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 09283927662 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!