Townapedia
Basilica of Our Lady of Piat
Basilica of Our Lady of Piat · JmKissme (changes by Rabanus Flavus ), CC BY-SA 4.0
Facade of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat, Cagayan
Facade of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat, Cagayan · Kayakman22, CC0

Tuao, Philippines

Tuao is a town of 2,200 people in Cagayan Valley, Philippines, founded in 1851.

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Population2,200 GeoNames
Elevation67 m 220 ft
Founded1851
Time zoneAsia/Manila
Land area215.5 km²
Nearest airportTuguegarao Airport (TUG) 31 km

Why visit Tuao

Townapedia lists 2 museums and landmarks, 5 parks and trails and 1 place to stay in and around town.

About Tuao

Tuao, officially the Municipality of Tuao (Ibanag: Ili nat Tuao; Ilocano: Ili ti Tuao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Tuao), is a municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 66,147 people.

From the Wikipedia article Tuao (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Travel tips from other travellers: Tuao on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Museums and landmarks2

Odasco Vegetation

Monument and historic site · 3.1 km

Tuao East-Maguilling Road

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8 Buluan

Monument and historic site · 7.5 km

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Parks, trails and playgrounds5

Basilica Park

Park · 6.2 km

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Childrens' Park

Park · 6.5 km

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Piat Town Plaza

Park · 6.5 km

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Tuao Park

Park

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Tuao Plaza

Park

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Where to stay1

Hotel Del Piat

Motel and hotel · 6.2 km

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Churches and places of worship6

Basilica Menor Our Lady of Piat

Church · Roman Catholic · 6.2 km

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Baptistry Chapel

Church · Roman Catholic · 6.2 km

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Holy Eucharist Chapel

Church · Roman Catholic · 6.2 km

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Church · Mormon

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Bellfrey

Place of worship

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JCOSK Church

Church · 6.5 km

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History

When the civil authorities founded the town in 1604, the natives insisted that it be called Tuao. Eight years later on May 13, 1612, Tuao was accepted ecclesiastically. Father Miguel de San Jacinto, O.P. gave the town Santos Angeles Custudios (Holy Guardian Angels) as its patron saints.

The early missionaries in Tuao were zealous evangelists and tactful pacifiers of warlike natives. One of them was Father Francisco Capillas, who later became the first martyr in China. The first parish priest, Father Juan B. Cano, O.P. worked patiently with the people. Another missionary, Father Gabriel Serrano, O.P. built a strong brick and mortar church, a rectory (convento) and a fort (cotta) in which the Spaniards and the natives sought refuge every time the town was raided by the Kalingas from the Cordillera ranges. These landmarks were destroyed by a strong earthquake on December 29, 1949.

In protest of abuses committed by Spanish civil officials and soldiers, the inhabitants of Tuao and neighboring Malaueg, rose in revolt in 1718 under Luis Magtangaga and Tomas Sinaguinga. The uprising was put down by Captain Juan Pablo de Orduna.

From the History section of Tuao on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Shopping1

  • 2J's Hardware and Construction Supply

    Hardware store · 8.9 km

    Tuao-Rizal Road

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Gas and EV charging3

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Schools, colleges and libraries73

Healthcare3

Map of Tuao

94 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Getting there and nearby towns

Tuguegarao Airport (TUG) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 31 km away.

  • Alabug 1 km east, about 1 min by car
  • Accusilian 1 km northeast, about 1 min by car
  • Solana 27 km east, about 27 min by car
  • Tuguegarao 31 km southeast, about 31 min by car
  • Tabuk 36 km south, about 36 min by car
  • Cabagan 48 km southeast, about 48 min by car
  • Roxas 71 km south, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Ilagan 80 km southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Bangued 88 km west, about 1 h 30 min by car
  • Bontoc 88 km southwest, about 1 h 30 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built November 7, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.