Experiencing Sagada | Mountain Province

Last April 7-9, 2011 I had the chance to visit the lovely town of Sagada in the Mountain Province. Finally, a break from all the paperwork and deadlines! And of course a chance to take pictures! So here are some of my snaps.

We boarded the GL bus, the only bus that goes straight to Sagada from Baguio City. Buckle up for a 6 hour zigzag trip! No aircon, but who needs one anyway? The chilly breeze blowing in your face will instantly refresh you.  

Fist stopover at Atok, Benguet.  Time to stretch!


Vegetable Terraces

Somewhere along Buguias, Benguet. It was really hard to take pictures inside the bus not to mention the zigzag road. 
Another stopover.

    Vendors at the stopover offer peanuts, kropek, candies, refreshment and vegetables.                                 

 Upon arrival at Sagada, tourists need to register at the municipal hall and pay an environmental fee of Php20. 

Where to?

After checking in at George Guesthouse (http://sagadageorgeguesthouse-labanet.blogspot.com/) and filled our stomachs, we were ready to conquer the famous Sumaguing Cave.
Before reaching Sumaging cave, we passed by Lumiang Burial cave where around a hundred coffins were laid. 

 You will definitely forget how your muscles ache when you see so much greenery.. 

Just a few snaps from the cave. I was too busy figuring out how not to slip and go through the obstacles inside. And of course i had to keep the camera from taking a swim in the cold water!

Day 2 was set for trekking to Bomod-ok falls and Echo valley in the afternoon.

Some kids we met before we started walking.. 

First few steps and here was what greeted us...
Lush

After walking for 2.2 kms under the scorching sun, we were rewarded by the beautiful Bomod-ok falls or what they call the big falls. Water was icy cold, I did not dare to take a plunge! I was truly satisfied by just looking at it. One will forget how long the trek was by this majestic falls.

These kids just don't seem to mind the cold water! They take a plunge over and over to their heart's content! I so envy them!

”Etag”, a delicacy in the Cordilleras, is a salted meat made from native pigs. Dubbed by foreigners as the “Igorot smoked meat”, etag is primarily used as an ingredient in Cordilleran dishes such as the “pinikpikan” ─ a chicken-based dish similar to “tinola”. Aside from pinikpikan, etag can be mixed with legumes and other vegetables.

Igorots are known to be meat-eaters. During festive occasions, they prepare their favorite dishes, often pork-based, making etag a regular ingredient. Every part of the pork carcass is used in preparing the various local dishes. Etag dishes are consumed with much delight along with rice wine and other locally brewed alcoholic beverages.
Etag is very much a part of the Igorots’ culture and age-old traditions. For instance, when a child is born, etag is processed and preserved. It will only be taken out of storage and cooked when the child gets married and served as one of the dishes during the wedding celebration.
http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/ssenti...etag&Itemid=41

Manang sells this etag @P190. I was expecting a rotten, stinky one but this was rather clean. 

Pinikpikan is a dish from the mountains of the Cordillera region.
It is prepared by beating a live chicken with a stick prior to cooking so the blood thickens and fattens the wings and legs. The older members of the family gets the bigger pieces and the youngest gets the smaller pieces that's why they fatten it up by beating it..


Yummy pinikpikan with etag @P100! I loved it. It was tastier than tinola. 

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines
Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Founded in 1904 by Rev. John Staunton under Bishop Charles Brent. It became a parish in 1962.

Visiting Sagada will not be complete without seeing its Hanging Coffins.  Based on the Sagada people's belief, the higher you are laid, the closer you will be to heaven.

Our Sagada tour was fun-filled and memorable with the help of our accommodating guide who was a member of SAGGAS (http://www.saggas.net/)