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Mountain Province –
Weaver’s Paradise
As its name implies, this
part of the Cordillera Administrative Region is surrounded by
lush mountains which allowed the Bontocs to keep their religion
and avoid the conquest of Spaniards.
Mountain Province has preserved
the art of loom and blackstrap weaving. Passed on from generation
to generation, the natives of the province, called Bontocs,
have continuously practiced this ancient craft using their traditional
tools. Thread and dye used for weaving come from plants and
trees and are manually made as well.
Demographics
1. Population – 148,
661 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 2, 097.3 sq. km
3. Capital – Bontoc
4. Language/Dialect – Ilocano, Kankanaey, English, and
Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (10)
- Barlig
- Bauko
- Besao
- Bontoc
- Natonin
- Paracelis
- Sabangan
- Sabangan
- Sadanga
- Sagada
- Tadian
Famous For...
Hanging Coffins
The province is famed for its hanging coffins; wooden coffins
hanged in high steep formation.
Sagada Caves
Best for budding cave explorers, the Sagada caves is one of
the easiest to explore. Inside are stalactite and stalagmite
formations and cool natural pools.
Cagubatan Enchanted
Eels
Protected by the locals, this specie of eel shows itself rarely
shows itself in the stream where it was found.
Places of Interest...
Cultural
Bontoc Village Museum
Location: Catholic Sisters’ Convent and Saint Vincent's
Elementary School, Bontoc, Mountain Province
It features a range of artifacts crafted by the Igorots for
domestic purposes and traditional celebrations or practices.
Hanging Coffins
Location: Sagada, Mountain Province
Several wooden coffins hang at the side of the mountains of
Sagada. It is said that the only married people with children
are buried in this manner.
Blackstrap and Loom
Weaving Houses
Location: Sabangan, Sagada, and Bontoc, Mountain Province
The towns of Sabagan and Sagada specialize in loom weaving while
the residents of Bontoc are known for blackstrap weaving. Knapsacks,
placemats, bags, and purses are the popular products sold to
tourists.
Alab Petroglyph
Location: Bontoc, Mountain Province
It is a giant rock etched with bows and arrows and human beings.
It is believed that the inscriptions portray fertility rites.
Others though, believe that the human beings were the warriors
buried in the caves.
Man-made
Mountain Province
Trade Center
Location: Bontoc, Mountain Province
The trade center is the venue for the biggest trade fairs conducted
by the local government to highlight and promote the local products
of the province. On regular days, it serves as a shopping mall
where indigenous products are sold.
Rizal Memorial Plaza
Location: Bontoc, Mountain Province
The plaza has a playground, park, and a preferred meeting venue
for programs and social gatherings.
Rice Terraces
Mountain Province is filled with rice terraces, intelligently
crafted by the natives. Its construction is made up of stone
riprap.
1. Bauko
a. Bangen Rice Terraces
2. Besao
a. Besao Rice Terraces
b. Bucas Rice Terraces
3. Bontoc
a. Maligcong Rice Terraces
b. Bayyo Rice Terraces
c. Bontoc Poblacion Rice Terraces
d. Dalican Rice Terraces
4. Sagada
a. Kiltepan Rice Terraces
b. Tanulong Rice Terraces
c. Suyo Rice Terraces
d. Bulongan Rice Terraces
e. Bangaan Rice Terraces
f. Ambasing Rice Terraces
g. Fidelisan Rice Terraces
5. Sadanga
a. Sadanga Rice Terraces
b. Focong Rice Terraces
6. Natonin Rice Terraces
7. Barlig Rice Terraces
Natural
Sagada Caves
Location: Sagada, Mountain Province
Best for budding cave explorers, the Sagada caves is one of
the easiest to explore. Inside are stalactite and stalagmite
formations and cool natural pools. A tour inside may last around
three hours to an entire day.
Mainit Hot Springs
Location: Brgy. Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province
This sulfuric hot spring offers swimmers a soothing relief due
to its content. Others believe that swimming here can cure certain
skin diseases.
Mount Clitoris
Location: Tadian, Mountain Province
Formerly known as Mount Mogao, this conically shaped mountain
stands proudly over 3 villages. At dusk or dawn, Mount Clitoris
appears serene and solemn.
Besao Sunset Rocks
Location: Besao, Mountain Province
Farmers use these two rocks to identify the seasons by how the
sun's rays fit into the crevices.
Cagubatan Enchanted
Eels
Location: Brgy. Cagubatan, Tadian, Mountain Province
Protected by the locals, this specie of eel shows itself rarely
shows itself in the stream where it was found. Before rainy
season, a ritual is performed called “Dolis” is
done as a thanksgiving to the god Kabunyan for the blessings
of abundant water found in the eel’s dwellings that made
the community survive during the past El Niño and is
supplying the nearby rice plantation.
Festivals...
Lang-ay Festival
/ Mountain Province Foundation Day
Place: Mountain Province
Date: March 27 – April 7
The foundation day celebration features street dancing, sports,
and weave design competition. There are also trade fairs, cultural
shows, and medical and dental missions scheduled during the
festival.
Sagada Spelunking
Place: Sagada, Mountain Province
Date: November 27 – 29
Spelunkers from all over Mountain Province and nearby provinces
gather at the Sagada Caves for cave exploration and trekking
activities. |
