The Province of Quirino is named after the sixth President of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino and was once part of Nueva Vizcaya inhabited by a tribal group known as the Negritos until separated in 1966. This landlocked province in Cagayan Valley is often been disregarded as destination maybe because some tourist rather goes to its neighbor province Aurora, which we all know famous for its white sand beaches. But if you are in search for under the radar destination, thru the province’s countless pristine natural wonders, Quirino is surely a place to go.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air Philippine Airline flies daily to Tuguegarao City Airport: Duration: 1 1/2 hour, then board a 3 – 4 hrs van ride to Cabarroguis, the capital of Quirino Province.
Cebu Pacific also flies daily to Tuguegarao City Airport and four times a week to Cauayan City Airport, Isabela, duration: 1 hour then take 1 – 2hrs van ride to Cabarroguis.
By Land Several buses go directly to Quirino, scheduled daily and usually leaves at night.
Five Star – 911-7359 ,(Globe) 0927-712-4349, (Sun) 0943-7065083 (24/7) Destination Schedule Fare Duration Cubao Terminal to Cabarroguis 8pm & 10pm 611.00 8 ½ hrs Cubao Terminal to Maddela 8pm & 10pm 672.00 9hrs Cubao Terminal to Diffun 8pm & 10pm 596.00 8hrs
GV Florida – (02) 743-3809 & (02) 781-5894 Sampaloc Terminal to Maddela 9:20PM 500.00+/- 9hrs
For faster transaction and advance booking visit Pinoy Travel.
WHERE TO GO! WHAT TO DO!
Securing tour guide is not required but for me it is recommended not only because it would help them financially but also the tourist spots are far from each other, most are remote and not easy to locate and some of the locals can’t fully speak Tagalog, indeed it is always best to have someone to do the talking and dealing, remember the proverb “local knows”. I always have kuya Tony as our guide every time I visit Quirino. We normally meet him at Provincial Capitol in Cabarroguis and he has with him the Tourism Logbook where everyone is required to sign and then he will bring it back to the tourism office on our second day. (Tour guide service is Php 600.00 per day. Tony Misagal : Tour Guide / 0935 177 1988 / Facebook)
I have visited Quirino four times since 2016, and to date, this is one of my favorite place to visit. Peaceful, not overcrowded and obviously unspoiled. This province’s exciting and rough topography and natural marvels would surely lure any outdoor-loving person like me to come and keep coming back.
CABARROGUIS Quirino is composed of 6 municipalities, Aglipay, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, Saguday and The capital, Cabarroguis.
Provincial Capitol & Quirino Letter Statue It’s prominent dome design is undeniably Instagram perfect. Entrance is free.
Quirino Provincial Capitol : Facebook / E-mail / Website Quirino Tourism Office : 0917 152 7999
Quirino Province Museum & Library Get to know deeper the richness and diversity of history and culture of all tribes in the province of Quirino. Various valuable historical artifacts are displayed, kept and maintained in this museum. Located at Provincial Capitol, Free entrance.
Quirino Watersports Complex This newly opened 250.75 square meters watersports complex is considered one of the new watersports mecca in the north. Furnished with wakeboarding facility, pavilion, restaurant, infinity swimming pools, bathrooms, and other amenities makes it Instagram-worthy and is also perfect for special events, photo shoots, and video productions. The wakeboarding session is only Php 200.00 inclusive of life-vest, safety pads, helmet, and instructor. (Close on weekends, contact tourism office for reservation.)
DIFFUN This second class municipality was tagged as one of the commercial hubs of the province due to its proximity in Santiago City. Also, Diffun is the threshold municipality upon entering the province.
Ganano Falls This mystic waterfalls is located at Baguio Village, Diffun, Quirino. The 80-meter-high waterfalls are also known as Nantugao falls which in English means Sit, named after a chair-liked stone formation surrounding it. Getting to Ganano falls takes an hour trek with a river crossing, open terrain and shaded forest trail, thus wearing appropriate clothes is highly advisable.
Jump off is passable (van, jeep, tricycle) Tour Guide Fee – Php250.00 (1:7 ratio) – Required Environmental Fee – Php 15.00 each – Required
MADDELA Situated in the midst of Isabela and Aurora, this first class municipality is considered as one of province’s commercial hub and is now gaining popularity due to the beauty it can offer.
Governor’s Rapids This river located at Divisoria Sur is one of the most famous tourist spots in the province. Named after a Japanese Governor who was drowned on it during second world war. Featured in various tv shows for its vast limestone formations that served as a shelter for Dumagats and adventurers. A tributary of the mighty Rio Grande de Cagayan or Cagayan River, the longest river system in the Country. It was awarded as one of the cleanest inland bodies of water in the region. Best for boating, sightseeing, spelunking, cliff diving, swimming, river rafting, water tubing and picnic.
Bisangal Cave This unique cave is located at one of the limestone walls of Governors Rapid. Spelunkers need to crawl for about 50 meters of its narrow wall, thus wearing helmets are required. After around 20 minutes of spelunking, a clear cold waterfall will surprise you at the end of the cave.
For only Php 160.00 environmental fee per person, you’ll get a boat tour around the river and get to explore Bisangal Cave. The fee is inclusive of Life-vest, tour guide, and helmet. If you opt to stay overnight, there’s a lot of lodging houses nearby and at Governor’s Rapid. To inquire and for early reservation, contact the Tourism office.
NAGTIPUNAN The largest and the farthest municipality that occupies nearly half of the province’s land area and was once part of Maddela until separated on 1983. Nagtipunan means “convergence point,”. It is where major tributaries of the Cagayan River in Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino meets. Its breathtaking natural environment makes Nagtipunan as the Tourism Capital of the Province.
Siitan Nature Park Located at Barangay Pongo, Nagtipunan, and also a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande de Cagayan or Cagayan River. Famous for its vast limestone formations. There are a lot of things you can do inside the park such as boating, sightseeing, spelunking, cliff diving, swimming, river rafting, water tubing and picnic. For only Php 275.00 per head, you’ll get to experience all activities in Siitan Nature Park. (walk-in tourist are welcome)
-Siitan River Cruise & Water Tubing We ride an inflated tire tube and slowly moving across the silent waters of the Siitan River. The soaring limestone cliffs left and right feels like surreal. Then the current started to get stronger, propelled us faster makes everyone more terrified, which later becomes everyone’s favorite. Water Tubing lasts almost 10mins (we actually find it too fast, maybe because we enjoyed it a lot). After water tubing we ride a boat that sends us at the Cliff diving area, there we stay to swim.
-The Bimapor Rock Formation A estimated 18-20ft high rock platform similar to a sunken ship that nestled near at the edge of Siitan river serves as a natural monument in the heart of Siitan Nature park.
Landingan View Point These overlooking hills offer the splendid panoramic view of the soaring hills of Nagtipunan and the Cagayan River that separates the valley. It is open to the public, registration is free, no person operating the place, and there is no single establishment in sight.
Diamond Cave Located at Sitio Gibien, barangay Landingan, Nagtipunan, 1hr away from Siitan nature park and as you travel going to jump off you’ll get to see scenic roads, rolling hills, and golden rice fields. Spelunking requires a local guide with a rate of Php 150.00 (1:5 ratio ) and a registration of Php 50.00 per head. Like most of the caving experience, bringing a headlamp/flashlight is a must, though they have available for rental for only Php 50.00, some of their for rental flashlights have weak lights giving a dark output of pictures, so it is advisable to bring yours.
WHERE TO EAT! WHERE TO STAY!
Every road trip couldn’t be more perfect without tasting the province’s best food and delicacies. Here’s below the list of restaurants to add on your list.
MJ Snack and Pancit Cabagan Restaurant This famous carinderia, featured in a famous travel show “Byahe ni Drew” is located at Purok 3, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan. Distinct to most panciterias serving pancit cabagan that normally import their miki or noodles from Isabela and nearby markets, the ones at MJ’s are made by the owner himself, Jerovie Macapia. Pancit cabagan price range is around Php 50.00 – 100.00 per serving, but if the chef in you crawls and want to cook your own version of pancit cabagan, you can buy and take home fresh miki noodles for only Php 70.00 only
Address : Purok 3, Barangay Ponggo, Nagtipunan Contact details : Jerovie Macapia / 0949-342-2150
RNB Bukohan and Eatery
Royal Tubikoy is actually an accidental recipe. It is a mixture of tupig, bibingka and tikoy. This native delicacy is made of glutinous rice, coconut pulp, milk, sugar, cheese and shortening. Price is Php 65.00 per box.
Address : 3401 Aurora West Diffun, Quirino Province
Contact details : 0916 216 9678 / Facebook
Buddies Place This Restaurant offers affordable Silog Menus and refreshing milk teas. Opens 9am – 7:30pm daily. (Don’t forget to try their Bagnet, that’s one of their best sellers)
Address : Total Gas Station, National Highway, Poblacion Sur, Maddela, Quirino Contact details : 0917 531 9461 / Facebook
Other products that you can take home for souvenirs are the fossilized flowers made of dried, bleached and dyed alibangbang leaves. Fossilized flower making industry is an initiative of the provincial government to create livelihood and to have a product that would represent the province. To date, this industry is one of the biggest source of livelihood in Quirino, Cabarroguis in particularly, where fossilized flowers have been identified as its One Town One Product (OTOP). There is a large showroom and factory in Quirino Pasalubong Center (right next to the Capitol Plaza Hotel) where you can buy.
Villa Caridad Resort And Restaurant
-Two Twin bed per room is Php 1,200. -Sister Company of Buddies Place. -Check-in time and out is 12nn to 12nn (early check-in charge is Php 100.00 and late check out charge is Php 100.00) -Leaving your belonging at the lobby is not allowed -You can pre-order your breakfast at Buddies place or at Hotel lobby at night and it will be delivered the following morning.
Address : 3404 , Villa Sur, Maddela, Quirino Cotact details : Ernest / 09755522235 / 09175319379 Facebook
The Wander Woman 