It was my first time to visit Isabela Province when I went to Cauayan City for the 6th Linguistic Society of the Philippines International Conference on April 11–13.
It was the farthest north in the Philippines I’ve ever been, and I have to say, Cauayan City truly surprised me.
The first surprise was the smallness of the airport. It feels like going back in time.
The second surprise was: there were no taxis! The tricycles are the main mode of transportation.
The third surprise is the friendliness of the people. First, at the airport! They were wonderfully courteous and helpful. I was able to get a ride from the airport to the hotel courtesy of the hotel itself.
I stayed at Mango Suites and the staff were just as nice. Prior to booking at Agoda, I read some reviews that they charged extra for fresh towels, no hair dryer. These were probably true before, but not any more. They cleaned my room, gave me fresh towels on my second day, and also lent me a hair dryer without extra charge.
The room was quite spacious and clean.
For me, Mango Suites also has a great location as it is near places that I often go to when I travel — a mall and the church! (I don’t really go sightseeing nor do I travel for leisure. I only travel when I have to.)
SM Cauayan is a 5-minute tricycle ride. If it weren’t too hot, I would have walked to SM. But then again there aren’t many trees that give shade from the scorching heat of the sun, so I took the tricycle.
Isabela State University where the conference was held is also quite close. Unfortunately I was not able to take a photo of the campus. The working committee were the best — very helpful, friendly and efficient. I truly enjoyed the conference with over 200 participants and presenters!
The Our Lady of the Pillar Church is also about a 5-minute tricycle ride from the hotel.
On my last day in Cauayan, I attended an English mass. The first time I went, the mass was in Gaddang, the local dialect.
On my way back to the hotel, I saw this sign on a motorcycle, and then it all made sense to me: there’s a ban on rudeness in Cauayan City.
I was quite happy to see this. I know some people might think it’s limiting people’s freedom to express themselves, but I’d rather observe this rule than be the recipient of rudeness.
Everyone I spoke with at the conference who is not from Isabela all said the same thing: Cauayanons are so warm and friendly and just really nice. From the airport staff, drivers, security guards, random strangers, hotel staff, everyone I met in the 5 days I stayed in the city, was just nice. Amazing!
I wouldn’t mind visiting Cauayan again.
Thoughts on Life 