Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines, and it features diverse landscapes-from islands, to highlands, to rural barrios and one of the largest urban areas in the world.
Cagayan Valley is the last region we have never been to—probably because of its distance from Manila and its accessibility. Occupying the eastern half of Northern Luzon, one of the region’s provinces is said to be one of the largest in the Philippines, often titled as “Queen Province” of the North—Isabela.
My previous posts on Sagada were focused on activities and places outside the town proper. However, Day 1 in this town always starts at the poblacion or the town’s center. Of course, the bus terminal and the tourism office are located here! However, within the urban core it lies some of Sagada’s cultural and historical treasures—and yes that includes the famed Hanging Coffins!
The Hanging Coffins is the first destination to go whenever someone goes to Sagada. It’s in every guide book, magazine article, and blog posts! It may be a bit creepy (or as some say, Goth) as it may sound, but this cultural site has important significance to the Sagada Kankana-ey Igorots.
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.
It was my first time travelling beyond La Trinidad Valley and into central Benguet and all the way to Mountain Province in the Cordilleras. I was excited since it is also my first time heading to Sagada, and first time travelling in one of the most scenic, highest, yet (perhaps) precarious highway in the Philippines—Halsema.
Halsema Highway, or also known as “Mountain Trail,” spans more or less 150 kilometers between Baguio City, Cordillera’s regional capital, and Bontoc, the provincial capital of Mountain Province. The highway was named after Baguio City’s mayor, James Halsema, who led the construction of the road that connects Baguio to Bontoc and was eventually opened in the 1930s.
In eastern Luzon, from the months of November to February, surfers and afficionados from all over the Philippines (and some foreigners) pay homage to what is said to be the Cradle of Philippine Surfing—Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora. Why the cradle? Ask Hollywood!
I got this penchant for exploring new things whenever I’m travelling, especially when it is something that is deeply etched in the psyche of the locals. As for the Kankanaey-Igorots of Sagada, chewing betel nut or momma is a tradition that has been in their culture for generations. And for the loco like me, I wanted to try one!
Two days to go before 2013, and it was also our last day in Sagada. Wouldn’t it be nice to symbolically embrace a new beginning by watching the sunrise in the Cordilleras, as the golden rays gradually touch the mountains while the clouds embrace the earth? The place to be? It is Kiltepan view point.
“Typhoon (insert name here) is estimated XXX kilometers east of Baler, Aurora…”
Most of us Filipinos have heard or read about this announcement every time there is an upcoming weather disturbance in the Pacific, and the capital town of Baler in Aurora Province is the reference point. PAGASA, the state meteorological agency of the Philippines, has a weather station in this laid back town, and is one of the town’s ‘must visit’ attractions.
Philippines will hold three local conferences about Google Map Maker this April 2012, after the successful Google Map Maker Workshop which was held in Makati City last March. The local Google Map Maker Summits will be held at the cities of Bacolod City, Baguio City, and General Santos City respectively.
