Claveria Tourist Spots

Taggat Lagoon



A marina for local fishermen, Taggat Lagoon is a favorite beach swimming destination. The water is generally calm considering the lagoon has a natural breakwater of rocks shielding it from the direct waves of the open sea.

Bring your own food. Open cottages put up by the local village association are for rent plus a minimum entrance fee to the park - the fee is just enough for the upkeep of the place, especially its T&B facilities.
Try the man-made swimming pools at the farther west end of the lagoon. The thick lush forest up in the mountain supplies water to Taggat Falls that is dammed at these pool basins.
Buy fresh sea catch from the local fishermen.

Centinela Beach

The most precious hidden gem of Claveria in my humble opinion.
This should not be missed in any trip to Cagayan. The waters are clear and calm, not too salty as this is near the point where the river meets the ocean. There is a rocky formation not too far from the beach which can be reached by wading when the tide is not too high.

Claveria Beach

 

Four kilometers of clean beach...what else can you ask for? You can spend your day here from dusk till dawn.
During summer, fishermen gather here from 5:00am to 9:00am for their daily catch of galunggong, dilis, atbp.  The whole catch is divided into 4. One portion goes to the fishnet owner, the other portion to the uzis and the remaining two portions will be divided among the group.

A favorite weekend hideaway for Cagayanos and Isabelanons come summer time, this 4-km long stretch of fine sandy beach is the main attraction of the town. The numerous beach resorts that dot the Beach Boulevard has a total accomodation capacity of about 500+. Whatever your budget, you will find your place. Camping out by the beach during peak season is common when rooms run short.
The Claveria Bay is a very abundant fishing ground. Fresh catch is readily available to the resorts' guests by buying the catch as fishermen out from the sea docks at early morning or at the end of the day. Let the resorts restaurants do the cooking for a minimal fee.

Portabaga Falls

 

Have a great time dipping on the cold waters flowing from mountain springs. There are 5 pools at the base of the falls. The 2 original natural basins have the biggest areas and are about 15-ft deep, recommended for adults. The other 3 man-made pools are tiled and are 2-, 3- and 4-feet deep, safe for children. There are about 6 private open cottages on the sides of the pools good for a maximum of ten persons per. The covered main hall has picnic tables that can accomodate up to 50 persons.
Day-tour only. P5.00 entrance per head. Bring your cooked/packed foods. Barbecue grills are available. A small store sells cold drinks and refreshment foods. Yes, they sell ice cold beer.

Macatel Falls

 

It's good they let this place stay in its unspoiled natural conditon. Only nipa cottages on the banks for day-tour visitors. A well-placed big flat rock on the left side is a favorite diving platform for those who dare to dive 8m high down to the 6m deep basin formed at the base of the falls. The basin is wide enough to do some backstroke/freestyle swimming from end to end.
At the top of the falls is a small basin 2m deep. The flowing water into this small basin sculptured a natural slide on the rock. Great fun sliding and get submerged in the bubbling water. Many shallow natural bathtubs around can be a safe and fun place for the kids.
During the rainy season, be extra careful, the rocks are slippery.

Claveria (Coastal Paradise of the North)

The municipality is one of the 29 towns of the province of Cagayan, Region II (Cagayan Valley). Its exquisite beauty, impressive growth and progress attract migrants, tourists and visitors. Its cleanliness and the hospitality of its people make anyone's stay truly satisfying. Claveria lies on the northwestern portion of the province of Cagayan. It is approximately 185.3 kilometers from Tuguegarao, the provincial and regional center of Cagayan Valley. It is approximately 613.0 kilometers from Manila via Ilocos Region. It is bounded on the north by the Babuyan Channel; It is bounded on the north by the Babuyan Channel; on the east by the municipality of Sanchez Mira; on the south by the province of Kalinga Apayao and on the west by the municipality of Sta. Praxedes. It is the second municipality of Cagayan coming from Ilocos Provinces.It is very much accessible because of the concrete surfaced national road that traverses it from east to west.

The approximate area of the municipality is 194.0 square kilometers or 19,400 hectares; 46.96% is agricultural; 21.69% is occupied by residential houses and institutions 30.85% is covered by forest land and 0.5% is being utilized commercially.

Claveria has a total population of approximately 26,531 with 41 barangays, 13 coastal barangays and the rest are situated in the rural areas. Its topography is from plain to mountains.

The town, being endowed with vast plains and rich bodies of water, is primarily an agricultural area. The two (2) main source of income of the populace is farming and fishing, as it is gifted with the very rich China Sea and Kabikungan River. It is in Claveria where you can find all the various economic zones: forests, valleys, plains, rivers, springs and open sea bottom.

Commercial activity in Claveria is basically centered in the poblacion, which comprises wholesale trade, retail trade and manufacturing of furniture and crops.

Tourist spots like the famous Lakay-lakay, Baket-baket, Ubing-ubing, Clean Claveria Beach, Lagoon, and Mabnang Falls are also found in the municipality. The availability of amenities like resorts assures comfort and convenience for guests who come to visit the place especially during the summer season. The abundance of seafoods such as lobsters, "kusimay", various species of tuna, among others keep visitors in coming back to Claveria.

Tourism, fishing, diversified farming, manufacturing of furniture and metal works are just few of the many investment potentials of the municipality. To enhance the growth of these industries, the Local Government Unit of Claveria has instituted various economic reforms. Included in these programs are the improvement of the foreshore areas, coastal resources and environmental management project which involve the rehabilitation, and conservation of coastal and forest resources, the proper zoning and implementation of the land use plan and the enactment of the revenue code of Claveria, among others.

Claveria made another significant accomplishment by way of achieving the Hall of Fame Award for the Region's Outstanding Municipality of the Year from 1999-2001; Region's Outstanding Local Legislative of the Year as well as the Most Business-Friendly LGU in the Philippines. These accomplishments were made possible through the collaborated efforts of the concerned government agencies, local officials, non-government organizations and the private sector.

Claveria is likewise known as the haven of the two most successful and renowned cooperatives in the Philippines. These cooperatives are the Claveria Agri-based Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. and Claveria Grassroots Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. Undoubtedly, these cooperatives contributed to the socio-economic development of the municipality through its various services, such as lending, trading, marketing, communication network servicing and growth of business establishments.

Claveria, known as the City of Palm and the Coastal Paradise of the North is likewise blessed with vast resources and industrious, hardworking, religious and hospitable Claverianos.

 

Close up view of Apo Lakay-lakay and Apo Baket

Lakay-lakay and Baket-baket can be seen in barangay Taggat Norte while the Apo Ubing-ubing is in barangay D.Leano near Kabikungan River. If you're tavelling in Fuga Island, Camuigin Island or Calayan Island you'll see Apo Ubing-ubing.

It is predominantly even in terrain as evidenced by the town's urban core situated on a wide plain along the coast and the National Highway or Daang Maharlika, and the wide valleys found in most barangays. However, some barangays are located the sides of evenly distributed patches of rolling hills, each of which are endowed with wide valleys that are potentially productive.

 From Manila there are two ways for you to reach Claveria, via Ilocos and via Tuguegarao. Via Ilocos you’ll reach Claveria for 10 hours trip and you’ll  take the bus. Via Tuguegarao same you can take the bus and you’ll reach Tuguegarao for 10 hours trip from Tuguegarao you’ll be taking either bus or van for bus you’ll reach Claveria for 5-6 hours trip and for the van 3-4 hours trip. The fare for the bus Manila-Ilocos or Manila-Tuguegarao is depend on the type of bus you’ll be taking, for the ordinary bus it only range for 550php-700php and for deluxe 800php-1000php and above. Tuguegarao-Claveria if you’ll ride the van the fare is 170php and for the bus is 90php. For those who are in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur you can take the Claveria Tours or the St. Joseph bus. There are also van Loaog-Claveria.

There are two pronounced climates, the moderately hot and moderately cold. Dry season is from March to early part of August while the wet season is from September to early March. It suffers less storms and typhoons compared to other towns because of the mountain ranges that buffer strong winds.

The main religion of the province is Catholic. This is the picture of the St. Joseph Parish Church. St. Joseph is the patron saint of the province. The people believe that the reason why the province is progressing is because that St. Joseph is blessing them. Town fiesta is celebrated during the month of May and they're celebrating theur fiesta for 0ne week.

Collie types and breeds

 
Herding dogs of collie type have long been widespread in Britain, and these can be regarded as a landrace from which a number of other landraces, types, and formal  have been derived, both in Britain and elsewhere. Many of them are working herding dogs, but some have been bred for conformation showing and as pets, sometimes losing their working instincts in the course of selection for appearance or for a more subdued temperament.
Herding types tend to be more variable in appearance than conformation and pet types, as they are bred primarily for their working ability, and appearance is thus of lower importance.
Dogs of collie type or ancestry include:

• Australian Cattle Dog. Dog used in Australia for herding cattle. Dogs of this type are also known as Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler and Red Heeler. Powerful build, erect ears, short-haired, mottled grey or red with solid colour patches on head, and no white.
• Australian Collie or "Bordaussie". Not actually a breed, but a popular cross between two other collie types, Australlian sheperd and Border Collie. Appearance intermediate between parents.
• Australian Kelpie. Developed in Australia from collies originally brought from Scotland and northern England. Erect ears, short-haired, usually black, black-and-tan or red-and-tan, with white limited to chest and toes.
• Australian Shepherd. Developed in the Western US, may have included some dogs of British origin (of Farm Collie type), as well as dogs from Germany and Spain,  but now found in other parts of the world (including Australia). Semi erect ears, medium-length fur, usually red, black or merle, with white over shoulders.
• Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. Dog with stumpy tail used in Australia for herding cattle. Erect ears, lightly built, short fur, mottled grey or red with no white, and either no tail or a very short tail.
• Bearded Collie. Now largely a pet and show breed, but still of collie type, and some are used as working dogs. Floppy ears, long silky fur (including on face and legs), black, grey or fawn, and white over shoulders.
• Blue Lacy. Grey or red all over, short hair, floppy ears. Derived partly from the English Shepherd, with other non-collie breeds.
• Border Collie. The most well known breed for herding sheep throughout the world. Originally developed in Scotland and Northern England. Not always suitable for herding cattle. Ears semi-erect or floppy, fur silky or fairly long, but short on face and legs; red, black, black-and-tan or merle, all usually with white over shoulders, alternatively mostly white with coloured patches on head.
• Cumberland Sheepdog. An extinct breed similar to the Border Collie and possibly absorbed into that breed. An ancestor of the Australian Shepherd. Erect or semi-erect ears, dense fur, black with white only on face and chest.
• English Shepherd. Developed in the US from stock of Farm Collie type originally from Britain. Floppy ears, thick fur, red, black or black-and-tan, with white over shoulders. Not to be confused with the very different Old English Sheepdog.
• Farm Collie. Landrace herding dog found on many livestock farms in Britain, in the US (derived from British dogs), and perhaps elsewhere. In Britain, often simply called "farm dog", or, loosely, "Border Collie". Very variable in size and appearance.
• German Coolie, Koolie or Collie. Developed in Australia, probably from British collies, but may have included dogs from Germany and Spain.  Erect ears, short fur, black, red, black-and-tan or merle, often with some white on neck or over shoulders. (Note: the name "German Collie" is also applied to a cross between a German Shepherd and a Border Collie.)
• Huntaway. Developed in New Zealand from a mixture of breeds, probably including some collie – but it is not of collie type. Larger and more heavily built than most collies, floppy ears, most commonly black-and-tan with little white.
• Lurcher. Not a breed, but a cross of collie (or other herding dog or terrier) with Greyhound or other sight hound. Traditionally bred for poaching with the speed of a sight hound but more obedient and less conspicuous. Variable in appearance, but with greyhound build: floppy ears, tall, slender, with small head, deep chest and "herring gut"; smooth, silky or rough coat, often brindled.
• McNab Shepherd. Developed in the US from British collies. Variable in size, erect or semi-erect ears, short fur, black or red usually with some white on face and chest.
• Old English Sheepdog. Derived from "Shags", hairy herding dogs, themselves derived from "Beards", the ancestors of the Bearded Collie. Modern dogs larger than most collies, no tail, floppy ears, long silky hair (including on face), usually grey and white. Not to be confused with the English Shepherd.
• Scotch Collie, separated into two types or breeds: Rough Collie and Smooth Collie. Now show and pet dogs, these were created by crossing working collies with other breeds (especially Borzois) and are of rather different type to other collies. Tall, long narrow face, semi-erect ears, most commonly sable or merle, with white over shoulders. Rough Collie with long silky fur on body, Smooth Collie with short fur.
• Shetland Sheepdog. A small show and pet breed developed in England partly from herding dogs originating in Shetland. The Shetland dogs were originally working herding dogs, not collies but of Spitz type (similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog). However in the development of the modern breed these Spitz-type dogs were heavily mixed with the Rough Collie and toy breeds, and are now similar in appearance to a miniature Rough Collie. Very small, nearly erect ears, long silky fur on body, most commonly sable or merle, with white over shoulders.
• Smithfield. Originally a British type, now extinct: a large, strong collie, white or black-and-white, floppy-eared, used for droving cattle in the south-east of England, especially the Smithfield market in London. Occasionally the name is used for modern dogs of a somewhat similar type in Australia. The name "Smithfield" is used to describe the shaggy Tasmanian farm dog of Bearded Collie type; and is also applied to the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and may have contributed to the Australian Koolie.
• Welsh Sheepdog. Landrace herding dog from Wales. Erect or semi-erect ears, short or silky fur, red, black, black-and-tan or merle, all usually with white over shoulders.

Famous Collies

Silverton Bobbie, the wonder dog who in 1923, traveled 2,800 miles from Indiana back home to Silverton, Oregon.

Blanco, pet of Lyndon Johnson

Reveille, official mascot of Texas A&M University

Lad, pet of Albert Payson Terhune. He is chronicled through several short stories, most famously in Lad, a dog.

information about shih tzu

The Shih Tzuis a breed of dog weighing 4–7.25 kilograms (8.8–16.0 lb) with long silky hair. The breed originated in China and is among the earliest breeds. Shih Tzu were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969. The name is both singular and plural.

A small dog with a short muzzle and large deep dark eyes, with a soft long, double coat, the Shih Tzu stands no more than 26.7 cm (10¹⁄₂ in.) at the withers  and with an ideal weight of 4.5 to 7.3 kg (10 to 16 lbs). Drop ears are covered with long fur, and the heavily furred tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, although a blaze of white on the forehead and tail-tip is frequently seen. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall, and dogs ideally should carry themselves "with distinctly arrogant carriage." A very noticeable feature is the underbite, which is required in the breed standard^.
The traditional long silky glossy coat that reaches the floor requires daily brushing to avoid tangles. Because of their long coat and fast growing hair, regular grooming is necessary which may be a costly expense and should be considered when looking at this breed. Often the coat is clipped short to simplify care, in a "puppy clip". For conformation showing, the coat must be left in its natural state, although trimming for neatness around the feet and anus is allowed.
A number of health issues, some of them hereditary, have been found in individual Shih Tzu, and are listed below. There is no data on the percentage of dogs with these ailments.
Some health issues in the breed are portosystemic shunt of the liver and hip dysplasia in standard sizes. Shih Tzu can also have brain problems, such as cancer, that they are born with. This often shortens the life span. There have been cases of Shih Tzu being epileptic, in turn this also shortens the life span.
Shih Tzu are brachycephalic (short-muzzled) dogs and are very sensitive to high temperatures. Many airlines that ship dogs will not accept them as checked baggage.
UK Kennel Club survey puts the average life span of a Shih Tzu at 13 years 2 months with most living between 6 and 16 years.


reference: wikipedia and google photos