"The presence of the rice terraces is an evidence of an engineering expertise of the Igorot ancestors..."

There are lots of beautiful rice terraces in the Philippines but not everything is known. The Banaue Rice Terraces (including those in Batad) is the most publicized -- undeniably these are the most gigantic, most extensive and of course one of the the most breathtaking. Now, allow me share to you the less known rice terraces in the Cordilleras and let us start with Bayyo Rice Terraces.


Bayyo Rice Terraces - Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines

The chapel and the rice terraces

Bayyo Rice Terraces - Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines

Totally verdant

Bayyo Rice Terraces - Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines

The #TownExplorer and Bayyo Rice Terraces

Bayyo Rice Terraces - Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines

Bayyo Village

Bayyo Rice Terraces - Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines

Bayyo Village and the Rice Terraces


Bayyo Rice Terraces is located along the Bontoc-Banaue Road. You can view this stunning vista along the road. It is around 30-40 minutes of jeepney ride from Bontoc Poblacion.

To get here, go the the Bontoc-Banaue PUJ parking area beside the Bontoc Town Hall. Tell the driver to drop you to Bayyo rice terraces (this is optional since you can view it while riding on a jeep -- unless you want to take photos, so you have to stop for the matter).

What else? You can also see some waterfalls in Bayyo which are view-able from the road. But you have to spot keenly for you to notice them.

Photo Gallery: Bayyo Waterfalls and Rice Terraces

Bayyo Waterfalls - Bontoc, Mountain Province, PhilippinesBayyo Waterfalls - Bontoc, Mountain Province, PhilippinesBayyo Waterfalls - Bontoc, Mountain Province, PhilippinesBayyo Rice Terraces- Bontoc, Mountain Province, PhilippinesBayyo Rice Terraces- Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines

I have this desire in me to get up close to the waterfalls but the chance was just too thin. As I ascend to Bayyo, the air gets cooler and looking to the higher parts of the mountains are waterfalls cascading unrestricted. 

Then I looked to the right. There is a mountain range. But one of those mountains is unusual and it does not look like the rest of the mountains -- that mountain is the home for the Bayyo villagers and the slope of that mountain has been turned into rice terraces.

What makes it interesting is that the mountain is steep but the villagers have been resilient to live in this kind of environment. I admire them for being adaptable.

Indeed, I consider this a paradise, specifically a heritage and cultural paradise. The presence of the rice terraces is an evidence of an engineering expertise of the Igorot ancestors that in spite of the absence of modern technology those days, they were able to create an engineering feat that survived the test of times and of the seasons. This is a living cultural treasure and heritage; truly a paradise for those fascinated with culture and history. /end

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Axact

EDMAR GUQUIB y DEL CASTILLO

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran. Professional Nurse on Weekdays. Coffee Addict. Travel Blogger in Between. For collaboration or partnership, email your business proposal at admin@edmaration.com.

Post A Comment:

9 comments:

  1. Dyan pala kuha yung 'ipaglaban ang Sabah!' pic mo hehe :D

    Overnight lang ako sa Batad-Banaue. I'm planning to go back soon. Sayang, sumabay na sana ako.

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  2. there is something with those terraces that makes it stand out from the ones in ifugao.... ang galing nung lapat at agwat ng bawat payao.... must see nga ito!

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  3. #TownExplorer | @edmarationApril 21, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    Micamyx|Senyorita | Ahahaah!! You remember that! Balik ka na ulit, daras! :)

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  4. ian | Yes Ian! Worthy stop over talaga dito :)

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  5. I wonder if I get off at this spot, meron kayang masasakyan ulet going to Banaue or back to Bontoc? Nice find! Yes, I do remember this one. Pero we rode kasi a mini bus that time...:-(

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  6. DingF | The Pinoy Explorer | Yup sir Ding, basta I would advise you to get the first trip para may susunod pang jeep na dadaan diyan, either going back to Bontoc or heading to Banaue :)

    Ako sumakay rin kami ng jeep, at ang bait ng driver, huminto siya para sa amin. Buti hindi nagreklamo ang ibang pasahero sa jeep sa paghintay sa amin, lols.

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  7. stunning is definitely the right word to use for some of these shots..

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  8. filipino food | Couldn't agree more! The Cordilleras is a paradise indeed :)

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  9. Great post, always pass this town but never explored it. this post makes mne want to check it our. if you are interested, for your future travels here in the Philippines you can check out our services at Travel Ventours we will be more than happy to assist you and maybe provide a discount. Thanks and God Bless! More Power!

    ReplyDelete

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