Extra Rice in Banaue

The air is now thinner and colder. Our ears are popping and our bodies are a bit sore from the long hours of sitting. The "welcome to Banaue" sign signifies that we are almost there.

First stop: Banaue Rice Terraces

Artista with real-time Facebook updates! Haha. #RexAppeal

The Hagdan-hagdang Palayan or the Banaue Rice Terraces is one of the most iconic views in the Philippines. It is a testament of the hard work of the Ifugao through the years. The main purpose of terrace farming is to reduce surface runoff and erosion and to support the irrigation of crops, such as rice.

I could vividly remember that the Banaue Rice Terraces was one of the earliest learning from my Civics class in elementary. It was one of the World Heritage Sites and is considered by Filipinos as the "eighth wonder of the world". It served as mountainside farmland for more than two thousand years now.

Hues of green all-around!

However, the "was" part is worth emphasizing, as the terraces now has signs of degradation. There are concrete houses sporadically located amidst the terraces and this ruined some of the view of the Banaue Rice Terraces. At least there is still a viewing deck where we can have a good view of the terraces. It is the part seen at the back of the 1000-peso Philippine bill.

I want to write good things about the places that I visit as much as I can. Yet, I cannot sugarcoat things to appease the false "Filipino pride". If the locals of Benguet, in cooperation with the government, do not aggressively implement programs for the preservation of this heritage site, then I can imagine the glorious Banaue Rice Terraces in ruins right before our very eyes.

Until the next adventure,

Dena

Lakbay Pinas

Hi!

Just recently (September 19-24, 2015), my medschool batchmates and I went all the way from Cebu to Luzon for the long-awaited Banaue-Sagada-Baguio Trip. This has been a longstanding plan since our first year in medschool by a small group (their group name is Doce-loves, or something like that) in our batch. I was one of the friends of friends who got invited to come, too. So I did.

 

There were 20 people in this trip!

As much as traveling brings new experiences and adventure, the success of a trip depends on how smoothly the plans are realized. Otherwise, delays in schedule, unforeseen circumstances, and changes in itineraries would only lead to chaos and more stress. You wouldn't want that, especially if you're a medical student who just got out from the most difficult bimonthly period so far; or perhaps if you're a busy person in general who just wants nothing less of pure unadulterated fun in the mountainside.

This is where I talk about the value of having a travel agency to handle your trip from start to finish. Don't get me wrong, backpacking still has its benefits and I still am a backpacker by heart, but this trip made me appreciate our travel agency for taking us to great places in Banaue, Sagada, and Baguio. Our travel agency is called Lakbay Pinas Travels and Tours. You may click their name to view their Facebook page.

Stress-free travel means all smiles for the camera!

Disclaimer at this point (haha!): This is not, in any way, paid for by Lakbay Pinas Travels and Tours. This is, however, a recommendation post from one satisfied customer so that others may also experience the same kind of service that we experienced under their care. Here are the benefits that we enjoyed by paying for Lakbay Pinas' services at Php 4,500/pax.

Our van drivers Kuya Jopay and Kuya Lito in white shirts.

1. Punctuality. We were picked up from SM Mall of Asia at 10:00 P.M. sharp, as scheduled. The delays in our trip were mainly due to our prolonged picture-taking in certain places, but Kuya Chris made necessary adjustments so that we can still visit everything that was written on our itinerary.
2. Consultation. There were other extra places that we wanted to visit and Lakbay Pinas was willing to squeeze them in our jam-packed schedule. I liked how much they accommodated us with what we wanted for the entire trip.
3. Value for money. At Php 4,500/pax, we had two exclusive vans for three days and two nights. We were fetched from Manila to Sagada and vice versa, with the tours in between. The payment was also inclusive of accommodations in Sagada and in Baguio.
4. Service. Aside from Kuya Chris who made sure that everything happened according to plan, our van drivers Kuya Jopay and Kuya Lito were also accommodating and funny. I appreciate how they coordinated with their walkie talkies inside their respective vans and how they made sure that we arrived at our destinations safe and sound. They even made a bonfire for us in Sagada!
5. More traveling options. Lakbay Pinas offers tour packages nationwide. The next time you plan to travel somewhere, don't hesitate to contact Kuya Chris at 09163052235, or through their Facebook like page. Tell them that you learned about Lakbay Pinas from the medical students from Cebu :)

This is only the introduction of our Banaue-Sagada-Baguio trip. Stay tuned for more!

Until the next adventure,

Dena

This is Kuya Chris' back, not mine. Obviously. Haha.