A new summer capital is rising in San Nicolas, Pangasinan on the slopes of the Caraballo Mountain Range and you must visit it before it gets crowded.
Barangay Malico, at an elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level, is a cool place to explore with its vast organic vegetable farms, hidden waterfalls, stunning vistas and friendly Kalanguya people. It also has one of the best and juiciest strawberries which you can pick and taste fresh or on the delicious strawberry ice cream.
The place is also rich in history as the Villaverde Trail was established by a Spanish missionary named Juan Villaverde to spread Catholicism to the Kalanguya people. This was also the site of the bloody Battle of Villaverde Trail at the tail-end of the Second World War, and the Sherman Tank that remained at Tindaan Heritage Park is a silent witness to the heroism of American and Filipino soldiers.
The 46-KM road now connects San Nicolas, Pangasinan to Santa Fe, Nueva Viscaya, also passes through Barangay Imugan with its majestic Imugan Falls and old houses of the Ikalahan tribe. It is now 100% paved, and connects TPLEX (exit from Rosales) to Cagayan Road. A better and shorter alternative compared to driving via Dalton Pass.
This is your guide to explore this magnificent mountain villages of the Caraballos!