BANAUE, IFUGAO | Patikim ng Banaue

The first morning of my 2015 is like getting a present from an old buddy. It’s nothing luxurious nor it is close to being grand. Yet, you know, it’s special. Just plain special. My PJ’s still feeling damp from the cuddly weather last night and a hearty breakfast awaits me on the verandah with Mama Nature as my back drop.

Banaue, a municipality in Ifugao province, is part of the rich land of Cordillera Administrative Region. Historically, it is believed that the outstanding topography of the town was built  using mainly the hands of our indigenous  Ifugao ancestors. Bangaan Rice Terraces and Batad Rice Terraces, both part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing, are at close quarters which I need to see on my next visit. Many commercial establishments are already built in the town, supplying the current demands of tourists. Bakeshops, grocery stores, drug stores and cafeterias are all crammed in different accessible sites. It is a friendly tourist destination of choice for someone who wants isolation with a peaceful grazing land right at his door step. 

HOW TO GET TO BANAUE?

*From Manila*
Take Ohayami Bus Trans located in Sampaloc, Manila
Fare: php 450
Travel Time: 8-12 Hours
Contact: Ohayami Website

GETTING AROUND | Banaue And Nearby Municipalities

Tricycles are readily available to help you get to your nearby destinations with a minimal fare of ten pesos (php 10) per head. Jeepneys and vans are also in sight; whether you like to hop in with other tourists or rent it in private for your convenience. The fare is relatively high and may be at variance depending on the destination of choice and the tourist guide you’re negotiating with. It can be as cheap as eight hundred pesos (php 800) and can go as high as two thousand pesos (php 2,000) from Banaue to Batad. Lagawe, the closest municipality from Banaue, can be reached using a public jeepney for a thirty six pesos (php 36) fare. The key to get hold of the best deal amongst these options is to interact with the locals and slip in a bit of your haggling skill. 

Ducligan Snake River Mountain

STAY |

Arriving in Banaue at around seven in the evening on the last day of December was not ideal. Many hostels were already closed because of the holiday and most really do not operate later than 8PM on regular days. The only available place during my arrival was People’s Lodge and Restaurant. It was a decent place for a backpacker like me who just needs a comfortable bed, a blanket to get through the cold night and a clean rest room. The beautiful view of the terraces on their verandah is just a bonus which by the way became my favourite spot during my stay. For a room which has two single beds and a shared rest room the rate is fairly cheap; I only paid three hundred pesos (php 300) per night. There are no electrical plugs inside the room, but you can bring your devices in the lobby if need to be recharged and it's for free. There are no AC’s and fans in the lodge; believe me, you wouldn’t wish to have one on a 15 degree centigrade weather. A bath towel and a roll of tissue are provided per guest but an additional fee of a hundred pesos will be charged if you want to use their hot shower. There is an alternative room type available if you want more space for your luggage plus a private rest room for only six hundred pesos (php 600) to eight hundred pesos (php 800) per night. Numerous hostels provide adequate service and acceptable podium for social arrangements.

EAT |

Banaue’s food collection is generally a reflection of the town’s basic way of life. It is pure in nature with a well balance of natural spices. The simplicity of their food can be traced on how they cultivate rice through organic farming. Tinawon, the home grown rice, means “annually” is celebrated across the globe due to its dietary value. Planting of seeds is being done during the first quarter of the year and harvest time happens on the fourth.  It can be paired with any type of viand and is always noticeable on most menus in restaurants. The complexity of its color combination – purple, black, brown, creates a straight forward feel to consumers.

Many restaurants provide great selection of Pinoy Cuisine ranging from one hundred pesos (php 100) to two hundred fifty pesos (php 250).  The cafeterias situated on the streets have reasonable offers ranging from fifty pesos (php 50) to a hundred pesos (php 100).

The cold weather is much sustainable with a cup of freshly brewed Organic Ifugao Coffee. You will be charged thirty pesos (php 30) per cup. Do not forget to take a few packs with you before leaving the place. A pack of two hundred grams (200 g) is sold at a hundred fifty pesos (php 150) which is way cheaper compare to Starbucks Coffee.

daing bangus at itlog paired with tinawon rice

tinola native na manok

Various souvenir shops are sited along the meek streets of Banaue. Different historic figures and native items can be found and are sold at practical prices.

one of the souvenir shops in Banaue

historic figures

native ifugao cloth sold at 250-500 pesos

post card letter sets with native cloth design at 30 pesos each

Banaue proposes more than just a stunning view. It welcomes its guests with unpretentious vibe that leaves a memorable kind of glow. Suddenly, you are drenched into a different kind of solace away from your frenzied origin. In the middle of a heartfelt song - you were adrift. It's probably the air, the clouds or the sky beneath its land that makes you feel a little closer to Gods. Or maybe too, it's the people and their absolute orientation to simplicity that raises them a little higher from what is usual. It is like a slow dance with unrestrained maneuver -  unhurried, natural and just beautiful.