Bauko’s Begnas fest promotes trek sites, watershed protection

by Gina Dizon 

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- Hiking enthusiasts will be delighted with Bauko’s call to trek its friendly and challenging peaks and experience breathtaking views of adjacent municipalities- Sagada, Bontoc, Sabangan and the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Quirino and Abra. A climb to Mount Polis was launched March 8 as a preliminary activity during the conduct of the Begnas Festival from March 13-15, 2014.

For this vegetable producing municipality of Mountain Province reaching an elevation of 3,152 masl, Bauko is bounded on the south by Buguias, Benguet and Ifugao Hungduan; on the north by  Besao and Sagada; on the east by Sabangan and on the west by Tadian. 

Mount Polis located at Bagnen Oriente located north of Bauko, is one of many trekking sites of  the mountainous town of Bauko among others including Mount Nintengley at Bagnen Proper and Mount Bandilaan at Monamon Sur.

Mount Polis peak reaching 1,829 meters above sea level overlooks the barangays of lower Bauko and municipalities of nearby Sagada, Bontoc, and Sabangan. The towering mountain rewards the trekker with refreshing views of Bontoc on the eastern side and proportional heights of Mt Kalawitan located in Sabangan municipality.

Tourists from adjacent Sagada reach Mount Polis by taking route at southern Suyo to Nacagang then Data- Sabangan to Bauko taking routes Bagnen-Gutang- Balintoogan and on to Mount Polis and vice versa.  This route presents a promising inter-municipal trekking link between Sagada and Bauko.

Nearby Mount Polis is Mount Nintingley with its rich vegetation and higher in elevation than Mount Polis. From the tip of the mountain one can view part of Ilocos Sur and the China Sea.

An exposure to the rich biodiversity of nature while also getting rejuvenated with the breath of fresh air is an experience to hiking in open spaces and mossy sections of the mountain reaching an elevation of 1,861 masl rewarding views of Bauko and Tadian municipalities.

In Bagnen where locates both Nintengley and Polis, one finds the Spanish Trail then used by the Spaniards in their 1800s expedition in the Mountain Province.  Spanning a six hour hiking time, the trail starts at barangay Tadian Proper passing through the environs of Bagnen- Bauko to Sagada presenting a tri-municipal trekking link of Sagada, Tadian and Bauko.

Watershed protection is a priority program of the municipality led by Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit, former regional director of the National Irrigation Authority. Zealous of watershed preservation, Akilit does not favor the construction of access roads to mountain slopes saying roads shall lessen the natural beauty and biodiversity of the forests. Bauko boasts of breathtaking views reached by trekking the slopes of  its rolling hills and towering peaks.

North of Bauko offers great viewpoints. At Balintaugan which can be reached via Sagada or via Bagnen, the site presents expansive views of neighboring Sagada, Besao and Tadian. One may also enjoy sight-seeing at Dap-ay view point showing a look at the legendary Sleeping Beauty of Tinglayan, Kalinga and historical Tirad Pass of Cervantes and Sagada.

Further down Bagnen is  Bila, the land of traditional pottery. The rich biodiversity of the place spans 20 hectares of rice paddies located in the north central part of the municipality. Trekking rolling hills leads to the gentle rice terraces of Pandey and Incadang.

Rice is a traditional crop grown mostly in the northern and central part of the town while southern places grow mostly vegetables brought to neighboring places of Mountain Province, La Trinidad Benguet and Manila.

Trekkers  would be more challenged to try  Mt. Bandilaan located south at Monamon reaching an elevation of 2,365 meters above sea level taking two hours to reach the peak passing through mossy forests. Wild flora and species are found including giant pitcher plants. From Mt. Bandilaan peak, one can see the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Quirino and Abra.

Monamon offers a rich biodiversity of nature being the headwaters of the mighty Chico River with waters reaching as far as Cagayan and Ilocos. The mountainous terrains of Bauko along with neighboring Sabangan cradle the watersheds of the mighty river which feeds irrigation water  to the lowlands of TabukKalinga, Isabela and Cagayan Region on to the Ilocos.

A trek on the slopes of Bandilaan peak equally meets cool waters of Paradise Falls running an estimated height of 200 meters. One may be contented with a dip at Mosgok falls after trekking other friendly sites like Kabikaan Trail at Monamon. Nearby Monamon is the enchanting Mallanas Falls located in the middle of Miligan rice terraces at Sadsadan village.

Central Bauko while it is the crossroad of commerce is not devoid of nature and traditional culture. The crossroads at Abatan offers Kamanbaay viewpoint where one gets views of Abatan and neighboring mountains. A dip at Payangapang falls is a rewarding dip from trekking rolling terrains of Bauko,Poblacion. It is of interesting note that Kankanaeys here practice rituals at the sacred ‘papatayan’ with wide spreading branches where elders say rituals of good harvest, good health and longevity

Nearby Abatan is vegetable-producing Banao where locates Suysuyan viewpoint rich with  temperate winds blowing  rightly named  coined from  ‘suysuy’ locally meaning breezy.

Nearby Banao finds Bukingking Falls at Guinzadan ideal for swimming and picnics. One may also trek Torre view deck and see invigorating sites of the rice terraces of Guinzadan.

A place rich with natural resources  providing livelihood to its 23,379 people, threats of forest burning and logging puts the natural resource into uncertainty. Mayor Akilit wants to maintain symbiotic relationship of forests, water, and crop production and the town and its people sustained of harmonious livelihood with biodiversity.

The three- day festive event launches the town’s program, Gameng ya Katagoan at the open gym  to promote Bauko’s finest products including the popular juice wines, coffee Arabica  and organic veggies.

Akilit said some 150 organic farmers are cultivating organic farming and shall eventually let other farmers to practise organic farming. This vegetable town produces tons of vegetables supplying the country with green fresh vegetables with neighbouring veggie producing town of Buguias, Benguet. 

The opening day  on March 13  begins the parade participated by municipal and barangay officials, members of  national line agencies, veterans, civil society organizations, senior citizens,  school drums and lyre groups. Mayor  Akilit shall deliver the welcome remarks followed by  a message from  the guest speaker Philippine vice president Jejomar Binay.

Solidarity messages shall be delivered led by League of Mayors of the Philippines-Mountain Province Chapter president and Sabangan mayor Donato Danglose followed by a unity gong and dance led by Akilit  and chairmen  of the  22 barangays of Bauko.

The second day witnesses the message of  the festival’s  guest speaker Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Purificacion Molintas preceeded by welcome remarks from vice mayor Simon Lacwasan. The third day of the event is graced by  a message from  Mountain Province congressman Maximo Dalog who traces his roots from Bila, Bauko. 

Competitions among school delegates cap the second day to  include contests on folkdance, ballroom dance, and literary-musical performances. Cultural dance competitions shall be held  on the third day participated by delegates from  the 22 barangays. Ballgames and  indigenous games are conducted on the second and third days  of the event.