Dining Experience at Billy Jacks Panciteria in Tuguegarao

Billy Jacks Panciteria is famous for their Pancit Batil Patung. This is one of the must dine restaurant when you are in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province. Is also favorite hang-out place for foreign tourists.

The panciteria is owned and managed by Mr. Billy Anchanzar Lim opened in 2014.

Pancit Batil Patung ordinary Php 80

Billy Jack’s Panciteria

Billy Jacks Panciteria interior

Billy Jacks Menu Board

Billy Jacks Panciteria sitting capacity is between 40 to 60 persons at any given time and it is always teeming with customers. We were lucky to visit this restaurant early mid-morning around past 10:00 am just before lunchtime.

Billy Jacks Panciteria

The vibe is mid -1970’s and 80’s with reggae/surfer atmosphere with poster of Bob Marley, surf, guitar with a lot of signatures from their customers and loyal clients.

signature and autograph from customers

Bob Marley photo collage

Pancit Batil-Patung

Pancit Batil-Patung (or patong) is the specialty of Tuguegarao city. Almost every carinderia, eatery or even in hotel serves this kind of noodle.

The name originated from Hookien and Ibanag languages- Pian e Sit- from Hookien-Chinese language “which means easy or convenient food”, “Batil “( to beat ) and “Patung” ( to put on top).iho

Before the 1970’s, Most of the pancit (noodles) serve in the province were miki, bihon guisado. It was in the early 1970’s when Theo’s Panciteria introduced this dish by adding carabao’s meat with poached egg. Triangle Panciteria offered this dish around 1972 and is one of the oldest known panciterias which still offers this well-loved noodle.

Out of the 160 or so panciterias in the province, Over 90 panciteria have sprung -up in the city. The city’s thus earn the nickname “Pancit Capital of Cagayan“.

Pancit Batil Patung with chorizo for Php 100

The noodle was introduced by the Chinese immigrants and was localized by using ingredients which are available in the region.

This is an all in one noodle dish which is heavy, the original version had a hand pulled miki noodles topped with sautéed minced carabao meat (carabeef/ karahay) with poached egg on accompanied with a cup of soup made from carabao beef stock complemented with another egg cracked and stirred in the soup.

It is also serve with chopped onions, chilies plus a dash of calamansi and vinegar to add taste.

The group ordered two kinds of pancit batil patung, the ordinary one and the one with chorizo. This is the first panciteria to offer pancit batil patung with balut.

Other popular variations of the pancit-batil patung at Billy Jack’s Panciteria comes by simply adding on some of the available toppings such as: balut,Tuguegarao longganisa, tapa, chorizo, sisig, chicharon bulaklak among others.

Visitors from Metro Manila and other places, specially returning college students after the semester break and summer break flock to the panciteria for some bouts of the famed pancit with their own variations of choice.

The restaurant is just few kilometer away and within 1 ride away from Hotel Carmelita.

Address: Buntun, Santiago- Tuguegarao road, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province

Operations: Mondays to Sunday from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm

Contact : (078) 304-1888/ 0975-363-5435

10 Interesting Places to Visit and Stay in Tuguegarao

Tuguegarao is the capital city of Cagayan province. There are a lot of historical places, museum, churches and natural wonders for any visitor or tourist visiting the place.

The fastest way to visit the city is via air by taking domestic flights. While the most interesting and scenic places can be captured via land routes.

Van Gob statue near Robinson’s Mall -Tuguegarao

We took the exciting 9 hours trip from Cubao, Quezon City to Tuguegarao City with one stopover at San Jose City, Nueva Ecija province.Land travel from Metro Manila may vary from 8 hours to 12 hours depending on how fast or slow the driver due to ( road construction and traffic).

In our short stay in the city, We managed to visit these places.

10 Interesting Places to Visit & Stay in Tuguegarao City

Buntun Bridge and Cagayan River

10.) Buntun Bridge and Cagayan River – This is considered as the second longest bridge in the country with length of 1,369 m (4,491 ft) with 15 spans. It also provides panoramic view of the Cagayan river which is the longest and widest river system in the country.

Boy Kanin at the WOW Tuguegarao standee

WOW Tuguegarao standee at night

9.) WOW Tuguegarao Standee–  This is an iconic landmark to get a selfie or groupie when you are within the city. The standee is located near two important fast-food restaurants and mall.

tricycles

8.) Tricycle and Calesa ride – We managed to ride in one of the colorful tricycles which ply the major streets in the city.

7.) Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center- This is located within 5 kilometers within the city’s centro district.

Ms. Lorie I. Decena (Museum Researcher I -Cagayan Museum and Research Center)

The museum and research center was conceived by the Provincial Board in 1971 and became operational on its inauguration on August 15, 1973 during the traditional Aggao na Cagayan.

stone age tools and animals found in the province

Homo erectus skull replica

The museum is divided into several sections and theme

primary and secondary burial jars

Homo luzonensis

farming tools

religious statues, ecclesiastical items and vestments

ethnic group

portion of the building which used to be jail

fountain area and outer courtyard

This is one of the few buildings in the country which used to house a jail  with free guided tour service when one visit the city. There is no entrance fees collected in the museum.

Address: Otis corner and Aguinaldo street, Tuguegarao, Cagayan

Operations – Mondays to Friday 8:00 am to 12:00nn and 1:00pm to 5:00 pm

Contact: (078) 846-73-37

6.) Plaza Rizal and Monument- This monument was erected more than 100 years-ago in August 17, 1918 during the incumbency of Governor Honorio Lasam. Dr. Jose Rizal’s had an overcoat and at the foot of the statue had four Filipina ladies in period costume which represents (virtues): Prudence (Katalinuhan), Justice (Katarungan), Fortitude (Tibay ng Loob) and Temperance (Pagtitimpi).

details at the base of the monument

The design was inspired from the design of Mr. Carlo Nicoli. The base of the monument was made from adobe stones.

The monument is erected just in front of the Cagayan Museum and Research Center,Tuguegarao Cathedral, schools, sports complex and important historical areas within the city.

Sources: Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center, Historical Marker
Cagayan Heritage Conservation Society (Mr. Prince Wilson Macarubbo and Mr. Kevin Domingo) Ms. Lorie Decena.

5.) Tuguegarao Horno– This is a place where bricks kilns are made and fired during the Spanish colonial regime. Most of the bricks were used in the churches and government buildings of the city.

Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral

4.) Tuguegarao Cathedral- Also called Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral. This was built in the mid-18th century with bricks, adobe, mortal and stones.

historical marker

facade

High relief pilasters with alternating smooth and Solomonic/swisted design

bricks

The cathedral sustained a lot of damage during the second world war during the aerial bombings by the Japanese forces on December 8, 1941 and during the liberation of the city in 1945.

Address: Rizal Street, Barangay Centro 10, Tuguegarao City

Lighthouse Cooperative

3.) Lighthouse Cooperative and Financial district – Lighthouse cooperative is located within the city ceter, One can buy products made in Tuguegarao or within the province.

Tuguegarao City

2.) Ancestral Houses, Post Modern Mid-Century Buildings -There are few ancestral houses and mid-century buildings located within the downtown area. This is due to many factors, One is the city was heavily destroyed by the Japanese during the second world war, destructive fire and typhoons which destroyed many old buildings and houses.

mid-century ancestral house

According to our tour guide, Typhoon Lawin left a big portion of the province without power for more than two months.

1.) Hotel Carmelita– is located within the heart of the city. The hotel is just beside a bus company and features a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge, garden, convention place, venue place, swimming pool and 24 hour Boy Kanin restaurant.

All of these places are accessible within 15 to 20 minute drive or commute from the hotel premises.  WOW Tuguegarao standee is just 10 minute walk from the place.

Several well-known celebrities like Mr. DJ Durano and other personalities had stayed at the hotel.

Contact: 0917 572 2777 / (078) 844-1024

Address: # 9 Diversion Road Balzain, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500