Rizal is a 5th class municipality in the province of Cagayan located north-west of Tuguegarao City. It was originally called as “Malaueg” in the spanish era wherein the word “ueg” means water and “malo” means bad. Finally the words are then combined and called as “MALO-UEG” meaning bad brook. The name became permanently until 1903 when the town was renamed in the honor of the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
The town was known for its Sinabalu in which they celebrate it as a festival during their town fiesta every April 26 to 29. It highlights the Malaueg ancestry and cooking of glutinous rice on bamboos; showcasing the culture in songs and dances.
Beyond this mountainous town was a simple and quiet place trying to rise up from all the tribulation it has encountered through the years. Back then the roads are rough and it was really hard for you to visit this place. But now, you don’t have to worry because all the roads going to the different barangays are now fixed and concrete.
From Tuguegarao, it will take you 2 hours before entering the first barangay of Rizal which is the Gaddangao. This is your basis if you are already inside the municipality. You can ride a jeepney or van with a fare of 50 pesos for students/senior citizens and 100 pesos for the regular.
Rizal will welcome you with their Matalag River and Mauanan Bridge where they used a ferry boat made out of bamboos and drum to cross the Matalag River when the bridge didn’t existed before. If you are going to visit this place with your own service then you can stop over the bridge, take some pictures and appreciate the natural beauty around you.
Not that far from the Mauanan Bridge is the Biuag and Malana Eco-Park. This park officially opened last December 04, 2017 together with it’s new attractions which are the Zip-Bike and Cable Car in addition to their hanging bridge. When I interviewed one of the LGU present in the park, she said that the hanging bridge has long been there before but, it was destroyed during the Bagyong Lawin together with the downfall of their Biuag and Malana Statue which are a legendary figures of Rizal. Unfortunately, they are unable to restore these statues because it cost millions.
If you are afraid of heights then the activities present here in the Eco-park are the best for you when you are trying to conquer them. I, myself was afraid of heights but I gathered all the strength and courage that I have just to cross the hanging bridge back and fort. I guess the technique here is to look straight and just distract yourself in admiring the place. Never look down! Or else, your knees will definitely tremble just like how the bridge keeps on swaying and moving while other tourists are also trying to cross. You can experience this 120 meter long bridge for only 20 pesos.
The next thing we tried is the Cable Car. This is where we just sit, relax, take some pictures and travel from the 2 opposite mountains where the statue of Biuag and Malana was once situated. Before going inside the cable car, you can ask one of the operators to take some pictures for you. They are very much willing to do so. The car will move in a slow pace that will give you a chance to have a bird’s eye view of the eco-park. This will cost you 100 pesos for each person riding back and fort with this cable car.
Even before we tried the cable car, we’ve witnessed a couple who tried The Zip-Bike. Zip-bike is where you are going to ride a bike to cross a cable which is as long as the hanging bridge. Don’t be afraid because you will wear a harness and helmet to ensure your safety. There will also be someone who will assist and advice you before you cross the cable and when you reach the other side. For only 100 pesos, you can already have fun with this activity. Unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to try this because when we came back, it was already time for the Eco-park to close. So I just asked them if I could rode one of the bikes and just take some pictures. Fortunately they allowed me to do so.
You can also take a dip at the Matalag River since there are a number of cottages present there where you can have a picnic for 350 pesos until the Eco-park closes. This will be a great bonding for you, your family and friends. The only thing the management will ask is for you to observe cleanliness. This is an Eco-Park after all so let us all be responsible and be Eco-Friendly. A view deck also awaits after you take more than 300 steps to admire more the natural beauty of Rizal.
I have been informed that the fee you payed for all the recreation in the park will be handed at the Local Government Unit and they will use this income to improve Rizal especially as a tourist destination. They have also informed me that a Zip-Line will soon open in the park and they are just waiting for the harness to arrived. However, they are not certain if it will open this year or not. I guess we just have to wait and see. Also, 25% of the fee from the Zip-Bike and Cable Car is given to the operators so what you’ve payed for also helped the community. The park is open everyday even during holidays from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm
Located at Barangay Centro, our last stop was the Malaueg Church which celebrated its 400 year anniversary last November 21, 2017.
This church has St. Reymund de Penaflor as its patron saint and was destroyed and rebuilt four times.
Beside it was the Saint Francis Academy which was the former convent of the church where you will see the ruins at the back. It is said that the school is manage by the archdiocese and the church is under the archdiocese of Tuguegarao. The academy is at its 68 founding anniversary this year.
As I tour around the town of Rizal, I have learned that there are also a lot of falls and caves here that are waiting to be developed to become a destination. I have also noticed that this municipality was simple and quiet. People are happy and contented in living a simple life. I want to quote what a friend once told me about his home town Rizal, Cagayan, “Simple and peaceful yet full of majestic tourist destinations”. Yes indeed. In just a matter of time, I believe that Rizal will Aim and Soar High!
Umang Tida Ki Baryo Ya Rizal! Mabuhay Malaueg! Mabuhay Cagayanos! Mabuhay Andventourista!
Wandering AdvenTourista 