Sagada

Sagada, since time immemorial, has been a trader's route. Exchange of goods and services between the people of Mountain Province and the people of the plains existed long before the Spanish Colonization. Such economic activity has continued to prosper up to these days.

During the American period, Americans hired skilled Ilocano and Japanese builders to put up edifices in Sagada. A stone church, for example, was strategically built on a higher level of a mountain, thus, overlooking the settlements below. Today, Sagada still lures local and foreign visitors with some of these American-time structures.

The Experience

It was my first time to go to Sagada, Mountain Province in 2004 and I was indeed captivated by this scenic mountain paradise. Truly, Mountain Province has many things to offer to trekkers and travelers--its culture, its pine-scented air, its mesmerizing natural and man-made wonders, and certainly, its peoples.

That summer (March), upon arriving at dusk in St. Mary's High School, the cool pine breeze welcomed us warmly. Ahhh! I can't forget the soothing relief I felt after that long zigzagging bumpy ride from La Trinidad. And after a night's rest, we (my students and a co-teacher) eagerly started our trek in the early morn for Echo Valley.

As we approached the valley, coffins hanging on a big rock welcomed us. Everybody was delightful and was curious to take shots at these coffins. Then, we slowly moved downward into the misty valley following a small river. To our surpise, the waters entered into a cave. One by one, we entered the cave and darkness engulfed us.  Entering the cave was so easy but everybody struggled getting out of the cave at the other end. After exiting the cave, we continued walking passing along rice fields until we reached Bukong Falls. Finally, the long trek ended in a cool bath as our students joyfully took a dive into the water.

Sumaguing Cave

The next place to go was Sumaguing. This, I think, is the most frequently visited cave of all the caves in Sagada. For professional spelunkers, there are other caves and underground rivers that could test their craving for adventure, but for us plain tourists, the Sumaguing is energy-sapping enough. Inside the cave are pools of crystal clear water, which entices anyone to take a plunge. There's the King's Curtain, a drapery of smooth rock. And the dance hall. And the "little banaue"...

Exploring Sumaguing was tiring for firstimers like us. It took us more than an hour to at least see what the cave boasted of -- its pools, nature-crafted walls, sculptured stalactites and stalagmites, and of course, its host of bats.

Sagada is a beauty to behold. And there are many reasons why one should visit the place. Surely, it won't be boring to visit it again and again.