
4 minute read
On the road in the Cordilleras
ETRAVEL LITE
Hungduan Rice Terraces is one of the five clusters of terraces declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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On the road in the Cordilleras
The region spans upland and lowland provinces that are rich in heritage and tradition
Text and photos by Karl Orit
Travelers are always searching for new ways to enjoy their trips, apart from going to the usual tourist spots, or hunting down the perfect souvenir, never mind if they are ordinary, at popular stores. They take the road less traveled for experiences that captivate their senses. On the other hand, communities make their locale accessible to tourists, presenting what is uniquely theirs, while situating itself as an important stop in a bigger itinerary. Many consider the Cordillera Region to be one of those familiar destinations in the Philippines, with Baguio City serving as a must-visit point in the area. However, those who seek further thrills in the region find new adventures in its mountains and valleys. This is what the Philippine Tour Operators Association, Inc.(PHILTOA), an organization of tour operators, hotels, resorts, and other tourism-oriented companies involved in advocating responsible tourism, has identified an itinerary to make a trip through the country’s highlands a rewarding one.

Jamming with the locals
Stairways to heaven
There is an abundance of outdoor destinations in the region, and there has been an influx of thrillseekers ever since trekking became commonplace in social media. While many aim to seeing the Banaue Rice Terraces up close and walking along its paddies to fully grasp its majesty, it is not the only terrace in the region.
Part of the cluster of terraces that have been identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Hungduan Rice Terraces. It might not be as popular as the landmark in Banaue, but it is just as arresting with its hot spring and a nearby river where almost anyone can bathe.
However, Hungduan might pose a challenge to some because of its long trail. Trekkers are advised to choose the relatively shorter and easier trail of Maligcong Rice Terraces in Bontoc as a warm up to more daring trails.

Fresh farm produce
The terraces are a living testament to the Cordillerans mastery of life in the mountains. While rice is a staple, fruits and vegetables are also cultivated here. Strawberry farms in La Trinidad, Benguet are quite popular for travelers wishing to pick the berries by themselves, while others just purchase them by the bags because they are cheaper to buy here than in Baguio’s market.
Many farms in the area have opened their field for tourists willing to try their hands at plucking or digging for vegetables. The mountain municipalities of Bauko, Mountain Province and Buguias, Benguet offer this kind of experience to guests, bending down to pick beans from the vine, dig out potatoes, or pull out heads of lettuce from the ground.
On the other hand, the municipality of Atok, Benguet has this same attraction, but with flowers. Among blooms ready for the picking include snapdragons. Incidentally, some of the farms in Atok have been planted with cherry blossom saplings. Eventually, in a few years, the trees will burst with flowers reminiscent of the sakuras in Japan.
Down in the lowlands, the Department of Agriculture-Nueva Vizcaya Extension Office, where they study and find ways to better cultivate produce and supply seeds to farmers, also allows visitors to pick, eat and buy some of their organic products at reasonable prices.

Picking produce is one of the highlights of the trip.
Some of the staff from the Department of Agriculture–Nueva Vizcaya Extension Office, ties up garlic ready for retail.

A guide in Sagada explains the practice of hanging the coffins of their departed.

Riches in cultural diversity
The zigzagging roads in the Cordilleras also lead to heritage and historical sites. The ride through Balete Pass in Nueva Vizcaya provides an opportunity to witness the culture of the people living there. The pass itself was a witness to periods of conflict, and was an important position during the Second World War; today, it connects Central Luzon to the Cagayan Valley.
Stopping by towns along this road reveals the unique art of the locals. The designs on their weaving show not only the tribe they belong to, but also how they live their lives in the mountains. With the same crops, they have different ways of preparing their food. Their dances, while following the same beat, have different moves. And, their youth are carrying on the customs and traditions they have learned from their elders.
While the indigenous people in the region have adapted to the changing times, they continue to honor the values their ancestors treasure. In Sagada, just nearby the location of the Hanging Coffins are a church and cemetery, signifying the local’s embrace of Christianity. In Cagayan Valley, the San Vicente Ferrer Church in Dupax del Sur stands proud as one of the biggest and oldest unreinforced brick churches in the region. Not far from it is the municipality’s People’s Museum, where visitors can see the old way of life through artifacts from the past, many of which are still in use today.
Understanding the people of the Cordilleras beyond their way of life gives the traveler a deeper appreciation of their cultures, and provides a more responsible approach to making old ways new again and could preserve the region’s rich heritage.

The People’s Museum in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya showcases the variety of tribes that live in the Cordilleras.