Cauayan City, Isabela

Sierra Madre Mountains

Cauayan City is one of the two cities in the province of Isabela located in Region II.

The town got its name from the word "Cauayan" meaning bamboo in the dialect of Gaddang, the early settlers of this place.

Founded in 1740, the town was originally located alongside the Cagayan River and later moved to its current location due to constant river flooding.

It was previously claimed by other provinces.

Originally a town in the province of Cagayan.
Transferred to Nueva Vizcaya in 1839.
Finally became a town of the province of Isabela when the province of Isabela was created by a Royal Decree issued on May 1, 1856.

I was able to go to Cauayan City, Isabela with the New Channelz, my previous band group, due to a 31-day gig at Queen Jennifer Hotel. Upon learning the assignment from our booking manager, we became excited because the name of the place was new before our ears and it sounded like a very faraway land.

The Long & Winding Road!

It was a Saturday when we traveled going there. Pretty rainy yet. We boarded on a Dalin Bus. It was a very long and a very difficult way trip. The concrete & gravel roads were winding. Up & Down the bus we're on went. The bus needed to climb to the mountains then go down again to get to the location. We had stop-overs. Scenes around could be seen. Big trucks and cars and motorcycles were having a hard time climbing up. There were ladies selling corns along the highway. Great Scenery - View of the Sierra Madre Mountains. A mixture of fear and joy I felt then, until I fell asleep during the trip.

New Channelz Band

Cauayan City, small but merely developing. The air was fresh. I admired the simple lifestyle of the people. Hotels & Accomodations could be seen near the Cauayan Proper Bus Terminal as soon as you get off the bus. There's a big public market. There were bars, fast food chains, restaurants, malls, money transfer shops. Many establishments could be found as well as rice mills, furniture, metal craft & automotive shops and a bottling plant. The foods were yummy & delicious. Most of the residents are Ilocanos, Gaddangs and few migrants from the Cordillera provinces. It often rains there, and I mean like everyday, so we haven't toured as much as we liked.
Some of Cauayan's Attractions

Jaycee Farm and Theo Antonio Resorts
Our Lady of Pilar Parish Church
Tabacalera and La Insular Ancient Bodegas

Cauayan City Festival

Gawagaway-yan Festival is a celebration of Cauayan's bountiful livelihood for the ethnic residents. It gives recognition to the Cauayeno's ancestry (Gaddang) through streetdancing, float parade and other native activities.

Queen Jennifer Hotel
We performed there!

Where To Stay

Amity Hotel
Queen Jennifer Hotel
V-Gees Hotel and Resort
Theo Antonio Resort
Jaycee Farm and Resort
Jed Hotel

Getting There

By Land

Cauayan City is reachable via public Dalin Buses & private vehicles through Maharlika Highway. Neighboring towns are Luna on the north, Reina Mercedes and Benito Soliven on the east, Alicia and Angadanan on the south, and Cabatuan on the west.