Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya Province, The Philippines

Image from ilocano.org

For fourteen (14) years its founding in 1739, the town of Bayombong was administered by Friars. The major activities of the colonizers were Religion and Education. The year 1574 marked the beginning of the formal organization of the local government of Bayombong. With the appointment of a Capitan del Pueblo as the chief executive of the town. In 1789, the title of the chief executive was changed to Gobernadorcillo. In 1893, the title was changed to Capitan Municipal. During the revolurionary government in 1896, the Presidente LocalMayor in 1937 as required by the Commonwealth Constitution.

There are many excellent places ot visit, especially

• The Capitol Park - The "Luneta of the North". Ellegantly landscaped, this 8-hectare park sports a boating lagoon, fountain and wishing well, picnic huts and sports facilities, and murals depicting some significant legends, the indigenous tribes and major attractions of the province.
  
  
• Bayombong Children's Park - located at the heart of the town and is a good playground of children. It is equipped with swings, slides, etc
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• St. Dominic Cathedral - It is located at the heart of the town and it boasts of having the best sounding church bells in the country. The structure is made of bricks and rare church antiques.
  
  
• The People's Museum and Library - This two-storey historical building, where the provincial government was formerly seated, is now housing the Novo Vizcayano history and heritage.
  
  
• Bangan Hill - A historic landmark and cultural treasure. Great for hiking enthusiasts. "Stations of the Cross" celebrated here in Lent.
  
  
• The Rizal Shrine - located at Barangay Casat, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
  

(Photo of Rizal shrine provided by The Wandering Angel via Flikr under Creative Commons.)

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896), was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is considered a national hero of the Philippines and the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution. Wikipedia Article

Link to the award-winning JoseRizal.Ph educational website

Perante oranges (right) are exclusively grown in the foothills of Nueva Vizcaya. Its sweet golden fruit is available 24-hours a day at a pasalubong arcade along the national highway in Bayombong's Barangay Magsaysay.

Nikon D40 (SWP-Kiangan LGU Consultative Meeting, May 2007).
Photograph by Shubert Ciencia
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License .

(Photo provided by BoyReale via Flikr under Creative Commons.)