Affordable adventures: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary to Quirino Province

Quirino is more than a landlocked province beside its better-known neighbors. If Aurora has the surfing haven of Baler, Quirino has a varied terrain that includes mountains, caves, numerous waterfalls and a section of the Cagayan River.

Here’s the itinerary used by Drew Arellano and “Biyahe ni Drew.”

How to get there
Quirino is 335 kilometers away from Metro Manila. Factor in the zig-zag roads and you’ve got a six- to eight-hour drive.

Coming from Baler, Aurora? Vans and pick-up trucks can take the pass through Sierra Madre, which takes around three hours. The long way around for lighter vehicles takes five hours.

First things first: Call the tourism office
Quirino has many attractions, but it isn’t the kind of place where tourists can wing it.

All tourist destinations need to be booked with the help of the local tourism office. In our experience, they were accommodating and easy to talk to.

For all your concerns, contact Ms. Aurea Martinez, the supervising tourism operations officer at 0917-500-0162.

What to do
Caving: Aglipay Caves
Aglipay Caves and Campsite, Nagtipunan, Quirino
The Aglipay Caves are a series of connected caverns that each offer something unique. For example, Cave no. 1 has a high ceiling and a dome-like chamber; yet there are also areas with ceilings so low, you’ll have to crawl on all fours.

Depending on how much time and energy you have, you can either tour the whole cave system for three hours or take one of the “shortcut” exits out for a one-hour activity. Be sure to wear trekking shoes or trekking sandals, because some areas of the cave are wet.

River rafting at the Governor’s Rapids
Maddela, Quirino
The Governor’s Rapids stems from the Cagayan River and is bordered by towering limestone formations. Rafting is common during the summer months, but during the rainy season, you can expect high-adrenaline white water rafting.

Caving: Nagbukel Cave
Cajel, Diffun, Quirino
Nagbukel is a cave found within a dome-shaped mountain in Diffun, Quirino. The mountain itself is just off the national highway, making it an accessible choice for those pressed for time.

Where to stay
Homestay
While there are hotels in Quirino, the “Biyahe ni Drew” team chose to try a tourism office-accredited homestay called Corazon Aertzen. One night will cost you P600 for a bedroom for two; an extra mattress costs P200 per night.

When traveling, the “Biyahe ni Drew” crew often stays in homestays or hostels to save money. Since we’re out for most of the day, all we need is a place to crash. Read our tips for choosing budget accommodations.

What to see
Pensal Falls
San Benigno, Aglipay, Quirino
“Grabe talaga ang Quirino, parang lahat yata ng sulok may Falls ah. Kaya tuloy nagka photographers club ang Quirino,” read a comment in a travel forum. Pensal is a sloping waterfall made of dark rock, surrounded by a vibrant forest.

On the way, we shared a boat ride with two women from an ad agency in Manila. Along the way, we passed skyscraper-tall limestone formations that formed a narrow passageway our boat that to navigate. “Parang ‘Lord of the Rings,’” they kept saying, holding their cameras out over the boat’s edge.

Dinatay Falls
Said to be the most beautiful falls in Quirino, Dinatay has a sloping rock formation and lower station where the water is calmer. There, you can lie down and let the water flow over you like a spa! Entrance is free.

Bamboo Ensemble
The Bamboo Ensemble of the Maddela Comprehensive High School is made up of students chosen for their talents in music and dance. They use bamboo instruments to create music and accompany it with ethereal vocals and dances from the northern tribes of the Philippines. Take it from us: They’re good. The Bamboo Ensemble has performed all over Quirino, as well as at SM Mall of Asia for the National Trade Fair.

If you’re traveling in a large group, you can contact the local tourism office to book the Bamboo Ensemble for a private performance.

What to eat
Kakanin: Nilupak and nilubyan
Nilupak and nilubyan are creamy, filling snacks that come packed in banana leaves. Nilupak is made from ground cassava, while nilubyan is made from bananas.

What to buy for pasalubong

The Department of Trade and Industry is very active in Quirino, which means the “One Town, One Product” project is taken very seriously. Here are some of the products that the “Biyahe ni Drew” team found and brought home.

Upland rice
The term “upland” refers to rice grown on dry soil, unlike the usual kinds grown in flooded paddies. Examples of upland rice fields are the Banaue Rice Terraces and Quirino’s hills; this method of growing rice works best with hardy, local varieties.

In Quirino, you can buy brown, red and black rice for about P90 a kilo. Apart from adding color to your meals (black rice turns purple!), the fact that they’re unpolished means they’ve got way more fiber and nutrients than polished white rice. Wash the grains and soak them in water for one hour before cooking as usual.

Q-Tea (Quirino ginger tea)
How is Q-Tea different from regular salabat? Quirino’s version comes in powder form, packed in individual sachets; and is made with locally grown ginger. There are plans to sell Q-Tea around the Philippines and abroad? Grab a box and stay ahead of the pack! A box of 25 sachets costs P90 in pasalubong stores.

Nutri-Chips
Quirino’s Nutri-Chips were developed by the Department of Trade and Industry as an alternative to unhealthy, deep-fried potato chips. The crunchy, savory chips are made of nothing but veggies and fruits — malunggay, bananas — and seasoning.  A single-serving pack costs P10.

Vegetable noodles
The healthy eats continue with these fresh pancit noodles made with malunggay. One kilo of noodles costs P150 and is good enough for seven to eight people.

Fossilized flowers
Want a pasalubong that will never wilt or dry up? Try these fossilized flowers, which are assembled by hand from dried-and-dyed leaves. The amount of work that goes into each one is staggering! Read more about them here. The price for a bouquet of twelve flowers starts at P150. —CM, GMA News