The Sagadan landscape in Philippines is punctuated by limestone cliffs with an avenue of pine trees. Four or five coffins are arranged in a bundle on these cliffs. The oldest coffin dates back to more than a century and the latest one was added decades ago.

The Hanging Coffins of Sagada

The Hanging coffins of Sagada in Philippines are a major tourist attraction. Some of the coffins are arranged neatly while some are randomly heaped. According to an age-old practice of the people of Sagada, the burial practice involved the arranging of the corpse of their relatives in caves after carefully preparing a hollowed out log. The people of Sagada prefer being buried in the cliffs than in grounds. This practice has prevailed over 2,000 years.

The coffins are found in places that are difficult to reach and only touched by the elements of nature.
The coffins are made by the elderly before their demise. If they are weak of suffering from major ailments their children or other close relatives undertake the work of building the coffin. The practice entails placing the bodies into a comfortable position of the coffin. Bones are often cracked and broken with the completion of the process.
After the dead bodies are put inside the coffins, they are brought to the cliffs and are kept near the coffins of their ancestors.
Make sure that you have a guide, as the roads are often difficult to traverse.
Tourists have also taken some of the remains as souvenirs.

The Banaue Rice Terraces in Philippines one of the major tourist attractions of the archipelago, are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by ancestors of the Batad native people. The terraces were carved as an attempt to provide level steps where the indigenous people could grow rice. Fully built with hand without the help of machines, the terraces are often regarded as one of the greatest engineering achievements of mankind. Banaue Rice Terraces in Philippines has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. It was recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1995.

The 8th wonder of the world, Banaue Rice Terraces

Covering around 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of the entire mountainous terrain, Banaue Rice Terraces in Philippines are located approximately at an altitude of1500 meters (5000 feet) and found in the provinces of Mountain Province and Ifugao. The terraces are maintained by an age-old irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. Rice cultivation is still practiced although the newer generation is more inclined on developing the profitable hospitality industry. As a consequence, there is a gradual wearing away of the level steps which needs regular care and repair.

Taal Volcano in Manila is in the middle of the Lake Taal. The Taal is still active and one can at time see the hot steams coming out. The Taal Lake is 243 sq. km and is south of Manila. The Mount Taal rises up to 984 feet and the last eruptions occurred in 1970. It is a beautiful sight to see that the in between the lake is the island that has the Taal volcano that itself contains another small lake.

Reaching Taal Volcano

The Taal Volcano is among the chain of volcanoes that are found along the western side Luzon Island. The Taal Volcano is located on an island that is called the Volcano Island and the island covers an area of 23 sq km. The Mount Taal is the world’s smallest volcano and it would take approximately 45 minutes in a boat and another 15- 20 minutes to reach the top.

To reach the Taal Volcano island of Manila is nothing short of an exciting adventure. One has to start with a boat in order to reach the island. Thereafter one can on a horseback reach to the top of the mountain. Once there one would be able to see smoke coming out and see the water bubbling around the edges of the lake inside the crater.

Taal Vocano View

Once on the top of the Tall Volcano one can enjoy the panoramic view of the valley and the lake. Also it would be time to take a boat tour and visit the many fishponds around the island. The Taal Volcano of Manila is a place with a difference and the fun and excitement is guaranteed. ]]> http://www.philippinetravel.ws/philippine-mountain-resorts/taal-volcano/feed 0 http://www.philippinetravel.ws/philippine-mountain-resorts/mount-apo http://www.philippinetravel.ws/philippine-mountain-resorts/mount-apo#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:15:20 +0000 admin http://www.philippinetravel.ws/?p=571
Mount Apo Location Located 32 kilometers west of Davao City, Mount Apo in Philippines is popular as the highest mountain in the country that rises to 9,690 feet. The honor of conquering of the mountain peak goes to a group of mountaineers led by Don Joaquin Rajal, who climbed on to the peak on October [...]]]>

Mount Apo Location

Located 32 kilometers west of Davao City, Mount Apo in Philippines is popular as the highest mountain in the country that rises to 9,690 feet. The honor of conquering of the mountain peak goes to a group of mountaineers led by Don Joaquin Rajal, who climbed on to the peak on October 10, 1880. Even quite popular among the tourists, the path of climbing up Mount Apo in Mindanao Island is very easy.

Beauty of Mount Apo

If you are an adventure-lover, you will be impressed to know that unlike the journey to Mount Halcon and Mount Banahaw, the journey up to Mount Apo in south central Mindanao is comfortable through dense tropical hardwood forests. Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon had declared Mount Apo in Philippines as a national park on May 9, 1936, which has an envious treasure of 270 bird species including a hundred endemic ones and spreads across an area of 199,819 acres. Mount Apo is a stratovolcano, which has three peaks on the flat top and can be used as a source of geothermal energy.

Sagada, known for its cool climate and underground caves is located in the western side of Mountain Province in the Cordillera mountain ranges of northern Luzon.Found 5,000 feet above sea level, Sagada is bounded on the north by Abra Province, in the south by Sabangan municipality, in the east by Bontoc municipality, and the west by Bauko and Besao municipalities.Sagada is composed of 19 barangays- Aguid, ambasing, Antadao, Balugan, Bangaan, Dagdag, Demang, Kilong, Madongo, Nacagang, Patay, Poblacion, Pide, Suyo and Taccong. The town became a regular municipality on June 25, 1963 under Executive Order 42.The Land area is about 8,568 hectares. Atleast 10% of the area is devoted to agricultural purposes while the rest of the 90% is forest cover.A major bulk of the populace  compose at least 85% of the farming occupation. Others are into private employment including hotel and restaurant, transportation, trading, furniture making, retail, while the rest are employed in the goverment and private sector. Mountainous terrains with dense forests and grasslands characterize the community. Sagada is studded with limestone rocks and underground streams and rivers which distinctly compose a scenic and mystical ambiance. A much-visited tourist town due to its rejuvinating and natural attractions of generies, caves, waterfalls, limestone rocks, winding woodland lanes, and cool breath of fresh air, Sagada is fast becoming a converging spot of cultures and races brought in by travelers from other countries and lowland areas of the country.

Brief History of Sagada

With the increase of visitors especially in peak seasons from October to the Lenten seasons, water becomes an increasing need, aggravated by the summer season when rains are scant. Water is source  from private springs and communal watersheds. Theses  water system supply water public institutions including the hospital, schools, hotels and restaurants and the 2,316 households of the town.

almost all barangays have their own watersheds source. There are at least 16 potential water sources including Gosod watershed covering 200 hetares located in Aguid. Madongo has Tabbak watershed, Takap watershed in Bangaan. Balugan is more or less sufficient with its water sources in Angasan, and Akiki, Sagada Poblacion with its four barangays sources its water from Tanap, Todey, Labayen, and from the Mission water aside from private springs. Depletion of water sources however has been observed the past few years.

The people of Sagada along with other tribes of  in Northern Luzon are said to thave come from South East Asia Mainland. In the process of seeting down, the early inhabitants became geographically isolated from one another. The isolation and their adaption to the environment gave rise to variations in practices though, Neolithic culture is similarly evident in the area’s rice terraces, designs on cloth weaving, use of iron implements, and wet rice agriculture. the people live in compact settlements characterized by close community and cultural ties. Sagada is one of these settlements.

Mt. Pulag Description

Mt. Pulag offers a clear view of nature from its towering 9,610 feet height. It is a slight 82 feet lower than Mt. Apo, the highest peak of the Philippine archipelago. Embrace the fresh glimmering sunrise on an early morning while experiencing a chilling temperature that penetrates to the bones. Mt. Pulag became a National Park on February 20, 1987 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation.

Mt. Pulag Attraction

A trek to Mt. Pulag is a tough challenge even to determined mountain climbers. Mt. Pulag is not the kind of ordinary rain forests with trees. Grasses and dwarf bamboos sturdy enough to withstand chilling temperature is the prevalent flora. Frost formation is a normal phenomenon during the months of January and February. Mt. Pulag is also a refuge to some endangered animal species like the Philippine Brown Deer, Northern Giant Cloud rat, and Long-haired Fruit Bat. From a vivid wheat color on dry periods, Mt. Pulag would transform to a verdant savanna on rainy season. A common practice of climbers is to split the journey into two stages. Start on the first day to a stopover called Campsite 2. Push for the summit with a calculated time before daybreak.

Set plans falling on November to March when the weather is favorable. Buses from Baguio City ferry tourists to the reservation office at Ambangeg, Dalan, Bokod, Benguet. Attend the short orientation by the local government regarding the proper maintenance of Mt. Pulag National Park. To ensure the success of your mission, choose Ambangeg-Babadak route if you are amateurs as Akiki or the “Killer Trail” is meant for experienced ones.

Mt. Pulag Location

Mt. Pulag spans to the towns of Bokod, Kabayan and Buguias in Benguet, Tinoc in Ifugao and Kayapa in Nueva Viscaya. The biggest part of it though is claimed by Bokod, Benguet.