The Bontoc Fiesta is celebrated every September 16th with cultural presentations, street dancing and community gathering called am-among.
The Bontoc am–among is a traditional practice where Bontoc tribes north of the PhIlippines take rest after the rice fields have been planted. Traditionally a practice among clans, the practice have been extended to the whole community as a town occasion.
Assigned persons kindle a small fire in nearby rice field and cook inasin( salted pork). Rice wine is offered to Kabunian (God) and prayer is said for good harvest.
On the second day, male members trek to the river to catch kachiw (river fish) while the women collect koti ( shells). These are brought home, cooked with meat, and partaken by family members and relatives.
The fourth day usually is the proper rest day where men and women will not work in the fields and children either stay at home or bathe in the river.
One of the products indigenous to the place is finely interlaced apparel for women called the tapis and wanes for men. These products which are woven the backstrap way include bags and blankets by Samoki weavers . These brightly colored attires in strong reds and stripes of black of dark green show a rich strong culture of cultural pride and interdependent of the tribes.
Rattan made products called sangi are still used by women and men and sold in the Poblacion market. These backpacks are culturally woven and used to carry packed lunch when one goes to farm or get firewood for fuel.
RELATED LINK
Am- among in Bontoc
Warm weathered Bontoc abounds with natural endowments from hot springs, rice terraces, woodland paths to expansive viewpoints.
Mainit Hot Springs is found at barangay Mainit of northern Philippines. Sulfuric waters are used for bathing and cure for skin diseases. Located 18 kilometers from the main town of Bontoc, one reaches Mainit Hot Springs after a 30 minute ride from the capital town. Around the vicinity of the hot springs are traditional abodes accented by few modern buildings. Jeepneys to Mainit are available at Bontoc Poblacion.
If you love expansive views, here are standpoints to behold the winding Chico river and an expanse of Bontoc Ili. You may take your position at Pagturaw Viewpoint, or at Mt Polis Viewpoint.
From these viewpoints, you will take a good view of the Bayyo, Maligcong and Kadchog rice terraces carved out of the energetic and ingenious hands of the Bontoc people. Displaying indigenous engineering durability, these rice terraces are constructed with stones piled on top of the other. For centuries, rice terraces irrigated from waters cascading down mountains slopes serve as source of rice and camote.
The perfect combination of ecological balance and food sus
tainability added with practical aesthetic design all add up to the harmonious relationship of nature and man to this naturally endowed village.
Jeepneys are available at the Bontoc Poblacion to reach Maligcong and Bayyo rice terraces. Or you may prefer to walk. Kadchog Rice Terraces which can be reached within an hour hike from Poblacion Bontoc. Kadchog rice terraces spanning 12 hectares can be found northwest of Bontoc and can be reached via a 30 minute jeepney-ride from Bontoc Ili.
Bayyo rice Terraces is reached after a 45 minute ride by bus or jeep. Covering at least 10 hectares of Bayyo, the rice terraces are landscaped from the mountain peaks which gradually ax down the river. To the nature trekker, the woodland paths of Guinaang – Dalican, Bontoc -Dalican, Bontoc Cane-o, and Mainit-Maligcong passes through rice terraces and rolling hills.
Mountain climbing at Mount Polis is best anytime of the year.Mt Polis is a contested mountain range situated between Banaue, Ifugao and Bayyo Bontoc. The mountain peak is a lush watershed which supplies irrigation water to the rice fields of Hungduan, Ifugao, Viewpoint and Bayyo Bontoc. Birds of rare species are found here.
River rafting along the Chico river is best from
June to August when waters come soft to uncompromising. River rafting while it poses a water sport for Mt Province, is not that popular save for some tourists and locals who go kayaking occasionally. You can refer to my other posts about Bontoc in this site.
RELATED LINKS
Photo credit: Mainit Hot springs
Bontoc is located north of the Philippines in Mountain Province. It is the capital town of the province bounded on the west by the tourist town of Sagada.
Bontoc, being the center of the province locates passenger buses- Rising Sun, Dangwa Trans, and GL Trans- bound to Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao, and Kalinga. which leave as early as 6 am to as late as 4pm. If you are coming from from Baguio, you can find Rising Sun Trans at the Slaughter Compound, along Magsaysay Venue, GL Trans and Dangwa Trans are found at Dangwa Terminal, Magsaysay Avenue.
Cable Tours leave for Manila at 3 pm daily on a 12 hour trip and back to Bontoc at 8:30pm. Passenger jeepneys and mini buses have regular trips bound to nearby towns of Besao, Sagada, Tadian, Sabangan, Abatan, Sadanga, Barlig and Mankayan, Benguet as early as 8:30 am to as late as 6 pm. If you’re coming from Manila via Banaue, take the jeep bound to Bontoc with regular trips as late as 10 am.
For more info about Bontoc, go to:
Provincial Profile
Paraiso Philippines
