The Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines recently hosted a Webinar that would encourage its members and friends to get back to traveling once again, albeit domestically, and free themselves from the bondage of the various quarantine restrictions we have experienced these past months.
Invited to speak at the well-attended forum were officers of the Department of Tourism, Fanibeth Domingo, who is Director for Region 2, also known as Cagayan Valley, and Marites Castro, Director for Region IV-A, also known as CALABARZON. They each shared with the audience the interesting tourist attractions in their respective regions.
Cagayan Valley is in the northeastern corner of Luzon and includes the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizacaya, Cagayan, Isabela, and Batanes. Quirino banners its tagline “Your Basket of Happiness” to promote its many natural wonders — tall, lush mountains traversed by many fresh and clear rivers, some of which lead to beautiful multi-tiered waterfalls. Tourists can even go cliff-diving or do the river rapids, for additional excitement.
Nueva Vizcaya wants tourists to “Feel The Vibe” with its historical World War II monuments and its 18th century Dupax del Sur Church, declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. And, to get a breathtaking view of the province’s natural wonders, one can go paragliding with a professional licensed pilot and enjoy the front-seat majestic panorama of the verdant valleys below.
Cagayan offers heritage tours of its historical landmarks but the province is the game fishing mecca for Pacific Sail Fish, that one with a large dorsal fin that looks like a sail. When hooked, this fish does acrobatics in the air and really gives the one who tackles it a long and strenuous fight, which is why it attracts the adventurous hardcore game fishers.
There is also the Caranguian Integrated Farm School, accredited by the Department of Agriculture, the entrance of which is a beautiful Bamboo Lane with bamboo trees forming a poetic canopy over the pathway.
Isabela is proud of its 5000-hectare bonsai forest, with plants ranging from one foot to seven feet in height. It also has a popular Sanctuary for the Philippine Crocodile, a critically endangered species which, to this day, is financially supported by Michel Lacoste, president of the famous global clothing company which carries his name.
And there is Batanes which, I know, is on everybody’s bucket list. A late bloomer, this province officially opened itself to tourists only during Sen. Richard Gordon’s “WOW Philippines” when he was Tourism Secretary. This province of 17,000 residents entertained a total of 49,000 tourists before the pandemic set in.
Of course, aside from Batanes’ breathtaking vistas, we all have heard of and seen that iconic Stone House owned by the Dakay Family, and the Honesty Coffee Shop that was put up near the waterfront by a teacher, to serve travelers going to and coming from Sabtang Island. It started serving only water, coffee, and cookies, but now, it has evolved into a much bigger coffee and souvenir shop, still unmanned, still with honesty as its policy.
CALABARZON is an acronym of the letters in the names of the provinces that comprise it –Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
Cavite is not only known for its historical sites, having been the birthplace of Filipino heroes Gen. Pantaleon Garcia and former President Emilio Aguinaldo, it also boasts a wide variety of scenic attractions.
Tagaytay, with its cool year-round weather and the idyllic view of Taal Volcano and Lake, is the province’s number one crowd-drawer.
The Buhay Laguna Tourism Circuit promotes San Pablo City, the largest in the province, with its picturesque seven lakes, and widely diverse flora and fauna. It also pushes for Nagcarlan with its famous Underground Cemetery, the only one in the country, and Liliw, located at the foot of Mount Banahaw, for its cold water spring resorts, homemade sweets, and its baroque church.
Batangas has its Drive and Dive Tourism Circuit that banners Anilao, famous for its amazing marine biodiversity, making it a favorite destination of diving enthusiasts from all over the world. It is at the crossroads of at least thirty popular dive spots.
The multi-faceted province of Rizal has its FFAAN Experience Tourism Circuit, which stands for Food, Faith, Art, Adventure, and Nature experience. Among the visitors’ favorites are the “Bibingka” and “Kalamay” of Cainta, and the art masterpieces of Botong Francisco and the Blanco Family in Angono.
Almost every kind of traveler, be he a nature lover, an adventure junkie, or a history buff will enjoy what these towns offer. I know that the Pinlac Falls in Infanta is a sight to behold. These and many more interesting spots await those of us who are now itching to travel and enjoy the beautiful sights our country offers…an affirmation that, in spite of this pandemic, it’s still More Fun in the Philippines.
Quezon Province is proud of its REINA Tourism Circuit, which banners the attractions one can see in the towns of Real, Infanta, and General Nakar.
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