It was first week of 2016 and i was searching where to go for some weekend get away and i checked my list of my target places to visit then BUSCALAN here we come. I don't usually search too much about my target place i only checked if how safe the place is and some direction, i still leave some mystery...i message my cousin ginno and asked if he can joined me for some weekend adventure then he said yes..the next day i went to victory liner and bought our tickets..from manila to tabuk i really don't have any idea where tabuk is ha ha (exciting nga diba??!)as long as parte pa din sya ng mapa ng Pilipinas so go.. the important is we were schedule to leave on Saturday night.Good thing for night travel you were able to sleep and rest.Travel time is around 10-12 hours.
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| St.William's Cathedral |
GETTING THERE:
- Take a Tabuk City bound bus from Victory Liner Manila. Tabuk bound buses are available from Kamias station. Travel time is around 10-12 hours. Go down in front of St. William’s Cathedral in Tabuk.
- Once in Tabuk, take a bus or jeepney to Bontoc. Go down at Bugnay. Travel time is around 3-4 hours.
- From the jump-off,you will need to hike for around 30 minutes to an hour to reach the village proper.
- From Bugnay we were fetched by our guide (Gilbert)and we rode a single motorcycle going up to jump-off.
Be extra careful during the hike since you will be passing by cliffs. Falling is not an option. You may also want to swim at the waterfalls midway through the hike before the final assault to the village proper.
The hike wasn’t that difficult but it can be really tiring at the latter part.
we were constantly rewarded by awe-inspiring views that you could only get from being that high up in the mountains.
At the end of the hike, we came around a corner and were greeted with impressive views of rice terraces that we were only able to see from a distance earlier in the trail.
after a long walk Gilbert (guide)assisted and accompany us in his relative house to take some rest and eat our lunch.Aside from beautiful scenery you'll be aware that you were already in Buscalan if you'll experience the overflowing serving of famous Kalinga coffee.
I must say that my first sip of this Kalinga-produced coffee was smooth and delightful.The local villagers of Kalinga have vast coffee plantations and are known for their love for brewed coffee. Sipping a locally produced coffee blend is like a morning ritual to many people in the village.They have the view, the quiet morning, the coffee, and the cold weather,the kind of morning that most people in the urban areas could only dream of. let me warned everyone once you sip there coffee you'll never stop asking for more (ANG SARAP PROMISE)!
late afternoon Gilbert asked if we want to see there rice terraces. We made our way down to the terraces and straight in the middle of the bright green fields. It was a surreal experience being able to walk right through the rice terraces and we knew that something that surreal.
This could only mean one thing: we finally made it to BUSCALAN!
Greet some local and talked to them give them your genuine smile they don't understand Tagalog but your guide can translate.
main reason why we went to buscalan personally i really wanted to meet whang od read a lot about her and the story of butbut tribe,before we went to buscalan i texted Gilbert if it possible to have picture with whang od kahit na hindi kami magpatatoo and Gilbert said yes,before we went to visit the fields as expected a lot of tourist were already lined up so its not possible to disturb her just for a picture so we decided to visit the rice fields first then after we went back at the village Gilbert our guide accompany us to whang od house and we were surprised she was seating resting and Gilbert talked to her and translate us that she was really tired cause a lot of people asking for her tattoo we thought that we were not be able to have picture with her but we were wrong she even asked Gilbert if me and my cousin were a couple and i answered no!magpinsan po kami and then whang od asked my cousin if he is a girl maybe she thoughts then i laugh so hard as in tawang tawa ako that was the time i saw whang od smiling i saw a person who is genuinely beautiful inside and out. I'm a bit sad cause she keep on complaining to Gilbert that she really tired while touching her arm imagine a 98 yrs old awake early in the morning just to entertained a lot of tourist for a tattoo,then we went close to her for some picture i was happy cause she put her arm to my shoulder while smiling for picture i felt the kindness of her heart after that i told her maraming salamat apo (apo means lola) then she smiled again.we were lucky enough we had the chance to meet whang od personally.
When traveling, you get the opportunity to meet different people from different places. In life, one of the most important social skills we learn is how to interact and communicate with people who are different than we are.
at around 6 am we woke up early to prepare to go back to manila my cousin and i agreed to try the Bontoc-Baguio-Manila route so we can compare.
on the way to jump-off point for a jeepney ride going to Bontoc.
The reason why i travel is because i love adventure.wherever i will go,i will make memories of my adventure which will last a lifetime.I can relive the enjoyment again and again as i look back on the great adventure i had when traveling.
Traveling and interacting with a variety of people can help build or boost self-confidence since ideas and opinions are able to be more clearly expressed,shared and understood.
NOTE TO EVERYONE
Different cultures exist everywhere,as an individual,its our duty to respect the culture of the people we visit.In Buscalan you will temporary disconnected to the real world,no cellphone signal.Enjoy your stay,learned their culture, understand their beliefs.Experiencing different culture can be enlightening and educational.Learning others life and customs deepens our understanding of ourselves and to others.It teaches us RESPECT.
if you're planning to visit Buscalan you can contact Gilbert (guide)09084792012 i personally recommend him he is not like any other guide that will leave you when you reach the village,he will personally assist you to anything you need and will tour you around the village. he will make sure you will leave Buscalan happy :)
- Guide fee 1000 (standard fee its good for 5 person)
- home stay 250/person
- our food is free (kasama namin kumain ang family host namin masaya sila kasama)
- overflowing coffee (free)
Gilbert told us no need to bring anything for the locals especially to kids no need to bring candies nasasanay daw kasi ang mga taga village hindi daw po dapat ganun :)
