When in Tuguegarao, visit these bastions of faith!



Tuguegarao’s reputation as a government, education and business center goes side by side with its gradually growing reputation as a bastion for believers. Experience the path of faith as you step into the century-old and modern-designed churches and chapels that dot the City, plus two other well-known religious sites in a nearby town that are just stone’s throw away.



Start your tour from the Sts. Peter and Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, the biggest in the Region. The faithful gather here not only to pray but also to freshen up their eyes through the green landscape that characterizes the Cathedral complex. A glimpse of the history of the Cathedral and the evangelization of the people of the Cagayan Valley is also reflected in the newly-created reliefs engraved on the wall in front of the complex. Just beside the Cathedral complex is the Arzobispado nat Tuguegarao, the Seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. A short walk to the Horno ruins in Barangay Centro 09 is a good treat  for the history buffs.



Make your way to the San Jacinto Chapel or the Ermita, as it is more popularly known. The Ermita is more than a hundred years older than the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral being built in 1604, and since then, it has housed the image of the patron saint of the City, St. Hyacinth of Poland. The Ermita boasts of its baroque architecture that is earthquake resistant and among its walls are old bricks which are  considered as historical relics.



Across the Ermita, inside St. Paul University Philippines,  is the newly erected Our Lady of Chartres Chapel. The chapel was modelled after the Our Lady of Chartres Cathedral of France. SPUP considers the Chapel as a gift of the St. Paul of Chartres Congregation to the people of Cagayan. One of the amazing features of the Chapel are its colourful stained glasses that become more vibrant when stricken by sunlight. Right in front of the Chapel is a labyrinth where one can take a walk and reflect. A stroll within the SPUP will be a delightful add-on to your tour.



A five-minute tricycle ride, or if you have plenty of time, a more enjoyable calesa ride will take you to the Sto. Nino Shrine in San Gabriel passing by the Greek-inspired architectures of the Cagayan State University- Andrew Campus. The Shrine draws devotees of the image of the Sto. Nino every January during the Sto. Nino’s feast. The Shrine serves as a favorite venue for weddings likewise. A unique feature of the Shrine are its Carillon Bells which are played serially to play a melody, or sounded together to play a chord.

Not too far from San Gabriel is the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Barangay Leonarda. The arches of the Shrine resemble that of the Sydney Opera House. Its unique architecture beckons not only the religious but the curious as well. Like the Sto. Nino Shrine, the Divine Mercy Shrine has also become one of the favourite venues for wedding.



From the Divine Mercy Shrine, head towards the municipality of Iguig and visit the Poor Clare Monastery in Barangay Bayo where you can have a chance to ask the help of the poor sisters of St. Clare to petition for your prayers in exchange of a dozen or two of eggs or anything that you can sincerely give. Visit also the St. James Parish and the Iguig Calvary Hills in Barangay Ajat and breathe in some fresh air as you go through the fourteen stations of the cross that are strewn within the vast tract of rolling hills beside the mighty Cagayan River.

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Make your way back to Tuguegarao and seal your pilgrimage tour with a plate of either the famous pancit batil patung or pancit Cabagan.