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