Picturesque Destinations

One thing a traveler must have - a CAMERA. And if the destination is really picture-perfect, who would wanna miss the chance to strike a pose with these places as their background? On our One Fine Trip on the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), here's a list of the most picturesque destinations on the provinces of Abra, Mountain Province, and Apayao!

The Libtec Crystal Cave.
Image Source: Dolores Online

Sabnangan Foot Bridge. (Luba, Abra).
Image Source: Abra.gov

Tayum Church.
Image Source: Abra.gov

Casa Real. (Bucay, Albay).
Image Source: Abra.gov

Samaguing Cave.
Image Source: Amy Spatial

Bomod-ok Falls.
Image Source:Jun Villegas

Hanging Coffins. (Sagada, Mountain Province).
Images Source: Lakwatsero

The Rice Terraces of Sagada.
Images Source: Lakwatsero

The Lussok Crystal Cave.

Image Source: Lakwatsero

Apayao River.
Image Source: tourist spots philippines

Ruins of Pudtol Church.
Image Source: Ivan Henares

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One FOOD TRIP in Cordillera!

If you are looking for a destination where you can do the biggest food trip of your life, the Cordillera Administrative Region should be one of your top choices!

A B R A

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One Fine Trip Target: 10 Must-Visit Natural Attractions in CAR

Searching for the top attractions that one must visit is part of the first steps in planning a 'One Fine Trip'. To help you in your planning, here's a list of the top 10 natural attractions in CAR, particularly in the provinces of Abra, Mountain Province, and Apayao, that you really have to visit!


10. The Majestic - Abra River (Abra)

With being the 6th largest river system in the country with a length of 175 kilometers, the majestic Abra river is known for its biodiversity. An example is the Abra River Eel which is endemic to the river.

Image Source: abra.gov

9. Bayugao Falls (Apayao)

Just 4 kilometers away from Poblacion, Bayugao Falls offers its natural 3-deck pools with about 12 meter height difference from each other.

Image Source: traveltothephilippines

8. Allabang Cave (Apayao)

Located in Luna, Apayao, Allabang Cave is a haven for spelunkers as it has lots of guano (excrements of seabirds and bats). It has a triangular opening and is surrounded by a diverse flora, making it a relaxing and refreshing destination.

Image Source: traveltothephilippines

7.  Libtec Cave and Underground River (Abra)

"An enchanting underground river where appears, from a distance, a cave protruding at the surface of a seemingly empty field. But underneath the surface is really a flowing underground river that mirrors the jutting stalagmites, creating the awesome view." - Fly Philippines

Libtec Hidden River.
Image Source: doloresonline.gov

Libtec Crystal Cave.
Image Source: doloresonline.gov

6. Bani Hotspring (Abra)

"Bani Hotspring in Brgy. Bani, Boliney, Abra, is located on a 'sleeping mountain,' inactive for thousands of years. The spring is accessible during the dry season." - Fly Philippines

Bani Hotspring.
Image Source: abra.gov

5. Samaguing Cave (Mt. Province)

Samaguing cave used to be a burial cave during the early times that's why there are primitive coffins by its entrance. What's more fascinating about Samaguing Cave is its limestone formations inside and the cold water (almost 10 degrees Celsius) which you can try to take a dip.

Samaguing Cave.
Image Source: tripadvisor

4. Apayao River (Apayao)

A Potential for White Water Rafting. Adventurers would love hiking across the tropical mountains, rafting through the rapids and diving into the cold and crystal clear waters. Nature lovers would find Apayao River as the best place for unloading the burdens of life. Apayao River offers its scenic banks and relaxing shades for gatherings such as picnics, reunions and others. - Apayao.gov

Image Source: touristspotsphilippines

3.  Rice Terraces (Mt. Province)

The Banaue Rice Terraces ("Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banawe" in Tagalog)
The Philippine Rice Terraces were carved into the Cordillera, North Luzon Mountains in the Philippines over a 2000 year period by ancestors of the indigenous "Ifugao" people. Ifugao became an independent province in 1966.
The Banaue Rice Terraces are commonly referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". They are variously located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft.) above sea level and cover about 4000 square miles of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rain forests above the rice terraces. The system comprises of dams, sluices, channels and bamboo pipes, which are open and closed in co-operation with each owner. They were built using hand tools only. - riceterracesbanaue.com

Image Source: riceterracesbanaue.com

2. Lussok Crystal Cave (Apayao)

Lussok Crystal Cave is a seven-chamber cave ornamented by nature with a lot of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The underground river system that connects these chambers is around five meters wide with a water depth of around four meters.

The Lussok Crystal Cave
Image Source: Lakwatsero

"The river as seen from inside the cave"
Image Source: Lakwatsero

1. Bomod-ok Falls (Mt. Province)

Considered as the 'highlight' of Sagada, Mt. Province, the ever stunning Bomod-ok Falls is the most visited attraction in the area. The word "bomod-ok" simply means "big," suitable for the 200 feet tall waterfalls.

Image Source: Jun Villegas

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One Fine Trip in CAR: Things We Should Definitely Experience

Cordillera Administrative Region, specifically the provinces of Abra, Apayao, and Mountain Province, definitely have lots of activities and destinations to offer us. But since most of us only have a limited time for our one fine trip in CAR, here's the list of the five things we definitely should experience on our trip to CAR!



1. Walking Tour - Bangued, Abra

Take a walk around the capital of Abra, Bangued, and just wander around the place to have a good insight on Abra's culture and history. We can try some local foods, see the protected national park, and have a good look on some historical places around the town. On our walking tour, here's what we will see:

The Victoria Park, also known as the Cassamata Hill National Park
Image Source: Akrosdayunibers

A view of the town of Bangued from the Victoria Park
Image Source: Akrosdayunibers 

The Provincial Capitol Building of Abra
Image Source: sanjosenyonggala,blogspot.com

In front of the Provincial Capitol is a Town Plaza where we can sit and relax while talking to some locals and have a better insight on their culture. There are a lot of restaurants and streetfoods surrounding the Town Plaza so we indulge ourselves on their local foods~!

Bangued Cathedral
Image Source: Akrosdayunibers 

Only a short walk from the Provincial Capitol, we can see the Bangued Cathedral, constructed in 1722, it is definitely one of the oldest structures in Abra. It is also a reminder to them of their colonial past under the Augustinian friars who built the said cathedral.

Calaba Bridge
Image Source: Akrosdayunibers 

With a few hundred meters of walk (or it would be easier for us to just ride a tricycle), we can have a look at the "dream come true" bridge of the people of Abra, the Calaba Bridge. It is a 900-meter bridge connecting the town of Bangued to the municipalities of La Paz, Danglas, and Lagayan. As a part of the Abra-Ilocos Norte National Road, the Calaba Bridge was only completed and became functional last 2010.

2. Crossing the Abra River - Abra

"...it could be fun doing the river crossing but that fun wouldn't be real if you don't know the reason of the existence of this free river crossing."

From the experience of Edmar Guquib (as posted on his blog edmaration.com), crossing the Abra River is definitely a must try experience. It is not really a boat ride for the tourists, but riding the same boat that the locals ride everyday to cross the Abra River is definitely a unique experience.

Crossing the Abra River together with the locals.
Image Source: Edmaration

Another reason why we should cross the great Abra River is for us to see the Tugot ni Angalo or the

footprint of the mythical giant, Angalo. He is a famous mythical character in several popular legends in Abra. Now, can you spot the footprint of Angalo?

A view of the Tugot ni Angalo.Image Source: Edmaration

A closer view of the Tugot ni AngaloImage Source: Edmaration

3. Lussok Crystal Cave - Luna, Apayao

The Lussok Crystal Cave
Image Source: Lakwatsero

The Lussok Crystal Cave is actually a seven-chamber cave decorated by nature with a lot of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The underground river system that connects these chambers is around five meters wide with a water depth of around four meters.

"The river as seen from inside the cave"
Image Source: Lakwatsero

4. Experiencing Bontoc - Capital of Mountain Province

Bontoc is overshadowed by Sagada, but it is still the capital of Mountain Province for a reason. It boasts the cultural heritage of the whole province and we absolutely need to experience Bontoc's culture as part of our trip.

The village of Bayyo which is just adjacent to the rice terraces.
Image Source: edmaration

The Bontoc Museum. A visit on this place will make you understand the way of living, culture and heritage of Bontoc and of the Mountain Province.
Image Source: edmaration

The Ganga Burial Cave. The bodies of their ancestors were placed inside a jar and were buried inside this cave.
Image Source: edmaration

5. Exploring Sagada - Mountain Province

Hanging Coffins - Sagada, Mountain Province
Image Source: Lakwatsero

Exploring the highland town of Sagada, Mountain Province is a definite must for our one fine trip! With the relaxing weather and a scenic view, they are offering different activities that surely spell ADVENTURE!

Pongas Falls - Sagada, Mountain Province
Image Source: Lakwatsero

Spelunking on Sagada's cave systems, mountain climbing on its limestone cliffs, trekking to discover nature and hidden waterfalls, or witness Sagada's Festival of Lights. Surely, Sagada has it all.

Rock Climbing - Echo Valley, Sagada, Mountain Province
Image Source: Lakwatsero

On every November 1st, the locals gather at the cemetery to pay tribute to their departed loved ones. It is their tradition to light up woods from old pine trees to create "panag-apoy" near the tombstones.
Image Source: Lakwatsero

Sagada's Festival of Light. Here's what the cemetery looks like after sunset.
Image Source: Lakwatsero

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One Fine Trip: CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)

Are you ready for our One Fine Trip? ^__^

Apayao Image Source: tourism.gov

Let's start our 'One Fine Trip' by looking at the map for those who don't have any idea where Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR is.

Image Source: Wikipedia

For this trip, we will focus on just three provinces of CAR namely Apayao, Abra, and Mountain Province.

Image Source: Wikipedia

H O W    T O    G E T    T H E R E ?

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Bus Ride - Partas Trans, Philippine Rabbit, and Viron Trans have their Manila to Abra trips.

B R I E F    H I S T O R Y

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• June 18, 1966 - through the Republic Act No. 4695, then Mountain Province was divided into four separate independent provinces namely Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and the current Mountain Province.
• Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao used to be under Cagayan Valley and Benguet and Mountain Province on the other hand were under the Ilocos Region.
• July 15, 1987 - President Corazon C. Aquino created the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), that is comprised by the provinces of Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Abra.
• February 14, 1995 - Kalinga-Apayao was further divided into two separate independent provinces of Apayao and Kalinga through the Republic Act No. 7878.

A P A Y A O

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Capital:       Kabugao

Population:   103,633

Municipalities:         7

A landlocked province bounded by the province of Cagayan on the east, provinces of Ilocos and Abra on the west and Kalinga on the south, the province of Apayao is an agricultural province. It is known as the "Cordillera's Last Frontier for Nature Richness", Apayao boasts its natural wonders not found in the rest of the Cordillera Region that will surely make you plan your trip right away! From the Apayao River (one of the most clean river in the country), to Anag-Sicapo Rainforest that is still intact and preserved, and also the Agamata National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Apayao will surely satisfy your desire to see intact natural wonders that are rare nowadays.

The Apayao River - the "newest white water rafting destination in the country" 

Image Source: apayao.gov

A B R A

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Capital:        Bangued

Population:   230,953

Municipalities:        27

A cross between Spanish culture and the local Tingguian Tribe, that what makes up the culture of Abra. Bounded by Ilocos Norte and Apayao on the north, Ilocos Sur and Mt. Province on the south, and Kalinga on the east, Abra is also a landlocked province and is primarily dependent on agricultural industries. Our trip on Abra will include historical sites like the historic monument of Gabriela Silang, the "Joan of Arc" of Ilocos, and the Pinaing of Peñarrubia (the sacred stones). It is also suggested to visit the old Spanish Churches that are found in Bangued, Tayum and Lagangilang. There are also quite a number of natural attractions in Abra and this includes the Sibud-Sibud Cave, Libtec Underground River, and Victoria National Park. If our trip would be on March, we can actually participate in the annual Arya! Abra Festival (Onward! Abra)! This festival is held every first week of March to commemorate the founding anniversary of the province of Abra.

M T .    P R O V I N C E

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Capital:          Bontoc

Population:   148,661

Municipalities:        10

Bounded by the province of Kalinga on its north, by Benguet and Ifugao on its south, by Isabela on its east, and by Ilocos Sur and Abra on its west, Mountain Province offers its serene view of the mountains and the refreshing air with a captivating smell of pine trees. And of course, who wouldn't wanna miss to take a good look at the famous Hanging Coffins, right? It also boasts its title as the "Weaver's Paradise" for we can find several weaving centers that offer different designs that incorporate the cultural heritage of Mountain Province. From knapsacks, bags, purses, linen, blankets, to native costumes, we can all find locally made woven materials at different weaving houses scattered in the province.

Backstrap Weaving - Mountain Province 

Image Source: Northern Philippine Times

More of our One Fine Trip: CAR on the next post!

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Sources:

1. Philippine Islands
2. Regions of the Philippines
3. It's More Fun in the Philippines
4. Department of Tourism

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