Cagayan : Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

One of the frequently visited site in the province of Cagayan is the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat. This has become a major pilgrimage site of Cagayan Valley where different people from all walks of life pray to be healed or simply to offer gratitude to the Lord. It was a Sunday when we visited the church and it was full packed - though the mass was held every hour.

Outside the church is a street cum flea market where you can find rows of stalls and vendors selling religious images and Cagayan's famous native kakanin called pawa, a local delicacy made from ground sticky rice with sweetened ground peanut filling inside. A pack of this yummy treat costs P25 and make sure you buy it warm to ensure the same heavenly experience I had munching on them.

Piat is 41 kilometers away from Tuguegarao City. To get there, a number of regular vans going to Piat is available at the downtown terminal and costs P60 to get to Piat town proper. Take the same ride to go back to Tuguegarao City.