Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region

KALINGA PROVINCE

Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Prior to 1995, Kalinga and Apayao used to be a single province named Kalinga-Apayao, until they were split into two to better service the needs of individual native tribes in the provinces. – wikipedia.org

Photo from: photos.camperspoint.com

The Cordillera Region is one of the places in the Philippine archipelago that is very rich in culture and until now values its traditions. There are tons of natural, historical, cultural, and even man-made attractions that can be seen in the Cordilleras especially in Kalinga. Seven municipalities and only 1 city makes up the rest of Kalinga. It is the capital of Kalinga, Tabuk, which is declared as a city in the province. Tabuk is celebrating its first year as a city with a 4 day Matagoan Festival that started June 23 and will end on June 26, 2008. Here in Tabuk is where most trading takes place. Merchants coming from neighboring provinces go here in Tabuk to trade for rice which is the major product in this province.

Photo from: virtualtourist.com

One of the places that is mostly visited by local and foreign tourists is the historical site called Aguinaldo Hill and is situated in Baranggay Asibanglan-Pinukpuk near the Allaguia Junction. During the war between Philippines and America, the Aguinaldo Hill is where General Emilio Aguinaldo had his posts.

Kalinga also have a small museum that was established by the Kalinga Special Development Authority. This mini-museum is where native artifacts and other special cultural memorabilia can be viewed and is located at Tabuk.

Photo from: jasoncumali.wordpress.com

The main tourist attractions in Kalinga are included in the category of natural sites of the Philippines. The Sungang View Point is one excellent place in Kalinga where you have a majestic sight of the different mountains in the province including the Tanudan Mountain, Tinglayan Mountain, Lubuangan Mountain, and Tabuk Mountain. You can also get a view of the villages as well valleys nearby. Aside from that, the perfect place where you can see the picturesque view of Dananao and Tulgao Rice Terraces from the Sungang View Point. Another majestic area in Kalinga with lush forest is the Mt. Mating-oy Dinayao, popularly known as the Sleeping Beauty. The mountain is called as the Sleeping Beauty because it is shaped like a sleeping lady lying on its back.

Photo from: flickr.com eazy traveler

In case you want to see the Ampitheater of Kalinga, visit the famous rice terraces in the province namely Tinglayan Rice Terraces as well as the Lubo and Mangali Rice Terraces. These rice terraces are best viewed during the harvesting and the planting season.

Photo from: travel-philippines.com

Caves, lakes, and springs are also visited here in Kalinga. The most famous cave where tourists can enter is the Buaya Cave. Different forms where shaped in the stalactites and stalagmites all over the cave. In Galdang and Maglucsad, you can find the natural landmarks in the province namely the Kabunian Bridge and the Kabunian Springs.

Photo from: trifter.com

Aside from farming and fishing, one of the industries that the locals of Kalinga are still working on is the weaving industry. Weaving has been a part of Kalinga’s culture for hundreds of years and has been passed on from one generation to another. Foreigners are interested in looking at the weavers creating their wonderful creations. You may buy directly from them if you see ethnic woven clothes that you like. Other souvenirs can also be purchased from these locals as well. They also carve woods and turn it into furniture pieces, key chains, figurines and more native handicrafts specially crafted by the locals.

Photo from: paraisophilippines.com