Larga-Bista: Hungduan (Ifugao)

Ifugao is a landlocked province of the Philippines, which is a part of the Cordillera Administrative Region located up north in the Luzon island of the Philippines.

With eleven municipalities tucked under its belt, it carries with it a truckload of tourism potential especially for outdoor enthusiasts, which has yet to be discovered, since, as most tourists could attest, only the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces, the so-called "Eighth Wonder of the World", is the only place-to-be in this underrated province.

Let us now take a closer look at one of Ifugao's hidden treasures, located on the northwestern edge of the province, the municipality of Hungduan, which we visited way back August 25-26, 2018.

Location of Hungduan in the province of Ifugao

DAY 0: August 24, 2018 (Friday)

Our Sagada-bound CODA Lines tourist bus departed in the evening. The terminal of CODA Lines is located at HM Transport Inc. Monte de Piedad, Corner Maryland, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Yes, HM Transport and CODA Lines share the same bus terminal. In addition, all trips going to Sagada passes through the Ifugao province, which explains why our bus' signage indicates SAGADA. Advanced ticket reservation purchase is highly recommended since Sagada is a very popular tourist destination.

CODA Lines at HM Transport bus terminal

Actually, there is another bus company, which goes straight to Sagada too, the Ohayami Trans, which is situated at Cor. Fajardo St., Lacson Ave, Sampaloc, Manila.

DAY 1: August 25, 2018 (Saturday)

After travelling for around eight hours, we alighted our bus at the Municipal Tourism Center in Banaue, Ifugao.

Municipal Tourism Center

Before proceeding for Hungduan, we booked first a rented vehicle before taking our breakfast at the People's Lodge & Restaurant located at the Banaue Poblacion Terminal, Banaue-Mayoyao-Potia-Isabela Road, a few walks from the Tourism Center.

People's Lodge & Restaurant

We visited first the Hungduan Tourist Information Center for registration before proceeding towards some tourist destinations.

By the way, the name of the town was derived from the root word “Hungdu” which means to proceed/pass/go/traverse through. “Hungduan” means a place where people pass/traverse on their way to another place.

Hungduan Tourist Information Center

Stopping by at the Hungduan Rice Terraces Viewdeck area provides the tourist with a bird's eye view on why the said rice terraces was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 19th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Berlin, Germany in 1995.

Enjoying the view of the Hungduan Rice Terraces

Our next target destination was the 26.5 meter Balentimol Falls, located in Barangay Abatan.

Jump-off point towards the Balentimol Falls

Take note that the jump-off point for a trek towards Mount Napulawan is the same starting point going to the Balentimol Falls. The trail towards the falls can be trekked by starters.

Trail towards the Balentimol Falls

Balentimol Falls

Next stop was viewing from afar the Nabongyawan Rice Terraces along the Tinoc-Hungduan-Banaue Road. This cluster of terraces expands widely following the Dakkitan River.

Nabongyawan Rice Terraces

We then proceeded near the Hungduan Municipal Hall where the General Artemio Ricarte Burial Site is located.

On July 31, 1945, General Artemio Ricarte, the Father of the Philippine Army, died in Mount Napulawan. His remains were extracted and transferred in a cave in Hungduan.

General Ricarte Burial Site

A few trudges after eating our packed lunch at the Hungduan Municipal basketball court area, we arrived at the Heritage Eco-Village.

Heritage Eco-Village

Each barangay of Hungduan created one native house in the Heritage Eco-Village. The best time to visit this place would be on the third week of April where they hold their Tungoh Ad Hungduan Festival. At this juncture, the native houses will be filled with people dancing, carving, drinking and doing what natives do.

Our last destination for this day was the Native House located at Sitio Awa, owned by Kuya Alberto (5th from the left).

Sitio Awa Native House

According to the owner, he built this house to somehow preserve their culture, building how they traditionally built it. He also spends some nights sleeping and cooking inside this native house.

Since our accommodation venue, Giovanni’s Place, was right smacked in the middle of the Hapao Rice Terraces, we had no choice but to trek the rice terraces carrying our stuff. This place boasts of standard rooms and a native hut.