That captivating gateway to Cagayan Valley called Nueva Vizcaya

I was already an adult when I travelled to Cagayan Valley Region for the first time. I have always been curious what it looks like on the other side of Northern Philippines, since my trips to the North are limited to Ilocos Region and Baguio City. It’s definitely hotter (literally) on the other side. The beauty of Cagayan Valley especially that of the province of Nueva Vizcaya, is also not easy to be seen as you would have to traverse the long, winding, but picturesque Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya Road. There is no other road after all. But the trip is not complete without having experienced the twist and turn, twist and turn, twist and turn…

Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya Road

I was able to travel to Nueva Vizcaya twice. First one was two years ago, when we went to Isabela province with my in-laws during Holy Week. The second time was last year, when we filed a complaint before the Office of the Prosecutor in Bayombong. During the first trip, I basked in the natural beauty of this mountainous province; and on the second trip, I got to explore more and see the more urban side of Nueva Vizcaya.

When we were en route to Isabela, we decided to have a stop-over at Santa Fe. There are clusters of small restaurants on Santa Fe and after eating, you would not be in a hurry to go back to your vehicle. Santa Fe has this charming small town feels. You would feel the urge to buy a broom, strawberry jam, and other native products during your stop-over. You would want to inhale the fresh mountain air. With every turn, you would see the mountain ranges peeking.

Santa Fe

Another tourist spot located at Santa Fe is the Dalton Pass. It’s located near the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. Dalton Pass used to be called Balete Pass. It’s actually a shrine commemorating the battle of Balete Pass during the Japanese regime. From the entrance, you would walk uphill. At the top of the Dalton Pass, you would get a great view of the Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya Road and the Caraballo mountain ranges.

Entrance to Dalton Pass

At the top of Dalton Pass

Nueva Vizcaya also has its own distinctive buko pie. While Laguna boasts of its Original Buko Pie piled with layers of coconut meat, Nueva Vizcaya has G&B buko pie. It’s smaller and thinner than the other buko pies in Southern Luzon, but creamier. You can practically taste the condensed milk beneath the firm coconut meat. One box costs less than a hundred pesos.

G&B buko pie

Another distinctive Cagayan meal is the Pancit Cabagan. The word “Cabagan” is actually a town in Isabela, but you can order this pancit also in Nueva Vizcaya, being the neighbouring province. I got to taste this pancit during my second trip to Nueva Vizcaya; this time the trip is work-related as we particularly went to the province to file a complaint at the Office of the Prosecutor in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Pancit Cabagan

During my second trip, we stayed at the hotel of our client in Solano. The municipality of Solano is the more urban side of Nueva Vizcaya. There are fast food chains, hotels, supermarkets, banks, and other commercial establishments in Solano than in Bayombong, which is the capital of Nueva Vizcaya. Since we stayed in Solano after we filed a complaint in Bayombong, I decided to take a walking tour along the poblacion. From our hotel, there are numerous fast food chains and restaurants. Not far though is the town’s church, and a park, which to my surprise is actually a small Rizal Park.

small Rizal Park

The hotel has a rooftop which offers a perfect view of the mountain ranges and the town proper. I went to the rooftop on the next morning, with our clients. It’s very windy that day and I would not forget the sight and sweet combination (and contrast) of the mountains and commercial establishments. It’s as if despite the industrialization of the place, the mountains kept reminding that it’s there to give protection and solitude.

Solano town proper

Enchanted by the mountainous province of Nueva Vizcaya

Another thing that made the Isabela trip a wondrous experience for me is when we passed by the captivating province of Nueva Vizcaya, considered as the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region.

Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya Road..

You would know that you are in the Nueva Vizcaya province when you pass by roads as scenic as the one above, the Caraballo Mountains found on San Jose, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya province

BOUND TO ISABELA

On our way to Isabela, we had a stop over and coffee break at the charming town of Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. The aching joints and knees from the long road trip would be immediately forgotten once you step out of the vehicle and see this..

Cool and refreshing..

This is the restaurant where we stopped by to have coffee and snacks. The name is Kuya Lar’s. It’s a popular stop over for travelers. It’s a nice, cool place where you can park your vehicle, eat, drink coffee, and stretch your legs, with the wind softly tickling your skin.. There are souvenir shops selling local delicacies, brooms, and other native products.

GOING BACK TO MANILA

On our way back to Manila, we had a stop-over again at Nueva Vizcaya, this time at Dalton Pass (also known as Balete Pass), which is near the Nueva Vizcaya-Nueva Ecija boundary… There’s entrance fee amounting to ten pesos each. At the foot of the Dalton Pass is the iconic tower of Region 2.

Iconic tower of Region 2

It’s a not-so-steep climb, and the view at the top is absolutely worth it.

Wacky shot on our way up.

Dalton Pass is actually the terrain where Japanese forces, American and Filipino soldiers clashed during World War II. There is a marker at the highest point of Dalton Pass commemorating the death of General Dalton during the war. Dalton Pass is a shrine to those who sacrificed and perished during the war.

Our photographer, my hubby

I’m sure many travelers who have passed by Nueva Vizcaya on their way to Ifugao, Isabela or Cagayan province would agree that passing by the Caraballo mountains of Nueva Vizcaya is an exhilarating experience. On my next blog, I will feature the famous local delicacy Nueva Vizcaya is known for.. their version of buko pie. 🙂

at the highest point… dramatic view