THE BEST OF SEA OF CLOUDS AT MOUNT AMUYAO SUMMIT

Location: Municipality of Barlig, Mountain Province, Philippines

Major Jump-off Point: Sitio Macalana, Barlig, Mountain Province, Philippines

Exit Point: Sitio Macalana, Barlig, Mountain Province, Philippines

Elevation: 2,702 MASL (8,865 feet)

Total Elevation Gain: 1,300 Meters

Days Required/Hours to Summit: 2 days/5-6 hours (Ideal)

Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail Class 3

Features:  Its trail commence with rice fields and terraces; with pine forest, mossy forest, with knife edge, cardiac assaults at Monkelat trails; it has highland grass and orchids; both sunset and sunrise can be viewed from the summit; the summit has bunkhouses with limited bed with no mattresses; the summit also house ABS-CBN radio tower and relay stations; and it has three mountain zones, to include: tropical moist forest (1,600 - 1,800 MASL), tropical premontane wet forest (1,801 - 2,400 MASL and tropical montane forest (2,400 - 2,702 MASL).

The sea of clouds at the summit of Mount Amuyao

Mount Amuyao has been the 10th highest mountain in the Philippines at 2,702 MASL elevation.  However, with the recent discoveries, it slid to 12th ranking.  Mount Kalawitan at 2,714 MASL, also in the Mountain Province and Mount Ragang of Piapayungan Range in Lanao del Sur also holds the same elevation of Mount Kalawitan now hold the 10th ranking of highest mountains in the Philippines.

BAUKO'S PRIDE: IYAMAN FARM RESORT OF MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

 LOCATION: MUNICIPALITY OF BAUKO, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES

Enjoying the scenic infinity pool of Iyaman Farm Resort

Iyaman Farm Resort is a mountain resort located in Sanguan, Barangay Bila, Municipality of Bauko, Mountain Province, Philippines, a more famous neighboring municipality of Bontoc.   It has a distance of 39 kilometers or  1-hour 15-minute drive from Bontoc, 119 kilometers or 4 - 6 hours drive from Baguio City.  Iyaman is word in the local dialect which means "thanks for coming!".   To travel to Sagada, one needs to go back to Bontoc town proper and take transport to Sagada which is 18 kilometers away or a 30 to 45-minute drive.  

A hobbits house accommodation type in the farm resort

Inside the Hobbit's house accommodation

The resort was conceptualized and made into a reality out of necessity and was just converted to a farm resort.  This happened when its owners spouses Danny and Marjorie Balance escaped the Manila during the pandemic time around 2020.  Mr. Balance, is a junior high school teacher of Santo Tomas University in Manila who with his wife and two children decided to stay in the farm in order to escape the threatening spread of Covid 19 virus in the Metropolis Manila.  In here, they can grow organic food in this farm to help them sustain their need for food in a daily basis as they continue to observe the pandemic protocols.  In November 2021, he converted this farm into a resort and invested a rapid development in terms of its facilities in order to cater the convenience of their growing clientele.

The trail heading to the farm resort

I came to know this place when I availed a Seven Peaks of Bauko climbing package from the organizer, Dr. Ericson Ranchez and by that time one of their three tour guides was Angela Andrada.  It was thru her that I was able to get some information about the resort.  So, after the climb, I returned again to Barangay Bila this time to finish Seven Peaks of Bauko climb, where by that time of our climb, it rained so hard that we only able to climb 4 peaks by that time.  

With my Seven Peaks of Bauko climb guide, Tom Sudaypan

The resort served to be my accommodation before and after my climb.  Since it is a part of the Mountain Province, it is really cold here.  It was freezing cold when I had a later afternoon swim at the infinite pool.

The picturesque amenities of the resort

The farm resort is indeed manicured but the natural pine forest setting has been maintained.  Most of the food served for the guests were organically produced.

The Store: With a Cafe and souvenir shop

The originally built house has been converted into a store which houses the cafe for dining and the souvenir shop.  This was constructed by the owner couple for supposedly family use only.  In the cafe, guests can order their food as there is no other restaurant near it.

The store's interior

Marjorie, the wife of Danny who serve as owners are very accommodating and they would do their best to attend to the concerns of their guests.  In fact, from them, you can also get some information on where to go if you are in Bauko or Bontoc.

The location of the infinity pool is just near the outdoor dining table

Kitchen use is available for use of the guests for P300 or US$4.90 (5 pax below), P500 or US$8.16 (5 pax above) and this includes kitchen utensils, gasul burner, blowtorch.   For those who do not want to cook, meals can be ordered at the store with unlimited coffee for P200 or US$3.27 per meal.

The outdoor dining table

There is free videoke which is turned off at 11:30 P.M. and has a free bonfire.   Its store is open until 11:00 P.M.  Guests should note that all alcoholic beverages are available on its store.  Corkage fee will be charge per bottle/can of alcoholic beverage.

Manicured garden

There is a 20% down payment for reservation which is Non-Refundable thru GCash No. 09055265388 under account name Danny Balance.  Screenshot of e-receipt serves as the proof of payment to be presented to the receptionist upon arrival.

Separate comfort room for the accommodation unit

A view deck platform

Balcony of the Kubo accommodation

View deck platform above the infinity pool

Another angle of the infinity pool view deck platform

The lush green backdrop of the infinity pool

A closer look of the backdrop which is the Barangay Bila

By the way, the famous Batad Rice Terraces is 98 to 100 kilometers away from this location which can only thru land travel of 3 to 3.5 hours drive.  There is no other means of communication since this is a rugged and mountainous region.  While the World UNESCO Heritage Banaue Rice Terraces is 83 kilometer away or 2.5 to 3 hours drive.

HOW TO GO TO IYAMAN FARM RESORT

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc, take a white bus with a sign board of Bontoc-Abatan Bauko Mountain Province and vice-versa for P50 or US$0.82 for around 40 minutes road travel and tell the driver to drop you at Pak-as intersection.  
3. From Pak-as intersection, take a pedicab for P20 or US$0.33 which will take you to Sitio Mocgo of Barangay Bila of Bauko.  Barangay Bila has the barangay hall for the registration of the Seven Peaks Climb of Bauko.
4. Then, from Sitio Mocgo, you will trek with occasional assaults to Iyaman Farm for 45 minutes depending upon your speed.  You may need a guide if you are first timer.  You can contact Angela Andrada at 09098045348 or Paul Bill Mapangdol at 09217725301.  Please book in advance as these two are not full time guides.
5. You may also have the option to hire a van from Bila going to Bagnen Proper which will take you to Iyaman Farm Resort for P1,000 or US$16.33.

THANKS FOR READING!

EXPLORE THE 23 ATTRACTIONS OF THE MIRADOR HERITAGE AND ECOPARK

Location: Mirador Hills, Baguio City, Philippines

At Mirador Peace Memorial

Mirador Heritage and Eco Park is 5-hectare multi-terrace landscaped park located at Mirador Hill in Baguio City.  It offers visitors a panoramic view of Baguio City and its alluring surroundings.  The attractions inside this park are:  (1) Loyola rock gardens, (2) Archangels garden, (3) Arashiyama bamboo grove, (4) Manresa rock gardens, (5) Our Lady of Montserrat rock gardens, (6) Our Lady of Aranzazu rock gardens, (7) Garden of the Immaculate Conception, (8) Ifugao houses, (9) Beatitudes arches and garden, (10) basketball court, (11) forest bathing area, (12) pandemic healing memorial, (13) prayer houses, (14) Jesus Apostles Dap-ayan, (15) La Storta gardens, (16) Blue moon gate, (17) Mirador Peace Memorial, (18) Cafe Inigo, (19) Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, (20) Kapilya Nina Jesus at Maria, (21) Cordillera heritage garden, (22) Marian Salubong view deck, and (23) Christ the Redeemer.

The Entrance where visitors pay

The entrance fee to this park varies: Regular Adults - P150; Students/Seniors/PWDs - P100; Children under 12 years old/7 and below are free.  There is a parking fee for P25. It is open daily from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  There is no reservations needed, but outside food and pets are generally not allowed inside the park grounds.

It starts from this point  of Loyola rock gardens (Model: Allan R. dela Trinidad)

This specific blog post is a compilation of my different visits in this park.  The photo above is my companion, Allan, after our twin-dayhike in La Trinidad for Mounts Kalugong and Yangbew.  In our second day in Baguio, we had a city tour and this one is included.

The Archangels garden

Touring around the park will depend on the visitors' choice, since there are a lot of attractions to choose from.  There are times that the park is crowded with visitors.

As the exploration continues

It empties into this exit

Our Lady of Montserrat rock gardens

This rock gardens honors Our Lady of Montserrat or the Virgin of Montserrat, a Roman Catholic image of the Blessed Virgin associated with an enthroned statue of the Madonna and Child enshrined at the monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain.  She is the patroness saint of Catalonia, an honour she shares with Saint George, where she had some miracles as a saint.

Then it empties into this scenic view deck

When visitors got tired

As we continue to roam around

Then another view deck offers you this Baguio City panoramic view

Gift of the Holy Spirit Sacred Spaces

Maybe, you are wondering why this park has been marked with so much religiosity. Let me tell you why?  According to its history, Mirador Heritage and Eco Park was once a branch of the Manila Observatory in Baguio in 1901.  A few years later, it became a villa house where Jesuits of the Ateneo de Manila took a break during the summer season.

The entrance to Mirador's Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

The photo above shows another visit of mine where I toured my three Grade 6 Boy Scouts after their Baguio Camporee.  From left is Joseph Mission, Mixter Floyd P. Borja (middle standing) and Robin Wayne Fernandez (seated right). In my first visit in this park, Allan and I did not pursue this bamboo grove since this was crowded with visitors.

Robin Wayne Fernandez

Mixter Floyd P. Borja

Joseph Mission

I served as the tourist guide of these three kids in our day tour around Baguio City and also their photographer.

The REAL Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto (Japan)

That is why, when I went to Japan for my 7th trip there, I opted to include this attraction in Japan to be a part of my Kyoto tours as you will read it in this "Savoring Cherry Blossom in Japan" blogpost.

Then, we reached this point

Next was this

The Ifugao houses at the backdrop

Let's go back when I was with company with Allan

There is always a long line when visitors are already at the Mirador Peace Memorial.   In my three visits here in different dates, the average waiting time is more than 30 minutes.  There are some visitors who bring with them costumes and it takes time for them to give turn to others.  There was one time when in our line, a couple did their prenup here, where they even hired photographer.  Just imagine, how we waited for them to be finished.

My eldest Ate Rose with the backdrop of the Jesus the Redeemer

When the visitors exit near the Mirador Peace Memorial, they will be heading to Jesus the Redeemer attraction.  However, even if you will not enter the Mirador entrance gate with a fee, you can visit this one without an entrance because this is just along the stairs heading to Lourdes Grotto.

Ate Rose at the Cordillera Heritage Garden

The same with this Cordillera Heritage Garden, this is outside the perimeter fence of Mirador Ecopark with an entrance fee but still a part of the Mirador Heritage site.  This can be found at the sides of the stairs heading to Lourdes Grotto.  On this attraction, visitors can rent native costume and buy some products and souvenir items of the Cordilleran culture.

Ate Rose with the backdrop of Marian Salubong view deck

The stairs leading to the image of Lourdes Grotto

Joseph, Robin Wayne and Mixter Floyd

Family picture at the Lourdes Grotto

The Lourdes Grotto is located on Mirador Hill, where the Mirador Heritage and Ecco-Spiritualty Park is situated.  While this iconic 252 steps and the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes have long stood as distinct pilgrimage site, the eco-park was later developed around the rest of the property by the Jesuits managing the hill.   There is no entrance fee at the Lourdes Grotto.

The gate of Mirador Heritage and Ecopark is just a few meters at the left side facing the shrine and halfway of the stairs.  But there is a road heading to the park's entrance.  On the other hand, the Haunted Old Diplomat Hotel is just a kilometer away from Grotto.  It takes about 10 to 15 minutes walk or a 2 to 5-minute drive.

THANKS FOR READING!