Sagada, Mountain Province

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Municipality of Sagada
Location
Map of Mountain Province showing the location of Sagada.
Map of Mountain Province showing the location of Sagada.
Government
Region Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Province Mountain Province
District
Barangays 19
Income Class: 5th class
Mayor
Physical characteristics
Population

     Total (2007)


10,575
A view over the municipality of Sagada.
A view over the municipality of Sagada.

Sagada is a 5th class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 10,575 people in 2,158 households.

It is located 275 km. north of Manila, 140 km. from Baguio, and it is adjacent to Bontoc, the provincial capital.

Sagada is famous for its "hanging coffins". This is a traditional way of burying people that is not in use anymore. Not anyone was qualified to be buried this way; you had to, among other things, be married and have grandchildren.

In Sagada you can do trekking, explore both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visit historical sites, nature hikes, see wild horses, and participate in tribal celebrations. To find a guide you register at the tourist-office in Sagada Proper (the main town) for a small fee. Tourists must register on their first day at the tourist-office. Down the road from the tourist-office is the Yoghurt House. While in the upper street you can see Log Cabin a restaurant which the French chef usually cook during Saturdays.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Sagada is nestled in a valley at the upper end of of the Malitep tributary of the Chico River some one and a half kilometers above sea level in the central Cordillera; enveloped between the main Cordillera Ranges and the Ilocos Range. Mt. Data in the south and Mt. Kalawitan in the southeast pierce the horizon. Mt. Polis, Bessang and Mt. Tirad in the east, and Mt. Sisipitan in the north mark the Mountain Province - Abra boundary.

[edit] Climate and produce

The climate and crops are like those of Baguio and Benguet: cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, potatoes, carrots, beans, and other temperate products. Between 1882 and 1896, the Spanish colonizers introduced Arabica coffee: a source of income since the American occupation. Citrus, mainly lemon, lime and Valencia oranges were introduced from Spain by Jaime Masferre to provide the needs of American missionaries and employees of the Mission of Saint Mary the Virgin.

[edit] Basic culture

Basic culture refers to the indigenous culture before the establishment of a Spanish Mission in 1882. As an ili or village, Sagada was founded by a man, Biyag, from Bika in Eastern Abra. The people from Bika were forced out of their ili by raiding headhunters. Biyag's family resettled in Candon but when baptism or the giving of names was enforced, Biyag's family chose to move back toward the mountains in search for a settlement. Along the way, he and his siblings decided to part ways. A brother, Balay, chose to return to Candon, a sister to Abra. Another brother settled along the upper Abra River. Biyag pushed further to the east until he came to what is now Sagada.

[edit] Accommodation

There are many places to stay in Sagada yet most of these are situated in the main area of town. A notable place to stay at is the A7 house, this is situated in a prime location near the rice terrace and numerous water holes. This house has influenced many individuals and has a rich history. It is operated mainly by a 95 year old who has had 7 kids who grew up there, hence the name A7 house. Visitors and tourists may consider the following inns during their stay:

  • A7 House
  • Dap-ay Mabbay
  • Far Ants Inn
  • Ganduyan Inn and Café
  • Mapiyaaw Inn and Restaurant
  • Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant
  • Olahbinan Guesthouse and Restaurant
  • Pines View Inn
  • Rock Inn and Café (Rock Farm)
  • Rocky Valley Inn and Café
  • Sagada Guest House and Restaurant
  • Sagada Igorot Inn and Restaurant
  • Sagada Pension House
  • St. Joseph's Resthouse

[edit] Barangays

Sagada is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.

  • Aguid
  • Tetepan Sur
  • Ambasing
  • Angkeling
  • Antadao
  • Balugan
  • Bangaan
  • Dagdag (Pob.)
  • Demang (Pob.)
  • Fidelisan
  • Kilong
  • Madongo
  • Poblacion (Patay)
  • Pide
  • Nacagang
  • Suyo
  • Taccong
  • Tanulong
  • Tetepan Norte

[edit] External links and references

Coordinates: 17°05′N, 120°54′E