Melo Villareal
Previous Post: Day 1 – Arrival in Kiangan, Ifugao
Day 2 – Kiangan, Lagawe and Banaue Cultural Tour
It was still dark when we left Ibulao-Ibulao Bed and Breakfast. From there, my travel buddies and I met at Kiangan Viewpoint Hostel for our tour to the Kiangan War Memorial Shrine and the Ifugao Museum.
Ifugao Museum in Kiangan
It was my second time visiting the culture-rich town of Kiangan, but I have to admit this tour was more exciting. Kiangan is Ifugao’s oldest town and holds great historical significance. Beyond being the seat of military and political authorities during the Spanish and American colonial periods, Kiangan also served as the center of Ifugao’s civil government during the Commonwealth Era (1935 to 1946) and in the early post-Liberation era until 1949.
With that said, it was not surprising to find that Kiangan houses the War Memorial Shrine, a museum erected in 1974 at Linda, Kiangan, to commemorate the end of World War II in the Philippines. The museum was unfortunately closed when we arrived, but we were told that the museum houses artifacts of the traditional life and ways of the locals.
Nagacadan Rice Terraces
After visiting the Memorial Shrine, we headed to Sitio Bilong, our group’s assigned take-off point for the Nagacadan Rice Terraces and the Open Air Museum—the next stops on our itinerary.
Inside Life Cycle Rituals Museum
This time, however, instead of taking the same route to the take-off point, we used a different one. The latter was a bit tiring—a three-kilometre trek to the town center—but the hike from Bilong to Amba-bag showed us the unique landscape of the World Heritage Site Nagacadan. The trek down from Bilong to reach the Museum of Ifugao Life Cycle Rituals in Nagacadan was challenging, but the rest of the hike was just a walk in the park.
Group Selfie at Ifugao Life Cycle Rituals Museum in Kiangan
Here we also visited the Open Air Museum—an eco-cultural destination that embodies its values as a living cultural landscape. Along the way, we learned a lot about Ifugao life, customs, and festivals. Some of the traditional houses we saw were also turned into museums, where Ifugao arts and crafts were beautifully displayed.
Mother and Child in Kiangan
The entire tour involved a long walk that lasted about two hours, but it was fun and definitely easier than our previous trek in Batad.
Ifugao Dancers in Lagawe
Next, we went to Lagawe in Ifugao, our 4th passport stamp of the day. Lagawe is a fourth-class municipality, and it is where Ifugao’s provincial capital is located.
During our short stop, the locals welcomed us warmly with a cultural presentation in front of the provincial capitol. The honorable Mayor of Banaue, Mayor Geery Dalipog, stamped our passports. We proceeded to Banaue Hotel and checked into our respective rooms. Afterwards, we proceeded to the lobby for a short program, which included the Mayor’s welcoming remarks. We ate snacks hosted by the provincial capitol while watching the short program.
Ifugao Ethnic Games at Banaue Ethnic Village and Pine Forest Resort
At noon that day, we visited the Banaue Ethnic Village and Pine Forest Resort. It was about a kilometer from the town center and offered many facilities, including 12 rooms that captured Banaue’s peaceful nature.
Lunch at Banaue Ethnic Village
There, we also watched Ifugao ethnic games, listened to local songs and oral epics, and toured some preserved Ifugao houses. We had lunch in the village and bought freshly picked lemons from the village’s very own farm!
Ifugao Kitchen Utensils at Banaue Ethnic Village
From Banaue Ethnic Village, we went to the Banaue Tourism Office for a short briefing. After that, we boarded our rented local jeepneys and travelled to the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. Of course, this wasn’t an ordinary jeepney ride—instead of riding inside, we sat on top for fun!
Animal Bones as decorative pieces of Ifugao houses
I was the first to hop on top of the jeep, and I had to choose the best seat—the one on top of the vehicle’s spare tire. My choice was ihe best, as it gave me a comfortable ride throughout the erip—unlike my previous experience oiding on the roof of the jeepney, wwhereI had to sit on the metal rails for a butt-numbing ride. Those were the days when the roads leading to Batad and Bangaan were still unpaved.
It’s more fun in Ifugao
It was a wonderful 40-minute ride from the poblacion. My buddies and I were on the jeep screaming, GoProing, and laughing on that cold afternoon. We were scared every time we passed the edges of the cliffy roads, but they say we only live once, so we might as well enjoy the ride.
Ifugao Kids playing in Bangaan Village
We reached the jump-off point for the Bangaan Rice Terraces afterward. We trekked down the majestic rice terrace clusters and photographed the beautiful man-made wonder and Bangaan village.
Bangaan Village and Rice Terraces
We headed back to Banaue Hotel after the trip. We freshened up and watched the Am-amung cultural presentation. Am-amung is an Ifugao word that means gathering for special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, and rituals. An Ifugao hut located within the hotel vicinity was where the Am-amung presentation was held.
Jeepney Toploading in Ifugao
During the presentation, the local guide explained how to use the tools and crafts, and the rituals performed by the Ifugao natives. Beyond letting us try Tapuy (local rice wine), the locals also demonstrated how to kill a chicken as part of a sacred ritual.
The entertaining and informative presentation was followed by a buffet dinner at Imbayah Restaurant—the Banaue Hotel’s in-house restaurant. In addition to local cuisine, the restaurant also offered international dishes, including pasta and salads.
Toploading from Banaue Poblacion to Bangaan
After dinner, we headed back to our respective rooms to rest and prepare for the following day’s activities.
Am-amung cultural presentation
My second day in the Cordillera Heritage Warrior Caravan was fun and exciting. The activities were exhilarating, and the friendly locals let us immerse ourselves in their way of life, making our tour twice as fun.
Many people would say that discovering a place would not be complete without understanding the local culture. The purpose of the Caravan was just that, and I’m so glad that I became part of it.
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit organization of DDoT-accredited tour operators and allied members that actively advocates responsible tourism. The membership includes tour operators focused on promoting inbound and domestic tourism, hotels, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and associations.
For inquiries about upcoming Island Philippines Fun Caravan schedules, please contact Tel. Nos.: (02) 812 4513; (02) 822 6964 | Fax No.: (02) 817 4608 | Email: info@philtoa.com; philtravelmart@philtoa.com Website: www.philtoa.com.
Next: Cordillera Heritage Warrior: Day 3 – Bontoc to Sagada Road Trip
