Bontoc 20180628
I had driven Luzon - Mindanao by land last 2017, however visiting Bontoc in the Mountain Province is a different story. To all riders, the road of Baguio - Bontoc Highway, popularly known today as Halsema Highway can bring thrilling memories to everyone.
Horrifying for some and challenging for a lot of drivers, Halsema highway was once announced to be one of the most dangerous highway in the world. Risky because of landslides and falling rocks, going to Bontoc is hazardous to every traveler. Thanks to DPWH for improving the national highway that is now accessible and safe for travelers.
I have been to mountain province numerous times already but my journey to Bontoc is somehow intimidating because i am anticipating to drive it by night. In full alert with lots of prayers we arrived around 9pm at the DPWH highest point in the town of Atoc, Benguet. We were supposed to do our overnight stay at Mt. Data Hotel, unfortunately the hotel is closed and there were no more accommodation along the way. Extremely foggy, I decided to take the challenge and arrived at Bontoc's town proper around 11 in the evening.
Bontoc, with its 16 barangay is a 2nd class municipality and the capital of Mountain Province, known to many as the gateway landmark to reach other towns like Sagada, Banaue and Kalinga province is a sleeping town and discreetly remote to other tourists. We were able to visit their Museum, where they showcase old artifacts and photos of the Bontoc Tribes. Rich in their historic stories Bontoc is a place to visit to understand and to know more about the lives of our ancestors who lived in the mountain province particularly in the northern Luzon area.
Another good activity to do is to dip in and visit Barangay Mainit for its therapeutic sulfuric hot water. Unfortunately, we weren't able to pass by Mainit due to the road construction and were only able to take a good panoramic photo of Bontoc's town proper. Few kilometers away from the road going Mainit are secluded areas of Barangay Maligcong where you can discover Bontoc's hidden rice terraces. More or less 30min with extremely stiff passage road we had arrived at Suzzette Homestay to gather information about the town.
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After our quick visit at Maligcong and upon tasting the unli-coffee at Suzzette's Homestay our curiosity to find for the rich flavored coffee led us to Coffee Heritage House in Sagada, we stayed for another day to know more about the livelihood of the town and what Sagada thinks about their corresponding neighbor, Bontoc. From the stories I have heard, Sagada is a self spoken province for tourist to visit, while Bontoc lacks expression to other tourists. If I can only suggest, Bontoc has a big potential to cater tourists who seek information, they could provide heritage village and gather different tribes to demonstrate their culture. Bontoc, like Sagada is a town to visit. It will surely feed everyone's curiosity about our ancestors who lived long in the mountains.
© by Don A. Clavo de Comer