KT in Kalinga: Tinglayan’s Treasures

2 05 2011

text | Carla Ocampo

photography | Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle

.

Kalinga‘s terrain is marked by vast agricultural plains framed by mountain ranges of igneous and sedimentary rock. On these ranges, extensive rice terraces have been carved out by human hands, a Filipino Cordilleran legacy admired the world over.

The inner part of the province, meanwhile, is carved by the force of Nature itself. The Chico River, meandering across Kalinga, sliced through the mountain sides for millions of years, gradually forming a picturesque river valley.

Today, tucked within this river valley is the tribal municipality of Tinglayan. Lower in elevation compared to Kalinga’s other municipalities, a visitor can expect warm, humid days here. Expect, as well, days full of memorable adventures amidst strikingly beautiful gray-and-green panoramas. Team KT proudly brings you the particulars. Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Alternative Education, Festivals, Mountains, People, Travel and Adventure, Waterscapes

KT in Kalinga: Tabuk Basics

30 04 2011

text  |  Carla Ocampo

photography  |  Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle

.

Largely in partnership with the Living Asia Channel, The Kayumanggi Trails has penetrated one of the more storied parts of the Philippine Cordilleras: the province of Kalinga.

Befuddled local tourists who might still be sticking to what they remember from elementary geography could say Kalinga Apayao, but here’s the tale: in 1995, Valentine’s Day… then-president Fidel Ramos signed Republic Act 7878 which bifurcated the territory into the separate provinces of Kalinga AND Apayao.

(“bifurcated” word borrowed from the Cordillera DILG. Another day of higher learning. Rakenrol!)

On the urgency of this territorial parting, we quote KT friend and true-blue Cordilleran lady May “Adit” Butoy, “It really made sense to separate them because the two have distinct peoples and cultures.” Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Alternative Education, Mountains, People, Travel and Adventure, Waterscapes

KT in Kalinga: Outsider’s Guide to Kalinga Sensibilities

27 04 2011

text | Carla Ocampo

photography | Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle

.

A story goes that once, among the highlands of the Philippines’ Gran Cordilleras, a people of great might and grim ferocity gradually became known to their neighbors as the KALINGA.

The name was not in any way cordial. KALINGA, to the different tongues of this region, had meant “headhunter,” or “enemy.”

Through the years, the Kalinga have come to accept this badge with uncompromising pride; the name is a reminder of their days of legend, when justice for every vanquished kin was delivered by the blow of an axe, or the flight of the spear of brothers out to redeem their family’s honor. Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 13 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Alternative Education, Festivals, Food, Mountains, People, Travel and Adventure


%d bloggers like this: