Save The Banaue Rice Terraces

By CECILIA S. ANGELES

Photo By Cecilia S. Angeles

MANILA, Philippines — Time travels so fast or so slowly that I personally think some traditions should not go with it in the same speed. We have observed the growth of living and non-living things. For example, some rice fields have been converted into residential areas. Man effects this change. Nature is also capable of bringing about change, and together with man sometimes change becomes advantageous.  At other times, disastrous.

Together with some Photo World Asia 2012 participants and Photography with a Difference (PWD) members led by John Chua, we recently toured Banaue in connection with a campaign to restore the 2,000-year-old rice terraces, particularly the damage in Batad brought about by landslides.

Some areas which used to be layered mountains covered with greenery now accommodate multi-story public and private buildings like schools, markets, apartments, stores, hotels and government offices. The original triangular roof homes of the ifugaos have become very few.  A stolen peep at its interior shows electronic gadgets like television, a screen, lap top, radio and other modern electronics.  Yes, I had no problem with my cell phones. Despite heavy drizzles, road construction by deep tangerine-clad construction workers continues everywhere.  So it was a matter of a leisure drive along smooth, concrete roads intercepted every now and then by sticky, muddy sections of the unfinished winding road construction.

Banaue goes with the current change in economic, social, physical or whatever development a particular place undergoes.  This is normal.  But to forget or wipe out or let go of a precious heritage like the 2,000-    year-old Banaue Rice Terraces, a declared UNESCO Heritage Site, is absurd.  It must be preserved.  It must be saved. Yes, nature simply does not cooperate . . . sometimes.  It hurls heavy rains, or breeds worms that loosen the soil which cause the destructive landslide.

In fact, our initial intention was to visit Batad on our second day of stay.  We toured nearer areas first, particularly Bangaan and Hungduan. We went to the various viewpoints in these places where every click of our shutter captured breathtaking compositions of the rice terraces. The trek down the steep terraces to reach the Ifugao towns was labored and dangerous, but to think of the very warm reception and program including the lunch the villagers prepared for us, the foot travel was very rewarding.  Climbing uphill was a tremendous effort. A one meter bamboo pole kept my balance.

Going back to our hotel, we received a text message that there was a landslide that blocked the road we just passed by, trapping the mayor and his group in another vehicle who accompanied us to the villages.  Because of this, our schedule to Batad did not materialize.  This does not stop our desire, our campaign, our hope to save the precious heritage of the Filipinos. It can be done with the love and collective efforts of the local and national government, the natives and the Filipinos with a concerned heart like John Chua who had initially transported construction tools for the natives to use in the massive repair
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Traveling A–Z: Ifugao

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

August 4, 2010, 2:32pm

Aerial view of the Banaue Rice Terraces (George Tapan)

Located at the foot of the Cordillera mountain ranges, the province of Ifugao is home to the world renowned Banaue Rice Terraces. The man-made rice terraces, touted as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and the rich cultures of its native inhabitants – the Ifugaos, make Ifugao province an interesting destination for mountain climbers and intrepid travelers in search of unique experiences.

The name Ifugao is derived from the word ‘ipugo’ which means ‘people of the hill.’ The Spaniards changed the word to Ifugaw and the Americans modified the word to its current name Ifugao. Ifugao was formerly a part of the Mountain Province. It was created as an independent province on June 18, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4695, also known as the Division Law of Mountain Province.

The existing tourist attractions in the province are classified under four categories, namely: man-made, historical, cultural, and natural spots. Ifugao province is generally classified as having a Type III climate under the Corona’s system of classification. This climate type is characterized as not having pronounced seasons but relatively dry from January to April, and wet during the period from May to December. Cool temperature predominates throughout the year with the coolest month of December to early part of March.

The Ifugaos are one of the different tribes that inhabit the old Mountain Province. Their culture and tradition, being unique and striking, have made them the subject of many studies by foreign scholars. These people prefer to be called Ifugaos as opposed to the more generic and less accurate ‘Igorot’ which includes all the peoples of the Cordillera Region, that specifically refers to some of the inhabitants of Benguet.

Fast facts

Local Dialect: Ifugao locals speak various Ifugao dialects, such as Tuwali and Ayangan. They can also speak Filipino vernacular dialects like Ilokano and Tagalog. Many Ifugaos, especially in Lagawe, Kiangan, Mayoyao, Aguinaldo and Banaue, are fluent in English.

Places of Interest:

Historical

Philippine War Memorial Shrine – Gigantic memorial shrine that commemorates the end of World War II.

Million Dollar Hill – It got its name from the last war when the allied armies spent millions of dollars worth of bombs and ammunitions to annihilate the enemies in the area.

Cultural

National Museum – This museum displays Ifugao artifacts and is under the supervision of the National Museum of the Philippines.

Tam-an Village – A typical village situated 240 steps down from the Banaue Hotel’s swimming pool. Here, woodcarving and hand-woven products are produced and sold to travelers.

Natural

Bintakan Cave – The mouth of the cave is overlooking the Ibunao river. It is a three-room cave with dripping water that forms stalactites and stalagmites of different beautiful shapes.

Guihob Natural Swimming Pool – One has to hop and jump over huge boulders to reach the crystal clear waters of Guihob. It is a perfect place for those who prefer a cool and refreshing swim.

Tappiya Waterfalls – About 30 minutes from Batad Village is a cascading waterfall with its enormous natural pool for swimming. A visit to Batad would be incomplete without seeing these beautiful waterfalls.

Mount Amuyao – Its summits provide climbers with a breath-taking panorama of the Mountain Province, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Ifugao.

Mount Anapawon – Centrally located in Ifugao, this mountain peak is considered the best camping site in the province.

How to get there:

Ifugao is less than 350 kilometers from Manila. Travelers can catch a plane to the province of Nueva Viscaya, the land portion of the trip will only take about 45 minutes to Ifugao. Buses from Manila will take about 10 hours.