US couple finds peace in Sagada, shares talents

SAGADA, Mountain Province – An American couple has found peace and quiet in rustic and cool Bangaan here, saying they may settle in the barangay for good.

“The numerous pine trees and pine scented fresh air encouraged us to live in here. It is like Alabama, USA, our hometown,” said Lester Stewart.

Because they have no children to look after, they learned to love the elementary pupils as their kids so they set up a children’s library through donations from friends abroad. They are also procuring books for adults.

Terry is now a voluntary English teacher at the Banga-an Elementary School.

Lester was a former US army but retired due to a hearing problem. Both husband and wife had also been teachers in Taiwan and Thailand before they set foot in this famous tourist town.

Lester said that sometime in 2005, he and his wife wanted to live in Banaue town in Ifugao where the 8th wonder of the world was located.

Despite the rice terraces and other tourist attractions, they said they place did not meet their criteria so they traveled further west to Sagada (around five hours ride by land from Banaue) and met retired Anglican priest Moreno Tuguinay and his wife Julie who recommended they settle in the northern part of Sagada.

The little place, according to Lester, is the best place because it is like their home place Alabama with lots of pine trees, friendly and hospitable and the usual music they hear are country songs. -- Francis B. Degay