Sagada

Municipality of Sagada, Mountain Province
ZIP Code: 2619

Sagada is a municipality in the landlocked province of Mountain Province in the Philippines. It had a population of 11,244 people as registered in the 2010 Census.

It is located 275 km. north of Manila, 140 km. from Baguio, and it is adjacent to Bontoc, the provincial capital.

Sagada is politically subdivided into 19 barangays:

-Aguid
-Ambasing
-Angkeling
-Antadao
-Balugan
-Bangaan
-Dagdag (Poblacion)
-Demang (Poblacion)
-Fidelisan
-Kilong
-Madongo
-Poblacion
-Nacagang
-Suyo
-Taccong
-Tanulong
-Tetepan Norte
-Tetepan Sur

Sagada is famous for its "hanging coffins". This is a traditional way of burying people that is not in use anymore. Not anyone was qualified to be buried this way; you had to, among other things, be married and have grandchildren.

In Sagada you can do trekking, explore both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visit historical sites, nature hikes, see wild horses, and participate in tribal celebrations. To find a guide you register at the tourist-office in Sagada Proper (the main town) for a small fee. Tourists must register on their first day at the tourist-office. Down the road from the tourist-office is the Yoghurt House. While in the upper street you can see Log Cabin a restaurant which the French chef usually cook during Saturdays

Geography:

Sagada is nestled in a valley at the upper end of of the Malitep tributary of the Chico River some one and a half kilometers above sea level in the central Cordillera; enveloped between the main Cordillera Ranges and the Ilocos Range. Mt. Data in the south and Mt. Kalawitan in the southeast pierce the horizon. Mt. Polis, Bessang and Mt. Tirad in the east, and Mt. Sisipitan in the north mark the Mountain Province - Abra boundary.


Climate and produce:

The climate and crops are like those of Baguio and Benguet: cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, potatoes, carrots, beans, and other temperate products. Between 1882 and 1896, the Spanish colonizers introduced Arabica coffee: a source of income since the American occupation. Citrus, mainly lemon, lime and Valencia oranges were introduced from Spain by Jaime Masferre to provide the needs of American missionaries and employees of the Mission of Saint Mary the Virgin.


Basic culture:

Basic culture refers to the indigenous culture before the establishment of a Spanish Mission in 1882. As an "ili" or village, Sagada was founded by a man, Biyag, from Bika in Eastern Abra. The people from Bika were forced out of their ili by raiding headhunters. Biyag's family resettled in Candon but when baptism or the giving of names was enforced, Biyag's family chose to move back toward the mountains in search for a settlement. Along the way, he and his siblings decided to part ways. A brother, Balay, chose to return to Candon, a sister to Abra. Another brother settled along the upper Abra River. Biyag pushed further to the east until he came to what is now Sagada.


Accommodation:

There are many places to stay in Sagada yet most of these are situated in the main area of town. A notable place to stay at is the A7 house, this is situated in a prime location near the rice terrace and numerous water holes. This house has influenced many individuals and has a rich history. It is operated mainly by a 95 year old who has had 7 kids who grew up there, hence the name A7 house. Visitors and tourists may consider the following inns during their stay:

-A7 House
-Dap-ay Mabbay
-Far Ants Inn
-Ganduyan Inn and Café
-Mapiyaaw Inn and Restaurant
-Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant
-Olahbinan Guesthouse and Restaurant
-Pines View Inn
-Rock Inn and Café (Rock Farm)
-Rocky Valley Inn and Café
-Sagada Guest House and Restaurant
-Sagada Igorot Inn and Restaurant
-Sagada Pension House
-St. Joseph's Resthouse


Tourism Websites:
www.visitsagada.com/
sagada.org/
www.travel-philippines.com/locations/central-luzon/4-sa...
www.camperspoint.com/article.php3?id_article=174