Sagada is a town or municipality nestled in the Cordillera mountain ranges of Northern Luzon, Philippines.
Profile of the town
Location –> Mountain Province, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Neighboring towns –> Bontoc, Sabangan, Bauko, and Besao (See map below.)
No. of barangays –> 19 with Patay (Poblacion) as the largest.
Area –> 83.32 km2 (32.17 sq mi)
Population –> 11,127 (2015 Census)
Langauge –> Kankana-ey
Religion –> Episcopalian (Anglican Communion), Roman Catholic
Topography –> Mountainous
Climate –> Subtropical highland climate with average daily temperature of below 21 degrees Celsius. Rainy months start late May to October, cool months with some rains from November to February, warm months from March to early May
Industries –> Agriculture (Rice farming, Vegetable, coffee, and fruit Production), Tourism, Weaving, Furniture, and Handicraft making
Government Officials
Go here to see the elected municipal officials of Sagada.
Places to Visit
1. Hanging Coffins at Echo Valley
2. Kiltepan Peak – best place to watch the magnificent sunrise
3. Bomod-ok Waterfall
4. Bokong Waterfall
5. Sumaguing Cave – considered as the deepest cave in the Philippines and only the brave dare to go inside.
6. Lumiang Cave
7. Loko-ong Crystal Cave
8. Balangagan Cave
9. Sugong Cave
10. Latang and Matang Caves
11. Lake Danum
12. Sagada Rice Terraces
13. Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Episcopalian)
14. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (Catholic)
15. St. Joseph Church (Catholic)
16. Ganduyan Museum
17. Marlboro Mountain
18. Mount Ampacao
19. Pongas Waterfall
Where to Stay in Sagada (Hotels and Homestays)
1. Aniduwan Lodge & Breakfast
2. Bagalima Inn
3. Billy’s House
4. Davey’s Inn and Restaurant
5. Ganduyan Inn
6. George Guest House
7. Igorot Inn
8. Jean Guesthouse
9. Kanip-aw Pines Lodge
10. Kenlibed Inn
11. Kinmot’s Residence
12. Ligaya’s Cottages
13. Lodge Labanet
14. Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant
15. Mapiya-aw Pension
16. Misty Lodge and Cafe
17. Rock Inn and Cafe
18. Rocky Valley Inn and Cafè
19. Sagada Forest Lodge
20. Sagada Green Hills lodge and hotel
21. Sagada Heritage Village
22. Sagada Homestay
23. Sagada Sunrise View Homestay with Sea of Clouds and Mountain Views
24. Saint Joseph Resthouse
25. SEE TOO VILLE – Nature Lodge Sagada
26. The Rusty Nail Inn and Cafe
27.Treasure Rock Inn & Restobar
Where to Eat in Sagada
Aside from the in-house restaurants of the above hotels and lodges, try out the following eating places:
1. Yoghurt House – a traditional family restaurant
2. Caja Pizza, Sagada
3. Happy House Restaurant
4. Dalikan Restaurant
5. Gaia Cafe and Crafts
6. Ramyun Restaurant and Bar
7. Sagada Bistro
8. Pinikpikan Haus
*Note: Pinikpikan is the most popular chicken delicacy of the Igorots. Prior to cooking, the chicken is slowly killed by beating it with a stick or whatever hard object. Then it is put on fire until all the feathers are burned. The coagulated blood and burned skin give a particular taste that is well-loved by the locals. It is usually cooked with lots of water to provide soup for everyone. Sometimes, ginger and other vegetables are included to add flavor.
How to Get There
There are two routes if you are coming from Manila or Clark in Pampanga, the Baguio route and the Banaue route. From Baguio, take a bus or van going to Bontoc then take a jeepney going to Sagada. From Banaue, take a jeepney going to Bontoc then take another jeepney to reach Sagada.
Some Tips on Traveling to Sagada
* Best time to visit Sagada is from November to February because it’s cool and typhoons are usually absent. Summer time (April and early May) is peak season and hotels are full and the place is crowded.
* If you go there on the cool months, make sure to bring with you sweaters and even bonnets.
* Bring cash because the available ATM machines are oftentimes not working.
History of Sagada
Sagada is part of the vast Cordillera areas that did not come under Spanish influence. Legend has it that the first inhabitant of the town was named Biag who came all the way from Ilocos Sur. The name Sagada, also according to legend, was derived from a water container that a man was carrying. When he was approached by Spanish visitors and asked him what is name of the next place, he mentioned Sagada thinking they were inquiring about what he was carrying. (Source: DILG-CAR)
On consecrated on December 8, 1921, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin was consecrated.
Festivals in Sagada
1. Etag Festival – celebrated from January 30 to February 2 to commemorate a culture and tradition called “Panag-etag”
2. Begnas Festival – celebrated as a thanksgiving for bountiful harvest
3. Bonfire or Panag-apoy Festival – celebrated during the first week of November to coincide with All Soul’s Day.
Go here to see more tourist spots in Mountain Province.
References:
Except as indicated, all photos above are screenshots of the following Videos
1. GMA Good News: Sagada kay ganda
2. LexGo
3. Noahvde
Websites:
Festivals in Sagada
Facebook Page
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Great post 😁