The provincial tourism office of Nueva Vizcaya introduces the best tourism sites in the province by setting up booths from 15 municipalities in the province showcasing ecotourism, agricultural produce, and handicrafts at the Grand Ammungan Festival commemorating the 183rd founding anniversary of the province on May 24 to 27, 2022

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The Ammungan Festival, the grand annual founding anniversary celebration of this province, kicked off its weeklong activities on Tuesday, May 24, with the launching of the 1st Nueva Vizcaya Travel and Tourism Expo featuring 15 municipal tourism booths.

The festivities, which will end on May 27, commemorate the 183rd founding anniversary of Nueva Vizcaya. Since 1985, May 24 has been declared by then-president Ferdinand E. Marcos as a special non-working public holiday in the province.

The program started with a thanksgiving Mass at the Capitol’s People’s State with the declaration of the 2022 Grand Ammungan Festival by Gov. Carlos Padilla. It was followed by a dance from the Ari-Tau Folkloric Society and ribbon cutting of the 1st Nueva Vizcaya Travel and Tourism Expo and the Vizcayano Art Exhibit.

Most of the activities will be conducted at the Capitol Compound in this town. Endeavors include the Ammungan Musikahan Concert, Ammungan Trade Fair, Vizcayano Art Exhibit, Gaya ng Dati, a public art installation at the Dumlao Boulevard; and the Ammungan Fun Bike Ride on May 26 at the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in Diadi town.

The provincial government’s tourism office said the unveiling of the Solos Public Art Exhibit by Francisgum entitled “Gaya ng Dati” at the Sumlao Boulevard is simultaneous with the same artist’s “Maranasan Muli” Exhibition at the Belonging, a collective of Filipino-American creatives through visual narratives in Los Angeles.

The tourism office also introduced the best tourism sites in the province by setting up booths per municipality showcasing ecotourism destinations.

Padilla noted that Nueva Vizcaya comes across as a refreshing site on the Philippine tourism map, owing to its abundant supply of oranges.

Tagged as the citrus capital of the Philippines, the governor said people love visiting the farms — particularly in the upland town of Kasibu — to pick the fresh fruits.

He said the province has become a premium ecotourism destination for local and international tourists. Among its offerings are its cascading waterfalls, majestic mountains, unspoiled caves, crystal-clear rivers, and brooks, to historic churches and sacred sites.

Padilla said visitors love going to Imugan Falls, which cascades from more than 35 feet towards a beautiful catch basin and the Balete Pass National Shrine in Santa Fe town; the 4.5 kilometers of eight interconnected Capisaan Cave System in Kasibu town and Mount Ugo, which soars to more than 2,150 meters above sea level and the Dum-liing Falls in Kayapa town.

He said some visitors would prefer climbing up Mount Palali towering at more than 1,715+ meters above sea level and Señora Falls. Tourists also like to visit the St. Dominic Cathedral, the People’s Museum and Library in Bayombong town.

Some of the tourist favorites include the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park, which covers more than 1,120 hectares in Diadi town; San Vicente Ferrer Church built during the Spanish period in the 18th century and the Dampol Bridge built in 1818 by the Spaniards in Dupax del Sur town; Lintungan Falls in Quezon town, Gulon Peak in Ambaguio town, the remains of the Salinas Salt Spring in Bambang town and the Naruron Falls in Dupax del Norte, among others.

Located within the majestic mountain ranges of the Cordillera, Caraballo, and the Sierra Madre and some 250 kilometers north of Manila, the province of Nueva Vizcaya is one of the most colorful and culturally diverse provinces in the country.

It is home to 18 Indigenous Peoples groups that have made it their home for centuries such as the tribes of the Ifugaos in the towns of Quezon, Bagabag, and Kasibu; the Gaddangs in Solano and Bayombong; the Isinais in Dupax del Sur, Bambang and Aritao; the Kalanguyas in Santa Fe and the Bugkalots in Alfonso Castañeda and Dupax del Norte.

“Ammungan” is a Gaddang word that means “gathering,” while its Ilocano counterpart is “ummungan,” which has the same meaning and is widely understood among several ethno-linguistic groups.