Bayombong is a town of 68,000 people in 2020, and the provincial capital of Nueva Vizcaya.
Understand
[edit]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.
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 Cordillera region seeking to find employment or higher education.
Orientation
[edit]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]By bus
[edit]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.
- Ohayami Transport. Plies the Manila-Banaue route. Buses leave from Sampaloc district at 9 and 10PM and arrive at Bayombong by 4 and 5AM. Return trips from Banaue leave at 6:30 and 7PM, and arrive at Bayombong at 8:30 and 9PM.
- Victory Liner. Buses run from their Manila terminals to destinations in Cagayan Valley and Kalinga.
By jeep
[edit]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]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 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]- 1 Bangan Hills 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), Sgt. Leonardo B. Perez Ave. A living vestige of the grandeur that was the old town is its Catholic Church that was preserved to become the first cathedral in the province. Razed by fire twice and rebuilt in the same old site, it is now approximately twice its original size. The cathedral maintains its original Baroque façade and as such a veritable treasure, a relic of the past for its historic and aesthetic remains of a proud Christian past..
- 3 Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Capitol Complex, National Road. 8AM–5PM. It is the fulfillment of the noble aspiration, foresight and noble vision of its builder, 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 handicapables, also called the Luneta of the north.
Do
[edit]- 1 Batara Firing Range, Barangay La Torre North, Masoc. 8AM–5PM. Shooting range.
Buy
[edit]- 1 7-Eleven-Bayombong 1, #2978 Saquing Street corner National Road. Open 24 hours.
- 2 Savemore Supermarket-Bayombong Branch, Dumlao Blvd. & Jose Abad Santos Street. 8AM–8PM.
- 3 Pandayan Bookshop-Bayombong Branch, National Road. 9AM–6PM.
- 4 Bayombong Public Market, Belisario Street. 7AM–7PM.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Mrs. Baker's Restaurant & Pastry Shop Vizcaya, National Road, ☏ +63 788053500. 9AM–9PM.
- 2 Per Os Resto, Del Pilar Street. 11AM–midnight. Steak house.
- 3 Fratelli's Grill & Restaurant, National Road corner Ponce Street. 7AM–8PM. Filipino food wrapped in banana leaf.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Apayao Brew, Pan-Philippine Highway. Open 24 hours. This coffee shop has great location, awesome staff, and of course some lovely coffee.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Highlander Hotel, Maharlika Highway (near the public market). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- 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.
- Solano
| Routes through Solano |
| Santiago ← Solano ← | N  S
|
→ Bambang → Aritao (junction ←  ) → San Jose
|