Wandering Soul Travel E-Diary

My 77th and 78th Province: MARINDUQUE AND QUEZON
(78/82 provinces explored)

📍Marinduque Province

The Province of Marinduque is an island province in the Philippines located in Southwestern Tagalog Region or Mimaropa, formerly designated as Region IV-B. Its capital is the municipality of Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is west of the Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon province; east of Mindoro Island; and north of the island province of Romblon. Some parts of the Verde Island Passage, the center of the center of world's marine biodiversity and a protected marine area, are also within Marinduque's provincial waters.

For almost 200 years, the province is home to one of the oldest religious festivals of the country, the Moriones celebrated annually every Holy Week.

Marinduque comprises 6 municipalities, further subdivided into 218 barangays. A double legislative districts encompasses all towns

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinduque

📍Quezon Province

The Province of Quezon is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Kaliraya/Kalilayan was the first known name of the province upon its creation in 1591. Around the middle of the 18th century, it was changed to Tayabas. In recognition of the second president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon, the name of Tayabas Province is changed to Quezon. Lucena, the provincial capital, the seat of the provincial government, and the most populous city of the province, is governed independently from the province as a highly urbanized city. To distinguish the province from Quezon City, it is sometimes called Quezon Province, a variation of the province's official name.

Quezon province comprises 39 municipalities and one component city (Tayabas), which are organized into four legislative districts and further subdivided into 1,209 barangays.

The capital, Lucena, is independent of the administrative and fiscal supervision of the province but is eligible to vote for provincial officials.

Quezon Province has a huge potential for optimum utilization of and considerable revenue generation from the tourism sector. There are 180 nature tourism attractions, 104 history and culture tourism attractions, and 42 customs and traditions. Also, there are 41 industrial tourism attractions and 41 sites for sports and recreational activities. Meanwhile, there are also several venues for shopping activities, health and wellness, and special events.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quezon

My 76th Province: NUEVA ECIJA
(76/82 provinces explored)
Thank you GalaPH for making this target a reality…

The Province of Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Palayan, while Cabanatuan, its former capital, is the largest local government unit (LGU). Nueva Ecija borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora. The province is nationally known as the Rice Granary of the Philippines, producing the largest rice yield in the country.

The province is divided into four congressional districts comprising 27 municipalities and 5 cities. The province has the most cities in the Central Luzon region.

Tourists can discover the hidden beauty of Nueva Ecija. In the easternmost barrio of Rizal, nestled uphill on the foot of the Sierra Madre mountain range boasts one of Central Luzon’s hidden treasures: the General Luna Falls. It is a towering waterfall of more than a hundred feet descending widely across a rocky mountain wall into over twenty pools of varying levels and depths. Other destinations in the province are the Minalungao Park with its breathtaking view of the narrow but deep Penaranda River; the Mt. Olivete; the Palaspas Falls which is ideal for picnics and bathing especially during summer; and the Gabaldon Falls. The festivals in the province are the “Taong Putik Festival” of Aliaga and the Holy Week Rituals of Puncan.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nueva_Ecija

My 75th Province: NUEVA VIZCAYA
(75/82 provinces explored)
Thank you GalaPH for making this target a reality…

Nueva Vizcaya is a province in the Philippines situated in the Cagayan Valley region occupying the northeastern section of Luzon. Its capital is the Municipality of Bayombong.

The province has a land area of 4,813.88 square kilometers or 1,858.65 square miles. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 497,432. This represented 13.50% of the total population of the Cagayan Valley region, 0.80% of the overall population of the Luzon island group, or 0.46% of the entire population of the Philippines. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 103 inhabitants per square kilometer or 268 inhabitants per square mile.

Nueva Vizcaya is bordered, clockwise from the North, by Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan, Benguet.

Nueva Vizcaya has 15 municipalities. The total number of barangays in the province is 275.

In view of its location within the watersheds of the Caraballo and Cordillera mountain ranges and its distinction as the major of fruits and vegetables in the region, Nueva Vizcaya is hailed as a “Watershed Haven and Agro-Forestry”

Nueva Vizcaya, is also known for being the Citrus Capital of the country. As one of the top citrus growers in the nation, this province will not fail to impress in terms of fresh citrus harvest.

The Capisaan Cave System is one of Nueva Vizcaya's most tourist spots. The cave is 4.2 kilometers long, making it the Philippines' fifth most extended cave system. It is situated in Brgy. The journey to Capisaan, Kasibu, about a two-hour drive from the National Highway, will be worthwhile for cave diving enthusiasts.

A geologist's dream awaits inside the cave. The cave system includes hundreds, if not thousands, of rock and mineral structures, including rare calcite patterns. It also has an underground river, so visitors should prepare to get wet.

Source: https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r02/nueva-vizcaya.html

My 74th Province: ISABELA
(74/82 provinces explored)

The Province of Isabela is the second largest province in the Philippines in land area located in the Cagayan Valley. Its capital and the largest local government unit is the city of Ilagan. It is bordered by the provinces of Cagayan to the north, Kalinga to the northwest, Mountain Province to the central-west, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya to the southwest, Quirino, Aurora and the independent city of Santiago to the south, and the Philippine Sea to the east.

This primarily agricultural province is the rice and corn granary of Luzon due to its plain and rolling terrain. In 2012, the province was declared as the country's top producer of corn with 1,209,524 metric tons. Isabela was also declared the second-largest rice producer in the Philippines and the Queen Province of the North.

Isabela is the 9th richest province in the Philippines as of 2021. The province has four trade centers in the cities of Ilagan, Cauayan, Santiago and the municipality of Roxas. Santiago City is considered to have the fastest-growing local economy in the entire Philippines.

Isabela is politically subdivided into thirty-four (34) municipalities, two component cities, one independent component city and 1,055 barangays. The province is represented in the Philippine House of Representatives with six legislative districts.

The province has ten first class municipalities, two second class cities and one first class independent component city. Ilagan City, which became a city thirteen years after its failed cityhood proposal in 1998, it is now Luzon’s largest and the country’s fourth biggest city after Davao City, Puerto Princesa@ and Zamboanga City by land area.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabela_(province)

My 73rd Province: CAGAYAN
(73/82 provinces explored)

Cagayan is a province in the Philippines situated in the Cagayan Valley region occupying the northeastern section of Luzon. Its capital is the City of Tuguegarao. Cagayan Province occupies the lower basin of the Cagayan River. It is about 431 kilometres (268 mi) northwest of Manila, and includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte and Apayao to the west, and Kalinga and Isabela to the south. It is well traversed by many rivers, with Abulug and Cagayan Rivers as the largest. The province comprises an aggregate land area of 9,003 square kilometers, which constitutes three percent of the total land area of the country and is the second largest province in the region.

The Spanish Friars notably the Dominicans, brought Western culture to Cagayan. According to Fr. Francisco Rojano, the great chronicler of the province, Cagayan got its name from the Ilocano word “karayan” or river referring to the Rio Grande de Cagayan. The early Spanish settlers also called it “Rio Ibanag”. The river runs from south in Quirino to the north bisecting the whole valley.

Cagayan comprises 28 municipalities and one city divided into three congressional districts. It has 820 barangays. Tuguegarao City (as of December 18, 1999) is the provincial capital, regional seat, and center of business, trade, and education and the only city in the province.

The province has the largest marine fishing grounds and 73 percent of the region’s potential fishpond area. Known as the spelunkers’, trekkers’ and gamefishers’ paradise rolled in one, Cagayan provides a never-ending adventure. The province is now being promoted as an adventure and eco-tourism destination. Both foreign and local tourists continue to explore its caves, engage in game fishing expeditions, trek its mighty mountains and retreat to its centuries- old churches.

It is in this province that the Municipality of Aparri, a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan is located. Aparri is a bustling municipality and the primary growth center of Northern Cagayan. It serves as the center of education, commerce and culture in the northern part of the Region which includes towns of the first and second districts of Cagayan as well as the towns of Apayao and some towns of Ilocos Norte. It has a meteorological station located in Barangay Punta where the Cagayan River meets the Babuyan Channel. It also administers Fuga Island, which is part of the Babuyan Group and is much closer to Claveria.

Travel to the province is a never-ending adventure. Daily flights are provided by Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines from Manila while local airline companies also provide short flights to Maconacon and Palanan in Isabela as well as in Basco, Batanes. Various bus companies from Manila and the Ilocos Region have lines to Cagayan Valley Region, while public utility jeepneys, buses, tricycles and calesas (horse-drawn carriage) are the common mode of transportation for short leisurely trips.

Source: http://www.region2fun.ph/cagayan-province/

My 72nd Province: APAYAO
(72/82 provinces explored)

The Province of Apayao is a landlocked province in the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Kabugao serves as its capital. The provincial capitol and its associated offices are located at the New Government Center in Luna.

The province borders Cagayan to the north and east, Abra and Ilocos Norte to the west, and Kalinga to the south. Prior to 1995, Kalinga and Apayao comprised a single province named Kalinga-Apayao, which was partitioned to better service the needs of individual ethnic groups.

With a population of 124,366 (as of the 2020 census) covering an area of 4,413.35 square kilometres (1,704.00 sq mi), Apayao is the least densely-populated province in the Philippines.

The province of Apayao comprises 7 municipalities and 133 barangays, all encompassed by a lone legislative district. The province is geographically subdivided into Upper Apayao (composed of the upland municipalities: Calanasan, Conner and Kabugao) and Lower Apayao (the lowland municipalities: Luna, Pudtol, Flora and Sta. Marcela).

Plains and valleys are used for farming. Apayao is basically composed of farmlands.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apayao

My 71st Province: ABRA
(71/82 provinces explored)
Thank you GalaPH for making it successful!

The Province of Abra is a landlocked province on the Western side of the massive Cordillera in Northern Luzon. Its deep valleys and sloping hills are enclosed by rugged mountains, except in the Western portion where the Abra River flows towards the coastal plains of Ilocos Sur.

The province is bordered by the towering mountain ranges of the Ilocos in the west and the Cordillera Central in the east. The Abra River runs from the south in Benguet to the west and central areas bisecting the Abra Valley. It is joined by the Tineg River originating in the eastern uplands at a point near the municipality of Dolores.

Abra is composed of 27 municipalities, all encompassed by Abra's lone congressional district, and comprise a total of 303 barangays, with Poblacion in La Paz as the most populous in 2010, and Pattaoig in San Juan as the least.

The province of Abra is a fast growing tourist destination in the Philippines and one will surely enjoy discovering the unspoiled beauty of the province. It also offers many tourist attractions that only nature can give. At the end of your visit, you will find the tour well worth it after experiencing the province's unique attractions.

Source: https://abra.gov.ph/about/
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/destinations/36

TOURIST SPOTS VISITED:
🏛️ Abra Provincial Capitol
⛪️ Bangued Cathedral (St. James the Elder Cathedral)
⛪️ San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine
🛖 Bangued Town Plaza
⛰️ Victoria Peak at Casamata Hill
🛖 Calaba Bridge
🎁 Acosta Pansiteria Miki
💦 Kaparkan Falls and Spring Terraces
⛪️ St. Catherine Cathedral
🛖 Don Mariano Bridge
💦Lusuan Spring Resort
🛖 La Paz Loom Weaving
🛖 Tangadan Tunnel
🛖 Gabriela Silang Monument
🌻 Layugan Gardens 10,000 Tulips
💦 Pinsal Falls

My 70th Province: RIZAL
(70/82 provinces explored)
Thank you Tribo Galugad for making it successful!

The Province of Rizal is one of the Philippines’ first class provinces that belongs to CALABARZON (CA-vite, LA-guna, BA-tangas, R-izal, Que-ZON) Region or region IV-A in the island of Luzon.

The province enjoys a natural beauty of nature and a perfect setting for investments, business establishments and settlements. It is bounded by Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and Quezon Province in the east, the province of Laguna in the soutwest, the province of Bulacan in the north, Metropolitan Manila in the west-northwest portion and by Laguna de Bay in south/south-western portion.

Rizal Province has gained a reputation as the "Cradle of Philippine Art," owing to its artists' communities and folk festivals, starting with the Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal, himself an artist, after whom the province was named.

Rizal is one of the neighboring provinces of Metro Manila. It takes an hour drive from major commercial districts and centers of Metropolis to reach the province's best places. Rizal is a green province which is the best place to unwind from crowded and polluted metropolis.

Pasig served as its capital until 2008, even though it had already become a part of the newly created National Capital Region since November 7, 1975. The provincial capitol has been in Antipolo since 2009, making it the administrative center. On June 19, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11475, which designated Antipolo as the capital of Rizal. The change took place on July 7, 2020.

Rizal comprises 13 municipalities, 1 city and 189 barangays.

Source: https://www.rizalprovince.ph/pages/generalinformation2.html
https://placeandsee.com/wiki/province-of-rizal

PLACES VISITED:
✅Fresno Agroforestry and Ecotourist Campsite
✅Mt. Kulis
✅Noah's Ark
✅Spider's Web
✅Mt. Sambong
✅Heart Peak
✅Sierra Madre View
✅Provincial Capitol of Rizal
✅Antipolo cathedral
✅Antipolo City Hall
✅Antipolo plaza
✅Sumulong Park
✅Ynares Center
✅Pinto Art Museum
✅The Pinto Academy of Arts and Sciences for Healing and Wholeness
✅The Arboretum

My 69th Province: SURIGAO DEL NORTE, featuring SIARGAO ISLANDS

Surigao del Norte is a province located in Caraga region. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao and Bucas Grande—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur to the south.

Surigao del Norte is the second northernmost of the Mindanao provinces and is an important transportation hub between Visayas and Mindanao. Numerous ferries cross the Surigao Strait between Surigao and the island of Leyte carrying vehicles and passengers between Liloan in Southern Leyte and Surigao City.

Surigao del Norte is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 1 city. This province is composed of 335 barangays distributed into two (2) congressional districts. One of the prominent islands in this province is Siargao islands.

Siargao, a teardrop-shaped small island located at the northeastern coast of Mindanao, is known as the country's Surfing Capital and is one of the best tourist spots in the Philippines. In 2019, Siargao was named by Conde Nast Traveler readers as the Best Island in the World.

Cloud 9, one of the surfing spots in Siargao, is the reason why this laidback island came into the radar of international travelers. For non-surfers, Siargao can also be a good destination for a much-needed island getaway.

There are white sand beaches, picturesque islands, blue-green waters perfect for snorkeling and diving, waterfalls, lagoons, and caves. The island also boasts delicious local and international cuisine for every discerning palate. Travelers usually stay in General Luna for the surf spots, but Del Carmen is also getting more popular because of the Sugba Lagoon.

Source: https://sites.google.com/a/tesda.gov.ph/caragaxiii/provincial-offices/surigao-del-norte
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/ultimate-guides/siargao-travel-guide

PLACES VISITED:

📍LAND TOUR
- Maasin river
- Magpupungko rock pool
- Sugba lagoon
- Mountain view
- Coconut road
- Secret beach
- cloud 9

📍ISLAND TOUR
-Naked island
-Daku island
-Guyam island
-Secret island good for low tide
-Secret garden good for snorkling

📍BUCAS GRANDE ISLAND TOUR
- sohoton cove
- hagukan cave
- diving cave (cliff diving)
- nonsting jellyfish lagoon
- bolitas cave
- crystal cave
- tiktikan lake
- club tara for viewers

📍SURIGAO CITY
- surigao del norte provincial capitol
- surigao signage
- surigao city hall
- surigao city plaza

My 68th Province: QUIRINO

Quirino Province lies in the southeastern portion of Cagayan Valley Region within the upper Cagayan River Basin. Isabela bounds it on the north, Aurora on the east and southeast and Nueva Vizcaya on the west and southwest. The Sierra Madre Mountain Range provides a natural barrier on the eastern and southern border and the Mamparang Range on the western part of the province. It has a total land area of 3,057 square kilometers, which is approximately 8.4 percent of the regional area, and 1.02 percent of the total land area of the country.

Quirino Province acquired its juridical personality as a result of the division of the province of the Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela on June 18, 1966 under R.A. 4734. It was named in honor of the then President Elpidio A. Quirino.

The province of Quirino was formally established on February 10, 1971 upon assumption to office of the first elected provincial and municipal officials headed by Dionisio A. Sarandi as Provincial Governor.

Eventually, on February 25,1983, Batas Pambansa Blg. 345 was enacted, creating the municipality of Nagtipunan, a division of the Municipality of Maddela.

Part of the province’s comparative advantage is its accessibility to Aurora (Region 4), which makes it a viable entry/exit through the coastal area of Aurora.

Long before its creation, Quirino was the forest region of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya inhabited by tribal groups popularly known as the Negrito or Pugots. These tribal groups roamed the hinterland and built their huts in the heart of the jungle area.

Ilocano dialect is widely used in the lowlands of the various municipalities while Ifugao is the predominant dialect in the upland parts.

Land transportation is the only available mode of transport to the province. The main artery of transportation that traverses the province is the national road from Cordon, Isabela to Dipaculao, Aurora and Santiago City to Maddela via Jones and San Agustin, Isabela. Transportation facilities in the province include PU jeepney, buses, outrigger banca and tricycles. Maddela-Metro Manila route and vice-versa is served daily by air-conditioned bus lines particularly Nelbusco. Other buses going to Tuguegarao City pass by Cordon and Santiago City where vans are available for the short trip to Quirino.

Quirino comprises 6 municipalities, all encompassed by a single legislative district. It has a total of 132 barangays.

Source: http://www.region2fun.ph/quirino-province/

PLACES VISITED:
📍Municipality of Diffun
🏔 Ganano Falls
🏔 Sabarangan Falls
🏔 Tubikoy Pasalubong
📍Municipality of Cabarroguis
🏔 Quirino Provincial Capitol
🏔 Quirino Museum and Library
🏔 Capitol Pasalubong Center
📍Municipality of Aglipay
🏔 Aglipay Caves
🏔 Century Old Balete Tree
📍Municipality of Maddela
🏔 Cagayan River - Governor's Rapid
🏔 Tiniente/Bisangal Cave and Hidden Waterfalls
📍Municipality of Nagtipunan
🏔 RMJ Pansit Cabagan
🏔 Landingan Viewpoint
SIDETRIP: 📍Ampere Beach and Rock Formation, Dipaculao, Aurora

Thanks galaPh

San Ricardo Shipping Corporation: ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

GREAT NEWS TO THE TRUCKERS AND PASSENGERS, an additional vessel is now ready to serve, the MV Georgia 1.

Routes:
Benit, San Ricardo- Lipata, Surigao
Lipata, Surigao - Benit, San Ricardo

NEW DAILY TRIP SCHEDULE:
📍Lipata, Surigao City; Contact No: 09265505337
5:00 AM
8:00 AM
11:00 AM
2:00 PM
5:00 PM
8:00 PM

📍Benit, San Ricardo; Contact No: 09264961070
5:00 AM
8:00 AM
11:00 AM
2:00 PM
5:00 PM
9:00 PM
***Subject to change without prior notice.

Sa pletehan sa pasahero og rolling cargoes, paki-click sa link sa ubos 👇.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=731935195601642&id=100063555047484&mibextid=Nif5oz

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=680117777254975&id=100057702755999&mibextid=Nif5oz

Photo Courtesy: San Ricardo Shipping Corporation San Ricardo Shipping Lines

My 67th Province: EASTERN SAMAR

The Province of Province of Eastern Samar, is located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Borongan. Eastern Samar occupies the eastern portion of the island of Samar. Bordering the province to the north is the province of Northern Samar and to the west is Samar province. To the east lies the Philippine Sea, part of the vast Pacific Ocean, while to the south lies Leyte Gulf.

Eastern Samar comprises 22 municipalities and one city, all encompassed by an lone congressional district and two provincial districts that elect a representative and provincial board members, respectively.

Tourist spots visited:
📍Ginduyanan Cove, Hernani, Eastern Samar
📍Canhugas Nature Park, Hernani, Eastern Samar
📍Linao Cave, Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
📍Provincial Capitol, Borongan City, Eastern Samar
📍Baybay Boulevard, Borongan City
📍Hilangagan Beach, Borongan City, Eastern Samar
📍Surf City, Borongan City, Eastern Samar
📍Liliputan Rocky Beach, San Julian, Eastern Samar
📍San Antonio de Padua church, Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
📍Immaculate Conception church, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
📍Guiuan Plaza, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
📍GenMac Boulevard, General Mac Arthur, Eastern Samar
📍GenMac Plaza, General Mac Arthur, Eastern Samar
📍Balangiga Bells, Balangiga, Eastern Samar
📍Balangiga Plaza, Balangiga, Eastern Samar

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Samar

My 65th and 66th Provinces: AGUSAN DEL SUR AND AGUSAN DEL NORTE

📍Agusan del Sur

The Province of is a province in Caraga region, Mindanao, Philippines. Its capital is the municipality of Prosperidad. It is bordered on the northwest by Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental; east by Surigao del Sur; southeast by Davao Oriental; mid-south by Davao de Oro; southwest by Davao del Norte and, mid-west by Bukidnon. It is the fourth largest province in the country in terms of area.

Agusan del Sur has two congressional districts encompassing its 13 municipalities and 1 component city. There are 314 barangays.

📍Agusan del Norte

The province of Agusan del Norte is a province in the Caraga region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Cabadbaran with several government offices located in the city of Butuan. It is bordered on the northwest by Butuan Bay; northeast by Surigao del Norte; mid-east by Surigao del Sur; southeast by Agusan del Sur, and southwest by Misamis Oriental.

Agusan del Norte comprises 10 municipalities and 1 component city. There are 253 barangays (including the independent city of Butuan). It has two congressional districts.

The city of Cabadbaran is the officially designated capital of the province per Republic Act 8811. The highly urbanized city of Butuan is geographically within but administratively independent from the province.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agusan_del_Norte
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agusan_del_Sur

My 64th Province: SURIGAO DEL SUR

The Province of Surigao del Sur, is a province in the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City.

Surigao del Sur is located along the northeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Philippine Sea between 125°40' to 126°20' east longitudes and 7°55' and 9°20' north latitudes. It is bounded on the northwest by the province of Surigao del Norte, on the southeast by Davao Oriental, on the west and southwest by Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

Situated west is the Diwata Mountain Range, isolating the province from the rest of Mindanao. To the east lies the Philippine Sea. The Mindanao Deep, one of the deepest trenches in the world, is situated a few kilometers east of the coastline

Surigao del Sur comprises 17 municipalities and two cities, further subdivided into 309 barangays. There are two congressional districts encompassing all cities and towns.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surigao_del_Sur

My 63rd Province: KALINGA

The Province of Kalinga is a landlocked province in the northernmost section of the Cordillera Region. It is bounded by the provinces of Cagayan and Apayao in the north, Mt. Province in the south, and Abra in the West.

Sharp-crested interlinking mountain peaks, steep slopes, isolated flat lands, plateau's and valley characterize the western side while the eastern section is generally rolling with gradually sloping foothills, interlocking wide track of flat lands and floodplains along its main rivers. Among land and waterforms which constitute potential tourism sights are its waterfalls, hot springs, rice terraces and subterranean rivers.

Composed of seven municipalities and one component city, the province's land area as of 2010 is 3,164.3 square kilometers occupying 17% of the Cordillera Administrative Region's land area.

A sizeable 85.96% of the total land area has been declared under the Revised Forestry Code inalienable and disposable or public land leaving only 14.04% as alienable disposable. This can be counted as a major issue aside from the inaccessibilty attributed by the terrain of the province.

Under the national population count conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of May 2020, Kalinga registered a total population of 229,570 with an annual growth rate (PGR) of 1.62 percent from 2015 to 2020. The City of Tabuk has the highest population count 121,033 persons. This is because Tabuk City is the capital of the province and is the center of commerce, trade and industry making the city an immigration area. The least populated town is Tanudan with only 8,746 populatioln count.

The province is richly endowed with mineral resources, both metallic and non-metallic which are said to be mostly found in the municipalities of Balbalan and Pasil. There are also evidences on the presence of non-metallic reserves such as sulphur, gravel and sand.

It is also in thie province where you can find Apo Whang-od. She is considered the last tattoo artist in the Kalinga region, carrying on the 1,000-year tradition of batok.

This month, April 2023, 106-year-old Whang-od graced the cover of Vogue Philippines' Beauty Issue, making her the oldest person to ever be on the cover of Vogue.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) conferred on Whang-od the prestigious Dangal ng Haraya Award at Tabuk, the capital of Whang-od's ethnic province of Kalinga, in 2018. She was nominated for the National Living Treasures Award (Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan) in 2017. Her nomination is still being processed by the NCCA.

Source: http://rssocar.psa.gov.ph/kalinga
CNN Philippines

My 62nd Province: CAMARINES SUR

The Province of Camarines Sur is the largest among the six provinces in the Bicol Region both by population and land area. Its territory includes two cities: Naga, the lone chartered city, as the province's religious, cultural, financial, commercial, industrial and business center; and Iriga, a component city, as the center of the Rinconada area and Riŋkonāda Language. Within the province lies Lake Buhi, where the smallest commercially harvested fish, the Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis), can be found. The province is also home to the critically endangered Isarog Agta language, one of the three critically endangered languages in the Philippines according to UNESCO.

Camarines Sur is also composed of 35 municipalities. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the northwest, and Albay to the south. To the east lies the island province of Catanduanes across the Maqueda Channel.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camarines_Sur