Kalinga – Prince of the Highlands
Kalinga is located 300 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The province is surrounded with mountains from its neighbor provinces in the Cordillera Region. Mount Mating-oy Dinayao and Mount Binaratan are the mountains that border the province.
Kalinga is also blessed with natural treasures. Lakes, rivers, falls, and mountain ranges surround the whole province. These are all well maintained and protected by the locals and the local government.
Demographics
1. Population - 182,
326(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area -3,077.5 sq. km
3. Capital - Tabuk
4. Language/Dialect -Ilocano, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Municipalities (11)
Whitewater
Rafting at Chico River
Declared as the Whitewater Rafting Capital of North
Philippines, the rafting challenge covers the whole
length of Chico River, filled with challenging areas
and a scenic view of the Kalinga forest.
Mt. Mating-oy
Dinayao / Sleeping Beauty Mountain
Shaped like a woman supinely lying at its back, the
mountain has its own share of legends. Its peak gives
mountain climbers a stunning view of the province.
Cultural
Bugnay Village
Location: Tinglayan, Kalinga
The village is filled with Kalinga nipa huts where its
residents still live their traditional way of life despite
fast modernization.
Mabilong
Weavers Village
Location: Tabok, Kalinga
The center of Kalinga’s ethnic weaving industry.
As the village is situated along the road, souvenirs
can be bought straight from the weavers.
Historical
Aguinaldo
Hill
Location: Brgy. Asibanglan, Pinukpuk, Kalinga
General Emilio Aguinaldo used this area as his post
during the Philippine – American War.
Mount Binaratan
Location: Brgy. Dacalan, Tanduan, Kalinga
It was the entry point of President General Emilio Aguinaldo
in his retreat to Kalinga during the Philippine –
American War.
Man-made
Chico Dam
Location: Sitio Ngipen, Brgy. Calanasan, Tabuk, Kalinga
The irrigation system was constructed and is managed
by the National Irrigation Administration.
Tinglayan
Rice Terraces
Location: Brgy. Tulgao East, Tinglayan, Kalinga
Travelers passing by the National Highway road are treated
with the site of hand made rice terraces that are found
in all of the villages on Tinglayan.
Natural
Chico River
Location: Tinglayan – Tabuk, Kalinga
The 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. With its length and strong current, it
was declared as the Whitewater Rafting Capital of North
Philippines.
Palan-ah
Falls and Hotsprings
Location: Tulgao West, Tinglayan, Kalinga
The name is derived from the native term “pinalpallang-ah”
meaning chair. The falls spray down from approximately
100 meters above, forming a pool where, during a sunny
day, one can practically swim to the end of the rainbow
Balbalasang
National Park
Location: Balbalan, Kalinga
The park and the rest of the whole town of Balbalan
is an Ancestral Domain of the Banao, Buaya, Dao-angan,
Gubang, Mabaca, Poswoy and Salegseg – sub-tribes
of the Kalinga tribe. Their long battle to preserve
the forest and their land paved the way to for the park
to be declared as a National Park and protected under
the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)
Act.
Mt. Mating-oy
Dinayao / Sleeping Beauty Mountain
Location: Tinglayan – Tanudan, Kalinga
Shaped like a woman supinely lying at its back, the
mountain has its own share of legends. Its peak gives
mountain climbers a stunning view of the province. A
vantage view of the profile can be seen from Sungang
or Basao.
Ullalim Festival
/ Kalinga Day
Place: Kalinga Province.
Date: Feb 13-16
A highlight of the province’s founding anniversary,
this cultural festival showcases the life of the Kalingas
through sports, crafts, and indigenous food.
By Land
The province of Kalinga can be reached by bus
from Manila. Travel time is around 4- 5 hours.
By Air
Kalinga may be reach by taking a flight from Manila
to Tuguegarao. Jeepneys in Tuguegarao bound for
Tabuk are available daily, with travel time at
one and a half hours.