THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Historical
Barrio Labi (Bongabon)
Located in the town of Bongabon, along the National Highway going to Baler, Quezon, this is the death place of Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon, the wife of the late President Manuel Luiz Quezon.
Apolinario Mabini Marker (Cuyapo)
In a house in Cuyapo, a marker was installed where Apolinario Mabini, the sublime paralytic was arrested by the Americans in December 10, 1899.
BSP Jamboree Site (Palayan City)
The largest jamboree site in Central Luzon. Held here, the 1968 Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) National Jamboree was dubbed as the “Jamboree of Experience and History”.
Camp Pangatian Shrine (Cabanatuan City)
Before the war, this used to be a military training camp for twenty years but was converted into a concentration camp for Allied Prisoners of War during the Japanese occupation. Some of the supervisors of the infamous Bataan Death March from Bataan to Corregidor in April to May 1942 were imprisoned here. A shrine now honors the brave rescue of the POW`s by the Filipino guerillas led by the late Governor Eduardo L. Joson. The Camp is popular tourist destination area for the veterans of WWII and their families who visit our country.
General Luna Statue
A statue of Gen. Luna astride a horse stands at the Plaza of Cabanatuan City in front of Cathedral. Gen. Luna was assassinated in the city, which subsequently adopted him.
The Sideco House (San Isidro)
The Grand Sideco House in San Isidro which Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo frequented marks this gallant town has proven time and again to be the cradle of the Filipino heroes. It is also the place where Gen. Frederick Funston planned the captured of the captured of the first President of the Philippine Republic.
Triala House (Guimba)
The house owned by the Novo Ecijano revolutionary leader Gen. Manuel Tinio, built during the early commonwealth period, features ornate designs, turn of the century Furniture and a life size image of the esteemed Novo Ecijano Don Kapitan Berong in stained glass.
The Brick Walls of Gabaldon
It took four decades before the Augustinian missionaries were able to continue their mission in Bongabon, in 1636. Ruins of brick walls remain to this day.
Pantabangan Dam
The countries first multi-purpose infrastructure stands today as a phenomenon in Filipino
feats. Cutting across a rich valley floor, the Pampanga river was tamed for irrigation, generation of hydroelectric power and mitigation of flood damages. It is considered to be a mainstay among tourist spots because of its domestic scenic ambience and the awesome engineering wonders which anyone can appreciate. At the Campsite, Guesthouse provides first class accommodation. These includes fully carpeted and air-condition rooms, a swimming pool and other recreational facilities. From its view deck one can relax with a view of the 1.61 kilometers long dam which is 107 meter high from the river bed. A visit to the Hydroelectric power plant can be arranged.
The Wright Institute of San Isidro
One of the first school established outside Metro Manila during the American period.
Fort Magsaysay (Palayan City)
Located in the province capital, Fort Magsaysay has a total area of 74,000 hectares. Being one of the biggest military training camp not only in the Philippines but the whole of Asia, Fort Magsaysay provide new breed of soldiers in different fields such as engineering, health care and education. Pahingahan Complex is the main attraction of the camp. Described as a mini dam, it offers a breathtaking scenery of natural rainforest and a huge lake.
Religious
The Churches of Puncan, Carranglan and Capintalan
At the turn of the 18th century, the dangerous task of apostolic work expanded Northeast in Carranglan. The church ruins of identical Augustinian architecture can still be found in this sites. Although the Puncan ruin failed to survive, those in Carranglan fortunately managed to keep in the 70`s during the construction of the dam reservoir.
The Old Roman Catholic Church of Gapan
The first Augustinian mission in lowland Nueva Ecija was founded in Gapan in 1595. The Roman Catholic church of Byzantine architecture, built within 16 years (1856-1872) and the old Municipal hall as the tribunal endures as a remainder of their pioneering efforts.
Mt. Olivete Religious Sects Community (Bongabon)
Climbing a hundred steps of curved stone, one reaches the church built by the Adarnista Spiritual Community on a hilltop. An outdoor overnight stay a firefly-lit night, enchanting its visitors and in the morning, one wakes to cascading waterfalls whose view adds to its lush sceneries . Olivete is most famous for its medicinal springs where pilgrims bathing and drinking are an everyday sight and every visitor either to discover its awesome wonders inside or to purify their inner selves crawling through its endless veins.
Natural (Parks & View Sites)
Dalton Pass (Carranglan)
Located in Capintalan, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija the place is about 5 hectares and accessible to any kind of transfortation along Maharlika road. The place has a monument of General Dalton with the historical accounts of World War II.
Doña Aurora National Park (Bongabon)
Located 100 meters away from the arch symbolized the boundary between Aurora and Nueva Ecija, the park is rich in ravine and cliffs which is ideal for mountain climbing and hiking and for pleasure trip. From the upper portion of the park going to Aurora province, one would notice the undisturbed forest downhill which is very ideal site for picnicking.
Minalungao National Park
Located at General. Tinio and Gapan. Declared as a National Park, it features a
breathtaking view of the narrow but deep Peñaranda river. On both side of the river bank one looks up 16 meters high limestone walls. The ridge formation of white sculptured limestone walls shows the might of the great river. A cave whose distance is yet to be reached features a yanking pit, ante chambers of flowing draperies of marvelous stones and a magnificent hall adorned with natural chandeliers of stalactites, drawing spelunkers to its wonder and challenge. During the summer months, young and old flock to the park to enjoy bathing in tempting cool and clear water of Minalungao. It is an hour drive from Cabanatuan City.
Diamond Park (San Jose City)
This park is strategically located at the gateway of the Cagayan Valley. A haven for picnickers and refreshing environment of numerous parks and gardens landscape on hills. The river running its foothills is a summer destination. Climbing its hundred steps stairs, one reaches lamp-lit pagodas on hilltop offering a panoramic view of Northern Nueva Ecija.
Pajanutic Falls
Located in Mejedigan, Carranglan, the place is about 1.5 hectares. It has waterfalls about 15 meters in height surrounded with green foliage. It is an ideal place for picnics and excursion. It can be reached by land transportation and is 15 kilometers away from the Poblacion.
Barrio Puncan
Located at Carranglan, Nueva Ecija. The place is known to be the “Little Baguio of Nueva Ecija” for its cool breeze atmosphere and pine trees.
Gabaldon Falls
The river is surrounded by green foliage and huge rock formation. Its rippling ice-cold water from the ten feet high water falls is the main attraction of the area.
Luna Falls
Found in the eastern barrio of Rizal which is nested uphill on the foot of Sierra Madre mountain ranges boast one of Central Luzon`s hidden treasure, a towering waterfall more than a hundred feet high descends widely across mountain wall. One is clutched by its power and lured by more than twenty pools varying in levels and depth.
Hot Spring of Rizal
The natural spring is proved to be medicinal. Visitors go to this place for this purpose.
Burburayok Spring
Located at the foot of Mount Amorong in Talugtog, Nueva Ecija. The spring with its cool clear water are busy places during summer months.
Capintalan (Carranglan)
Its rivers and low lying hills are ideal for hiring and communing with nature. The area is maintained by the peaceful community of the Kalanguya tribe from Ifugao. The bawang pick of the area is the tri-boundary point of Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya. A gate to Cagayan Valley, it was a strategic location during the world war liberation period. Tunnels war artifacts and stories of gold digging abound the area. Located in the area is the Dalton Pass with the monument of Gen. Dalton and an inscription of the historic account of World War II.
Palaspas Falls (San Jose City)
Located in the outskirts of the city, in the barrio Manicla, seven kilometers away from the Poblacion. The site has natural scenic beauty where once stood a forbidding forest, its quant existence enhanced only by the sound of cascading waterfalls inadvertently concealed behind its snarling tree branches and thick undergrowth.
Talon Kalikasan (Palayan City)
A natural waterfalls at the foot of Mt. Sierra Madre. The place is just about a kilometer from Aetas resettlement area.
Aloha Falls (Carranglan)
Surrounded by the green foliage and about 15 meters to 20 meters in height. Aside from being picnic grove, the site is also perfect for trekking and mountain climbing.
Feast Days & Festivals
Taong-Putik Ritual
On June 24 during the feast of Saint John, residents of barrio Bibiclat in Aliaga wake up at
dawn and walk to the fields, dragging dried banana leaves behind them. Silhouettes of barrio folks gathered in the field, sunrise signal the start of the religious rite. Men and women, young and old smear their and cover their body with mud. They tie one end of the banana leaves and wear this to conceal their identities. Then they proceed anonymously to the barrio and visits each house were everybody waits them. The taong putik are given candles which they collect and offer to their patron saint at the church. The ritual ends in a mass where everyone removes the banana leaves to reveal their identities and participate in the procession in honor of Saint Joseph the Baptist.
Divina Pastora Shrine
Located at Gapan, Nueva Ecija. The Feast of Divina Pastora is celebrated every 1st day of May. Visitors come to the Shrine for prayer offering. They believe that the patron is miraculous.
Araquio of Peñaranda
Held during the first week of May, the Arakyo is a traditional
reenactment of Queen Helena and King Constantine`s search for the cross where Christ was crucified garbed in colorful costumes, prince and princess sing, dance and dramatize this centuries old tradition which features sword fights between the Christian and the Moors. The two day performance proceeds to the streets, followed by the audience, till they reach the house of the Hermanos and Hermanas where the search ends and culminates in a procession. Similarly, the Komedya and Moro-moro carries on in the barrio of Kita-kita, San Jose and Sta. Rosa.
Tanduyong Festival (San Jose City) 
On the festival day, the streets are filled with contingents of dancers, outfitted in the striking, multi-hued costumes. Exotic rhythms of improvised musical instruments fill the air as the dancers gyrate and sway to the beat of life. This is celebration every 4th Sunday of April, in time for their thanks giving for onion harvest.
GETTING AROUND NUEVA ECIJA
If one needs to go to the other towns of the province of Nueva Ecija, one can always get off at the Central Terminal in Cabanatuan City and take a jeepney to the other towns.
