TRIP TO THE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE AND IFUGAO

 

At the invitation of Bishop Valentin Dimoc, the CBCP Secretariat embarked on a trip to visit his Apostolic Vicariate, which encompasses the provinces of Ifugao and Mountain Province. We departed from Manila just before midnight and reached the Divine Mercy Shrine in Brgy. Tungngod, Lagawe, Ifugao, where we celebrated an early morning Mass. The Sisters in charge of the shrine, which also houses a coffee shop, graciously prepared breakfast for us.

Afterward, we headed to the neighboring town of Banaue, where we briefly visited the parish church before continuing on to the famous amphitheater-like rice terraces in Batad. I was pleased to find that the trek to Batad was significantly shorter than my last visit, now reduced to about a 30-minute hike—thanks to the construction of a new cemented road, which has cut the previous distance by more than half.

From Banaue, we traveled to Bontoc, where Bishop Dimoc met us near Bayyo village, which is visible from the highway, nestled among rice terraces. We spent some time at the Bontoc Museum before heading to the Bishop’s residence, perched atop a mountain with a stunning view overlooking the town of Bontoc, where we stayed overnight.

The next day, we visited Sagada and toured several sights, including the Catholic Church in Mabbay and the Episcopal Church in the town proper of Sagada. Due to limited time, we only managed a group photo at the entrance of Sumaguing Cave and viewed the famous hanging coffins from a distance. We then had lunch at Isangwow Café by the Clouds, a charming cliffside café offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

From Sagada, we traveled to Sadsadan, Bauko, Mountain Province, where we stayed overnight at the Holy Family Mission Parish. The area is renowned for its cool climate and for its vegetables and strawberries, and we even took the opportunity to go strawberry picking. In the evening, the parishioners treated us to a cultural performance of traditional dances, complete with their native attire.

The following day, after Mass and breakfast, we journeyed along the Halsema Highway towards Baguio. Our first stop was the Mt. Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province where Bishop Dimoc encouraged us to see the monument commemorating the historic “Sipat,” the peace pact between former President Corazon Aquino and the late Fr. Conrado Balweg, which ended the armed hostilities between the government and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army. We also visited the Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet, before continuing to Baguio, where we had a late lunch.

 

Divine Mercy Shrine, Brgy. Tungngod, Lagawe, Ifugao Province

The Shrine also has a coffee shop for the pilgrims

The ancestral home of Bp. Valentin Dimoc, the bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe who is an Igorot was transported to the Shrine complex to be preserved for posterity. 

The CBCP Secretariat in front of the ancestral  home of Bp. Dimoc. 

Immaculate Conception Mission Parish (F-1930)
Banaue, Ifugao

Batad, Banaue.  Unlike my previous trip to Batad, where we had to trek for about two hours from the so-called Saddle to Batad, this time the hike lasted only about 30 minutes, thanks to a newly constructed road near the area.

Christ the King Catholic Chapel in Batad. 

Accidentally met Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD,  the provincial of the province as we were trekking back. 

From Banaue, we traveled to Bontoc where Bp. Dimoc met us along the highway near Bayyo, Bontoc,  that picturesque village with a rice terraces at the back of the village. 

A painting at the Bontoc Museum representing the Igorot Last Supper featuring the four Igorot tribes. 

A group picture from the Chapel at the Bishop's Residence where we stayed overnight.

The Cathedral of Bontoc-Lagawe. 

We did not have time to explore the Sumaguing Cave, so we just took a picture at the cave entrance. 

The hanging coffins in Sagada

The Episcopalian Church of the Virgin Mary in Sagada. 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Mabbay, Sagada

Isangwow Cafe by the Clouds, Ampanga Heights, Sagada

We had our lunch at this Isangwow Cafe by the Clouds where it had a stunning view of the valley and the surrounding mountains. 

Having coffee at one of the coffee houses in Sagada. 

Holy Family Mission Parish
Sadsadan, Bauko, Mountain Province

The mission church is on the top floor which has its own access from the top  and the convento is on the ground and second floor. 

From Sagada, we proceeded to the Holy Family Mission Parish in Sadsadan,Bauko, Mountain Province where we had our second overnight stay. We went for strawberry picking in one of the farms nearby where we had to take a four by four car to take us there. 

In the evening the parishioners of Sadsadan came and performed for us ritual dances around a camp fire. 

A final group picture in Sadsadan before leaving on the way of the Halsema road to Baguio. 

The Monument of the Sipat or Peace Pact between the government and the Cordillera People's Liberation Army signed by Pres. Corazon Aquino and Fr. Conrado Balweg at the Mt. Data Hotel, Bauko, Mountain Province. 

This highest point in Cattubo, Atok, Benguet along the Halsema highway has supposedly been superseded already by the  Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road at  Gui’ngaw in Barangay Eheb in Tinoc which  has an elevation 7,968.07 feet above sea level. 

Northern Blossom Flower Farm, Atok, Benguet, Mountain Province

Our last stop along the way was this Northern Blossom Flower Farm which has become popular in recent years. 

At the Baguio Cathedral, the last stop before going back to Manila.