Discovering Malico
Via Villa Verde Trail Exploring Pangasinan’s summer capital
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S an adventurer, I always wonder what lies ahead beyond the end of a trail. A mountain peak, a hidden waterfall, or perhaps a remote village — all waiting for me to discover.
Thirty years ago, while exploring Imugan in Nueva Vizcaya, I was told by members of the Kalanguya tribe that a trail on the Caraballo Mountain range called Villa Verde actually existed between Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan, passing through the remote village of Malico. It has been in existence since Spanish times, used by the mountain people for trade with the lowlanders. When I asked how long it takes to cover the trail on foot, their reply was “about two to three days.”
A decade later, I heard again about Malico and its strawberry farms from a friend from Santa Fe. I attempted to drive past Imugan, but the muddy road made it difficult for my SUV to go further, and I had to turn back, giving up again my dream of seeing Malico.
Recently, I learned that the road between Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya is now fully completed. We drove there recently to finally explore the trail and see Malico for the first time. It was an awesome experience!
Villa Verde Trail
The Caraballo Mountain range is located between Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan. On the eastern side of the mountain is the Dalton Pass, which connects Central Luzon with Cagayan Valley. On the western part is the Villa Verde Trail, connecting the Ilocos Region to Cagayan.
It was named after Father Juan Villaverde, a Spanish missionary who blazed through treacherous mountain passes to spread Catholicism to the indigenous Kalanguya people of Malico and neighboring villages.
During the tail-end of World War 2, the US Army crisscrossed through the Villa Verde Trail to reach Salacsac Pass in Malico to overpower the elite Japanese force stationed there.
The Kalanguya tribe lived peacefully at an elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level, planting vegetables and other valuable crops for many years. They are peace-loving people who have welcomed visitors to stay in their humble homes and enjoy the cool mountain weather of the Caraballo. Malico, with its breathtaking views of the mountains and cold all-yearround
Getting there
Malico is under the municipality of San Nicolas, Pangasinan, although there’s still some border dispute with Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. Malico, 26 kilometers from the town center of San Nicolas, is actually closer to Santa Fe. The best access is still via Pangasinan.
From Manila, drive through the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx), and exit from Rosales, Pangasinan at kilometer (km) 169. From Rosales, drive through the towns of San Miguel and Tayug before
reaching San Nicolas, the last town of San Nicolas. After the town proper, it’s another 5 km to the bridge across Cabalisian River, where the winding Villa Verde road starts ascending across Caraballo mountains. It’s called Malico simply because the trails snake through the slopes of Caraballo mountains until it reaches an elevation of 1,400 meters above sea level in Barangay Malico, with its breathtaking vistas and cool mountain weather earning it the distinction as Pangasinan’s summer capital.
The total distance from San Nicolas to Santa Fe is 46 kilometers, with San Nicolas to Malico at 26 kilometers, Malico to Imugan, Santa Fe at 12 kilometers, and Imugan to Santa Fe proper for another 8 kilometers. It reduces travel time between the two municipalities by two to
The newly opened road promises endless adventures along the Caraballo mountains. The drive itself, with its endless twists and turns, will surely excite any adventure seeker. The road is also attracting bikers to conquer its 46-kilometer stretch of winding trails on concrete pavement.
Coffee shops and restaurants are sprouting beside the road, tempting motorists to stop by and have their meals and coffee with the great view of the mountains. Homestays and camping sites have recently opened for those who wish to experience the night temperature that usually dips below 15 degrees centigrade.
The Mangili Tindaan Heritage Park has several attractions inside its pine-covered area. The Sherman Tank from the Second World War is its centerpiece, reminding visitors of the gallantry of American and Filipino soldiers to take back Villa Verde from the enemy. The park also has a picnic area, a camping ground, and a mini museum. At the entrance to the park, an ice cream vendor sells homemade ice cream using fresh strawberries from Malico.
In Malico proper, local farmers sell freshly picked, organically grown vegetables that they grow themselves. But if you wish to pick fresh strawberries, several farms offer strawberry picking for only P400 per kilo.
There are also several waterfalls along Villa Verde, but if you wish to visit one inside the forest of Caraballo, visit Imugan Falls situated 12 kilometers from Malico. The 35-foot Imugan Falls with a large pool surrounded by flowering plants can be accessed by a 30-minute walk along the 1.3-kilometer trail from the entrance.
There are many more to discover along this 46-kilometer Villa Verde road. It promises endless adventures to those who wish to stop by and explore. The new road also makes it easier to drive from TPLEx to the Cordillera and Cagayan regions.