The province of Quirino is not your typical getaway of powdery white sand beaches, star-rated resort hotels, cozy restaurants, and tourist facilities.
But what it lacks in man-made amenities, it more than compensates with its largely untapped natural wonders. True-blue adventurers can conquer this hilly hideaway on two wheels because of its scenic, exciting, and meandering roads ideal for motorcycling.
Recently, the province has made a big step in laying claim to being the country’s motor tourism mecca with the successful staging of the 4th Quirino Motorismo.
Organized by the Quirino Riders Federation, the Region 2 Riders Federation, and supported by the Provincial Government, the event is acknowledged as the Philippines’ biggest motor tourism festival with thousands of two-wheeled enthusiasts taking part.
“Quirino Motorismo is our unique way of attracting domestic and foreign tourists to make the province their choice destination for summer and beyond,” said provincial governor Junie Cua, who introduced the event in 2015.
An enthusiast of the sport, he added that motoring is an adventurous way of discovering the tourist spots and the diverse aspects of Quirino’s way of life.
Multi-titled motocross champion Glenn Aguilar stamped his class against upcoming stars to rule the three-day event held at the Provincial Capitol Sports Complex in Cabarroguis.
Other winners in the tourney were Santiago-based entrepreneur Glen Malgapo who topped the All Region 02 and Open Enduro categories, Balong Tiongson who bagged the All China and Local Enduro top spots, and Quirino enthusiast Langit Salonga who dominated the underbone open and local underbone divisions.
Bagging the top spot in their respective categories were Czaldy Alindayao (85 cc), Clyde Alindayao (novice open production), Rowell Gatchalian (Executive A Lites), Bon Lodevico (All Quirino), Pia Gabriel (Ladies), Ompong Gabriel (Intermediate), Lei Dominic Brillo (beginner production), Jolet Jao (veterans), Jay Lacnit (Executive B), Zan Loven Mamaril (65 cc), and Kevin Clint Bernardo (50cc).
Further, the event also included the 1,000-km Endurance Challenge, the longest ride of its kind, which saw 435 motorcyclists going around the roads of Quirino, Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija.
Fringe events were the Unity Camp and Ride at the Siitan River Park in Nagtipunan, a bike show, habal-habal challenge, Motokana obstacle course, a drag race, and a solo motocross exhibition by Canadian daredevil Billy John Kohut.
Aside from showcasing their skills in the competitions, riders, said Cua, can explore the province’s top tourist spots which are easily accessible by motorcycles.
Among Quirino’s attractions are Aglipay Caves and Campsite in Aglipay, Siitian Nature Park and Landingan Viewdeck in Nagtipunan, and the iconic Governor’s Rapids in Maddela known for its massive limestone walls along the Cagayan River.
In between, they can relax and refresh in the icy pools of the waterfalls tucked in the bosom of the mountains.
The province also boasts the world-class Quirino Watersports Complex which has a wake park, a winch lagoon, a multi-purpose pavilion, and hostel.
Cua said that even prior to Motorismo’s inception, they have been holding motocross tournaments at the annual Quirino foundation day and Panagdadapun Festival, to showcase that the province is ideal for the two-wheel sport.
In 2015, the 350-km Quirino to Quirino (Q2Q) ride was held from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the Capitol Complex as part of the 125th birthday of the late President Elpidio Quirino, whom the province was named after.