I f u g a o
Ifugao
was formerly known as a part of the old Mountain Province. It was
created as an independent province on June 18, 1966 by the virtue
of Republic Act No. 4695, otherwise as the Division Law of
Mountain Province. Under this Law, Mountain Province was divided
into four provinces namely: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, apayao nad
Mt. Province. The word "Ifugao" means hill. The
Spaniards changed pugo to pugaw and was finally changed by the
Americans to Ifugao. The province of Ifugao is a land-locked area
located at the foot of the Cordillera mountain ranges. It is
bounded by the high peaked mountain of Benguet in the Western
Side, on the south by Nueva Viscaya, on the east by Isabela and
on the north by the protruding strip of the territory of Mountain
Province. It is generally located at 120 degrees 40'17 degrees
longitude.
Special Interest:
Mountain Climbing
and Village Visits
Reaching some of the tourist
spots which involve hiking. For more adventurous tourist, the
Ifugao terrain offers ample choice for mountain climbing.
a) Mount Amuyao -
The 8ht highest peak in the Philippines with an elevation of
2,702 meters (8,865) above sea level is located between the
boundery line of Banaue and Mayoyao and between Ifugao and
Mt. Province. Its summit provides the climber with a
breath-taking panorama of the Mt. Provice, Isabela, Nueva
Viscaya and Ifugao. Mayoyao legends say during the 40-day
deluge that inundated the province. Being the only survivors,
they become the first ancestors of the Ifugaos.
b) Mt. Napulawan
- Located at the municipality of Hungduan, this
mountain is very accessible to mountain trekkers. Conquerors
of this peak are fascinated by the thick rain forest and its
rare flora. Trees near the peak are unusually short.
c) Mt. Anapawon
- Centrally located at Ifugao, this mountain peak is
considered the best camping site in the province. It provides
a very good view of Hungduan municipality and the low-lying
municipalities of Lagawe and Kiangan as well as the rice
terraces of Hingyon.
Places to go:
Banaue Rice Terraces
A leading tourism
destination the country and considered the "Eight Wonder
of The World". The rice terraces starts from the base of
the mountain range and reach upto several thousands of feet
high. It is said that its length, if put to end would
encircle the half of the globe. Made 2,000 years ago, this
rice terraces manifest the engineering skill and ingenuity of
the sturdy Ifugaos. Streams and springs found in the
mountains were tapped and channeled into irrigation canal
that run downhill through the rice terraces. Festivals:
Banaue Imbayah This is a three-day festival which is
celebrated every 4 years. Activities on this event include an
ethnic parade portraying the evolution of the Ifugao culture
followed by ethnic games participated by barangay
delegations. This festival, though has not been sustained to
date.
