Get your adrenaline fix at this surprising haven of adventure in Northern Luzon

Fans of the James Bond movie franchise cannot forget his trusty sidekick codenamed “Q,” who supplied him with ordinary looking, yet surprisingly effective spy gadgets.

In the same vein, Quirino – a quaint, and sometimes quirky province is not your typical destination – and it might yet be the proverbial “Q,” with its big surprises coming in small packages. Because of its aura of remoteness, this quintessential hideaway has been hardly detected by the tourist’s radar, until now.

Thanks to TV travel shows and soap operas, we get occasional snippets of this well-kept secret tucked in the interiors of the Cagayan Valley.

Motorsports mecca

The adventure begins at the 111-hectare Provincial Capitol Complex in Cabarroguis town, tucked in the middle of nowhere, which is a serendipitous hideaway where you least expect it.

A compelling reason to make this your playground is the Quirino Watersports Complex, which was landscaped from an undulating terrain framed by perfectly contoured twin hills called Susong Dalaga. It boasts a hostel with well-appointed rooms, a pavilion and dining area overlooking an infinity pool, and a world-class wakeboarding park that sources its waters from natural springs. It also has an adjacent winch park where you can get your feet wet, quite literally, in wakeboarding.

For almost two decades now, the province has been trying to earn its place under the sun as a mecca for motocross sports and 4×4 off-road enthusiasts in northern Luzon, with its challenging manmade track, and scenic country roads.

In 2015, Governor Junie Cua took it to the next level by introducing Quirino Motorismo, which features an assortment of racing activities on two wheels—drag racing, motocross, and long-distance drives.

He said that the summer motorsport festival is their unique way of attracting visitors to make the province their choice destination for summer and beyond, whether on motorbikes or any automobile.

Cua added that the sporting event, led by the rider federations of Quirino and Region II, is an adventurous way of showcasing the tourist spots and the diverse aspects of the local living in Cagayan Valley.

While the motocross event has become a certified crowd-drawer because of the breathtaking acrobatics, riders also look forward to the Endurance Challenge, which vrooms on the meandering roads of Quirino and neighboring provinces. The recent edition of the event held last March ran a total distance of 1,000 kilometers, with 435 riders going around the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija.

Rapid rush

Another must is spelunking at Aglipay Caves and Campsite, featuring hollow and fragile draws, amazing drapers, and stunning stalactites. Among the 37 caves in the nature reserve, eight chambers have been developed for tours, which are ideal even for newbies because of its moderate difficulty. The stalagmites were formed from minerals deposited by dripping water, attesting to the rich biodiversity of the watershed and forestland.

Named after revolutionary priest Gregorio Aglipay who was believed to have hid there during the Filipino-American War, the 101-hectare site is surrounded by forests that provide a refuge for vegetation, wildlife and recreation.

In place of a beach, Quirino’s body of water is Governor’s Rapids – a tributary of the Cagayan River, and the poster image with its handsome rockscape and whitewater. Locals say that you haven’t been to Quirino if you’ve never cruised the riverine getaway in Maddela town.

The jagged majestic limestone formations punctuating the two-hour river cruise serve as the most iconic features of the destination. If you’re looking for even more adrenaline rush, there are naturally carved 30-foot high platforms where you can leap off and into the river. The river has been among the cleanest inland bodies of water in the region, making it ideal for bathing and white-water tubing. Tucked inside one of the rock crevices is a small cascade that forms an icy chest-deep natural tub, serving as a pit stop in the river tour.

There are also numerous waterfalls hidden in the bosom of the mountains. Maddela has seven emerald waterfalls, with its fifth cascade offering a stunning view of the Sierra Madre mountain range. You can take a dip in the rejuvenating cool pools in the waterfalls of Manuela, San Pascual and Battumbaket in Diffun; Tucod in Cabarroguis; Maddela, Pensal, Victoria in Maddela; and Mactol, Tayguido and Guiyayan in Nagtipunan.

Located in the fringes of Nagtipunan town, Siitan River is a cousin of Governor’s Rapids, where guests can cruise aboard a dugout canoe and marvel at the amazing geological wonders. A picturesque rock formation is the “Bimmapor,” which got its name from the local word “bapor” because of its resemblance to the hull of a steel ship.

Also within the town is a promontory called Landingan, where you can breathe in a sweeping view of Siitan, and the outlying barangays (villages).

For a consummate trip of adventure, nature and culture – interactive visits to indigenous tribes such as the Bugkalot, Agta, Igorot, Kalinga, and Dumagat tribes can be arranged with municipal authorities.

With all the secret wonders in its tourism arsenal, Quirino is unquestionably the “Q” of Philippine destinations.

GETTING THERE
Quirino can be reached via NLEX-SCTEX-TPLEX connection leading to the Cagayan Valley Road. At the junction in Cordon, Isabela, turn right all the way to Quirino.

You can also fly to Cauayan City, Isabela and make a one-hour land trip.

For more information on the province, visit www.quirino.org.ph.

By BERNARD L SUPETRAN
Photos courtesy of the Quirino Provincial Tourism Office