Quirino Quickie

This quaint and quiet province is undoubtedly a well-kept tourism secret tucked in the interiors of the Cagayan Valley region. Gifted with natural wonders, Quirino can be a quirky destination worth a quick swing, which will surely take longer than expected with the many surprises that await you. But that’s going ahead of the story.

With cemented roads being widened almost all throughout, it is a dream drive where you can have the streets unto yourself, with the relaxing view of undulating hills and sprawling farms.

Its main access is the junction in Cordon, Isabela which will lead to the heart of the province. A more circuitous but more scenic alternative is via the Pacific coastal road in Aurora, which cuts through the Sierra Madre ranges and winds up in Nagtipunan town.

Pit Stop 1: Diffun. The province’s gateway, you can make a quick stop at the RNB Tubikoy store which is famed for their tubikoy pie, a fusion of tupig, bibingka and tikoy.

From the road, you can view Nagbukel, a helmet-looking natural formation and a 16-hectare tree park which is being rehabilitated for public visits.

Ganano Falls in Diffun. Photo by Bernard L. Supetran

If time permits, hie off to Ganano Falls, which boasts of a massive 100-foot drop. Arguably the province’s most-sought-after and most Instagrammable waterfalls, it also offers a longer trek which passes through three minor cascades with wide and deep basins for swimming.

Pit Stop 2: Cabarroguis. The capital town which is the seat of the provincial government, urban center, and the hub of budget lodgings, local restaurants, and homestay accommodations.

For an insight on of local history and heritage, walk into the provincial museum within the sprawling Capitol Complex.

In the upper portion of the vast enclave is the Quirino Watersports Complex, the first and only full course world-class wakepark in north Luzon which recently hosted a tournament which gathered the top boardriders from all the wakeparks in the country. It also boasts of a hostel with cozy rooms, a pavilion and dining area overlooking an enticing infinity pool and the wakepark.

Pit Stop 3: Aglipay. An eye-catching attraction in the town is the Quirino Experiment Station of the Department of Agriculture which has a pasalubong store of organic farm food products and snacks. This is punctuated by a huge cow monument on the left side of the road which you can’t miss.

Spelunking in Aglipay Cave and Campsite is a suggested must-do to visitors, with its stunning chambers, stalactites and stalagmites, attesting to the rich biodiversity of the watershed and forrestal area. Among the 37 caves in the nature reserve, only eight have been developed for tours and guests can opt to visit only those what time would allow.

Pit Stop 4: Maddela. Locals insist that your Quirino sojourn is incomplete if you haven’t cruised at the Governor’s Rapids, the province’s poster image known for its voluminous water being part of the mighty Cagayan River,

Its most iconic features are the jagged and jaw-dropping majestic limestone formations that punctuate the two-hour cruise. there are naturally-carved 30-foot high rocks where you can jump into the river for a dose of adrenaline rush.

The river has been named in government contests as among the cleanest inland bodies of water in the Valley region, hence making it ideal for bathing, whitewater tubing, and fishing.

The town also has a seven-tiered emerald waterfall, whose fifth cascade offers a sweeping view of the mountain ranges. These numerous waterfalls in the bosom of the wilderness are the Quirino’s waterworld, to compensate for its absence of a beach.

Scenic mountain road in Nagtipunan. Photo by Bernard L. Supetran

Pit Stop 5: Nagtipunan. Located on Quirino’s eastern fringes, this hilly town takes pride in its raw and God-endowed charm, being the closest to the Sierra Madres.

Because of its topography, it has almost an infinity of zigzag and “roller coaster” roads which are tempting for snapshots. The Landingan roadside viewpoint provides a sweeping view of Siitan River, Ponggo Valley, and the outlying barangays.

Siitan Nature Park is a “cousin” of Governor’s Rapids, where guests cruise aboard a dugout canoe and marvel at the amazing geological wonders along this part of the Cagayan River, including the tell-tale “Bimmapor” rock formation which resembles the hull of a steel ship.

Binmapor rock formation in Nagtipunan. Photo by Bernard L. Supetran

Diamond Cave, so called because of its glistening chamber formations, is worth exploring because of the short trek and low ceilings ideal for beginners.

Visits to indigenous peoples such as the Bugkalot, Agta, Igorot, Kalinga, and Dumagat tribes can be arranged with municipal authorities for an appreciation of their age-old way of life. This interaction will not only fill you with cultural knowledge, but with loads of fresh harvest, tribal craft, and an assortment of items to bring home.

After motoring around the province, you’ll realize a that you should drive a little slower and stay a little longer. And there on the other side of the mountains, Aurora and the Pacific Ocean beckon you to cross over.