Experiencing Why Cagayan is called "The Smiling Land of Beauty"

Traveling together once in a while is a bonding moment of our family. Being the jet-setter, I suggested that we explore our home province for a change. This experience is one for the record because it was their first time to visit other parts of Cagayan. Below are the different places we visited that proves why Cagayan is called "The Smiling Land of Beauty". 

MAGAPIT HANGING BRIDGE

Magapit Hanging Bridge is located in Lallo, Cagayan which is 72 kms from Tuguegarao City. It is the first of its kind in Asia and serves as the gateway to the Ilocos Region through the Cagayan-Ilocos Norte inter-provincial highway. Lallo town is also home to the St. Dominic Spanish Colonial Church, the former seat of "Ciudad Nueva Segovia". Ciudad Nueva Segovia is featured in the annals of Philippine History as one of the four oldest cities in the country. 

BASILICA MINORE OF OUR LADY OF PIAT

It is also called as "The Lady of the Visitation" and is located 35 kms from Tuguegarao City. It was originally called the Lady of the Holy Rosary, perhaps because the devotees of the Rosary, the Dominican Friars, supposedly brought it from Macao to the Philippines in 1604. This more than four-centuries old image was first enshrined in Nueva Segovia now called Lallo. The image is famous in the country and abroad as the Black Mary making Piat the Pilgrimage Center in the Cagayan Valley Region. 

CALLAO CAVES

The seven-chambered Callao Cave boasts of massive limestone formations, skylights and a chapel. Its cave entrance is accessible by climbing the 184-cemented steps. This famous cave is located in Peñablanca, Cagayan. 

Pinacanauan River at the background.

184-uphill steps is not for the weak-heart. You have your cardio tested as you go up while enjoying the view of Pinacanauan River and the other parts of Peñablanca, Cagayan. If you are into caving, you will enjoy your visit here. Limestone formations are very inviting for picture-taking.

Exactly 184-cemented steps!

Cave chapel on the background.

After caving, try cruising the Pinacanauan River. It is conducive for kayaking, boating, and swimming while the mountains on its sides are perfect for trekking and mountaineering. The daily phenomenon of the circadian flight of insect-eating bats from a bat cave occur at dusk enthralling visitors. 

With our friendly tour guides. 

These are just 3 reasons why Cagayan is called as "The Smiling Land of Beauty". I believe, Cagayan is not just about bridges, churches, rivers and caves. This wonderful province has more to offer that will make everyone smile. 

Epiphany of Our Lord Parish: Avenida Rizal, Poblacion, Lingayen, Pangasinan

The Parish Church of the Epiphany of Our Lord, formerly Three Kings Parish Church, is a Roman Catholic Church located in Lingayen, Pangasinan. It is the co-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. 

It is a massive church made of adobe with an imposing Oriental Pagoda-like bell tower. Earned its distinctions as one of the best structure in Pangasinan. The dome was designed by Fr. Miguel Aparicio.

The church was founded in 1587, the same year as the Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church in San Carlos, Pangasinan.

Sanctuario of San Juan Evangelista: Burgos St., Dagupan City, Pangasinan

The Sanctuario de San Juan Evangelista also known as the Shrine of St. John The Evangelist or Dagupan Church is a Roman Catholic shrine located along Burgos St. in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.  

It is a hidden gem behind the modern busy facade of Dagupan City. The sanctuario shines because of its old regal architecture. The mighty cathedral sits quietly facing an old market. 

The Altar

Take a break when you are in Dagupan and visit this old cathedral. This cathedral is quite easy to miss especially if you will not looking for it. It is situated at the back of Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. 

Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John, The Evangelist: Burgos St., Dagupan City, Pangasinan

Modern Facade of Dagupan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist also known as the Dagupan Cathedral is located along Burgos St. in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. 

The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was granted with a special bond of spiritual affinity with the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls by virtue of decree from the Rome dated February 15, 2012. It was on the eve of the 49th anniversary of the elevation of the Lingayen-Dagupan to the rank of Metropolitan. 

Closer Look of the Main Altar

In the papal basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the stone coffin of containing the bones of the Saint Paul the Apostle can be found.  

Bones of the Saint Paul the Apostle

Pilgrims visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is granted with papal blessings and plenary indulgence under the usual conditions laid down by Church laws. This means that all Catholic faithful who visit and pray in Cathedral of St. John gain the spiritual benefits of the Church as if they actually visited in the papal basilica in Rome. 

Wooden Door

Wooden Door

Having said all these, you must then include Metropolitan Cathedral of St., John, The Evangelist on your list during Lenten Season if you visit Pangasinan.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish: Calasiao, Pangasinan

Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church is commonly known as Calasiao Church. It is a baroque church located in Poblacion West, Calasiao, Pangasinan. It belongs to the Vicariate of Sts. Peter and Paul under the Ecclesiastical Province of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. 

The Altar

The Spanish-colonial-era church was declared an National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It is one of the largest church in Pangasinan.  

As one of the baroque churches in the Philippines, the Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul has been at the forefront of the Philippine history - Spanish colonial rule. Its unique architectural design reflects the Spanish and Latin American architecture integration of indigenous Philippine works of art with Chinese fusion.

Your blogger in front of Sts. Peter and Paul Church

Holy Family Parish: Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan

The heritage Santa Barbara Parish of the Holy Family Church was built in 1716. The church is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. 

The Altar

Guardians of the Family campaign was established for the renovation and reconstruction of the parish church after a devastating typhoon on 1887 that damaged 1/4 of the roof on the west side of the church. 

Side view of the Church: bricks!

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral: Poblacion, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta is a Roman Rite diocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The diocese was established in 1985 from the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

The Altar

Adoration Chapel

The church is huge. I was able to walk around the vicinity of the cathedral. I find it interesting to see a mini chapel in an open area under an old tree beside the church. There is also a place wherein pilgrims can light candles where they can solemnly pray.

I highly suggest a visit to this church if you are going to Urdaneta City in Pangasinan. After attending a mass, you may walk across the street and head to the public market to buy cheap vegetables and pasalubongs. 

The Bishop's Residence