Tag: Rice Terraces

Bontoc | The Far Flung Favarey Village of Maligcong

Post author By Ferdz
Post date October 24, 2016
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Favarey, the old settlement of Maligcong

Maligcong has become one of my favorite destinations in the Mountain Province in the recent years. I’ve cited five reasons on a previous post why one should go to Maligcong. Lately, I did notice that there’s already an influx of tourist discovering its quiet charm and natural wonder. Most of them were doing the short climb at Mt Kupapey to see the breathtaking landscape and the rice terraces at the slope of the mountains from the summit. Mt Kupapey is just one of the interesting places in Maligcong. My recent visits there were to do some exploration treks and hike, particularly the far flung village of Favarey and its surrounding area. This village amidst the vast field of rice terraces is called the “Old Town” by the locals as this is the original settlement of Maligcong.

Tags Bontoc, Culture, Maligcong, Rice Terraces

Mountain Province Philippines Travel

Five Reasons Why You should visit Maligcong Now

Post author By Ferdz
Post date August 10, 2015
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The Cordilleras have many charming towns and villages nestled along hilly slopes high up the mountains amidst verdant forests. I simply enjoy just riding a public bus in the north, the ordinary non-airconditioned ones as the air passing through the window is fresh and cool enough for comfort. Often than not, country music blares through the speakers. As some Dolly Parton or Garth Brooks belt out some narrative tunes, I marvel at the passing scenery on the winding mountain road. Houses by the ridges, rice terraces, mountain gradients, and the thin mist or passing clouds lingering until they dissipate early in the morning. I am heading back to Maligcong, a village in Bontoc that’s slowly getting some curious look from Sagada and Banaue-bound travellers. Aside from being a side-trip, they are beginning to be a destination of their own. Here’s a few good reason why you should visit Maligcong now.

Tags Bontoc, Maligcong, Photo Tour, Rice Terraces

Mountain Province Mountains Philippines Travel

Bontoc | Return to Mt Kofafey and Maligcong Rice Terraces in Shifting Greens

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 6, 2015
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The village of Fang-arao and the Maligcong Rice Terraces

I remember spending my first sunrise of the year 2014 on top of Mt Kofafey. Basking in the view of a sea of clouds unraveling before my eyes to reveal the Maligcong Rice Terraces below was just a magical moment that opened up the year. I knew someday I promise to be back. A few months later I kept my promise. This time I brought along my friends with me see this destination in Cordilleras I have been raving about. And also to see the Maligcong Rice Terraces in its evergreen state.

Tags Bontoc, Climbs, Maligcong, Rice Terraces, Sunrise

Mountain Province Mountains Philippines Travel

Maligcong | Mt Kofafey: Sunrise and a Sea of Clouds

Post author By Ferdz
Post date June 2, 2014
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Sea of clouds at Mt Kupapey

It was the turn of the year and I wanted a fresh start. I wanted to be in a place where people don’t know me. I wanted to greet the first sunrise of the year in a new landscape. The past year was filled with mixed emotions, I was hoping that being away would bring things in a positive light and hopefully bring me back to the right direction. The first morning of 2014, I found myself already climbing the mountain slopes of Maligcong for Mt Kofafey under a starry night with my two companions who used to be just strangers a few days ago and now I’m entrusting my life to them.

Tags Bontoc, Climbs, Hikes, Maligcong, Rice Terraces, Sunrise

Mountain Province Philippines Travel

Bontoc | Discovering Maligcong Rice Terraces and a Wonderful Homestay

Post author By Ferdz
Post date April 10, 2014
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Maligcong Rice Terraces during the pre-planting season

This is where I bid goodbye to my friends Erick and Rocel. Coming from Kalinga. We headed back to Bontoc since the couple would be travelling back to Manila via Baguio. I, on the other hand would be staying in Bontoc to do further exploration. I got used to Bontoc mostly as a transit point to either Sagada, Kalinga or Banaue, but there’s this little upland town called Maligcong that’s only 30 minutes away from Bontoc that captured my curiosity. I heard of equally impressive rice terraces, scenic mountain hikes and cool clime.

Tags Accommodations, Bontoc, Cordilleras, Homestay, Maligcong, Rice Terraces, Sleep

Mountain Province Mountain Province Philippines Travel

Mountain Province: Easy Afternoon at Kapay-aw Rice Terraces in Sagada

Post author By Ferdz
Post date July 4, 2011
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Our yellow Jeep and looking over Kapay-aw Terraces

Much has been written about Sagada already so I won’t go repeating much than to update some of the old photos I took of the place. For those who have endured the hours of travel to get to this fascinating mountain town, I found it rare that people won’t be enamored with its old-world feel, lush surroundings, cool clime, great food and especially interesting people. I’m actually grateful Karl Grobl decided to include Sagada in their itinerary since the Cordilleras really shows how rich and unique our culture is beyond the beaches we are known for.

Tags Cordilleras, Photo Tour, Rice Terraces, Sagada

Mountain Province Mountain Province Mountains Philippines Travel

Mountain Province: Sagada’s Cinematic Sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint

Post author By Ferdz
Post date June 23, 2011
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Sunrise over at Kiltepan Peak in Sagada, Mountain Province

I was amused when I saw this dog from Rock Inn, the place where we were staying, running in front of our jeep as we rode up the dirt road towards the Kiltepan Viewpoint. He was panting heavily with his tongue ridiculously hanging from his wide open mouth when we got there but I thought it was really nice to have a dog as a personal escort. It was already bright when reached the viewpoint and I saw the dog continue on to the cliff-side of the peak where a few people were already waiting for the sunrise. He soon sandwiched himself in between a couple as they waited for the sun to reveal itself behind the mountains.

Tags Photo Tour, Rice Terraces, Sagada, Sunrise