Spelunking, Savoring Sagada
Four hundred miles from Manila, a 12-hour trip by bus
, lies one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the country- Sagada. But it offers so much more than the famous Hanging Coffins of its ancestors old. Today, Sagada is a mix of adventure- from the palate to the adrenalin. One of the few refreshing nature travel spots in the country without a beach. And that is saying something from a country with 1,107 islands!
Few know that once, Sagada the mountainous region is submerged in water. This is evidenced by the limestone cliffs and mountains. During the Spanish occupation era, this region was so hard to reach, Spaniards have failed to influence this town with their ways, hence the preserved way of life.
In Sagada, one cannot veer away from taking the time to at least see the Hanging Coffins. These coffins, cave cemeteries really, are centuries-old relics of the Sagada locals, even way before the Spaniards have come to colonize the country. In the olden days, the elderly of the Sagada people would carve their own coffins, and their close kin would have the responsibility of hanging then on the cave cliffs or stacking them atop high coffin columns when they pass away. They have been doing this for at least 2,000 years. Curiously enough, the closest group to practice this kind of traditional burial would be the Bo people of Southern China, about 2,000 miles away.
Guides that can be sought near the Municipal Hall can take you to Lumiang Cave and the Sumaguing Cave. For the latter, it would be best to prepare because the trail will inevitably get you wet. But all of these are worth it to see the magnificent rock formations and the coffins.
One can get lucky and arrive here during a Sagadian wedding event. If the hosts are gracious, and most of the times they are, they can let you join and watch the merriment. To dance the traditional wedding dance with the locals is something that is not to be missed, so it is never wise to say no.
Fifteen minutes form Lumiang you can see the majestic Bok-od Falls. Getting here would require a hike, but it is well worth it. The water is clean but freezing but it offers a view that is fantastic. Eco Valley is a popular destination point , where the view is incomparable. Marlboro Valley is pastureland on cold chilly hills, where you can definitely see horses and cattle.
One of the highlights in a Sagada trip is the food. Pinikpikan, the local chicken soup dish, is celebrated to be as uniquely Filipino. This Sagada delicacy and its preparation is hundreds of years old, and is a must try for anyone who sets foot on Sagada.
The freshness of ingredients and how they are treated is different in these mountains. One cannot expect haute cuisine perhaps, but that if proved to be false in Log Cabin, where a sumptuous buffet can be expected on certain days and the menu is always flawless. This is so good in fact, that reservations are always necessary to eat here.
But a lack of reservation is nothing to be worried about. The famous Shamrock Cafe in Sagada s always there, and the Lemon Pie House offers an array of home-made pies and tea that you would not get anywhere in Manila. The Yoghurt House is famous for their natural yoghurts as well as their big servings.
Sagada is definitely a place to return to in order to experience Philippines at its most pristine, in culture, in sights and in food.
by: Rich Quiambao
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