Visita Iglesia in Isabela

Isabela was created from adjacent towns of Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya provinces. Because of this, the heritage churches of northern and southern towns of Isabela have the same architecture, such that the facades display a pattern, as you’ll see in this post.

Here is my list of visited churches in Isabela, as continuation of my Cagayan list:

1. Saint Paul the Apostle Parish 

 This church in San Pablo is the oldest in Isabela and has the tallest bell tower in Cagayan Valley. From the highway, you won’t miss this lofty structure. With closer look, it seems that it was abandoned, due to the fact that most church embellishments, statues and other ornaments were transferred to the new town of Cabagan as ordered by former Spanish missionary during 19^th century. But this didn’t stop the ruins from being saved from total damage. Instead, the half part of church interior was roofed and still used as a bastion of faith, catering the people of San Pablo.

2. Saint Paul the Apostle Parish 

This relatively new town of Cabagan has the same patron saint as of town of San Pablo. A modern brick church stands at one side of the Cabagan Park.

3. Saint Matthias Parish

This artistic brick church of Tumauini is a National Cultural Treasure due to its distinct design. The cake-like bell tower complements with the rounded brick façade. It stands proudly at the adjacent town plaza. Few walks from the highway will lead you to this amazing church.

4. Saint Ferdinand III of Castille Parish

The church of Ilagan City is located at Centro or the town center. This is the former cathedral of Diocese of Ilagan, until a new and bigger one was erected at the highway in Gamu. The interior was renovated but the bell tower was somehow built a long time ago.

5. Cathedral of Saint Michael

This new cathedral at Gamu has a pinkish façade with lots of stained glass windows. You won’t miss this structure on your way to Ilagan City. The wide interior has paintings of the foundation of the diocese and bits of history of Isabela.

6. Saint Rose of Lima Parish

Gamu’s heritage church stands opposite the town hall. The brick façade has similarity with churches below, as this town was formerly part of the province of Nueva Vizcaya.

7. Our Lady of the Pillar Parish

The church of Cauayan City looks like Gamu’s, with pot-like tops at its pediment.

8. Our Lady of Atocha Parish

Same goes with the previous two churches, Alicia’s church has the same pattern in its brick façade. This is the home of the miraculous Our Lady of Atocha.

9. Saint James the Apostle Parish

A relatively new structure, Santiago City’s name takes it from their patron saint, Saint James or Santiago in Spanish. It is located at the city road.

ISABELA Route (North to South):
San Pablo-Cabagan-Tumauini-Ilagan City-Gamu-Cauayan City-Alicia-Santiago City

ISABELA: Food trip and pasalubong

The reasons why I wanted to visit Isabela are to eat an authentic pancit from one of its towns and try some of Ibanag delicacies. Good thing I grabbed a pasalubong map from Choose Philippines page. Here are the three delectable food items I’ve tried:

1. Pancit Cabagan

Tuguegarao City’s Pancit Batil patung has its rival in the form of Pancit Cabagan from Isabela. It uses the same handmade miki noodles but differs greatly in terms of ingredients used. Based on my web search, Josie’s Panciteria serves the best pancit in town. You can see various tarpaulins of TV shows and magazine articles where it was featured.

The pancit was believed to be brought by a Chinese immigrant who started noodle-making industry in Cabagan during early 1900s. The ingredients for the pancit were incorporated by the locals, such as the Ilocano Igado, Lechon Carajay and hard-boiled quail eggs.

From Cabagan town center where I visited the Catholic church and town hall, I rode on a traysi and went to the panciteria at the highway. Since it was my first breakfast in Isabela, I ordered their specialty and my famished self can’t help waiting for my order. Time to attack!

The savoury and saucy broth complements with the thin miki noodles. The servings are great! It’s like eating my noddles and favorite viands in one! Pancit ulam kumbaga!

2. Binallay

While looking for a jeepney bound to Isabela’s provincial capitol, I saw this little hut selling Ibanag delicacies. The eponymous name of the café made me buy this banana-wrapped kakanin.

At first look, it was like a white kalamay. It was tasteless but the accompanying sugar syrup made it delectable. It’s like a plain palitaw or flat unsweetened smooth suman. I ate this when I got home as my breakfast.

3. Inatata

These cute little suman looks like a bullet magazine. Tied in bunches, these come in handy when travelling, so I bought one magazine.

Unwrapping a piece of inatata, I looked closely and it seemed that it was made from an indigenous rice variety. Most suman in Manila has the same color like white or res, but this one has varied color from brown to purple streaks. Its taste reminds me of biko with a hint of star anise of spice alike. I don’t know the spice exactly but I was able to finish the bunch in one sitting. Naimas! J

ISABELA: Queen Province of the Philippines

After spending the night at Tuguegarao City, I made a trip to the adjacent province, Isabela. At the riverside van terminal, I waited for an hour before we go.

My first stop is the old town of San Pablo. Formerly known as San Pablo de Cabagan or Cabagan Viejo (Old Cabagan), it was once an important town of evangelization in Northern Isabela, until the transfer to the new site. Famous landmarks of the town are the ruins of the tallest church in Cagayan valley, and the Casa Real. 

Based on stories, the town was abandoned forcefully as evidenced by broken stones in the churchyard. However, some townsfolk chose to live in the ruined town up to this day.

Cabagan Nuevo or simply Cabagan is just few kilometers from the old town. The progressive town is known for delectable pancit, and their spacious park is home to one of the largest carousels in the Philippines.

Next town is Tumauini with a busy marketplace along the highway. The hidden gem is tucked in plaza, a few walk from the highway. There, you can see the white lofty belltower that looks like a cake. Indeed, it complements with the most artistic brick church ever made.

Down south is the capital city of Isabela, Ilagan City. At Bonifacio Park where the road going to Centro (city center) forks, visitors and passers-by will be greeted by the world’s largest butaka or Ibanag armchair. Riding a jeepney to this park will bring you to Centro, where the former cathedral of the Diocese of Ilagan and the city hall are located.

Since Ilagan city is the provincial capital of Isabela, my trip won’t be complete without visiting the capitol. As I alighted at the highway, I noticed a lady statue standing high above the sculpture of mythical creatures and people. Taking a closer look, I found out that she was the representation of Queen Isabela of Spain, the namesake of the province. At the tiles surrounding the statues, there etched the history of the province, and the stories of Ibanag, Gaddang and other indigenous tribes pertaining to mythical creatures and local legends. I was amazed by the capitol complex, the largest I’ve visited so far. There, you can see a lake and a huge amphitheater facing the capitol building.

The town of Gamu was out of the way, meaning I had to take a jeepney at a mall In Ilagan, then taking a jeepney bound to Roxas. There, our jeepney crossed the Cagayan river and I walked my way to the heritage church. The town hall is just across the Gamu church.

Hopping again on a van at highway led me to Cauayan City named after bamboo. From the highway, I walked toward the city center where the city hall and the heritage church are located.

There are times where vans are not available, so I resorted into riding an ordinary bus jampacked! That is, I sat on the floor beside the bus driver, just to get to my destination.

Alicia or Angadanan Viejo is where you can visit the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of Atocha, known to bring miracles. The town hall is at a nearby public market, a few walks from the highway junction.

My last stop is the independent Santiago City. At Mabini circle, I rode on a traysi going to the city hall. The entrance was guarded but I managed to take some pics outside the perimeter. Then I rode again on a tricycle going to the city church, I heard a mass and finally took a dinner at Robinsons Place Santiago.

What I didn’t mind was the bus going back to Manila! Though I managed to ride a tricyle going to Victory Liner Terminal in Santiago City, I forgot to buy a ticket in advance. I didn’t lose hope and as a chance passenger, I waited for two hours in line to have a seat. I got a seat but at the aisle sitting on a kiddie chair. 

Imagine the feeling of sitting between the sleeping passengers on their seats. I felt envious and this was the consequence for not booking in advance. I let it pass thru sleeping. What was important was that I came back to Manila the next morning safe and sound. What an unforgettable solo trip experience! J

More details of my Isabela trip here:

Visita Iglesia in Isabela

ISABELA: Food trip and pasalubong