Ifugao

Understand

Geography Ifugao occupies over 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) of land area, mostly mountainous terrain. The capital is Lagawe. The province occupies some of the highest peaks of the Cordillera Mountains. The province is bounded on the south by Nueva Vizcaya, on the west by Benguet, to the north by Mountain Province and to the east by Isabela. It is predominantly inhabited by the Ifugao, an Igorot subgroup whose name means "people of the hill".

Climate Ifugao has a more temperate climate due to its altitude. Daytime highs rarely reach 25 °C (77 °F), but the nighttime lows can reach below 7 °C (45 °F) during the cool season, causing frost that can destroy vegetables. Many visit the province during the dry season between November and April, where temperatures are at its coolest and rainfall at its lowest. The rainy season is rather the same as with the rest of Luzon, but precipitation is somewhat higher. Heavy rain, especially those brought by typhoons, can cause seasonal road closures due to landslides and rockfalls.

History Archeological evidence suggests that Ifugao has long been settled as early as 2000 BP, with the province's large rice terrace complexes being touted as proof of an advanced civilization in the area, although this remains subject to academic debate. Throughout the 17th to 19th centuries, the Spaniards based in Cagayan Valley tried to subjugate Ifugao with limited success. In retaliation, Ifugao tribes raided lowland villages and beheaded residents in headhunting raids. The Americans occupied Ifugao in the early 20th century and turned it into a subdistrict of the Mountain Province encompassing much of the Cordillera region in 1908. It became one of the last strongholds of Japanese forces in World War II, and it was in the town of Kiangan where the feared General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the "Tiger of Malaya", surrendered to Allied forces on September 2, 1945 and was subsequently hauled down to the lowlands for his trial and execution for war crimes. In

Getting there

Ifugao can be accessed through three national roads; Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road (Route 109), the main thoroughfare for buses originating from Metro Manila, Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo-Alfonso Lista-Ramon Road, which leads to Isabela and Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road, which connects with Halsema Highway in Benguet. Unlike other provinces, public transportation to Ifugao operates at an infrequent pace, with some transport companies offering only 1-2 daily trips to the province by transport companies and others operating a monopoly on select areas. Apart from Metro Manila, the main transport hubs leading to Ifugao include Baguio (for those heading to Tinoc), Bontoc in Mountain Province, Solano in Nueva Vizcaya and Santiago City in Isabela (for those heading to Alfonso Lista, Aguinaldo and Mayoyao).

Getting around

One can get around the province by public transportation such as jeepney, bus, and passenger van. Tricycles used between towns. Due to infrequent services, it is better to take a 4WD or any vehicle suitable for mountain roads. Many attractions are accessible following extended hikes.

See

Most visitors come to Ifugao just to see the Banaue Rice Terraces, which is a disservice to the fact that it is just one of five rice terrace complexes in Ifugao that are designated as World Heritage Sites in UNESCO. In fact, the terraces depicted in postcards are not part of the list, which are actually composed of two terraces in outlying villages of Banaue (Batad and Bangaan), and one each in the towns of Hungduan, Kiangan (Nagacadan) and Mayoyao. Kiangan is known as the cradle of Ifugao civilization and was the historical and cultural capital of the province. It is also the site of Yamashita's surrender in 1945 and hosts the Cordilleras branch of the National Museum of the Philippines.

Do

Partake in cultural activities such as pounding rice, community dances and listening to the chants of the Ifugao epic Hudhud.

Eat

Like the rest of the Cordilleras, Ifugao cuisine is comprised of highland rice, starch vegetables and game.

Sleep

The bulk of tourist accommodation is in Banaue, followed by Lagawe, Kiangan and Mayoyao. Most accommodation consists of small inns, hostels or homestays.