UNCOVER THE BREATHTAKING CAUAYAN

According to history, the Spaniards discovered Cauayan along a lush plantation of bamboo trees located in the heart of Isabela. Hence, the city derived its name from the word “kawayan,” which means bamboo. Known for its historical, cultural, and natural sites, Cauayan City offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a laid-back vibe. A trip to this charming city is worth taking when visiting Northern Luzon.

OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR PARISH CHURCH
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church is the oldest church in Cauayan City. Founded in 1741 during the Spanish colonial period, the centuries-old church features a grand interior and a rich history that fascinates devotees. The church is one of the community’s most beloved religious structures, recognized by the National Museum of the Philippines as one of the Most Important Cultural Properties due to its historical and cultural significance.

HACIENDA DE SAN LUIS ECO-TOURISM PARK
In the 1780s, tobacco was the most profitable product in Cauayan. The Hacienda de San Luis was once a “tabacalera,” or a tobacco plantation. Historical structures, including the Tabacalera Warehouse and the La Insular Bodegas, remain visible today from the Spanish colonial era.

Hacienda de San Luis, the city’s first eco-tourism park, sits along the Cagayan River and houses the Museo de San Luis. Visitors can enjoy a thrilling 30-foot-high zipline, offering a majestic view of the Cagayan River, and learn tobacco’s production and reproduction processes in the days of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade.

MUSHROOM CENTER
Cauayan is often called the “Mushroom City of the North” because of its thriving mushroom industry, alongside rice and corn as the top agricultural products of the city. In Barangay Tagaran, there is a Mushroom Center where visitors can learn more about mushroom cultivation, production, and end production. Some popular items are mushroom sisig, empanadas, and ice cream.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) successfully launched its Manila-Cauayan-Manila service on January 15, 2025, providing a new gateway to the North. This milestone reduces the 10-hour-long land trip from Manila to Cauayan to a one-hour flight.

FLIGHT                                                    ETD                  ETA                         FREQUENCY
PR 2018 MANILA-CAUAYAN                 1325H              1430H                     DAILY
PR 2019 CAUAYAN-MANILA                 1525H              1640H                     DAILY

See more photos from this story in this issue of The PALiner: https://thepaliner.philippineairlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/TPL-2025-March-Issue.pdf