) municipalities and is divided into three congressional districts. As
of 2016, it has 89 municipalities and 2, 311 barangay. It has four cities-Cauayan, Tugegarao,
Ilagan, and Santiago.

Province of Batanes
Batanes is a province in the Philippines situated in
the Cagayan Valley Region. It is know as the “Home of the
Winds” and has amazing coastlines. Batanes is the
northernmost and the smallest province in the country, both in
land and population. It is the home of Ivatan who are admired
and considered as the “True Insolares”. Ivatan were the first
settlers in the province. They came from Formosa which is
known in Taiwan today. The purity of their culture and
traditions was kept through the years. The strong winds
blowing the coastlines and the historic marks that can be found in the province are the reasons
why they are is visited by many tourists today. The province is bounded by the Bashi Channel
on the south, the Philippine Sea/ Pacific Ocean on the east and the South China Sea on the
West. Batanes is the region’s “Marine Fishery and Eco-Tourism Core” because of their large-
scale commercial production of fish and fishery products on top of its pristine beauty and unique
cultural heritage.

Ivatan is the main language that is spoken in Batanes. It is a dominant languange in the
province and is considered to be one of the Austronesian languages.
Examples:
(Saan ka pupunta?) (Where are you going?) – (Ngayan mo?)
(Masarap!) (Delicious!) – (Masdep!)
Government
Governor Marilou H. Cayco

Batanes Attractions
Batanes is picturesque in every spot,
one great example of a tourist spot in the
province is Mount Iraya. This active volcano
offers an adventure to hikers. Mt. Iraya is one
of the Philippines’ 22 active volcanoes and its
last eruption took place in 1454.

Basco Lighthouse is a lighthouse in the town

of Basco, Batanes. Standing 66 feet on top of
Naidi Hill constructed in 2002. It was built to
guide seafarers back to the shore.

Batanes Festivals
Fiestas have a huge influence in every Filipino culture. To reminisce the past, districts,
barangays, cities and provinces in the Philippines celebrate fiestas. It is to keep the Filipino
spirits alive and to honor different gods. When it comes to Festivals, Batanes never fail to
celebrate their Fiestas to thank different gods from their abundant harvests. First, Kulay
Festival. It means anything dried. This festival highlights the simple yet colorful food heritage of
Ivatans. It happens every second week of April. Next is Bayanihan or Payuhan Festival.
Payuhan means cooperation which is evident in this 5 day event every June. Communities and
schools conduct the Ivatan Olympics to pay tribute to their native games.
  Kulay Festival Payuhan Festival
Batanes Delicacies
When it comes to Gastronomy, Batanes’ is famous for
their Payi or lobster. They got their name from being able to
pry open a coconut shell. It is sometimes prepared together
with a whole spread of grilled items.

Next is Lunis, Ivatan version of

Adobo. It is a dish where the meat is cooked with its own fat. Salt is
then added for flavor. The adding of salt and cooking the meat with
its own fat is an preservation technique. Nowadays, we have chillers
and refrigerator to do the work but then, Ivatan do that technique
and preserve foods for the next months.
Last, Dibang. It is a native fish that is dried and salted and is
commonly served for breakfast. It is chewy despite of being
dried.

Transportation
The fastest way to reach Batanes is by air. However, the options are limited. Philippine
and Skyjet Air fly to Basco, the capital town of the province. Travel time is 70-110 minutes,
depending on your choice of airline. But if you want take the bus, you can. You can take the bus
from GV Florida Manila to Roxas, Isabela. Next, take the taxi from Roxas, Isabela to Tugegarao
Airport. After taking the taxi, take the plane from Tugegarao Airport to Basco Batanes Airport.
Lastly, take the local boat from Ivana Port to Sabtang Island.

Trivia
Batanes crime rate is the lowest in the Philippines. The province is a very safe place to
visit. Bikes and motorcycles are parked without chain of locks.
Province of Cagayan
Cagayan came from “Catagayan” which means
a place where the tagay grows abundantly was
shortened to Cagayan. Cagayan, also known as “Land
of Smiling Beauty” has traditionally been a tourist stop
for old spanish churches. Tugegarao City is the capital
of Cagayan. It is the center of excellence in Education,
Commerce, Trade and Culture as the Ecnomic Center of
Region 2. The main farm products are rice, rootcrops,
vegetables, poultry and hogs. There are some fishponds
within city limits and Cagayan River provides some of
the fisj supplies of the residents.

Ibanag, Itawes and Ilocano (in varied shades and intonation) and Malaueg are the major
dialects of Cagayan. Due to migration, Ilocano became the dominant language spoken in the
province.
Examples:
(Magandang Araw) (Good Day) – (Naimbag nga aldaw)
(Paalam) (Goodbye) – (Pakada)
(Mahal kita) (I love you) – (Ayayaten ka)
Government
Manuel M. Mamba, MD
Melvin K. Vargas Jr.

Cagayan Festivals
Aggao Nac Cagayan is an week-long annual event and happens every June 23-
30. It is to showcase social and cultural progress and imbue a sense of pride among
Cagayanos on their rich and colorful tradition in the past. Next, Penablanca Patronal
Town Fiesta showcases cultural presentations, dances, trade fair, and games
competition. Happens every March 18-19.
 Aggao Nac Cagayan. Penablanca Patronal Town Fiesta

Cagayan Delicacies
Pawa, a local delicacy of Pilat, Cagayan. It has a
sweet and peanut crunchy filling inside rice-based
gelatinous covering

Next is Tinubong, it’s a sticky rice made in bamboo. The

ingredients for preparation include glutinous rice, sugar, some
salt and the indespensable katang gata (first coconut milk)

Transportation
There are five ways to get from Manila to Cagayan by train and these are train, plane, taxi,
bus or car. If you’ll ride by train, it will take 3 hours and 14 minutes with a travel fair of P 2, 031
to P 9, 183. If you’ll take the plane from Manila, you’ll fly to Cauayan and it’s 3 hours and 14
minutes also with a travel expence of P 1,431 to P 8, 053. The cheapest way to get there is by
riding a bus with a travel fair of P 500 to P 800.

Trivia
Cagayan is the second largest producer of rice in the country, second to Central Luzon.
Province of Quirino
Quirino Province lies in the southeastern portion of Cagayan Valley Region within the upper
Cagayan River Basin. Aurora bounds it on the east and southeast, Isabela on the north, and
Nueva Vizcaya on the west and southwest. Long time ago, Quirino was the forest region of the
of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya. It has 6 municipalities namely Aglipay, Cabarrouguis, Diffun,
Maddela, Nagtipunan, and Saglupay.

Quirino’s major dialect is Ilocano. Other people use Ifugao, Tagalog, Ilongot,
Pangasinense, Kankanai and other dialects that are common in the region of the country.
Examples:
(Mahal) (Love) – (Ayat)
(Salamat) (Thank you) – (Agyamanak)

Government
Junie E. Cua

Quirino Attraction
Governor Rapids is famous for its gigantic
perpindular walls of limestones extended out from one
side of the Cagayan River framing the Sierra Madre
Mountains. It’s deep blue waters is perfect for kayaking,
white river rafting swimming and fishing.