LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 04 : FARO DE CABO ENGANO, Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

Faro de Cabo Engano, or Cape Engano, was built in 1892. This historic landmark stands in the extreme northeastern end of Luzon and situated on the highest point in Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Recently, Palaui Island was featured as a location for the reality show "Survivor" which earned the island's popularity among local and foreign tourists. Aside from the white sand beaches, the lighthouse is frequently visited because of the scenic view it can offer.

Cape Engano was part of the masterplan by the Spaniards to illuminate the whole Philippine archipelago (also part of the plan is the Cape Bojeador). But, just like most of the lighthouses built during the Spanish era, Cape Engano was unkept and left in ruins at the turn of the 20th century. Now, the octagonal stone tower and keeper's house are still standing but somehow the structures were dilapidated and cracked.

Hoping to preserve its historical and cultural significance, Cape Engano was declared as National Cultural Heritage site by the National Historical Commission.

To get there : Take the bus to Tuguegarao City from Manila (10 hours). From Tuguegarao, take a van going to Sta, Ana (2.5  hours). Take a tricycle to get you to San Vicente Port. Register at the Tourism Office, pay the banca ride (good for 5) for the entire day going to and from Palaui Island.

Nueva Viscaya's Heritage Sites

The country's gateway to Cagayan Valley region is Nueva Viscaya. The province may not be any traveller's choice for adventure and site-seeing but one would be surprised to realize that it is worth exploring the province - with it's breathtaking view of the Cordillera and Sierra Madre, plus a number of heritage sites to learn and discover.

Solano - the province's commercial center. Known to travellers as stopover for those who want to break up their journey to Isabela, Cagayan or the Mountain Province, the town indeed is one convenient stop. It has the nicest accomodation facility in the province, natural park resorts, popular fastfood restaurants, supermarkets, and the unique Ayuyang bar with its ethnic theme with nightly live acoustic Ilocano music.

Bayombong - the province's seat of government. One of the quietests and cleanest provincial capital I've ever visited. The capitol site has a large landscaped park with man-made lagoons, surrounded with pine trees and overlooking the picturesque Sierra Madre mountains. The town also houses the Cathedral of St. Dominic De Guzman, which is one the province's heritage sites.

Dupax Del Sur - this quiet town north of Nueva Viscaya was declared by the National Center for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as one of the country's National Cultural Treasure. The Cathedral of St. Vincent Ferrer, built by Dominican friars in 1776 features a baptistery and narthex pillars covered with finely carved stucco, is the town's main attraction. The oldest acacia tree in the Philippines can also be found here.

Tuguegarao - The Jewel of Cagayan Valley

Tuguegarao City is the capital of Cagayan Province, and is the center for business and learning in the entire Region 2, also popularly known as Cagayan Valley. It is also the gateway to major town and cities in the region and major tourism destinations such as the Callao Caves in Peñablanca town and the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat in the municipality of Piat (see older posts).

A Cebu Pacific promo-fare flight I booked for around Php200.00 one-way from Manila took me 45 minutes to get there. By bus, it would take a long 12-hour drive..

Accomodation in Tuguegarao City is never a problem. Although there's not much choice for deluxe hotels, I was happy to book a room in Hotel Candice because it is cheap. If you want a nice budget hotel for as low as Php600 (single) and Php800 (twin) in the middle of the city then this could be your choice.

While in the city, one should never miss visiting St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao and the biggest Spanish built church in the province. Also, what caught my attention was the city’s calesa. It’s design is unique and far different from the usual design we see in Intramuros or Binondo.

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.