Cordillera Administrative Region

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is a region in the Philippines composed of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalingaand Mountain Province, as well as Baguio City, the regional center. The Cordillera Administrative Region encompasses most of the areas within theCordillera Central mountains of Luzon, the largest mountain range in the country. It is the country's only land-locked region. The region is home to numerous indigenous tribes collectively called the Igorot.

History of regional formationOn June 18, 1966, Republic Act No. 4695 was enacted to split Mountain Province into four separate and

independent provinces of Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao.

Prior to the formal creation of Cordillera Administrative Region, as a consequence of the constitutional mandate

under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the former four provinces was loosely under Cagayan Valley Region while

the fifth province Abra was grouped under Ilocos Region.

On July 15, 1987, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 220 which created the Cordillera

Administrative Region, that includedMountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and annexed the

province of Abra as part of the Cordillera Administrative Region, giving the region formal autonomy as part of her

political compromise to the Cordillera People's Liberation Army, a rebel group operating in the mountain region.

On February 14, 1995, Kalinga-Apayao, one of the five provinces of the region was split into two separate and

independent provinces of Apayao and Kalinga with the enactment of Republic Act No. 7878[3].

Several attempts at legalizing autonomy in the Cordillera region have failed in two separate plebiscites. An

affirmative vote for the law on regional autonomy is a precondition by the 1987 Philippine Constitution to give the

region autonomy in self-governance much like the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in southern

Philippines. The first law Republic Act No. 6766, took effect on October 23, 1989 but failed to muster a majority

vote in the plebiscite on January 30, 1990. The second law, Republic Act No. 8438 passed by Congress of the

Philippines on December 22, 1997, also failed to pass the approval of the Cordillera peoples in a region-wide

referendum on March 7, 1998.

At present, a third organic act of the Cordillera is in the offing supported by the Cordillera Regional Development

Council.

Regional economyRegional economy of the Cordilleras is diverse; mining, agriculture, export processing zone, tourism are among

economic activities in the different provinces of the region.

The region is abundant with mineral reserves. These include metallic ores such as gold, copper, silver, zinc, and

non-metallic minerals like sand, gravel and sulfur. Mineral reserves are found in all the provinces. However,

mining is concentrated in Benguet.

Its timber resources has dwindled since the introduction of slash-and-burn method of farming in all parts of the

Cordillera mountain range.

Vegetable crop production is well developed in Benguet, rice production in Ifugao and Abra, corn production

in Mountain Province, and Kalinga.

Baguio City and La Trinidad are considered as the industrial centers in the region. Baguio City hosts Baguio

Export Processing Zone where operations of big companies like Texas Instruments, and MOOG are located. The

city also hosts offshore and outsourcing companies operating call centers.

The primary growth centers of the region are Metro Baguio and the Eastern Cordillera Growth Corridor.

Tourist attractionsTourist attractions in the region include the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces in the province of Ifugao. Nations

around the world boast of their own self-proclaimed "eighth wonder of the world." The Philippines considers

Banaue Rice Terraces as its "Eighth Wonder of the World." The Banaue terraces, ancient sprawling man-made

structures from 2,000 to 6,000 years old, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are part of the Rice Terraces

of the Philippine Cordilleras, widely found in the provinces of Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain

Province.

Natural attractions of the region include the Sumaguing Cave in Sagada and the mummy caves

of Benguet and Mt. Province. There are four National Parks: Cassamata Hill, Mount Pulag, the highest mountain

in Luzon, and second highest mountain in the Philippines, following Mount Apo of Davao, with an elevation of

2,922 meters above mean sea level, Mt. Data, and Balbalasang-Balbalan, located in the province of Kalinga.

Kalinga also offers world-class white water rafting along the Chico River. The summer capital of the Philippines is

Baguio, within the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Ethnic people in the CordillerasCordillera is home to many ethnic tribes living on the Corillera mountain range. They are commonly referred to as

Igorot.

Abra

The Tingguians are composed of sub-groups known as the Itneg tribes which includes Adasen, Balatok, Banaw,

Belwang, Binungan, Gubang, Inlaud, Mabaka, Maeng, Masadiit, and Muyadan or Ammutan. Their places of

abode are found in the different municipalities in Abra as follows:

1. Adasen- Lagayan, San Juan and Tineg

2. Banaw - Daguioman, Malibcong, also found in Balbanlan

3. Binungan - Baay-Licuan and Lacub

4. Balatok - in the villages of Amti, Kilong-olaw, & Danak, all in Boliney

5. Belwang - in the village of Dao-angan in Boliney

6. Gubang - Malibcong

7. Inlaud - Lagangilang and Peñarrubia, in Lumaba village of Villaviciosa, in the villages of Abang and Patoc

in Bucay, in Langiden, San Isidro, San Quintin, Danglas (also found in some parts of Nueva Era)

8. Mabaka - Lacub and Malibcong

9. Maeng - Luba, Tubo and Villaviciosa, (also found in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, Banayoyo and other towns in

Ilocos Sur)

10. Masadiit - Sallapadan, Bucloc and in the village of Sapdaan in Manabo, and in barangays Poblacion,

Bawiyan, and Dumagas in Boliney

11. Ammutan a.k.a. Muyadan tribe - in Manabo

Apayao

1. Isneg tribe is the dominant among local sub-groups of Igorot people.

Benguet

1. Ibaloi

2. Kankanaey

Ifugao

1. Ifugao

Kalinga

1. Kalingan

2. Banao

Mountain Province

1. Bontoc - Bontoc

2. Balangao - Natonin

3. Baliwon – Paracelis

Languages in the CordillerasThe Cordillera region is the most diversified ethno-liguistic region in the Philippines with its major languages

having sub-dialect variations. The topographic formation of the Cordillera mountain range, which has greatly

influenced the upstream migration of peoples in the Cordillera into the hinterland, corresponds the various dialects

pattern formation. The disparity in linguistic ethnicity however, did not form variation in cultural development as

almost every Cordillera people shares similar cultural identity among different tribes.

Bontok - spoken in Bontoc

Ifugao -

Isnag -

CultureThe Cordillera region is known for its unique musical instruments including the gangsa kalinga, nose

flute, bamboo flute, buzzer, bangibang, tongatong, diwdiw-as, saggeypo, and bamboo zither.

The region also has various festivals. They include:

Panagbenga Festival

Panagbenga / Baguio Flower Festival which is celebrated in February. The festival focuses on Baguio as the

Flower Garden City of the North. Highlights include flower exhibits, lectures, garden tours, floral competition and a

parade of floats.

Adivay Festival

Adivay festival in Benguet which means "coming together of people to celebrate" is celebrated every month of

November. The month-long activities highlights the Agro-industrial and trade fair which showcase the different

products of Benguet.

Ullalim Festival

Ullalim Festival/ in Kalinga which is celebrated every February 14. It is in celebration of the founding anniversary

of the province and the Peace acts called Bodong. It is the poetic expression of the heroic exploits, romance, joys,

successes as well as tribulations, and the way of life of the Kalingas from birth to death. The Festival highlights

the weaved clothes (laga) exhibits, world class coffee beans and other products of Kalinga.

Lang-ay Festival

Lang-ay Festival in Mountain Province celebrated every April 7. This is a week-long agro-industrial trade, tourism

and cultural fair with tribal dances and songs. Lang-ay is a native term which describes the tradition of the people

of Mountain Province to celebrate festivities, share happiness, foster family solidarity, hospitality and nurture

friendship - all with a toast of home-brewed wine.

Ifugao Festivals Kulpi ad Asipulo (Asipulo, Ifugao - April 16-19) Town Fiesta adopting the ritual term "kulpi", a

family thanksgiving after transplanting the rice seedlings.

Tungoh ad Hungduan (Hungduan, Ifugao - April 17-19) Town fiesta adopting the cultural festival term "tungoh",

where the community celebrates the end of rice planting season.

Gotad ad Hingyon (Hingyon, Ifugao - April 23-25) Town fiesta adopting the festival term "Gotad" which is

culminating activity of a "bimmayah" - a well-to-do.

Kulpi ad Lagawe (Lagawe, Ifugao - April 25-27) same as that of Asipulo

Urpih Bannawar (Banaue, Ifugao - April 26-27) Town fiesta also performing the cultural ritual of the "urpih" by the

town mayor. Similar to the kulpi of Lagawe & Asipulo except that Banaue has no "K" in their dialect.

Immbayah (Banaue, Ifugao - April 27-29) A festival celebrated every 3 years. The event title was coined after the

term "bumayah" referring to a well-to-do who celebrates his good health or ripe old age with gong-beating and

dancing culminating in the feast.

Gotad ad Kiangan (Kiangan, Ifugao - April 30 - May 2) Same as that of Hingyon where the program includes

cultural dances, presentation or Contested ethnic songs and games.

Ammong ad Alfonso Lista (Alfonso Lista, Ifugao - May 11) Town fiesta adopting the Ifugao term "ammong" which

means a gathering.

Matagoan Festival

Tabuk Matagoan Festival which features G-String marathon (runners wear G-String only), cultural dances and

songs. The festival showcases the different products of tabuk coming from the different parts of Kalinga such as

the aromatic Kalinga coffee.

Abra (province)Abra is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital

is Bangued, and it borders Ilocos Norteand Apayao on the north, Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province on the

south, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur on the west, and Kalinga, and Apayao on the east.

DemographicsAbra's inhabitants are mostly descendants of Ilocano settlers and members of the Tingguian tribe. As of 2007, the

population of the province is 230,953.

The predominant languages are Ilocano and Itneg. Based on the 2000 census survey, the majority of the province

population is Ilocano 71.9%. Other ethnic groups living in the province are

the Tinguian 18.7%, Ibanag 4.5%, Isneg 3.2% and Tagalog 0.4%.

HistoryThe first inhabitants of Abra were the ancestors of the Bontocs and the Ifugaos. These inhabitants eventually left

to settle in the old Mountain Province. Other early inhabitants were the Tingguians, or Itnegs, as they are also

known. The Ilocos came to trade with the tinguians but eventually they saw the province to be very good so they

invaded and the tinguians were forced to go to the mountains.

In 1598 a Spanish garrison was established in Bangued to protect the Ilocanos who converted to Christianity from

Tingguian raids. During theBritish Occupation of the Philippines, Gabriela Silang and her army fled to Abra from

Ilocos and continued the revolt begun by her slain husband,Diego Silang. She was captured and hung by the

Spanish in 1763.

In 1818 the Ilocos region, including Abra, was divided into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. In 1846 Abra was

created as a political-military province with Lepanto as a sub-province. It remained so until the arrival of the

Americans in 1899.

In 1908 the Philippine Commission once again in annexed Abra to Ilocos Sur in an attempt to resolve Abra's

financial difficulties. But on March 9, 1917, the Philippine Assembly re-established Abra as a province.

In 1942, the Japanese forces occupied the Philippines and entered Abra.

The built of the local military general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was active on 1942 to

1946, the Philippine Constabulary was found active from 1944 to 1946 and the United States Armed Forces in the

Philippines - Northern Luzon or USAFIP-NL was active again from 1942 to 1946 and military stationed in the

province of Abra during the Japanese Occupation and the Allied Liberation.

In 1945, the liberation in Abra in Northern Luzon by the Philippine Commonwealth forces and the local Cordilleran

guerrillas against the Japanese during the Battle of Abra at the end the Second World War.

The revolutionary Marxist priest, Conrado Balweg, who fought for the rights of the Cordillera tribes, began his

crusade in Abra. After successfully negotiating a peace accord with Balweg's group in 1987, the Philippine

government created the Cordillera Administrative Region, which includes Abra.

PhysicalAbra is hemmed in by the towering mountain ranges of the Ilocos in the west and the Cordillera Central in the

east. It has an extremely rugged terrain, with mountains and hills rising along its perimeter and interior. The plains

are drained by the Abra River, which flows northward from Mt. Data in the Mountain Province.

GeographyEconomyAs of 1990, there were 743 cottage industries in Abra, of which 208 are registered with the Department of Trade

and Industry. 59% are engaged in bamboo and rattan craft making, both leading industries in the area.

In 1992, the natural dye industry, together with loom weaving and embroidery, was revived by former Governor

Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera, the first woman governor of Abra.

Abra's economy is agriculture-based. Its major crops are rice, corn, and root crops; and commercial produce are

coffee, tobacco, and coconut. Extensive grassland and pasture areas are used for livestock production.

ApayaoApayao is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital town is Kabugao. Even during pre-Hispanic time when the provice was still the old Mountain Province, Kabugao was already the recognized as the capital of the then sub-province of Apayao. It borders Cagayan to the north and east, Abra and Ilocos Norte to the west, and Kalinga to the south. Prior to 1995, Kalinga and Apayao comprised a single province named Kalinga-Apayao, until they were split into two to better service the needs of individual native tribes in the provinces.

EconomyApayao is devoted to agricultural production, particularly food and industrial crops such as palay, corn, coffee,

root crops and vegetables. Main fruits produce are lanzones, citrus, bananas and pineapples. Rice production

totals 42,602 metric tons annually, as food crops totals 96,542 metric tons.

Economic activity is also based on livestock and poultry breeding such as swine, carabao, cattle, goat and sheep.

Other additional investment includes manufacturing, food processing, furniture, crafts and house wares making.

GeographyPhysicalHistoryAlthough Apayao was among the earliest areas penetrated by the Spaniards in the Cordilleras, the region,

inhabited by the Isneg tribe, remained largely outside Spanish control until late in the 19th century. As early as

1610, the Dominican friars established a mission in what is now the town of Pudtol. In 1684, the friars again made

vain attempts to convert the people and established a church in what is now Kabugao. The ruins of the early

churches in Pudtol and Kabugao still stand as mute testimony to the failed attempts to occupy Apayao.

The Spanish authorities were then able to establish the comandancias of Apayao and Cabugaoan in 1891, which

covered the western and eastern portions of what is now Apayao. The comandancias, however, failed to bring

total control and the Spanish government only maintained a loose hold over the area.

The Americans established the Mountain Province on August 13, 1908, with the enactment of Act No. 1876.

Apayao, along with Amburayan,Benguet, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Lepanto, became sub-provinces of this

new province. Before this, Apayao had been a part of Cagayanprovince.

In 1942, Japanese Imperial forces entered Apayao, starting a three-year occupation of the province during

the Second World War. Local Filipino troops of the 1st, 2nd, 12th, 15th and 16th Infantry Division of the Philippine

Commonwealth Army and the military forces of the USAFIP-NL 11th and 66th Infantry Regiment, supported by

the Cordilleran guerrillas, drove out the Japanese in 1945.

After almost 60 years, on June 18, 1966, the huge Mountain Province was split into four provinces with the

enactment of Republic Act No. 4695. The four provinces were Benguet, Bontoc (renamed Mountain

Province), Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao. Kalinga-Apayao, along with Ifugao, became one of the provinces of

the Cagayan Valley region in 1972.

On July 15, 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region was established and Kalinga-Apayao was made one of its

provinces. Finally, on February 14, 1995, Kalinga-Apayao was split into two distinct provinces with the passage of

Republic Act No. 7878.

The merged outlines of Apayao and Kalinga resemble a bust of a man akin to former President Ferdinand

Marcos (looking toward his home province, Ilocos Norte) whom the media called as the "Great Profile" during the

Marcos Era.

DemographicsBased on the 2000 census survey, half of the population is Ilocano 50.82% and almost 1/3 of the population

is Isnag 29.95%. Other ethnic groups living in the province are

the Malaueg 3.69%, Isneg 3.48%, Kalinga 3.08%, Ibaloi 1.01%, Kankana-ey 1.24% and Bontok 1.04%.

BenguetBenguet [beŋˈɡet] is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon.

Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain

Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya.

Baguio, a popular tourist destination in the country, is located in the interior of the province, however, the city is

independent of the province.

People and cultureNatives (Residents)Cordilleran, is an unofficial and relatively recent term for the people of the hill tribes of Luzon, Philippines, who are

residing in the Cordillera region. This term is an attempt at political correctness, since a current term, Igorot, has

caused controversy due to its perceived negative stigma.

DemographicsBenguet is the homeland of several tribes, collectively referred to as the Igorot. Two of them, the Ibaloi in the

southeast and the Kankana-ey in the northwest, are the dominant tribes of Benguet. In the 2000 census, 43% of

the household population were Kankana-ey. About 29.2% were Ibaloi and 13.4% were Ilocano. Other ethnic

groups included Ikalahan (3.7%) and Tagalog (2.4%).

LanguagesMost of the tribes in Benguet have their own languages. The Ibaloi tribe speak Ibaloy, which is similar

to Pangasinan. The Kankana-ey tribe speak have their own language, which is related to the Bontoc language.

Many inhabitants also speak Ilocano, Tagalog, and English for trade and commerce.

The SIL Ethnologue database  classifies the languages under the South-Central Cordilleran branch. Nabaloy

(named in the database as Ibaloi) is part of the Southern Cordilleran branch which also includes Pangasinense.

The Kankana-ey language (named in the database as Kankanaey) is under the Central Cordilleran branch, which

also includes Bontoc and Ifugao.

EconomyAgriculture, mining, and tourism are the major industries in Benguet. Because of its temperate climate and high

altitude, Benguet is an ideal place for producing vegetables. Benguet is often called the Salad Bowl of the

Philippines. During February 2007, Benguet suffered crop damage due to freezing temperatures in the area,

reaching as low as 5 Celsius and even lower in some areas, and important crops like cabbages were damaged.

Major crops include potatoes, Baguio beans, peas, strawberries,cabbage, lettuce, and carrots. Other agricultural-

related activities are monggo processing, fruit preservation, peanut brittle manufacturing, broom making, basket

weaving, and flower growing. Apisang (scientific name: Pittosporum resiniferum), a plant endemic to the

Philippines, is also being grown in Kapangan and Kibungan towns as a potential alternative source of fuel and

energy, rivaling the overhyped jatropha biofuel plant.

Mining is another major industry of Benguet, which is one of the country's leading gold producers. TheBenguet

Corporation one of the Philippines largest diversified conglomerates was founded to exploit mines in Benguet

Province. Other mineral deposits are silver, copper, pyrite, and limestone. Silversmithing is a large industry in

Benguet, and many entrepreneurs sell silver works at lower prices in Baguio City, compared to Manila. In 2006

alone revenues from mining reached a stunning four billion pesos, and yet this figure comes from just two-

Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation and Philex Mines- of the many mining firms operating in the province.

Nevertheless, the province's mining vigor has never translated into better quality of life of the Benguet people,

simply because a bulk of the mining firm's taxes are not paid directly to the province. The two mining corporations,

like many others around the country, have principal offices in the City of Makati, a set-up that makes Makati the

prime mining tax beneficiary.

The presence of Baguio City in Benguet draws a large number of tourists from the lowlands. Often, people who go

to Baguio also explore the province, especially the strawberry and vegetable plantations in La Trinidad.

GeographyPoliticalBenguet is subdivided into 13 municipalities, and some of these municipalities surrounds Baguio City. Baguio City

used to be part of the province but became independent when the city's charter was enacted in 1909. However,

for statistical convenience, Baguio City is informally considered a part of Benguet, especially in census data or

when the city is chosen as a location for Benguet provincial offices for convenience and practicality.

Tourist attractionsWhile Baguio City is not officially part of Benguet, it is a Chartered City. Its location provides additional income in

form of tourism for the province. Some of the interesting places are, Kennon Road, Binga Hydroelectic Plant,

strawberry and flower farms in La Trinidad, the Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, and the Palina and Naguey rice terraces

in Atok. Aside from these, Tuba and Tublay hotsprings are usually flocked by local tourists from the neighboring

provinces. A good view of vegetable terraces can be observed when traveling the Halsema high way, especially

during the growing stages of vegetables. Remote Buguias hotsprings can also be reached now, and the "Man-

asok" river can be appreciated early in the morning because of the "smoking like" but in reality it's the vapor that

rises up.

HistoryEarly History. The mountainous area, now covered by Benguet is home to several native tribes which are

collectively known as the Igorots. Two of these, the Ibaloi and the Kankana-ey, are dominant tribes of the area.

Many of these tribes are believed by Filipino anthropologists to be of Malay descent. Before the arrival of

the Spanish colonizers, these tribes had a flourishing trade with the lowlanders such as the Ilocanos and

the Pangasinenses.

.

Post-war Era. On June 18, 1966, The huge Mountain Province was split into four provinces with the enactment

of Republic Act No. 4695. The four provinces were Benguet, Mountain Province,Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao.

Benguet became one of the provinces of the Ilocos Region.

On July 15, 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region was established and Benguet was made one of its

provinces.

IfugaoIfugao is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Covering a

total land area of 262,820 hectares, the province of Ifugao is located in a mountainous region characterized by

rugged terrain, river valleys, and massive forests. Its capital is Lagaweand borders Benguet to the west, Mountain

Province to the north, Isabela to the east, and Nueva Vizcaya to the south.

It is named after the term "i-pugo" which means "i" (from/people) and "pugo" (hill), thus people of the hill.

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and Banaue Rice Terraces are the main tourist attractions in the

province. These 2000-year-old terraces were carved into the mountains, without the aid of machinery, to provide

level steps where the natives can plant rice. In 1995, they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

HistoryDuring Spanish occupation, government was established in Kiangan. The Spanish occupation ended with the

outbreak of the Philippine Revolution. Ifugao used to be part of the former Mountain Province prior to its split into

four separate and independent provinces. In 1905, Ifugao was made a sub-province of the old Mountain Province.

Captain Pedro Bulan became the first native to become the first provincial governor.

Ifugao became the center of warfare in the last year of World War II when Gen. Yamashita launched his last stand

against the American and Philippine Commonwealth forces at Mount Napulawan. He informally surrendered to

Captain Grisham of the 6th US Army in the Philippines based in Kiangan, Ifugao before he was flown to Camp

John Hay where he formally surrendered.

Mountain tribes in Northern LuzonTraveling to the northern part of the island Luzon will bring you not only to beautiful landscapes with amazing rice

terraces. It will bring you also to the regions with remote villages and colorful and traditional living upland tribal

communities. Their ancestors constructed the fascinating rice terraces with the perfect working irrigation systems.

These mountain tribes still distinguish themselves by their specific cultural expression and their skills.

They have skills in making bowls, baskets, weapons and clothing. It was the Ifugao people who built up the rice

terraces. They are still living and working as in the past.

In the past the Ifugao were feared head-hunters, just as other tribes in the mountainous regions of northern

Luzon. The war-dance (the bangibang) is one of the cultural remnants of the time of tribal conflict.

This dance is traditionally held on the walls of the rice terraces by the men, equipped with spears, axes and

wooden shields and a headdress made of leaves.

People and cultureThe people of Ifugao province are Ifugao, but mistakenly called by non-Cordilleran as Igorot. Ifugaos are different

from other tribes in the cordilleras in culture, tradition, language, and idealism, in everything. Neighboring non-

Ifugao tribes have tried to annex or connect themselves with the Ifugao with the intention of sharing their positive

reputation.

Rice cultureIfugao culture revolves around rice, which is considered a prestige crop. There is an elaborate and complex array

of rice culture feasts inextricably linked with taboos and intricate agricultural rites, from rice cultivation to rice

consumption. Harvest season calls for grandiose thanksgiving feasts, while the concluding harvest rites "tungo" or

"tungul" (the day of rest) entail a strict taboo of any agricultural work. Partaking of the rice wine (bayah), rice

cakes, and 'moma' (mixture of several herbs, powdered snail shell and betel nut/ arecoline: and acts as a chewing

gum to the Ifugaos) is an indelible practice during the festivities and ritual activities.

GeographyPoliticalIfugao is subdivided into 11 municipalities.

DemographicsBased on the 2000 census survey, Ifugao are the majority of the province population with them comprising about

67.9% of the population. other ethnic groups living in the province are

the Ilocanos 13.7%, Ikalahan 8.6%, Ayungan 6.2% 0.6%.

KalingaKalinga (Tagalog pronunciation: [kɐˈliŋɐ]) is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera

Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital isTabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the

west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north. Prior to 1995, Kalinga and Apayao

used to be a single province named Kalinga-Apayao, until they were split into two to better service the needs of

individual native tribes in the provinces.

GeographyPoliticalKalinga is subdivided into 1 city and 7 municipalities. Tabuk was proclaimed a component city in 2007, but in

November 2008 the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that its cityhood was unconstitutional. However,

Tabuk had its city status reinstated by the Supreme Court on December 22, 2009.[1]

GeographyThe topography of Kalinga province is rugged and sloping with mountain peaks ranging from 1,500 to 2,500

metres (4,900 to 8,200 ft) in elevation. The province’s geographic feature on the western portion is characterized

by sharp crested interlinking peaks of steep slopes, isolated flatlands, plateaus and valleys. The eastern portion is

generally rolling and gradually sloping foothills.

Large portion of the lower regions of the province are open grassland suitable for pasture, but the highlands have

extensive areas of tropical rainforest and at higher elevation in the west, Benguet pine forest. Rizal and Tabuk

with their flatlands are the biggest rice producers. Next in rice production are the mountainous areas –

the rice terraces of Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Tinglayan, and Tanudan.

ClimateThe province enjoys an average temperature ranging from 17 to 22 °C (63 to 72 °F) with Type 3 weather patterns.

The dry season extends from November to April. The rest of the year is considered as rainy season with the

heaviest rains usually occurring from the months of July to October.

HydrologyThe province is drained mainly by the Chico River with its headwater originating from Mountain Province and

empties into the Cagayan River. The Chico River has several tributaries: Bunog River in Tinglayan in the south,

the Tanudan and Biga Rivers in the east, Pasil River in the middle, Mabaca and Saltan Rivers in the north.

Several small lakes can also be found in Kalinga. These water resources if to be tapped could provide abundant

sources for power generation, fishing, irrigation and for domestic use, but would destroy rice terraces, villages,

livelihoods, and complete indigenous cultures.

CultureThere are many sub tribes in the province. The strong sense of tribal membership and filial loyalty results in

frequent tribal unrest and occasional outright war. Due to the mountainous terrain and warrior-culture of the

people, the Kalingas were able to maintain their culture despite the attempted occupation of the Spaniards,

Japanese, and Americans. Unknown to many, the last stand of President Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of

the Philippines was in this province, in Lubuagan, which he proclaimed the national capital and where the

Aguinaldo Museum commemorates him and those events.

The Kalinga people are the most extensive rice farmers of the Cordillera peoples, having been blessed with some

of the most suitable land for both wet and dry rice farming. Like the Ifugaos, the Kalingas are one of the extensive

terrace builders in the country. The Kalingas are also skilled potters with pot making concentrated in the lower

Chico River Valley. They are also excellent in basketry, loom weaving and metal works.

DemographicsBased on the 2000 census survey, 64.4% of the population are Kalinga and Ilocanos are 24% of the province

population. Other ethnic groups living in the province are the Kankana-ey 2.5%, Ibontoc 1.6%, Tagalog 1.3%

and Applai 1%.

Mountain ProvinceMountain Province (Filipino:Lalawigang Bulubundukin) is a landlocked province of the Philippines in

the Cordillera Administrative Region inLuzon. Its capital is Bontoc.

Mountain Province is bounded in the east by Isabela, in the north by the provinces of Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra,

in the south of Benguet andIfugao, and in the west by the province of Ilocos Sur. It has an area of 229,231

hectares with 83% mountainous while 17% make up hills and levels. The province has plenty of rivers, waterfalls,

mountains, and caves.

Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some foreign references. The name is also

incorrectly shortened by locals to Mt. Province, which in turn is read by native Anglophones as "Mount Province".

The province was named so for being in the Cordillera Central mountain range found in the upper realms of

Luzon island.

Mountain Province was also the name of the historical province that included most of the current Cordillera

provinces. This old province was established by the Americans in 1908 and was later split in 1966 into Mountain

Province, Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao and Ifugao.

Mountain province is known for its mummy caves which contain naturally mummified bodies which probably

became so due to the humid atmosphere. The hanging Coffins are also found in the province, these are literally

coffins hanging on to the branches of trees, many tourists claim there is no foul odor, the bodies were probably

mummified by the atmosphere according to theory.

DemographicsBased on the 2000 census survey, 52% of the population are Kankana-ey. Other ethnic groups living in the

province are the Balangao 13.6%,Ibontoc 12%, and other ethnicity compromise about 21.6% of the province's

population.

TourismUnknown to many, Mountain Province boasts a lot of rice terraces such as the following:

Bangen Rice Terraces - Bauko

Besao Rice Terraces - Besao

Bucas Rice Terraces - Besao

Maligcong Rice Terraces - Bontoc

Bayyo Rice Terraces - Bontoc

Bontoc Poblacion Rice Terraces - Bontoc

Dalican Rice Terraces - Bontoc

Kiltepan Rice Terraces - Sagada

Tanulong Rice Terraces - Sagada

Suyo Rice Terraces - Sagada

Bulongan Rice Terraces - Sagada

Bangaan Rice Terraces - Sagada

Ambasing Rice Terraces - Sagada

Fidelisan Rice Terraces - Sagada

Sadanga Rice Terraces - Sadanga

Focong Rice Terraces - Sadanga

Natonin Rice Terraces - Natonin

Barlig Rice Terraces - Barlig

Opposite the rice terraces, the eastern side of low mountains and hills of Paracelis, boasts of rolling terrains of

cornfields with good viewing decks on roadside.