The Journey to Sagada’s Bomod-ok Falls

Sagada is such an outdoor-oriented place. You won’t enjoy its beauty if you’ll just cuddle on your room or “not in the mood” to walk. Indeed, going to this town would burn up your calories! One of the best things to do it is to go all the way to Bomod-ok Falls. Going there is not like bring your car and a walk in a park. It’s all about the best of nature’s works, cultural exposure, and some good old exercise.

Bomod-ok Falls is located north of downtown Sagada between the Igorot communities of Aguid, Pide, and Fidelisan. Its two kilometres trek from the road, descending in a valley full of terraces and “islands” of Igorot communities.

The journey to Bomod-ok itself is one heck of an experience. The grand view of Sagada’s northern rice terraces is simply breathtaking. The cool morning mountain air refreshes the urbanite’s spirit. Parang gusto ko tong dalhin sa syudad, I said. The initial trek going down was a bit steep, but manageable. The trek usually starts at Barangay Bangaan.

Our guide, a local of Barangay Fidelisan herself, seems to be so used to the trekking that she treats Bomod-ok as like a simple walk in the park. For us urbanites, it’s whew!

Fidelisan: An Island in the Mountain Terraces

Fidelisan, midway between the falls and the road, is our pit stop in this leg. We are to pay a small “community fee” for around PhP20 in their barangay hall (which smells great due to pinewood used.)

The community itself still has the indigenous set-up. The old tribunal of the elders, some old ancestral wooden huts, and a community still laidback. Despite its mountainous and isolated location, we still saw magkumares (women in Fidelisan) selling some Marikina Shoe Expo and Avon in the sideline. Gatorade and Pepsi made it to their own sari-sari stores catering to tourists passing by the area. Yet despite the advent of modern age, the atmosphere here still has the traditional aura.

Aside from farming, the Igorots of Fidelisan get their income from tourism (being guides and catering services to tourists to Bomod-ok) and yes, mining. There is a small-scale mining operation just below the community. The smell of sulphuric acid (I’m very familiar with its smell) lingers a bit as we head down in the valley.

The Terraces

I haven’t been to Banaue but a walk in the terraces is a glimpse of what I can possibly see in Ifugao Province. Going to the falls passes by the terraces which is usually planted only once in a year. Mountain rice, highly priced in Manila, is planted on the side of the mountains.

As for us, we weren’t able to see the verdant fields since harvest season just passed.

Before we knew it, we were at Bomod-ok Falls! I guess that would be worth another blog post.

Kalbaryo! The Ascent back

After we took a dip at Bomod-ok Falls’ water coming out of the fridge, we are to return back. For about a thousand feet descent in a two-kilometre trail, going up is one heck of a story. By the time we ended up our journey up, I was already chewing momma!

Going back, while our guide and her kids were just running around on the mountains, I was having a hard time climbing back at the terraces under the late morning sun. The air was cool, but the sun was intense. I was catching my breath. While my companions, whom are fit in this terrain, I was like…antay!!!

By the time we reached Fidelisan, we have to stop and take a breather! I could barely move a few meters ascent. Our guide and her kids have no trace of getting tired whatsoever in the ascent.

“Bomod-ok Falls is their playground, and we are used to seeing them going there,” said our guide.

Ganun? I envy your kids Ate. We urbanites on the other hand are so used to escalators, jeepneys, and conveniences, that we are having a hard time walking a few meters. Gym here, takbo events there, but ended up in the fast-food!

The Igorots have adapted mountain living. Their bodies are so used in going up and downhill. No wonder, they have such long and healthy lives. Bigla akong nakonsensya sa sarili ko.

It was a 30-minute stop at Fidelisan. My legs are shaking, but my spirit is willing to finish up the course. Our guide suggested that we go the other way around—to Aguid. The trail there is less steep as compared to our previous descent. Good call, Ate!

As we started walking once more, the clouds covered the sky. Thank the sky gods for covering our noontime trek!

It wasn’t steep but you still have that great view of the valley. It’s simply breathtaking.

And a few minutes have passed, after the uphill ascent, we are now at Aguid! I was catching my breath but needing more energy. That was the time I asked my guide if I can buy a momma¸ just to try and revitalize my senses.

There is a quote saying that “the best experiences are the journey itself, not just the destination.” Indeed, this blog post is just part of a lot of things I have learned and experienced. Bomod-ok Falls may be our destination, but our journey—through the fabric of nature, physical exercise, culture, and economy of the place—is just simply worth the trek.

Hands off to our guide in making our experience worth remembering. I learned a lot from her, especially the reality and the culture the Sagada Igorots face.

There are some things though that I wouldn’t post on my blog. I would like to encourage everyone, especially the urbanites, to take a break, smell the flowers, and break off from cyberspace or routine.

Bomod-ok Falls Trail Map

View Bomod-ok Falls Trail Map in a larger mapTravel Advise:

It is still better to check with the Tourism Information Office of Sagada, located in the Municipal Hall (near the bus terminal) to ask for the guide and trek rate. Authorities in Sagada encourages every tourist to have a guide when you are going outdoors, especially long treks.