Every traveler needs a handy camera to capture the beautiful moments of their adventures. The Philippines--particularly the Cordillera Administrative Region--has tons of beautiful "instagram-worthy" views. So brace yourself, for your smartphones may not handle the beauty of these views!
To spice up this post, simply click the video and listen to some music to perk up your mood! (song: On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons)
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST CONTAINS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FOOD PORN THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER SEEN. VIEWER (SPECIFICALLY FOR THE GLUTTONS) DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Now that you have clicked here, there is no turning back. Get your tummies ready for the most delicious food that can be found only in Ifugao, Benguet, and Kalinga!
BENGUET
Recommended for people who loves pastries and sweets
1.) Peanut Brittle- It never hurts to start with something sweet. Available in Baguio, this delicacy is ideal for sweet-toothed people around the world. Just imagine the saltiness of peanuts mixed in the most fine sugar.
2.) Strawberry Shortcake- Benguet is well-known for the strawberries with their farms and festivals, so it is natural to try out their own version of strawberry shortcakes. They have the largest one, for crying out loud!
1.) Vah-vah and Gajiw- Yes, they literally mean frog and small fish. All you have to do is deep fry these babies and you're good to go! Pretty exotic, if you ask me.
2.) Pinuneg- It may look like the biggest longganisa you have ever seen, but it is actually made up of pig's blood and organs. So yes, it resembles the very famous "dinuguan" and the locals use a lot of crushed garlic to mask the smell. Not only that, it takes quite a long time to cook and it needs to be eaten right away, since it can get easily spoiled.
3.) Violet Rice- If there is red and brown rice, Ifugao offers Violet rice! This organic heirloom rice actually has a sticky substance and it has the flavor of ube, so consider this as a perfect ingredient if you plan to make rice cakes or any rice-related delicacy!
KALINGA
Recommended for food enthusiasts who are simply into full-course meals
Yes, believe it or not, there is such a thing as a natural swimming pool. The best part is hopping along these huge boulders as you explore the clear waters.
The name comes from the term, 'Pinalpallang-ah', and this means "chair". Located in Tulgao West, it is considered a great place to swim on a very bright day.
This burial contains really really really old mummies and the entire site is almost as tall as any three-storey building! What makes it really interesting are the cut holes. Apparently, this was where and how people would keep their dead.
If you are looking for something weird yet exotic, then you should try taking a glimpse of this natural spring. It emits smoke, plus its really muddy. Although it may not look much, it never ceases to amaze the people who go there.
This barely even half of the natural sites seen in this region. There are plenty of more amazing places that you can explore in the CAR region. You can click on the links, which are highlighted in each natural site that was mentioned to learn more extraordinary natural attractions.
Trekking beyond the city is far more different than trekking in CAR. Ifugao, Kalinga, and Benguet are mountainous provinces so trekking here can be a total blast. Just imagine the wind gushing right through your face, and losing off those unwanted calories whilst heading up those elevated areas. No worries, if you are a very modernized person, you can also take pictures along the way. The views will definitely give you more a great amount of likes on Instagram.
Believe it or not, the CAR region has more hot springs aside from the ones in Pooten Resort, Asin-Tuba of Benguet! If you are not the physical type of person and all you crave for is relaxation, then you can take a dip in the hot springs. In Ifugao, you can pay a visit to Bogyah Hot Springs in Hungduan. You get to view a couple of Rice Terraces along the way. Another one can be located in Benguet and it is called the Itogon Hot Springs. Based in the town of Itogon, it is also known as the "1300 Level Swimming Pools". In other words, you can enjoy different kinds of pools in this resort. Last but not least, we have theNasngi, Beey Dodong and Tubeng Hot Spring of Benguet! They say the water source is from Mount Kil-Kili.
You can still see the remains of history with your very own eyes. In Kalinga, you can meet the Tattooed Women of Tinglayan. Kalinga has been very known for their tattoos, which are heavy in symbolism and heritage. Having tattoos are considered being beautiful and increases their chances of getting suitors, which explains why these women are almost covered with them. Next, if you are into creepy ancient stuff, then you can visit The Fire Mummies of Kabayan in Benguet. They are located in Mt. Timbac and you can still see how well preserved they are.
As Filipinos, rice is a thing. Filipinos cannot live without rice, that's usually what everyone says. The culture of rice is very strong in the region of CAR, especially in Ifugao (they have rituals!). Rice terraces are very known here, and the commonly-known ones are the man-made Kibungan Rice Terraces, Tinglayan Rice Terraces, and the Banaue Rice Terraces. Consider getting some rice as souvenirs!
Home of the Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao is also known as the landlocked province of the Philippines and wonderful, “photography-worthy” places can be seen here, since most of the land forms are etched like perfect sculptures. The name of province is derived from the word, “i-pugo“. The word Pugo means “hills”, while the letter i simply means, “from”. The Ilocanos, Ikalahan, Ayungon, and Kankana-ey also live in Ifugao, and the people of Ifugao definitely value the knowledge of their ancestors. So it is not surprising if their customs and beliefs may seem peculiar to many outsiders. Not only that, rice is part of a huge chunk in their culture. They have cultural feasts involving rice, as well as elaborate rituals.
Benguet; home of the Igorots, Kankanai, Ibaloi, and Kalanguaya. Filled with beautiful attractions, tourism has definitely played a very important role in Benguet’s economy. The tribes live in single room houses that have roofs that are in a shape of a pyramid, weaving, basket-making and wood-carving are one of the common practices here, there is a huge abundance of agriculture, and metals such as Gold, copper, pyrite and limestone are mined in this province. Baguio City, which is known as the summer capital of the Philippines, is also located in Benguet, as well as Kennon Road and the mummies of Kabayan. (source)
This plateau is known for its cool climate and its terrain, which is filled with hot springs and rivers. Mt, Pulog, the second highest mountain of the country, is also located here. And although it is 1500 meters above sea level, Benguet still experiences harsh rains. (source)
