Bayombong

The terrain is mountainous dominated by steep hills and mountains encompassing an area of 36.44% of its total land area. The percentage which is level to gently sloping consists of 32.03% of the total area, rolling to hilly consists of 8.09%, while the remaining 23.44% consists of very steep mountains. The town was founded at the juncture of the Calocool and Magat Rivers, and has grown to incorporate the Pan-Philippine Highway.

St. Dominic Cathedral

It was in 1739 when Spanish Augustinian Friars named the place "Bayumbung", which was later changed into Bayombong. Bayombong was formally founded on June 12, 1739 during the first Catholic mass celebrated in the region, officiated by Father Pedro Freire in a makeshift chapel at the foot of the Bangan Hill.

Bayombong came under the administration of Dominican friars as a part of the Paniqui mission pueblo a few months after its founding. The pueblo census of 1747 records 470 residents of Bayombong.[5] The names of those considered to be founding fathers of Bayombong were Ramon Cabauatan, Jacinto Gadingan, Vicente Saquing, Ignacio Abuag, Mariano Danao, Domingo Bayaua, a certain Bincatan and a certain Mamuric. All of them were Gaddangs. Their names are remembered today in major streets of the town.

In 1754, the local government was formally organized. A Capitan del Pueblo was appointed as the chief executive. In 1982, the town became the seat of the new Diocese of Bayombong.

From 1773–1792, Fray Juan Crespo constructed the brick St. Dominic's church, the convent, and the cemetery next to the church, and started the octagonal tower. By 1829, Fray Juan Molano finished the tower. In 1880 the church building was damaged in an earthquake, while more than a century later, in 1987, a fire destroyed the church and convent. In 1989, the 250th anniversary of the first Catholic mass in Bayombong, the rebuilt cathedral was dedicated.

On November 28, 1899 during the Philippine–American War, General Fernando Canon surrendered his 300-man battalion, plus 139 Spanish and 14 American prisoners, to 2nd Lt. James N. Munro's 53 men of the 4th Cavalry.[6]^:148–149 Included in the release were William Rynders and Orrison Woodbury, captured with the rest of Lt. Gillmore's men during the Siege of Baler.[6]^:149

In 1916, the American administration started a farm settlement school in Bayombong. In 1918, a high-school curriculum was added, and the school was named Bayombong Rural School. In 1928, Father de Gryse started St. Mary's, a Catholic elementary school. In 1930, Bayombong Rural School was re-purposed as Nueva Vizcaya Rural High School (NVRHS), and in 1934 St. Mary's added a high-school department. During the Japanese occupation, high school operations were suspended; they resumed in 1945. In 1947, the St. Mary's College (now St. Mary's University) was established by the CICM near the elementary and high-schools of the same name. In 1956, NVRHS was converted into two programs: Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School and Nueva Vizcaya National Agricultural School. In 1964 the agricultural school became Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural College, then in 1973 became the Nueva Vizcaya State Institute of Technology. Presently, the school is the Nueva Vizcaya State University.

Bayombong is the 1913 birthplace of Roy Anthony Cutaran Bennett (1913–1990), editor of the Manila Bulletin who was tortured for his outspoken opposition to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Edith Lopez Tiempo, another Bayombong native, was celebrated as a National Artist of the Philippines in 1999.

Bayombong Municipal Hall

For 14 years from its founding in 1739, the town of Bayombong was administered by Friars. The major activities of the colonizers were religion and education.

The year 1574 marked the beginning of the formal organization of the local government of Bayombong. With the appointment of a Capitan del Pueblo as the chief executive of the town. In 1789, the title of the chief executive was changed to Gobernadorcillo. In 1893, the title was changed to Capitan Municipal. During the government in 1896, the Presidente Local was chief executive of the town but this was again changed to Mayor in 1937 as per provision of the Commonwealth Constitution.

Capitol Park with the Nueva Vizcaya Capitol in the background

Capitol Park – It is considered as the "Luneta of the North". This 8-hectare park is carpeted with green grass and elegantly landscaped. It has a boating lagoon, fountain and wishing well, picnic huts and sports facilities. It also has painting murals depicting some significant legends, the indigenous tribes and major attractions of the province.

Bayombong Children's Park – located at the heart of the town and is a good playground of children. It is equipped with swings, slides, etc.

St. Dominic Cathedral – It is located at the heart of the town and it boasts of having the best sounding church bells in the country. The structure is made of bricks and rare church antiques.

The People's Museum and Library – This two-storey historical building, where the provincial government was formerly seated, is now housing the Novo Vizcayano history and heritage.

Bangan Hill National Park – A historic landmark and cultural treasure. It is the site of the annual "Stations of the Cross" staged by the local Catholic church during the Lenten season using live actors depicting the last moments leading to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Also great for hiking enthusiasts.

Rizal Shrine[10] – located at Barangay Casat, Bayombong.

Bansing or Ammococan Falls – Located at Barangay Bansing, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Magat River

University/College

• Nueva Vizcaya State University[11]
• PLT College Inc.[12]
• Saint Mary's University[13]
• Sierra College

Vocational School

• Northern Luzon Technical Institute
• Vizcaya Institute of Computer Science
• First Gateway Scholastic College
• Vizcaya Prime Care
• Balasi-Secretario Training Center

High School

• Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School
• Philippine Science High School — Cagayan Valley Campus
• Saint Mary's University High School / Science High School[14]
• Nueva Vizcaya State University, Laboratory School
• Muir Woods Academy formerly known as Nueva Vizcaya Bright Child School, Inc.
• Bonfal National High School
• Casat National High School
• Paima National High School

Primary School

• Saint Mary's University Kindergarten[15]
• United Methodist Christian School
• Muir Woods Academy formerly known as Nueva Vizcaya Bright Child School, Inc.
• Kingsway Christian Academy
• Bayfields School
• Salvacion Daycare Center
• Nueva Vizcaya State University Kidcare Learning Center
• PLT Preschool Department
• Casat Day Care Center

Elementary/Middle School

• Ammococan Elementary School
• Bayombong South Elementary School
• Bayombong Central School
• Busilac Elementary School
• La Torre Elementary School
• Saint Mary's University Grade School[16]
• Santa Rosa Elementary School
• Muir Woods Academy formerly known as Nueva Vizcaya Bright Child School, Inc.
• Bonfal Pilot Central School
• Masoc Elementary School
• Cabuaan elementary School
• Lingay Elementary School (LES)
• Bonfal Annex Elementary School
• Labbu Elementary School
• Pawac Elementary School
• Ipil-Cuneg Elementary School
• Casat Elementary School
• Luyang Elementary School

Playhouse and Tutorial Services

• Holy Infant Childcare and Playhouse[17]

• Gonohe, Aomori, Japan[18]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

• Bayombong Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System