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