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Bayombong is the provincial capital of Nueva Vizcaya.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Founded in the 18th century, the town became the capital of Nueva Vizcaya in 1856. It is the center of political power in Nueva Vizcaya, the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bayombong, and the market town for neighboring Ambaguio. It is also one of two main university towns in Nueva Vizcaya, along with Bambang, and hosts two universities.
It is home to about 73,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
. Bayombong’s original Gaddang inhabitants have been mostly assimilated by waves of Ilocano migration beginning in the 19th century. Bayombong also hosts migrants from the Luzon Cordilleras seeking to find employment or higher education.
Orientation
[edit | edit source]Bayombong covers about 136 km2 (53 sq mi) of land, mostly rugged and hilly terrain, and it lies between the Magat and Colocol rivers. It is divided into 25 barangays, including the four barangays forming the poblacion (downtown or central settlement).
The poblacion roughly forms a right triangle with the long side pointing to Solano and the short side to the Cordilleras; Sen. Leonardo B. Perez Avenue and National Road forms the main street through it. Maharlika Highway or the Cagayan Valley Road (Asian Highway 26) bypasses the poblacion to the north.
Together with Solano, 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) to the north, the area forms the main urban agglomeration in Nueva Vizcaya, although insufficient population and land area have prevented either municipality from attaining cityhood status.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By bus
[edit | edit source]From Manila, find buses heading to Solano, Banaue, Isabela or Cagayan. Buses pass through Maharlika Highway, with the most common stops being the R2TMC hospital, the Caltex junction, the Ambaguio/Pisay junction, and the Bonfal junction.
By jeep
[edit | edit source]The intermunicipal jeepney service that runs through the main towns of Nueva Vizcaya passes through downtown Bayombong, passing through Bonfal junction, the provincial capitol, St. Dominic Cathedral, and Caltex junction.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the most common transport between barangays. Trips to outlying barangays such as Masoc may cost between P75-90 for a solo traveler. To save on fares, some prefer waiting for other passengers to fill the vehicle, reducing the fare to just P25.
The inner road running between downtown Solano and Bayombong is frequently jammed during rush hour despite the construction of Maharlika Highway and a new diversion road at Bonfal junction.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bangan Hill National Park, Casat. A historical landmark, it is the location of an annual "Stations of the Cross" held during the Lenten season, with live actors portraying Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Aside from that, it is also visited by hikers, and the hilltop provides a wide view of the surrounding area and the Caraballo and the Cordilleras.
- 2 Bayombong Cathedral (Saint Dominic Cathedral), Dela Cruz Street, Don Tomas Maddela, bayombongcathedral@gmail.com. Bayombong’s main Roman Catholic Church and the seat of its eponymous diocese. Built during the Spanish era, it was razed by fire twice and lost its belltower in the 1990 Luzon earthquake. With subsequent rebuilding, it is now approximately twice its original size. The cathedral maintains its original Baroque façade, which is similar to other colonials churches in Nueva Vizcaya except that its plaster was removed as part of a botched DIY restoration attempt..
- 3 Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Capitol Complex, National Road. 8AM–5PM. The current headquarters of Nueva Vizcaya’s provincial government was built during the administration of Governor Patricio G. Dumlao. The capitol building is a study of architectural ingenuity. It has a park with exotic plant species, concrete benches and sidewalks lighted with giant lamps and man-made lagoon ideal for rowing the colorful mini-boats operated by people with disabilities. The complex’s design is such that it has also been called the Luneta of the north.
- 4 People's Museum and Library, Del Pilar Street, Don Tomas Maddela (beside Children's Park and facing Saint Dominic Cathedral Park), ☏ +63 917 102 5409, ptco@plgu.nuevavizcaya.gov.ph. A museum on the history, culture and ethnography of Nueva Vizcaya, housed in a two story building that used to be the headquarters of the provincial government during the Spanish era. The permanent exhibition is at the second floor, with temporary exhibits at the lobby.
- 5 Rizal Shrine, La Torre-Casat Road, Casat. A hillside monument to the national hero, Jose Rizal, commissioned by a Jordanian turned Filipino citizen in gratitude for having been rescued by a Filipino migrant worker went he went missing in the Saudi desert. It contains the second-largest statue of Rizal, a bronze and composite fibreglass sculpture with a height of 16 metres (52 ft) and weighing 12 tons. The monument can be seen from as far as Solano.
- 6 Mount Palali. A 1,705 metres (5,594 ft) high peak on the eastern boundary with the municipality of Quezon that looms over northern Nueva Vizcaya.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Batara Firing Range, Barangay La Torre North, Masoc. 8AM–5PM. Shooting range.
- 2 Rocel's Farm, Purok 1, Magapuy, ☏ +63 928 824 0654. 9AM-5PM. An agritourism resort with swimming pool.
- 3 Courage Integrated Farm, Purok 2, Bansing. An agritourism resort.
- Ammungan Festival. May. An annual celebration of Nueva Vizcaya's history, culture and resources, featuring parades, fairs and pageants.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 7-Eleven-Bayombong 1, #2978 Saquing Street corner National Road, Don Domingo Maddela. Open 24 hours.
- 2 Savemore Supermarket Bayombong, Dumlao Boulevard corner Jose Abad Santos Street, Don Tomas Maddela. 8AM–8PM.
- 3 Pandayan Bookshop Bayombong, National Road, Don Tomas Maddela. 9AM–6PM.
- 4 Bayombong Public Market, Belisario Street, Don Mariano Perez. 7AM–7PM.
- 5 Nueva Vizcaya Pasalubong Center, Maharlika Highway, Magsaysay, ☏ +63 927 865 0864, plgunuevavizcaya.procede@gmail.com. 8AM–5PM M-Sa; closed Su. A government-run one-stop shop for souvenirs and produce from the province.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Mrs. Baker's Restaurant & Pastry Shop, National Road, Don Tomas Maddela, ☏ +63 917 507 8999, toll-free: +63 788053500, contact@mrsbakerscafe.com. 9AM–9PM. A relatively splurge casual dining restaurant serving Filipino and western dishes. It also has a bakeshop. P200-1000.
- 2 Per Os Resto, Del Pilar Street, District IV. 11AM–midnight. Steak house.
- 3 Fratelli's Grill & Restaurant, National Road corner Ponce Street, District IV. 7AM–8PM. Filipino food wrapped in banana leaf.
- 4 Bacolod Grill, Saquing Street, Don Domingo Maddela. A grilled chicken inasal restaurant that has been in operation as early as the 1990s. PHP100-300.
- 5 Kamayan sa Kainyugan, Maharlika Highway, San Nicolas, ☏ +63 947 436 8756. An alfresco Filipino restaurant with unlimited soup. PHP100-500.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Apayao Brew, Pan-Philippine Highway, San Nicolas. Open 24 hours. This coffee shop has great location, awesome staff, and of course some lovely coffee.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Highlander Hotel, Maharlika Highway, Don Mariano Perez (near the public market). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 2 The WilWin Hotel, Acierto Street, Bonfal Proper, ☏ +63 905 407 7181, wilwinhotel2022@gmail.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 3 Disadeco Hotel, Maharlika Highway, San Nicolas, ☏ +63 916 632 6362, hotel.disadeco@gmail.com.
- 4 Lotus Garden Hotel, Maharlika Highway, Santa Rosa, ☏ +63 975 929 4142, +63 917 888 0027, lotusgardenhotelnv@gmail.com.
- 5 Saber Inn, National Road, District IV, ☏ +63 915 610 3426.
- 6 Zen Hotel, Maharlika Highway, Purok I, Bonfal Proper, ☏ +63 917 120 9716, zenhotelbayombong@zenhotelgroup.com.
- 7 Tam-an Mountain Resort and Hotel (Villa Margarita Resort), Maharlika Highway, Busilac, ☏ +63 917 502 4169, tamanresort1999@gmail.com.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]The Bato Ferry Bridge, a major thoroughfare on the Maharlika Highway marking the southern boundary with Bambang, is periodically closed when the Magat River reaches dangerously high water levels during the rainy season.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town's postal code is 3700.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Mount Pulag National Park - From Ambaguio/Masoc/Pisay junction, the road leads to Ambaguio, where a trail less crowded from the ones in Benguet leads to the mountain.
| Routes through Solano |
| Santiago ← Solano ← | N  S | → Bambang → Aritao (junction) ←  ) → San Jose |