Cordilleras: MT.PROVINCE

Brief History of Mt. Province and its People

Ø  Mt. Province was a special province of the Philippines since 1907. It was composed of the sub province of Bontoc-Lepanto, Amburayan, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga. On June 18, 1966, Republic Act Nos. 4695 divided Mt. Province into four provinces Benguet, Ifugao, kalinga-Apayao and Mt. Province. The area that retained the old provinces name was formerly the sub provinces of Bontoc. The Spaniars called the territory “La Montanosa” because of its mountainous terrain. The rugged mountain peaks provided protection against the Spanish efforts to colonize and convert the tribes to Christianity. In 1901, Catholic and Protestant missionaries began evangelization work in the highlands. In spite of this, Mt. Province has preserved its tribal culture and unique way of life to this day.

Ø  In 1899, during the Filipino-American War, General Emilio Aguinaldo and the revolutionary forces crossed the Grand Cordillera through Mt. Province. They proceeded to Sagada and Isabela where they were eventually captured. 

 

Ø  Under the American rule, Mt Province was one of the provinces of the Ilocos Region (Region 1) until Executive Order Nos. 2220, dated July 1987, and made it a part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Ø  Mt Province Is the home of industrious and friendly people, mainly Bontoc-Igorots or Ilocano migrants from the neighboring provinces. Bontoc-Igorots are industrious farmers who were once regarded as the most belligerent of the mountain tribes. Though they are Christians, they still cling to their traditional belief and rituals. The inhabitant’s main source of livelihood is agriculture as well as livestock and poultry raising. The people of Mt. Province generally speak Kankaney with Bontoc as their major dialect. Others speak Gaddang and Kalinga, but English and Ilocano are widely spoken and understood.  

Ø  At present, Mt Province is growing in popularity as “Spunkelers” Delight and Weavers Paradise. It is becoming a favorite destination of local and foreign tourists.

Geographic Location 

Ø  Mt. Province is nestled in the heart of the Grand Cordillera, the biggest and the highest chain of mountains in the Philippines located some 170 kilometers north of Baguio City. Hugged by huge mountains, Mt. Province lies between Ilocos Sur in Region I and Cagayan Valley in Region II. It is bounded in the north by Kalinga and Apayao; Benguet and Ifugao in the south; Isabela in the east; and Ilocos Sur in the west.

Ø  As its name suggests, Mt. Province has a terrain that is mountainous, rugged and rolling. The topography is rough, very steep to early level slopes and deep ravines. Towering peaks and sharp ridges are features of its central and western landscape, while gradually sloping and rolling foothills characterize its eastern towns. Elevations range from 500 meters at Saclit, Sadanga to 2,710 meters the top of Mt Kalawitan in Sabangan. The province contains terraces and flood plains. High river terraces are located in Bontoc and Sabangan along Chico River and its tributaries, while the flood plains are found in the municipality of Paracelis.

Ø  Mt. Province has a land area of 2,239.89 square kilometers. About eight percent of this area consists of alienable and disposable land, while the rest (ninety-two percent) are forestlands.

Ø  The province has two types of climate: it is wet during the Philippines rainy season (June to October) and the dry season extends from November through May.

Tourist Attractions and Points of Interest in the Province

Cultural

a)      Bontoc Village Museum (Bontoc)- a museum founded by Sister Basil and today run by ICM missionaries. It features artifacts and other indigenous items dating back centuries. The museum is located within the Catholic Sisters Convent and St. Vincent’s Elementary School Compound at Poblacion, Bontoc.

b)      Sagada Weaving House (Sagada)- Woven products are Knapsacks, bags, purses and dress materials.

c)      Sabangan Loom Weaving (Sabangan)-Sabangan loom weaving features placemats, table napkin, table runners and bags.

d)      Samoki Weaving House (Samoki, Bontoc)-Samoki weaving is distinct from Sagada weaving and Sabangan loom waving in the manner materials are woven. Typical products are back strap weaving, Samoki tapis, G-strings, belts and Blankets.

Natural

a)      Hot Springs- the warm sulfuric water that flows from these hot springs is a wondrous relaxant. Villagers believe that, after a hard day’s work, a dip in the hot spring will ease muscle pains caused by fatigue. Hot springs are found in Mornang, Lingoy in Barlig, and in Mainit, Bontoc.

b)      Caves/Hanging Coffins-caves found in Sagada, Besao, Bontoc and Sadanga have hanging coffins and century old burial sites. Four of these caves are found in Sagada, which is about 19 kilometers west of Bontoc: they are the Matangkib Cave, the Sugong Cave, Lumuyang Burial Cave and Sumaguing Cave; in Bontoc, the Ganga Cave; the Angoten Cave in Sadanga; and the Liang Burial Cave in Basao.

c)       Lakes/Waterfalls-there are a number of lakes and waterfalls in Mt Province. Among these are Bokong, Latang Lakes, the Aguid and Fidelisan Water Spots and the Bumodok Waterfalls in Sagada, the Banao Lake in Besao and the Gawan Lake in Tadian. 

a)      Agricultural Stone Calendar in Guedey, Besao-it consists of two huge rocks situated side by side with a crevice at the middle. When the rays of the sun hit the crevice, farmers know that the planting season has arrived.

b)      Alab Petroglyphs in Alab, Bontoc-a huge rock with bows and arrows and humans beings craved in its surface. The carvings of human beings are believed to images of warriors buried in the Ganga Cave at the foot of the mountain where the rock stands.

c)      Pagan God Footprints palikut Aso in Bontoc-a large stone with footprints believed to be those of Lumauig, the pagan God of the Igorots. A stone resembling that of a sleeping dog is found in the area.

d)      Makilo Sphinx in Paracelis- it has similarities with the Egyptian Sphinx.

e)      Enchanted Eels-found at the Cagubatan Lake in Tadian.

Man-made Tourist Attractions

 a)      Rice terraces-these rice terraces offer a breath-taking view. They were built with stone’s riprap distinct form found in the famed Banawe Rice Terraces and look like stairways to the sky with their golden hue. Good views of these terraces offer the municipalities of Bauko, Besao, Bontoc, Natonin and Sagada.

b)       Pottery/Ceramics Industry- Samoki Pottery in Bauko. Items like bowls, jars and charcoal stoves are made from the clay that abounds in these villages. The items are molded with bare hands by the villagers after whom they are charred and fortified with glaze. The linga (glaze) is obtained from the sap of pine trees.   

 

Municipalities of Mt. Province

·         Barlig

·         Bauko

·         Besao

·         Bontoc (Capital)

·         Natonin

·         Paracelis

·         Sabangan

·         Sadanga

·         Sagada

·         Tadian

Cordilleras: KALINGA

Brief History of Kalinga and its People

Ø  The Indonesian immigrants who came to Luzon many years ago are said to be the ancestors of the present-day Kalingas and Apayaos. During the Spanish era, Dominican missions were established in Tabang and Piat along the Chico River in 1604, and in Tuga, 25 km. south of tuao, in 1688. The Spaniards set up military posts at Balbalasang, a town located near the Saltan River, and at Balikoton town, situated near the Pacil River. When the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896, both the Spanish soldiers and missionaries, withdraw from the Cordillera Mountains.

Ø  When the old Mountain Province was created in 1908, two of its sub-provinces were Kalinga and Kalinga. When Republic Act Nos. 4695 divided the old Mountain Province on June 18, 1966 into 4 regular provinces, the sub-provinces of Kalinga and Apayao were merged to form one province.

Ø  The name Kalinga is believed to be derived from the Ibanag term “Kalinga” and Gaddang “Kalinga”, which means headquarters. In the past, when tribal was prevalent, headhunting was considered noble. Those that came back from battles with a human head were considered brave. Their trophy entitled them to get tattooed, which gave them respect of the men folk and the admiration of the women in the tribe. The “Mongols”, brave warriors who killed, enjoyed a high status in Kalinga society and were feared and respected.

Ø  The social relationship of the indigenous tribes has their distinct socio-political system. One important feature of this system is the “bodong” or peace pact designed to minimize warfare among tribes and to serve as mechanism for the initiation, maintenance, renewal and re-enforcement of social ties. In recent years, the system was expanded throughout the province to provide solidarity among the people in the entire Cordillera Region.

Ø  Kalinga is inhabited, among others, by 36 indigenous tribes. These are divided into southern and northern groups, the latter considered the most colorful and gaudily attired and most heavily ornamented people of the northern Philippines.  

Geographical Location

Ø  Kalinga is one of the six provinces comprising the Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR. It was created in 1995 by Republic Act Nos. 7878, authorized by Congressman E.K. Balut, which divided the former province of Kalinga-Apayao into two independent and distinct provinces-the province of Kalinga and the Province of Apayao.

Ø  Kalinga and Apyao are landlocked by Cagayan to the north to the west, and by Mountain Provinces to the south. Kalinga is surrounded by mountain peaks. It is divided into three geographical distinct areas centered on the Chico River: the mountainous western portion of the river’s basin, the valley of the river and its tributaries, and the level plains between the river and Cagayan province.

Ø  Kalinga gained prominence in 1975 when the Chico Valley Hydroelectric Dam project was initiated by the government. Firm resistance to the project was demonstrated by the indigenous tribes in the province, with the support of outsiders because it would have flooded a number of Kalinga villages, including their rice terraces and sacred burial grounds.

Ø  Kalinga occupies about 3,164.4 sq. km. of land area. It is subdivided into eight (8) municipalities, namely Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Rizal (Liwan), Tanudan, Tinglayan and Tabuk, the provincial capital. The municipalities of Pinukpuk (928.1 sq. km.) and Tabuk (641.7 sq. km.) are the largest in terms of land area, while Rizal (Liwan) is the smallest, occupying only 177.5 sq. km. 

Tourist Spots and/or Points of Interest in the Province

Ø  Uguid Subterranean River-An underground river below the Uguid Mountain in the municipality of Balbalan located along the Kalinga-Abra national road in Barangay Balbalan, about 70 kilometers from the capital town of Tabuk.

Ø  Balbalasang National Park and Reservation-A 20,000 hectare reservation located in Barangay Balbalasang in the municipality of Balbalan. It stretches along the Kalinga-Apayao national road about 90 kilometers from Tabuk. Considered the coldest place in Kalinga or perhaps the region, the area is covered with mossy and fine forest, and its climate is perfect for the development of mountain resort facilities.

Ø  Aguinaldo Hill-the hill is reminiscent of Filipino resistance to foreign domination. It was used by General Emilio Aguinaldo and his forces as a observation post during the Philippine-American War. The hill provides a commanding view of its surrounding. The hill is located 7 kilometers from the Balbalan-Pinukpuk national road.

Ø  Mount Patukan “Sleeping Beauty”. Mount Patukan is lodged along the boundary of Tinglayan and Tanudan from Makilala Hill, Basao. Tinglayan is about 81 kilometers from Tabuk. The mountain ridges when viewed against the sky depict the profile of an elderly woman supinely stretched. The “Sleeping Beauty” is immortalized in the ballad “Ullalim”, which tells of the region maiden’s grief over the death of her husband who was killed in battle.  

Municipalities of Kalinga

·         Balbalan

·         Lubuagan

·         Pasil

·         Pinukpuk

·         Rizal

·         Tanudan

·         Tinglayan

·         Tabuk