Mountain Province – Weaver’s Paradise
As its name implies, this part of the Cordillera Administrative Region is surrounded by lush mountains which allowed the Bontocs to keep their religion and avoid the conquest of Spaniards.
Mountain Province has preserved the art of loom and blackstrap weaving. Passed on from generation to generation, the natives of the province, called Bontocs, have continuously practiced this ancient craft using their traditional tools. Thread and dye used for weaving come from plants and trees and are manually made as well.
Demographics
1. Population –
148, 661 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 2, 097.3 sq. km
3. Capital – Bontoc
4. Language/Dialect – Ilocano, Kankanaey, English,
and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (10)
Hanging
Coffins
The province is famed for its hanging coffins; wooden
coffins hanged in high steep formation.
Sagada Caves
Best for budding cave explorers, the Sagada caves is
one of the easiest to explore. Inside are stalactite
and stalagmite formations and cool natural pools.
Cagubatan
Enchanted Eels
Protected by the locals, this specie of eel shows itself
rarely shows itself in the stream where it was found.
Cultural
Bontoc Village Museum
Location: Catholic Sisters’ Convent and Saint
Vincent's Elementary School, Bontoc, Mountain Province
It features a range of artifacts crafted by the Igorots
for domestic purposes and traditional celebrations or
practices.
Hanging Coffins
Location: Sagada, Mountain Province
Several wooden coffins hang at the side of the mountains
of Sagada. It is said that the only married people with
children are buried in this manner.
Blackstrap
and Loom Weaving Houses
Location: Sabangan, Sagada, and Bontoc, Mountain Province
The towns of Sabagan and Sagada specialize in loom weaving
while the residents of Bontoc are known for blackstrap
weaving. Knapsacks, placemats, bags, and purses are
the popular products sold to tourists.
Alab Petroglyph
Location: Bontoc, Mountain Province
It is a giant rock etched with bows and arrows and human
beings. It is believed that the inscriptions portray
fertility rites. Others though, believe that the human
beings were the warriors buried in the caves.
Man-made
Mountain
Province Trade Center
Location: Bontoc, Mountain Province
The trade center is the venue for the biggest trade
fairs conducted by the local government to highlight
and promote the local products of the province. On regular
days, it serves as a shopping mall where indigenous
products are sold.
Rizal Memorial
Plaza
Location: Bontoc, Mountain Province
The plaza has a playground, park, and a preferred meeting
venue for programs and social gatherings.
Rice Terraces
Mountain Province is filled with rice terraces, intelligently
crafted by the natives. Its construction is made up
of stone riprap.
1. Bauko
a. Bangen Rice Terraces
2. Besao
a. Besao Rice Terraces
b. Bucas Rice Terraces
3. Bontoc
a. Maligcong Rice Terraces
b. Bayyo Rice Terraces
c. Bontoc Poblacion Rice Terraces
d. Dalican Rice Terraces
4. Sagada
a. Kiltepan Rice Terraces
b. Tanulong Rice Terraces
c. Suyo Rice Terraces
d. Bulongan Rice Terraces
e. Bangaan Rice Terraces
f. Ambasing Rice Terraces
g. Fidelisan Rice Terraces
5. Sadanga
a. Sadanga Rice Terraces
b. Focong Rice Terraces
6. Natonin Rice Terraces
7. Barlig Rice Terraces
Natural
Sagada Caves
Location: Sagada, Mountain Province
Best for budding cave explorers, the Sagada caves is
one of the easiest to explore. Inside are stalactite
and stalagmite formations and cool natural pools. A
tour inside may last around three hours to an entire
day.
Mainit Hot
Springs
Location: Brgy. Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province
This sulfuric hot spring offers swimmers a soothing
relief due to its content. Others believe that swimming
here can cure certain skin diseases.
Mount Clitoris
Location: Tadian, Mountain Province
Formerly known as Mount Mogao, this conically shaped
mountain stands proudly over 3 villages. At dusk or
dawn, Mount Clitoris appears serene and solemn.
Besao Sunset
Rocks
Location: Besao, Mountain Province
Farmers use these two rocks to identify the seasons
by how the sun's rays fit into the crevices.
Cagubatan
Enchanted Eels
Location: Brgy. Cagubatan, Tadian, Mountain Province
Protected by the locals, this specie of eel shows itself
rarely shows itself in the stream where it was found.
Before rainy season, a ritual is performed called “Dolis”
is done as a thanksgiving to the god Kabunyan for the
blessings of abundant water found in the eel’s
dwellings that made the community survive during the
past El Niño and is supplying the nearby rice
plantation.
Lang-ay Festival
/ Mountain Province Foundation Day
Place: Mountain Province
Date: March 27 – April 7
The foundation day celebration features street dancing,
sports, and weave design competition. There are also
trade fairs, cultural shows, and medical and dental
missions scheduled during the festival.
Sagada Spelunking
Place: Sagada, Mountain Province
Date: November 27 – 29
Spelunkers from all over Mountain Province and nearby
provinces gather at the Sagada Caves for cave exploration
and trekking activities.
By Land
Mountain Province can be reached by bus through
the route going to Baguio. Halsema and Maharlika
Highway via Banaue Rd., is the main route going
to different municipalities of the province.