Tourist Attractions
Landingan Viewpoint
Most visitors to Nagtipunan who wish to experience the town’s many tourist offerings begin their journey by going to the Landingan Viewpoint. Located on top of a hill, it provides a panoramic view of the town’s picturesque surroundings – rolling hills, towering mountains, stretch of the mighty Cagayan River, and yes, flower beds of various shades and colors!
Visitors usually flock at the Landingan Viewpoint early in the morning so they could watch the sunrise or in late afternoon so they can witness the sunset. In addition, the tourists often come during the months of November to February when the colorful flowering plants are in bloom and verdant grasses which cover the surrounding hills making the scenery even more breathtaking.
For the convenience of visitors, there is a view deck in the site, as well as cottages that can be used for free. There is, however, an ecological fee of P25 per person. Visitors who wish to view the scenery from different perspectives can walk along the Landingan Circuit, a 13-kilometer hiking trail, for an additional fee of P250 per person.
Widely regarded as Nagtipunan’s most scenic spot, the Landingan Viewpoint is accessible by car, jeepney or even by habal-habal that can be chartered from Ponggo, the town center.
Siitan Nature Park
Ponggo is the site of another popular Nagtipunan tourist attraction: the Siitan Nature Park. A nature preserve on the banks of the Cagayan River, the park attracts adventure seekers who swim in the river’s crystal-clear waters or go river tubing and drift along its gentle currents while sitting on inflated tire interiors.
Visitors who simply want to relax and marvel at the soaring wall of limestone cliffs that line the riverbank can take a cruise on one of the wooden boats called balasyan that are piloted by experienced boatmen, known locally as bugadors.
The jump-off point for these relaxing river cruises is Bimmapor, a natural rock formation on the bank of the Siitan River. This much-photographed landmark, one of the many magnificent rock formations in the park, got its name from bapor, the local word for “ship” because it resembles a ship’s stern.
Waterfalls
Masog Falls
Masog Falls is located at Barangay Disimungal, Nagtipunan which is protected by the Agta community. To get there, tourists go on an approximately 15-minute hike from the national highway. One interesting view of Masog is the catchment pool filled with refreshingly cool pristine water. Masog Falls is perfect for tourists seeking adventure and those who want to immerse in the culture of Quirino’s Agtas.
Junuan Falls
An easier tourist attraction to visit is the Junuan Falls which is also situated in Barangay Disimungal. It is perhaps the easiest waterfall to reach in the whole province of Quirino since it is near the main road. In fact, the falls’ peak can be seen right from the highway.
Aside from being easily accessible, the falls, as well as the rock formations that surround it, are “tourist-friendly” as they feature a safe path for walking.
Diamond Cave
For visitors looking for a different kind of adventure that still showcases Quirino’s natural wonders, Nagtipunan offers the Diamond Cave in Barangay Landingan. A relatively new tourist site that was opened to the public only in 2015, it is actually a cave system that is full of well preserved and exquisitely formed stalactites and stalagmites. These unique rock formations actually sparkle, a phenomenon that attests to their unspoiled condition and which gave the cave its name.
Exploring the cave is doable even for beginning spelunkers but there are also some challenging parts. There are wide chambers, narrow openings and even sections filled with waist-deep water.
Visitors are advised to come in proper trekking outfit as the tour involves wading across subterranean streams and climbing up wet rocks.
Penenkakasisit Festival
Visitors who come to Nagtipunan in February can also take part in celebrating the Penenkakasisit Festival. Held in February 22-25 every year, it marks the anniversary of the municipality’s creation. But even more important, it celebrates the convergence of the various tribes that have made the town their home.
These tribes’ coming together in the spirit of cooperation and friendship is commemorated through ethnic dances like the Padong war dance and the Taguem courtship/wedding dance. The coming of the Bugkalots, the first tribe to settle in the province, is also celebrated.
Restaurants
After visiting Nagtipunan’s many tourist attractions, a hearty meal to restore one’s energy is in order. Here are two of the restaurants visitors can go to.
EKS Bakeshop and Restaurant
This is a rustic open-air eatery that serves all-day breakfast meals, particularly silog combo meals (a class of Filipino breakfast dishes containing fried rice, fried egg and a viand, usually a meat serving like dried beef, sausage or ham), drinks and desserts. Its offerings, including its best-selling lomi (a Filipino dish made with a variety of thick fresh egg noodles that are soaked in lye water to give them more texture), pancit (Chinese egg noodles braised with chicken and seafoods) and their must-try egg pie. All are affordably priced.
PEPS Food Kiosk
This is an all-in-one eatery that offers “lutong bahay” (home-cooked) dishes. It serves affordable adobo, pinaputok (crispy pork innards), dinengdeng, pinakbet and their best-sellers: sisig and dinakdakan. Not only do they serve home-cooked dishes, they also have short noodle orders for busy persons such as pancit cabagan, batil patong, lomi sotanghon and pansit guisado. For dessert or snacks, PEPS serves puto, sapin-sapin, and kutchinta. For refreshments, its offers milktea and shakes.
Oh Pares Ko
Located in Barangay Dipantan, this relatively new eatery is fast gaining a following among locals and visitors. It specializes in pares, a popular Filipino street dish made up of a serving of braised beef stew, fried rice and a bowl of clear soup. Its best-sellers carry such catchy names as putok batok pares, siete pares overload, siete pares mami overload, and beef pares with crispy tokong proben. The place also looks like a simple house instead of a typical restaurant, which further adds to its homey atmosphere.
Nagtipunan Gallery
