AN EXECUTIVE CLIMB TO MOUNT FATO

Location: Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Sitio Favuyan, Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Elevation: 1,438 MASL (4,717.85 feet)

Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 Day / 1 to 1 1/2 hours

Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1

Features: Trail covered with pine trees, the summit offers a vast panoramic view of the mountain of Bontoc and overlooking the massive Maligcong Rice Terraces; and it passes through the peak of Mount Podlak.  On its summit is a big limestone rock, summit boulder, or part of the Fato rock formation.  In fact, the name "Fato" is the local Kankana-ey pronunciation of the word bato, which means rock.  Its mostly flat or gradual  elevation pine tree-lined trails and cool mountain breeze can be categorized as a beginner-friendly hiking destination.

While at the summit boulder of Mount Fato

Day 0

This post is actually packaged tour as a 2-day twin-peak climb of Mount Fato and Mount Kupapey in Bontoc, Mountain province.  Our tour package provider was John Lester Belardo and Kristine Capistrano.   The tour chartered van drove us from the Mayflower Parking lot of Greenfield District of Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila leaving at 9:00 P.M. of a Friday.  Tours and climbing group joiners usually assemble in this area.

Day 1

Samoki Bridge leading to Bontoc town proper

It was really cold when we arrived in Ifugao, but it was more colder when we arrived in Bontoc town where the temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.  While in Metro Manila, the average temperature is from 31 to 34 degrees Celsius.

Driving thru an access road to our accommodation

After an 11.5 hours van travel from Manila, we arrived in Bontoc town at around 8:30 A.M. From the town, our van had uphill drive heading to our accommodation in Barangay Maligcong.  Bontoc town proper has an elevation of around 1,173 meters or 3,848 feet above sea level, while Maligcong is approximately 1,383 meters or 4,537 above sea level.  So, driving towards Maligcong leads to a high elevation thru an access or village road.

  

Arriving at Chen's Homestay

Chen's Homestay is located in Sitio Favuyan, Barangay Maligcong, Municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province.  It is a bed and breakfast accommodation.  Tired from an overnight road travel, our organizer gave us the opportunity to rest in our bed.   They can be reached at Chen's Homestay or 0956-280-5628.

The dining section of our homestay

As far as I can remember, it was our service provider who cooked for our meals and lunch was our first included meal in the tour package.

The pine-covered trail of Mount Fato

At exactly 1:00 P.M. after a relaxing rest from our cold bed, we started to trek to Mount Fato.  Our highly abled and reliable guide was David Rome Chumacog, where he can be reached at 09066243602. He can speak well both in English and Tagalog.  The pine-forested path trail with stead ascents made our trek so easy.  No sweat at all plus the fact that it was cold though the sun was up at 1:00 P.M. and beyond.

A view deck near Mount Podlak peak

Our guide told us that, halfway to the summit of Mount Fato, we will pass thru the peak of Mount Podlak with an elevation of 1,274 MASL or 4,179.79 feet above sea level.  From this peak, there will be a minor descent to continue the trail to Mount Fato summit.

A group photo at the summit boulder

Honestly, none of the climbing joiners were known to me.  It was my first time to meet them.  However, it was my second time to avail the services of the tour provided proven to be reliable and have good service.  Food servings are great not rationed.   Kristine Capistrano is a good chef.  Her aromatic cooked meals are always packed with rich, deep flavor.

Exploring the heights of the summit boulder

We were given ample time to have solo pictures and video recordings at the summit boulder.  Good enough that by that time, there were only two groups climbed the mountain.   All were so friendly and accommodating.  On my part, I arranged all my pictures and videos with our guide, David Rome.

The rock formation at the back of the summit boulder

At 1,438 MASL or 4,717.85 feet summit, I enjoyed a lot of it ranging from its iconic gigantic rock formations for a 360-degree panoramic view, taking dramatic photos above the clouds, and soaking in the cool breeze and peaceful atmosphere overlooking the stunning Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Playing along with the rock formations

Each joiner has been given time for any pose and video capture he/she wanted.  We believe that climbing this can only be once since we want for more new climbs.

A drone shot capturing the expansive summit boulder

We were also lucky that one of the joiners shared his drone shots with the whole group in the person of Jhaytome Altobar Pineda.  In fact, he shared all drone pictures and videos to us.

Overlooking Maligcong Rice Terraces at the summit

Those who would like to climb this mountain has to note that there are also grassy paths, minor rock scrambling near the summit.   And I was so amazed that there was a local mountain dog who joined us during this climb from the jump-off point to the summit and back to the jump-off point.

Another drone shot of the summit boulder

Actually, the jagged stone stacks and large boulders are really ideal for great photo capture.  From this point also, is the best location to watch the sun dip below the rolling Cordillera ridges.  Had only we had an early morning trek, then we can also witness rolling mists hugging the surrounding peaks and valleys.

We really enjoyed to stay at the summit that it took us more than 80 minutes there.  Descending the mountain took me 40 minutes, since we were racing down to the jump-off point.  It was indeed a great climbing experience.  After dinner, we had an evening socials in the midst of a freezing cold night until 10:00 P.M.  The following day or Day 2 was another climb that of Mount Kupapey in a separate blog post.  You can read it also with gusto.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

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 Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

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JUST A QUICK ESCAPE TO SAGADA (PHILIPPINES)

Location:  Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines 

The grandeur of Bomod-ok Water Falls

This was an unplanned tour with Rome Frias as we wanted to enjoy it cold weather of Sagada which is a part of Mountain Province.  This province is comparably colder than Baguio City, tagged as the country's summer capital.  Sagada, generally has a temperature which ranges from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius year round, while Baguio City has an average temperature of about 20.6 to 21 degrees Celsius.  Cooler months (December to February) in Sagada has average lows drop from 13 to 14 degrees Celsius and highs reach from 20 to 21 degrees Celsius.

Day 1 

Second bus stop-over after passing Banaue

Our trip started from HM Transport Terminal at Monte de Piedad Street corner EDSA, Cubao Quezon City (Near Victory Liner).  It has to be noted that there is only nightly schedules typically running between 8:00 to 10:30 P.M.  We booked our ticket 4 days earlier.  Unfortunately, earlier schedules were fully booked already and we landed getting the 10:30 P.M. trip.

At this point, we already passed Banaue Rice Terraces and the junction road heading to Batad Rice Terraces.   Both tourist attractions are from the province of Ifugao.

My travel buddy Rome Frias while at our second bus stop over at 7:19 A.M.

We bought a ticket boarding a Super Deluxe Bus (with an onboard comfort room) for P1,200 or US$19.52 for a one-way terminal booking.  Online ticketing platform like 12Go Asia  has a rate of P1,226.42 or US$19.95 due to processing fees.   The travel duration was more than 12 hours.  Our first stopover was in Aritao from the province of Nueva Vizcaya for a late dinner.  This direct bus from Cubao (Metro Manila) to Sagada via Nueva Vizcaya passes through 5 provinces in total: Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and Mountain Province for a total of 462 kilometers.

Approaching Bontoc town of the Mountain Province at 8:44 A.M.

At this point in time, we already passed Bay-yo Rice Terraces which can be viewed along the highway.   Bontoc town proper is 18 kilometers for 40 minutes bus travel from Sagada.

Arriving in Sagada at 9:48 A.M.

Including the 2 bus stops, it took us 11 hours and 18 minutes for our travel to Sagada.  Upon our arrival, we paid a mandatory tourist registration fee of P100 or US$1.63 at teh Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center.   Tourists should bear in mind that they have to keep their registration receipt at all times since officials and tour coordinators might ask to see it when they visit local spots like caves, waterfalls, or viewpoints.  Another thing is ATMs are very limited in Sagada, so they should have enough physical cash for the registration, local guides, and food.   When paying the registration fee, you will be asked if you need a guide and your accommodation.  On our part, we have already arranged bookings for our accommodation, transportation within Sagada with guide and itinerary.

Our first destination after resting in our accommodation at 1:06 P.M.

After having our lunch, we headed to the Pattong Sacred Area, a culturally significant indigenous site, where according to oral tradition and ancestral belief, it is regarded as a sacred ground that unseen village or ancestral spirits quietly dwell to watch over and protect the local ili (village).   The elders pass down stories that the unseen inhabitants of Pattong guard the community with timeless patience.

Passing thru Pidlisan Rice Terraces to Bomod-ok Water Falls

Since Bomod-ok water falls is 5 kilometers from Sagada Poblacion (town proper), tourists has to board a transport going to its primary jump-off point in Barangay Bangaan, where it is the start of the trail to Bomod-ok Falls.  It has an alternative or extended paths passing through neighboring village areas like Barangay Aguid.  Tourists has to pay a barangay entrance/registration fee of P10 or US$0.16 per person.   There is also a guide fee of P700 or US$11.39 for a group of 1 to 7 people.   If tourists would really need transport from Poblacion to Barangay Bangaan, they need to pay P500 or US$8.13 or P650 or US$10.58 for a two-way jeepney or van rental to and from the jump-off point.   But trekking is still required from the jump-off point to the water falls for 45 hours to 1 hour going down.  Going back to the jump-off point may take longer, since it has strenuous uphill climb cutting through the scenic Pidlisan Rice Terraces.

Overlooking Pidlisan Rice Terraces from atop Fidelisan Village

The trail down from Fidelisan village leading to the falls has an strenuous downhill trek cutting through narrow rice paddies.  Some stairs are concrete and flat.

Trekking along Pidlisan Rice Terraces dated April 5, 2012

To capture the best view of Pidlisan Rice Terraces, often called Fidelisan Rice Terraces, along the Bomod-ok Falls trail, visit the place between March and May for lush green fields, or early morning (around 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M.) for clear mountain light and minimal mist/haze.

The hanging bridge

There is no need to pass thru this hanging bridge heading to the water falls, but this can be seen just few meters along the way heading to the falls.

Still at the hanging bridge with Rome Frias

This hanging bridge connects two cliffs of about 50-meter deep and from this vantage point will give the tourists an opportunity to capture the totality of the Big Falls or Bomod-ok Falls.

Still 3 minutes trek away from the water falls

Reaching this point completed my trek along stone steps, rice paddies (rice terraces), and indigenous villages like Pide and Fidelisan.   We cut through the villages of the locals and witness the simplicity and indigenous way of living.

The Amlusong River watershed area of Bomod-ok water falls

Bomod-ok water falls or as local call it as Big Falls or Mother Halls has a towering height of 200 feet which drops into a rocky plunge pool fed by local mountain streams in the valley near Fidelisan an Pide the locals called Amlusong River.  Its pool is generally about chest-deep in most swimmable sections, though depth varies by area and season due to shifting rocks, strong cascading currents, and varying rainfall.

A 2:12 P.M. photo at the water falls

Swimming at the pool base of the water falls is very cold.  The mountain water stays ice-cold all year long, often feeling close to 10 degrees Celsius.  Though even the water is very cold, a quick dip feels fresh and cooling after the long 1 to 2-hour hike down the stone steps and rice terraces since after the long trek, our body will be warm enough to withstand the freezing cold water.

Our picture taken by our guide

Since it was already late in the afternoon, the freezing cold water of the falls was no longer bearable and walking along the trail has strong cold winds.  Thus, we did not take a bath there.  Besides, without other visitors, the place feels so eerie.  I can feel it was very enchanting that time compared to my other visits in sunny mornings that there were a lot of people and the place seems so vibrant and festive.

The massive wet and slippery boulders of the falls area

The area of the water falls is consist of large river rocks, massive wet boulders, and towering gorge cliffs shaped by the region's dynamic water currents.  While Sagada if famous for its extensive marine limestone, the immediate base and stream area of the waterfall consist of rugged, water-smoothed river stone and slippery rock walls covered in damp moss.

Myself being dwarfed by the massive boulders

There are small local stores and food stalls along the hiking trail and in the nearby village areas leading to Bomod-ok Water falls.   They sell bottled water, sports drinks, soft drinks, and light snacks like biscuits or local treats like banana-cue, homemade lemonade, quick bites like kwek-kwek, fishballs and tempura; vegetable lumpia, binangkal, and cheese-filled buchi.  However, they are not in regular basis.  Thus, be share to pack with you drinks and snack items.  Bring with you cash for buying these items and it should be in small cash denominations.

So intimately close to the water falls

We arrived at our accommodation at 4:54 P.M. and had a sumptuous dinner from a nearby restaurant.  We never had a chance to roam around further as the cool weather pushed us to sleep early in our warm beds.  As early as 7:00 P.M., we were both snoring already.

Day 2

Just outside our accommodation at 6:54 A.M.

We had our breakfast at around 7:00 A.M. at a nearby restaurant.   The cost of breakfast meal in Sagada typically ranges from P160 or US$2.60 to P350 or US$5.69, depending on where to choose to eat.  But the good thing is, restaurants serve notably generous, heavy portions.

For budget options, the following can be your choices:

1. Carinderias and local diners: they are smaller roadside eateries where locals eat standard silog meals (fried rice, egg, and meat) costs between P90 or US$1.46 to P100 or US$1.63.
2. Homestay diner:  simple breakfasts like longganisa with rice costs araound P180 or US$2.93.
3. Marlboro Hills Sunrise:  If you do an early morning trek to see the sea of clouds, a warm bowl of traditional champorado at the peak costs about P80 or US$1.30.
4. Popular cafes and tourist spots: Meal orders ranges from P200 or US$3.25 to P350 or US$5.69. 

Just opposite the Municipal Hall

This point here is always busy with lots of visitors arriving coming in groups with their respective accredited guide.  Entrepreneurial locals also are many selling their local souvenir items and local treats.  We bought strawberries and they were more delicious and fresh compared to what we buy in Baguio City and even the fresh picks in La Trinidad  strawberry plantation.

Inside the Episcopalian Mission Compound

The Episcopalian Mission Compound houses the Church of St. Mary the Virgin located along Mission Road (off Staunton Road) right at the heart of the Poblacion (town center) in Sagada.  This is close to the local cooperative market, municipal center, and serves as a common pathway/access point toward the famous Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins.

While at Sagada Centennial Wheel marker

This marker within the St. Mary's Episcopal Church compound in Sagada, erected on October 11, 2001, to mark 100 years of the Episcopal Church's mission and ministry in the Philippines.

Standing at the main door of St. Mary's Episcopal Church

The interior of St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Back to Sagada Centennial Wheel Marker

It was already 9:29 A.M. and we are booked for our Baguio trip at 10:00 A.M. , thus, we limited our stroll just nearby sites at a walking distance.  To know more about other tourist spots of Sagada, just read this blog of mine of my earlier tour of Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada-Baguio Tour.

From this place, if visitors have their own vehicle and guide, it is easier to move to the following tourist spots within a range of 20 - 30 kilometers distance, namely:  Iyaman Resort Farm, Bay-yo Rice Terraces, Mapanawil Rice Terraces, Balew Rice Terraces and Pandey Rice Terraces.

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THE LIVING CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF PANDEY RICE TERRACES OF BAUKO

Location: Barangay Bila, Bauko, Mountain Province, Philippines

Overlooking Pandey Rice Terraces upon descending Mount Bato

When one searches in Google of rice terraces, it identifies two grouped major terrace clusters of the provinces of Ifugao and Mountain Province.  Meanwhile, it divides the Mountain Province terraces into three major clusters, namely:  Maligcong, Bontoc & Sagada and Sabangan.  However, Bauko is not a part of the three aforementioned major terracess clusters in Mountain Province where it is located.  Bauko is a distinct municipality from Bontoc.  It only mean that Google has not updated yet its major terrace clusters in the Mountain Province.

Descending Mount Bato with my guide (Tom Sudaypan) completing the Bauko 7 Peaks Climb

Visiting Pandey Rice Terraces was just a side trip after my Bauko 7 Peaks Climb with my guide, Tom Sudaypan, a native of Bauko.   This 7-peak climb was indeed very rewarding as the trail is dominantly grown with pine trees.   Our exit to Pandey Rice Terraces was from Mount Bato, which completed my Bauko 7 Peaks Climb.   Mount Bato is a minor climb with an elevation of 1,872 MASL or 6,141.73 feet.

Clearing heading to Pandey Rice Terraces

Pandey Rice Terraces can be reached via local trekking paths and rustic stone steps from Barangay Bila often referred to by visitors as a steep "stairway to heaven" climb past local streams and traditional viewpoints.  This is just 650 meters away from my rustic accommodation in Iyaman Farm Resort. 

The rice thresher against its backdrop of the slopes of Mount Bato

It was Tom, my guide, who has idea for us to head towards Pandey Rice Terraces instead of trekking directly to my accommodation in Iyaman Farm Resort.  It just happened that by the time we were here, it was harvest time for rice.

Harvesting rice using sickle or kumpay in local language

I got excited to join the rice harvesting when I saw the locals harvesting rice.  A local lend me a sickle to use for harvesting rice stalks.   Locally, this sickle is called "kumpay" which is used for cutting whole rice stalks, or a small finger-mounted blade ---- often called a  ani-ani knife, rakem, or lakem --- used to snip individual rice panicles by hand.   A kumpay is a handheld, curved nd metal blade attached to a short wooden handle.   It is used to swing or slice through multiple rice stalks close to the base.

The lower part of Pandey Rice Terraces

From the point where I harvested rice, we moved to the lower part of the terraces.  We happened to see a mountain resort near a rushing stream, but it was already abandoned.   By the time we were here, there was no single tourist or visitor on sight.

The other parts of the terraces

This terraces cover an area of approximately 61 hectares (with the broader combined communal irrigation network span reaching up to 146 hectares).   They sit at an elevation of about 1,363 meters above sea level.

Zooming in the other parts of the terraces

This location is connected towards a non-concrete road enough for vehicles to pass since harvests are being transported to the town.   The average temperature in this location ranges from 19 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius year-round, reflecting the cool, high-elevation climate of the Cordillera mountain region.  The weather patterns here is prone to mist, cloudy skies, and frequent mountain showers or rain.

For both Bauko 7 Peaks Climb and Bauko tours, you can count on the expertise of  Angela Andrada and she can be contacted at 0928392662.

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BALEW RICE TERRACES: BAUKO'S THIRD RICE TERRACES CLUSTER

 Location:  Barangay Bagnen Oriente, Bauko, Mountain Province, Philippines

Balew Rice Terraces as capture on a 7:15 A.M.  of the day

Balew Rice Terraces (often locally misspelled or phonetically termed as baliw) are exquisitely carved, stone-walled rice paddies located in Bagnen Oriente, municipality of Bauko in Mountain Province of the Philippines.   It nestles the slopes of Mount Polis and facing the lower Bauko valley, where it rely on the pristine Kabanbanaan Watershed for irrigation.

A zoomed in capture of Balew Rice Terraces

It rests in an elevation of about 1,620 meters (5,316 feet) above sea level.  It is built with precise stone-and-earth tiered walls to fit steep mountain slopes.  It sustained by traditional communal watershed and forest management.   It is considered an authentic, living cultural landscape of the Cordilleras rather than a commercialized site.

A zoomed out capture of Balew Rice Terraces

I happened to capture this rice terraces when I was heading to Bagnen Proper for my Bauko 7 Peaks Climb.  While Mapanawil Rice Terraces is along accessible road, this one has been captured from my farthest position.  I would still find another opportunity to set foot here in the future with my family.

These three rice terraces of Bauko can be visited just in one day.  A treasure that Bauko can be proud of and a legacy that their ancestors left for Bauko's generations.

For both 7 Peaks of Bauko Climb and Bauko tour, you can count on the expertise of Angela Andrada and she can be contacted at 09283927662.

THANKS FOR READING!