This is a war tunnel used by the Japanese government and military officials as a defense, prison, garrison, and headquarters. It's a man-made tunnel created by the locals through forced labor. This tunnel is one of the tourist destinations situated in Ilagan City, Isabela. Aside from the historical tunnel, the Giant Butaka is an attraction that welcomes everyone who passes by the highway.
After our backpacking adventure in Cagayan and Apayao, we headed to Isabela, their neighboring province - Day 4. So, after checking out at Hotel Joselina, as always, we had our breakfast in McDo and rode in a tricycle to the Victory Liner terminal. Bought water, and the bus ran on the highway, passing by the different municipalities in Cagayan and Isabela. Using Google Maps and my Project Noah mobile app, I was able to track our location - a very precise location! Alighted at the spot before the Giant Butaka.
Our first destination was the Giant Butaka, the plaza, and the I Love Ilagan signboard. We stayed there for less than an hour because we waited for a group of Singaporean students to finish while the sun was hot. We took a lot of photos at the park. At the park, several artworks are significant to Philippine history, such as the Blood Compact and other events.
The "Butaca" is a common household furniture in Ilagan that symbolizes the "ipabalem" or the feel-at-home hospitality of Ilaguenos. When the Spaniards arrived in the valley in 1594, they saw the Butaca in the affluent natives and adopted it by bringing a number of them to the mission houses in the Casa del Encomeinderos and Casa Presidencias for use on various occasions. It is usually made from narra and woven rattan.
After the Butaka experience, we asked the police on duty how to go to the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel. As instructed, we rode in a tricycle to the tunnel; very simple, right? Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the arch. By the way, the primary modes of transportation in the city are tricycles and jeepneys.
Also, upon arrival at the Japanese Tunnel of Ilagan, we were approached by a girl to settle our entrance fee. The area is surrounded by a gorgeous landscape, flowers, and trees, and the breeze is cool and fresh. To complete the vibes, tourists and visitors can wear kimono, like what we did. Wearing the kimono wasn't easy because of its complicated design. Not only that, the fabric used for kimonos wasn't linen or cotton; it was a thick and heavy fabric. So, let's summarize, the thick fabric of the kimono plus the sun rays is equal to sweat and #tiisganda.
After the challenging and #tiisgandang photo ops wearing the kimono, we entered the main attraction in the area, which is the tunnel. This is just one of the tunnels built by them in the Philippines. As mentioned above, it served as their garrison and headquarters during their occupation of the country. Having said that, there are guns, weapons, bombs, and other explosives are displayed. Aside from the weapons, there are replicas of golden Buddha, coins, money, and other memorabilia. The tunnel has been repaired and preserved by the local government to ensure that the next generation can witness and experience the past.
We stayed and enjoyed the beauty and ambiance in the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel. However, it was already lunchtime, and we were starving, so we headed back to the park. We asked the lady who collected the entrance fee where we could ride a trike to the highway. She contacted someone who brought us to Jolibee by the highway. It was a hot, super sunny day, so we had no choice but to eat in the fast food. Stayed there for an hour or more. Then, on the right side of the fast food, we waited and rode in a Victory Liner bus to Caloocan.
End of our backpacking in Cagayan, Apayao and Isabela.
READ: BACKPACKING IN CAGAYAN, APAYAO, ISABELA