A Promotional Video on the Commercialization and
Culture
Preservation of Sagada, Mt. Province
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TARA NA SA SAGADA! J
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Rites and Rituals: the Begnas Festival
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| The celebration of the Begnas Festival (c) thetravelingdork |
The festivals of Sagada
are among the most unique – they are rare opportunities that a traveler should
not dare miss, indeed. Apart from its being conducive for outdoor activity, it
is in their livelihood and history that the large role of active lifestyle is
exemplified: as in their ritual-based festivals.
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| Men marching towards the dap-ay (c) pyrotensive |
As the men march, they
carry with them pieces of pork being as offerings. The Sagadan women,
meanwhile, would fall in line to hand down their offerings from a person to
another until they reach the center.
Physical activity,
indeed, is a huge component of the cultural preservation of Sagada. It is not
only evident in festivals such as the Begnas, but also in the geography of
Sagada itself. The man-made terraces, the physics behind the hanging coffins,
and a lot more.
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| The natives donned in the tradtional Igorot costume (c) pyrotensive |
Ultimately, Sagada is
a place where people could exercise an active lifestyle, both through outdoor
activities that demand power and endurance, and through those that promote
preservation of such an interesting culture.
Sources:
http://thetravellingdork.com/2012/01/video-witnessing-the-begnas-ritual/
Sources:
http://thetravellingdork.com/2012/01/video-witnessing-the-begnas-ritual/
Wild Rapids: White Water Rafting
White water rafting is
another famous outdoor sport in Sagada, since it is situated in the upper end
of the Malitep tributary of the Chico River, which runs through the Cordillera
and the Ilocos Ranges.
 |
| (c) the pinaysolobackpacker |
Commercial rafting is
done in the Chico River, while other rivers are available for expert kayakers.
Unlike other commercial rafting rivers in the Philippines, the Chico River
offers a more exciting experience since the rafting takes place in the
uppermost sections of the river, high in the mountains, where the stronger
current makes the water more demanding, more intense.
Six sections of white
water rafting are accessible to Sagada, each of them characterizes a certain
degree of difficulty. White water season usually runs from late June to early
January. J
 |
| White Water Rafting in Sagada (c) dutchpickle |
-kayak water which
offers an exceptional level of paddling for experienced kayakers who want to
avoid extreme exposure and focus on a safe but challenging scenic run. Class 2
to 3+ rapids are nearly continuous throughout the roughly 9km.
Dantay Run (Dantay – Bontoc)
-commercial rafting;
offers fun continuous class 3 boogie water with several standout rapids. The lower
flows are for experienced kayakers.
Bontoc Run (Bontoc – Chico and Talubin Rivers
Confluence)
-advanced section that
offers numerous Class 4 rapids including Domay’s Drop, a 12 foot pour-over that
is exciting even to international rafting veterans.
-raftable only in high
water; technically demanding, demands light rafts and coordinated work from
paddlers. (Kayakers will need a bombproof roll and solid technical skills.)
.jpg) |
| Chico River Rafting (c) Pueblo Philippines |
Confluence Run (Chico and Talubin Confluence – Gawa)
-more consistent
rafting than upstream sections; medium to high flows
-half-day section involves
class 4 technical rapid
Gawa Run (Gawa – Brgy. Anabel)
-short but demanding
section; offers class 4 rapids
Anabel Run
-tightly channeled bed
-comparable to Colorado’s Royal Gorge
-ideal progression of rapids (convenient flat water warm-up section to a
mild class 2 section, to a long stretch of class 3 to 3+ water, and class 4 in
the end.)
Sources:
http://www.saggas.net/2009/09/spelunking-attire.html
http://www.raftingphilippines.com/index.php?page=home&selectlanguage=eng&task=sagada
Sources:
http://www.saggas.net/2009/09/spelunking-attire.html
http://www.raftingphilippines.com/index.php?page=home&selectlanguage=eng&task=sagada
Cave Connections: Spelunking in Sagada
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| (c) thelongestwayhome |
Anyone who is up to an outdoor challenge with a heightened level
of difficulty must try exploring the Lumiang-Sumaguing Cave Connection, the limestone
caves of Sagada. Not only is it famous for the unique rock formations, defined
stalactites, stalagmites, and columns that characterize its insides – unlike the
caverns we know in common, this cave connection entails a challenge to the mind
and body of a brave soul.
“For three hours, you will scale limestone rock faces, rappel
down ledges of cave rock, wade and even swim through bodies of water and crawl
through narrow crevasses to witness fascinating rock formations that nature has
artfully sculpted through thousands of years” (
 |
| Lumiang Cave (C) soloflightEd |
LUMIANG CAVE
As in any other cave, the muddy steps, rocky and slippery trails, and
bat guanos are the obstacles the adventurer has to conquer, yet with the Lumiang
Cave, there’s more to our stereotypical conception of a cave adventure. J
Part of the experience is dipping the body into several pools of
ice cold water in order to transfer from a point to another. It is not unlikely
for people to be diagnosed with hypothermia after submerging themselves to such
chilly water, thus, to finish the connection, the amateur spelunker has to do a
lot of physical preparation; either by taking really cold showers or gathering
first-hand inquiries.
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| Lumiang burial grounds (c) Robx Bautista |
No one is advised to enter the Lumiang Cave, the entrance which
formerly served as the Sagadans’ burial ground, without a tourist guide. The
adventure is initiated by a prayer, after which, adventurers have to crawl
through really narrow holes and climb through seemingly unbearable passages.
 |
| Narrow passage at Lumiang Cave (c) pyrotensive |
The activity thus requires a lot of stretching and major physical training.
The lack of it, according to a previous adventurer’s account, made his legs
shake and knees wobble due to force and stress. The passage, meanwhile, takes
only one person at a time. Because it is necessary to cross pools of 8 meters
deep, spelunkers need to be anchored with ropes. But the physical exhaustion is
in the end, or halfway rather, with the view of the big rice granary formation.
J
SUMAGUING CAVE
 |
| Sumaguing cave (c) Agnes Manalo |
The Sumaguing cave is more frequently visited than Lumiang, since
its relatively easier level of difficulty. Unlike in Lumiang, where mostly
experienced spelunkers are brave enough to take the challenge, Sumaguing accommodates
people of all kinds and ages, including natives, foreigners, children and
senior citizens. It is easier to tread because people just have to slide or
walk around rock formations and water pools; there were no risks of crawling
through narrow holes.
The cave connection adventure can last for about four to six
hours. Not even the exit from the cave would signify the finish line, for
outside are more steps of stairs that would lead the spelunkers to their hired
jeepneys.
“Despite the seemingly dangerous and physically-taxing
maneuvers required for spelunking in Sagada, major injuries are rare and most
travelers only come out covered with mud" (Espina, n.d.).
 |
| Rappelling @ Sumaguing (c) Robx Bautista |
While most people
think that it is such a risky endeavor to delve into these caves, they hinder
themselves from discovering such an untainted nature’s gift. It may leave
anyone exhausted at the end of the day, yet nothing beats the fulfillment
people can get from uncovering the splendor of the secluded, like these caves.
Cave connection? The
challenge must be accepted. :D
WHAT TO WEAR (c) SAGGAS
Upper body:
· Body fit shirts
· Sleeveless Tops
Preferably easy dry!
Lower body:
· Leggings or tights or spandex
Because it gives the lower body easy movement and flexibility
It creates a secondary skin to the legs, reducing the risk of getting scratches
Easily dries up when wet, keeping the body warm
Maintains a lovely figure of yourself!
Tip: In selecting spandex, choose the more sturdy ones since rocks and surfaces are sharp enough to easily tear them off.
Other opts:
· Short pants or jogging pants
· Cycling shorts or trunks for men
Footwear:
· Water shoe
For good grip (it adapts to the contour of the rock), and is of easy dry material
WHAT TO WEAR (c) SAGGAS
Upper body:
· Body fit shirts
· Sleeveless Tops
Preferably easy dry!
Lower body:
· Leggings or tights or spandex
Because it gives the lower body easy movement and flexibility
It creates a secondary skin to the legs, reducing the risk of getting scratches
Easily dries up when wet, keeping the body warm
Maintains a lovely figure of yourself!
Tip: In selecting spandex, choose the more sturdy ones since rocks and surfaces are sharp enough to easily tear them off.
Other opts:
· Short pants or jogging pants
· Cycling shorts or trunks for men
Footwear:
· Water shoe
For good grip (it adapts to the contour of the rock), and is of easy dry material
Other options:
· Flip-flops
Easy carry! There are other parts of the cave that would require people to walk barefooted
· Croc or clogged type slippers
Can keep the feet free from scratches
· Flip-flops
Easy carry! There are other parts of the cave that would require people to walk barefooted
· Croc or clogged type slippers
Can keep the feet free from scratches
Accessories:
Gloves and headlamps!
Sources: http://thetravellingdork.com/2011/12/surviving-sagadas-cave-connection-in-bright-pink-tights/
Gloves and headlamps!
Sources: http://thetravellingdork.com/2011/12/surviving-sagadas-cave-connection-in-bright-pink-tights/
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Trekking and Exploring Waterfalls
BOMOD-OK FALLS
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| Fidelisan, Sagada (c) Feona Imperial |
One popular activity one should not miss when
visiting Sagada is trekking. As part of our class’s field trip itinerary, we
trekked to Bomod-ok Falls.
How to get there!
Bomod-ok Falls is a 20-minute jeepney ride from Poblacion to the basketball court (drop-off point) in Banga-an. Usually, the adventurers are accompanied by tour guides.
The trek begins in a basketball court inBanga-an,
the entry point to the villages surrounding the Bomod-ok falls. Unlike some
other terraces, such trek is made easier through the concrete pathways or ‘pilapil’
built across the maze-like plan of the terraces.
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| Rice Terraces (c) Feona Imperial |
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| Fidelisan (c) pasyalera.com |
It involves passing through not only constructed pathways but climbing uphill and crossing to small bodies of water too.
The whole trek requires endurance since it can last for almost 4 hours. The time and effort, however, is easily overcome by the picturesque scenery of the expanse of the mountains one can view all throughout the trek.
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| (c) Feona Imperial |
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| @ Bomod-ok Falls (c) Gio Mari Marcial |
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| (c) pasyalera.com |
Weary hikers can also enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water of Bomod-ok Falls. According to some guides and adventurers, visitors may trace where the water comes from only to find out a picnic grove. :)
Must haves:
* Comfortable and light clothing
* Comfortable and light shoes/ trekking shoes is better
* Walking stick
* Sunblock!
* Bandana
* Cap
* Water
* Money (for restroom purposes)
* Camera
BOKONG FALLS
It may not be as vast as that of Bomod-ok, but it gives an equal extraordinary experience. Situated in the outskirts of the central barangay of Patay, Bokong Falls or Small Falls is characterized by a deeper (20-ft) circular pool at the center.
 |
| (c) sagada-igorot.blogspot.com |
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| (c) SAGGAS |
Compared to Bomod-ok, the water in Bokong Falls is less cold and is tolerable. There are no shower areas nor dressing rooms though, so hikers ought to change clothes either in waiting sheds or just let them dry.
 |
| (c) lawstude.net |
Also, it is relatively easy to hike up Bokong; no need for a guide unlike in Bomod-ok. The hike is even advisable to children. Nevertheless, much care should be observed when in the vicinity since the water level is known to drop dramatically from the periphery.
Sources:
http://sagada-igorot.blogspot.com/2009/11/sagada-waterfalls.html
http://www.visitsagada.com/2008/04/22/tour-bokong-falls-small-falls/
Tara na sa Sagada!
Located 275 km North of
Metro Manila, Sagada, whose former name is Ganduyan, is a 5th class municipality situated in
Mountain Province. The place is famed for its “hanging coffins”, rice terraces,
caves, waterfalls, and the tribal rituals that perpetuate until today.
Although frequented by foreign and
local tourists for its food heritage, interesting culture, and mountainous
nature, Sagada has managed to preserve its authenticity through years. Up to
this day, Sagada is admired for the absence of noise and pollution it
maintains. It is indeed a tranquil paradise for anyone who simply wants to
enjoy the picturesque scenery, study its unique culture, join in the rituals
of is natives, or commune with the beauty of such a wonderful slice of
nature.
|
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| Echo Valley, Sagada, Mt. Province (c) Feona Imperial |
Despite its fame in both the national and global
context, Sagada has well-kept its appeal as an ecotourism destination. There
are no massive hotels nor blaring discos, or anything else that would disturb
the people’s traditional way of life. Besides its distinction as conservative
and simplistic in nature, Sagada is patronized by backpackers for the various
ecological and outdoor activities it has to offer.
Popular activities that entail an active lifestyle include trekking, caving, exploring waterfalls, bonfire, spelunking, white water rafting, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites, nature hikes, participating in tribal celebrations, or simply walking. :)
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| Bomod-ok waterfall, Sagada (c) travel-philippines.com |
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