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Stories of town explorations.
"This is my story about the Buscalan Rice Terraces. At first there is a foreplay with the clouds but it always ends up with a satisfactory finish."

That was so sweet. You don't need to taste it. You can actually feel it. That romantic moment for a solo backpacker when I let my bones shiver to the tune of a freezing zephyr made me fall in love. Yes, I fell in love with nature although that natural morning compelled me to execute random artificial robotic moves. I don't have excess fats in my body to insulate me from the cold. You know, I have to contract my muscles like a passive-active exercise training scheme.

[TINGLAYAN] So the clouds (uh, fog) went down


And there, out there, who am I not to entertain this temptation? Anyway this temptation isn't against the law, public policy, good customs & traditions and morals.

In simple words, I am just exercising the right explicitly (yet malleable provision) granted by the Philippine Constitution for me as a Filipino citizen to have this freedom. In simpler words, I have the right to liberty. In simplest word (and don't you ever twist this fact), I have the right to be free. But here is the real twist, the right to liberty is not absolute. But this is not a political law blog. So I hope you can give me a chance to prove that my topic for this post is the rice terraces kissing the clouds. Ready?

THE EARLY MORNING KISSING SCENES

I am not an early bird. And should the coastal city where I live has this view, I wouldn't dare fall to the trap of this temptation and wake up early (except if Jessie Mendiola will personally meet me in-which-case I can even not sleep the whole night if that is the effortless requirement).

[TINGLAYAN] This early bird is about to kiss the ground, you think it's romantic? Duh!


I'm nocturnal and voluntarily waking up early is against my bucket list. But as I said, I rarely witness this kind of view where these ancient rice terraces become seemingly a giant stairway to the clouds. For that, it was a natural affair and I have a good reason to discontinue my sleep.

The earth (represented by the mountains with rice terraces therein) kissed the heavens (the clouds volunteered to be the official representative without the consent of the ionosphere).

So I witnessed how the nature do the kissing before the sun appeared. But in the event [that] that scene did not appear that day, I would just make myself believe that when that rooster kisses the ground, that's so romantic and I won't consider it awkward.

[TINGLAYAN] The rice terraces, covered by thick fog. Please, consider this as clouds.

[TINGLAYAN] Buscalan Rice Terraces before the sun appeared


But the nature knew how to tempt me really. Thank God still, that rooster kissing the ground served as my alarm clock and I think that's less awkward than when Jessie Mendiola stares at me eye to eye for a minute.

Seeing the view made me want to exclaim numerous adjectives and flowery words but I pretended I was speechless like under the state of shock to make it extra intense!

POST KISSING SCENE VIEW

And I really considered that wondrous view to be a kissing scene of the elements of nature. After the clouds caressed the bumps of the earth, the latter effortlessly unleashed its beauty that is really a good background for kissing in a photo bomb.

[TINGLAYAN] Buscalan Rice Terraces after a contact with the clouds


So this view became independent. There was no need for cockcrowing post covert sunrise to reveal the beauty of the earth. This was like a picture of single blessedness (without the clouds' caress to make it double).

I realized this spectacular view is worth a missed kiss from Jessie Mendiola in my dreams. The bottom element (earth) surely outperformed the top (clouds). But since such collision produces an astounding natural breathtaking display, I'll give the heavens the benefit of the doubt.

[TINGLAYAN] Oh my! This color is so #TownExplorer and I love it!

[TINGLAYAN] This is really a pleasure for the eyes. Perfect stimulus!

[TINGLAYAN] I own this photo, but I don't own those rice terraces (how. i. wish.)


The beautiful mountains turned to be like my real property. Green is everywhere and that is so #TownExplorer. Being green-minded, I call this home.

This is my story about the Buscalan Rice Terraces. At first there is a foreplay with the clouds but it always ends up with a satisfactory finish. Who would not consider this view satisfactory before the naked eye? So if you want to witness the kissing foreplay of nature, then I would suggest wait for the ending, that's the best part. Everything is revealed and released. Like this cool beautiful rice terraces now uncovered by the thick fog, and maybe the clouds. So now that's sweet. See it. Feel it. Don't taste.

And for the last installment of this series, I witnessed a local industry that's beyond the ink and the blood. This is about fire, and on how this fire can defeat this extra hard cold stone (Teaser: This is not Stone Cold the wrestler, at least you'll have an idea this is not a WWF show review). /to be continued...

P.S. I can't believe I'm about to finish this looong sub-series. Clap! Clap! Clap!

*BUSCALAN SOLO INVASION SUB-SERIES | 1

[TINGLAYAN] The Day I Hiked Solo to Buscalan, Kalinga - Part 1/2

TEASER: "I am soliloquizing under the scorching strike of the sun that is adding more agony to my weary self. I hope I am not yet lost. But if ever I'm lost, at least I'm lost in a paradise."
| 2

[TINGLAYAN] The Day I Hiked Solo to Buscalan, Kalinga - Part 2/2


TEASER: "So I thought the hike is over, but as I took a turn on that road, I saw the other side of the mountain and it doesn't look like I am getting any closer. It goes farther, and farther..."
| 3

[TINGLAYAN] Fang-Od (Whang-Od): The Last Tribal Tattoo Artist of Kalinga


TEASER: "She is unwittingly ending a tradition she is not supposed to end. She's ending the tradition not by her choice but by the call of our ever changing society."
| 4

[TINGLAYAN] 17 Great Memories + First Time Encounters in Buscalan, Kalinga

TEASER: "Buscalan rose to fame because of Fang-od. But Buscalan is more than Fang-od. It is more than the tribal tattoo."
| 5

[TINGLAYAN] Chewed, Swallowed Frogs in Buscalan, Kalinga

TEASER: "We talked with joy behind the darkness. That dinner unleashed the real us. The candlelight was a silent witness of our fears, happiness and life's perspectives."
| 6

[TINGLAYAN] There was No Sunrise in Buscalan, Kalinga

TEASER: "So the sun didn't shine that morning. However, I was able to understand the other side of the story."
| 7 | 8

[TINGLAYAN] Blacksmith Kingdom of Kalinga: Turning Stones into Fire

TEASER: "If there is no concept of poverty, there shall be no poverty. But poverty has been introduced by greedy kingdoms while the little kingdom dwellers of the mountains recognized it's presence."

Tinglayan #TownExploration Series

Map showing the Location of #Tinglayan

Click map to view latest articles covering Kalinga


MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *RICE TERRACES*

[TINGLAYAN] Bugnay Rice Terraces and that Lucky Village in Kalinga

TEASER: "The Kalinga prima facie evidence in terms of beauty should not be a subject for debate because if I were to be the judge, the evidence is too strong to put the case to rest."

[SADANGA] Mt Province: Bekigan Rice Terraces, A Cultural Heritage

TEASER: "...not every beautiful beach should be crowded, not every mountain should be hiked and for the case of Bekigan Rice Terraces, not every rice terraces should be flocked by visitors."

[BONTOC] Palali Rice Terraces: Of First-time Penetration, Pain and Pleasure

TEASER: "As I reach the peak, which is the climax of everything, my eyes bulged in pleasure brought by a feast-to-the-eye-destination with a little bit of brain clouding. I have just reached the point of no return."

[BONTOC] Bayyo Rice Terraces and Waterfalls - Highland Paradise Living

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

[CERVANTES] Rice Terraces: Turning to Vegetable Terraces Too

TEASER: "...no time is wasted, their limited farming fields at the slope of the mountain become productive all year round."
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

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Stories of town explorations.
"The Kalinga prima facie evidence in terms of beauty should not be a subject for debate because if I were to be the judge, the evidence is too strong for further argument."

That day when I set foot to the land of the last generation of folks where the evidence of centuries-old tradition of tattooing is still evident, I was welcomed with nothing less but this breath-stopping view that is pupil-dilating and retina-protruding. If this is a fairy tale, my straight eyelashes could have knelt down in awe and respect without the help of an eyelash curler used by some girls in flirting, not here in Kalinga please. Pretty girls will forget they are pretty upon seeing this prettier-than-pink marvelous view of the Bugnay Rice Terraces.

Bugnay Rice Terraces and Village

Bugnay Village with the Rice Terraces all around, how cool is that?


This is the grand welcome I experienced in Kalinga for that first-time I landed within its frontiers, on its rugged terrain, within the bounds of its own identity and beauty.

Based on the words of non-traveler friends I know, Kalinga is a dangerous place, and for that, I should not risk my life getting into the territories of headhunters protecting their ancestral domains from invaders. That's what these people are thinking about Kalinga.

This awful mindset could have emanated from the fact that the province is not easy to reach due to poor road conditions, so there is a few knowledge and documentation as to the beauty and intrinsic culture it has to offer that could surely gain an authority within the grounds of socio-cultural tourism.

Bugnay Village in Kalinga

How nice is to live in this village?


Bugnay Village can be seen along the BONTOC-TABUK ROAD

[CORDILLERA] Bontoc-Tabuk Road: Mt. Province-Kalinga Boundary Crossing

TEASER: "My blunt brain due to being deprived of sleep was instantly reset to sight-seeing mode after it hibernated for a while when I started seeing this wonderful view that temporarily locked my jaw."
. The rice terraces that decorate the village into a cultural landscape is also very visible beyond fiber glass windows of every mini-bus and/or any vehicle that traverses the road.

Those huge terraced rice fields hold that village perfectly and the villagers that maintain them. It has turned into a paradise of culture and heritage. I laughed-off the idea that KALINGA

KALINGA

FAST FACTS: Kalinga is believed to be the home of the last headhunters of the Cordilleras.

Photo: Bugnay Village @ Tinglayan, Kalinga
is dangerous until I experienced it by myself, backpacking solo where I applied the idea of "stay calm and get lost" on which I don't know where to go next because of this unplanned trip.

Bugnay Rice Terraces

How big your mouth is when you said WOW!?


How lucky am I! The unplanned trip has turned to be one of my favorite CORDILLERA

CORDILLERA

FAST FACTS: A mountainous region in the Philippines' Luzon island composed of 6 provinces with distinct people and dialect namely Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province.

Photo: Abra River in Pidigan, Abra
trips for a lifetime! The view of the village itself is already a warm welcome you would never think headhunters used to live here.

The moment I alighted from the bus, I hurriedly ran near the corner of the road to aimlessly wander around. My heavy backpack as the result of a 7-day backpacking in the Cordilleras has seemed to become very light as I rushed effortlessly in excitement near the cliff where I was able to afford a close to perfect vantage point. 

Bugnay Village and Rice Terraces

How come this place is so cool?!


All the burdens I was feeling that moment have seemed to be carried away by the gracious wonder that has let me assume the ideology of Buddha of being under the state of Nirvana, and not even close to the self-exaltation that dirty politicians and government heads are feeling while enjoying the funds of the country under the state of evil influence.

The experience is pure, it is ethereal that it was stirring my veneration and strongly-founded belief to God who has given us a wonderful place to live. Thank you Lord!
Bugnay, Tinglayan, Kalinga

The Road, the River, the Rice Terraces - T3


The village of Bugnay is such a very lucky place to have situated in a location where organic agriculture exists, even in raising livestock. The fresh clean air is never on doubt. The beautiful view is never moot. 

The Chico River separates the village from the other side of the town so you have to cross the footbridge for you to be able to enter this culturally important destination.

Bugnay Village, Tinglayan, Kalinga

Footbridge to Bugnay Village


While waiting for someone (a local, if I will be the lucky guy to find one) to help me find the direction on my way to Buscalan Village (another village located in a higher altitude accessible only on foot), I didn't let the opportunity to just pass by without me absorbing every single beautiful memory I can collect in this wondrous destination I never thought I would ever see.

Bugnay Rice Terraces

How marvelous is that?


Bugnay Village

Uh! I can marvel with that!


The Kalinga prima facie evidence in terms of beauty should not be a subject for debate because if I were to be the judge, the evidence is too strong for further argument.

The lucky village situated amidst gigantic verdant ladders might be too rural and left behind what's new and cool in the cities but one thing is for sure, they live within their means under the blessing of their perseverance enforced by contentment that makes them rich in life. They don't have slums, they own this huge parcel of ancestral land signifying a precolonial civilization that came first before the Spanish rule in Manila and other cities. The people of this village have their thousand-year-old civilization and culture so don't mess with them.

When all the cities have come to the point that slums are rampant, the people here will just stay calm and be rich for possessing towering mountains and ancestral lands that are truly their wealth. That has made me realize that richness is not about lifestyle, possessing gadgets and big houses. It is something that will never cease, even after death. /end

__________________________________________________
HOW TO GET HERE + EASY TRAVEL TIPS AND TRICKS
NOTE: This trip is via Bontoc

1. From Bontoc, ride on a bus bound for Tabuk and/or Tinglayan. The parking area is located near the Mountain Province Polytechnic State College along the main road. Or if you are not sure, just ask any local politely this way: "Where is the parking area of mini-buses bound for Kalinga?" They will tell you where.

2. As far as I can remember the first trip is around 5-6 am (depending upon the volume of passengers). The second trip is around 9 am.

3. If you have your own motorbike (or should you wish to drive an SUV or a posh car - goodluck!), just follow the road northwards. It could take up to 1 hour before you reach the site. If you choose to commute, the fare (as far as I remember) is around 80 pesos (as of this writing) up to Bugnay Village in Tinglayan.

4. Alight in Bugnay drop-off point. The rice terraces and the village can already be seen from there. Enjoy!

*EN ROUTE: BONTOC-SADANGA-TINGLAYAN SUB-SERIES: 1

[SADANGA] Bekigan Rice Terraces: A Cultural Heritage

TEASER: "...not every beautiful beach should be crowded, not every mountain should be hiked and for the case of Bekigan Rice Terraces, not every rice terraces should be flocked by visitors."
| 2

[CORDILLERA] Bontoc-Tabuk Road: Mt. Province-Kalinga Boundary Crossing

TEASER: "My blunt brain due to being deprived of sleep was instantly reset to sight-seeing mode after it hibernated for a while when I started seeing this wonderful view that temporarily locked my jaw."
| 3

Tinglayan #TownExploration Series

Map showing the Location of #Tinglayan

Click map to view latest articles covering Kalinga


MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *RICE TERRACES*

[SADANGA] Mt Province: Bekigan Rice Terraces, A Cultural Heritage

TEASER: "...not every beautiful beach should be crowded, not every mountain should be hiked and for the case of Bekigan Rice Terraces, not every rice terraces should be flocked by visitors."

[BONTOC] Palali Rice Terraces: Of First-time Penetration, Pain and Pleasure

TEASER: "As I reach the peak, which is the climax of everything, my eyes bulged in pleasure brought by a feast-to-the-eye-destination with a little bit of brain clouding. I have just reached the point of no return."

[BONTOC] Bayyo Rice Terraces and Waterfalls - Highland Paradise Living

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

[CERVANTES] Rice Terraces: Turning to Vegetable Terraces Too

TEASER: "...no time is wasted, their limited farming fields at the slope of the mountain become productive all year round."

[TINGLAYAN] Buscalan Rice Terraces Kissed the Clouds

TEASER: "This is my story about the Buscalan Rice Terraces. At first there is a foreplay with the clouds but it always ends up with a satisfactory finish."
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.