MAJESTIC BUGUIAS

_ _BUGUIAS_ _

                                                                                           -Lorevine Kitongan

               

               Mt. Nato-o is located at Sebang, Buguias, Benguet. This place is still a virgin forest . The people here are also very hospitable and kind. When we arrived there we were treated with hospitality like we’re very close to them or a part of their family.

         

       When we went there, we board at the Abatan UV Express Station that is located at Shell, KM5 in La Trinidad that departs from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. After our trip to Atok, it took us 1 more hour to arrive at Abatan, Buguias and cost us 130 pesos for the fare (11o pesos if you’re a student with I.D).

                

                  Then from Abatan to Sebang, we rode in a jeep and it took us less than an hour to reach Sebang. We board in front of the Almond Grocery Store where their service is located and the fare costs 60 pesos. Then when we finally arrived at Sebang, we went to their barangay hall and they gladly welcomed us and volunteered to be our tour guide.

               

PINIT

             

              There are lots of activities we did there, while climbing the mountain we saw “pinit”, a kind of wild berry we have here in the Philippines. This “pinit” also grow anywhere in that mountain. We have also seen the beauty through its tall green trees that serves as an umbrella for that day. The tour guide also said that we can do camping and trekking here. He also said that this mountain was once an active volcano long ago but now it’s dead so it’s safe. This also serves as a natural barrier against strong winds and typhoons in their village.

A-T-O-K

_ _A-T-O-K_ _

                                                 -Mia Kisim 

           Our trip to La Union was quite an exciting one but we concluded that we should have another trip. One of my friends from Buguias recommended that we should visit their place. And the plans were made. To reach our destination, we boarded on a Van located in the terminal at the Shell gasoline station along KM5. As we were on our way to Buguias, we passed and stopped by Atok first and we paid 100 pesos for the fare and the trip took us one hour and 30 minutes. But if you’re looking for a cheaper fare there’s another alternative, there’s a bus station at the Slaughter in Lower Magsaysay, Baguio City. The bus fare is 50 pesos but it will take 2 hours until you reach Atok.

          Atok is a mountainous place and can be cold during the Christmas season which makes it a good place to visit especially for those from the warm places in the lowlands. Atok is one of the remarkable places that we had visited. Since it was summer time, we hadn’t experience the freezing temperature which causes andap or frost to the crops of the farmers. Experts believe that the andap happens when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Experts also believe that Atok’s drop in temperature is two degrees lower than Baguio City’s. Still, the main livelihood in there was farming. Different crops were planted and harvested from cabbages, Chinese cabbages, potatoes, sweet peas, carrots to broccoli. Aside from vegetables, they also raise cows, pigs, and chickens.

           The people living there are industrious and friendly. They are united by their rich culture even though they speak different languages and ethnic affiliation: the Kankana-ey, Ibaloi, and Ilocano. Nowadays, many of them are Christians but they still value their culture and beliefs. They have the belief in the “manbunong’’ who performs rituals to cure unexplainable illness. Their offering includes dogs, chickens, pigs to appease the nature spirits or their dead relative’s spirit. Cañao is their big feast to please the Kabunyan and thanksgiving for bountiful blessings.

            They love eating their indigenous foods: sweet potato, “cassava”, “diket’’ and they also drink natural wines. They ate fruits harvested from their farms and made “gabi” and “pinakbet’’ as their viand.

(image from Pinterest) 

               Aside from the people and their culture, the place and sceneries itself are admirable. I enjoyed touring those tourist attactions. We love the view of the Highest Point, a natural attraction found in Cattubo, Atok.

               The Highest point can be found at Cattubo, Atok. It is the highest point in the country under the Philippine highway system, at an elevation of 7,400 ft. above sea level. From the view deck, we can see the vegetable gardens and the mountain ranges of Bokod, Kabayan, Atok and we can even see Mt. Pulag.

           

             Just 4 kilometers from capital of Atok, Sayangan, and another attraction came upon our eyes. We can never forget passing through the Natampukan half tunnel which is a marvel to look at. It was a man-made attraction and passing through it give us awe and wonder for the engineers and workers who built it.

Lalala...La Union!

                                                                                                 

by:Lara Mae Dacay

                Last summer vacation, I was scrolling and browsing on my phone for a place to spend the vacation. A four-month vacation is long and boring one if I would not be able to find a place to visit. I can't find a new place to visit and I was about to give up but then I spotted one, and it was at La Union. La Union is a province in the Ilocos Region and it was just beside Benguet, my province.

                So, La Union is near and 90-93% of the population is and speaks Ilocano.  With the favorable distance and familiarity to the language, I quickly shared it to my friends and in the blink of an eye; we are already planning for our trip to La Union.

                We are four members in total. We decided to commute from the “City of Pines”, Baguio City, riding in an ordinary bus going to San Juan, La Union which cost us 100 pesos each (estimated fare). After 3 hours, we finally arrived at San Juan, and from San Juan to San Gabriel the fare is 19 pesos. From San Gabriel to Tangadan Falls the fare is 50 pesos.

                The other alternative transportation is upon arriving at San Juan a tricycle can be hired going to Tangadan Falls for a fare of 500 pesos.

                First, we went to Tangadan Falls. Tangadan Falls was a newly discovered destination for tourists to go. The falls sits in the middle of the mountain of San Gabriel. It was created by a big rock face blocking Baroro River’s flow. There are two basins there. The main basin is bigger than the other one. The main basin is so deep and it is a good spot for those who want to have cliff diving (but only for those who knew how to swim).

TANGADAN FALLS

THE MAIN BASIN AT LUNCH TIME

Here are some tips when going to Tangadan Falls:

1. It is best to go to Tangadan Falls before lunch to avoid the crowd.
2. The falls is open from 6:00AM to 6:00PM only. We do not recommend staying late for the trek and drive back will be very difficult at night.
3. Smoking is not allowed in the vicinity and there are stiff penalties.
4. If there’s a storm, do not risk going. It can be difficult and dangerous as well.

               

      After we enjoyed our time in the falls, we searched for a place to stay for the night. There is the “Circle Hostel” or “Flotsam and Jetsam” to spend the summer’s night and we’ve chosen the Flotsam and Jetsam since they had affordable dorm rooms.

  

              The next day, we decided to stroll down town that morning. But before that, we had breakfast in the hostel’s kitchen bar.

                 After we had our fill, we went outside in the hot summer day. As we walk in the streets one thing caught my attention, the “Halo-halo de Iloko”.

                

      Unlike Baguio, La Union is a hot place so people sell cold beverages and desserts to ease the hot feeling. And it was the perfect timing to have one!

         

       Each of us ordered one halo-halo and mine was in a coconut. I don’t have time to inspect what were its ingredients for we quickly dig in and within a few minutes all what was left was the container. And to end this trip, I can say that our trip to La Union was just like the “Halo-halo de Iloko”, it looks nice upon seeing it and worth it if you experience it.