1. Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
Our first destination was the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. This church was built in 1904 by the American missionaries led by Rev. John Staunton.
2. Panag-apoy, A November 1 Tradition
En route to the Hanging Coffins, we passed by a cemetery where we witnessed the remains of the Panag-apoy, a unique tradition in Sagada that means "to light a fire." Most Filipinos light a candle to their loved ones on the first of November, but the locals here use “saeng” to make bonfires near the graves of their dead loved ones. The wind is strong in the area so a bonfire is better than a candle. By the way, we visited on the 2nd of November.
3. Rock Climbing in Echo Valley
Also en route to the Hanging Coffin, we passed by a wall where tourists can do rock climbing. If you want to add something extreme to your visit, then, this is for you. We stop by this area for a couple of minutes while watching this guy reach the top. The area is surrounded by greens and the wind is cool.
4. Visit the Hanging Coffins
It is the most iconic tourist spot in Mountain Province. The photo above shows a unique way of putting the local's loved ones to their final resting place. Their way of saying "Goodbye" is challenging, agree? How do they prepare? The elderly would carve their own coffin out of a log but if they are ill or too weak, their families prepare it instead. Not only that, they place the body in a fetal position as they believe that the spirit would leave the world in the same position as they were born. The coffins are also small, so they would break the bones just to fit the body into the coffin. Lastly, they tucked them into crevices or stacked them inside the caves. The height at which coffins are placed also symbolizes their social status.
5. Have a Break, Drink a Cup of Coffee
After the hanging coffins, we pass by the coffee plantation. The owner constructed a hut which is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the brewing greatness of nature.
6. Sumaguing Cave
There are a lot of caves hiding in the mountainous area and it is the most visited because of its stunning beauty found only in nature. Trekking inside this cave is not easy because you need to hop on and off the slippery boulders. In the end, you will be rewarded with a world-class beauty with a big picture of sparkling stalactites and stalagmites that create unique images forming a natural grandeur.
7. Dine at Log Cabin Restaurant
8. Marlboro Hills
Around 4:30 in the morning, we trekked through the terrains of the hills and it took us an hour and a half to reach its summit. The trails are simple and with a gradual ascent but we can't hike faster because of tourist traffic - it was a holiday so the area was full of tourists. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the relaxing cool wind with a remarkable view of the golden sunrise and sea of clouds.
9. Blue Soil
It's our last destination. The soil in the area turns to a shade of blue because of the presence of copper sulphate. If the soil is wet, the blueish color becomes more prominent. Aside from its color, there's nothing special about this place. Since it serves as the last destination of most Sagada itinerary, it's hard to take pictures without someone in the background. Just too many people!
How to Get Here: I was a solo-joiner but, I learned that you can ride in a Coda Bus Line from Quezon City. Their last destination is at the terminal near St. Mary Church. Then, you can take a walk to the Municipal Hall or your accommodation nearby.
Rates, Budget Friendly and Affordable Place to Stay in Sagada: We stayed in Villa D' Familia. We occupied a spacious, non-AC room. The room is clean and the toilet and bath have hot water. They also have a common living room and kitchen.
Mountain Province is definitely one of the top tourist destinations in Luzon. The province has a combination of historical sites to visit, gorgeous caves to explore, mountains to hike, food to taste, activities to try, friendly people to be with, and many others for you to discover.
