Smart Backpacker: Banaue

A heritage site is a location designated by the governing body of a township, county, province, state or country as important to the cultural heritage of a community (from Wikepedia).

These are the heritage houses that I have visited in the Philippines.

1. Vigan Heritage Houses, Ilocos Sur

from pagudpud.olx.com.ph

The City of Vigan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 due mostly to the fact that the place has been carefully preserved.

At present, Old Asian and Spanish architecture and the famous cobblestoned street of Calle Crisologo are well preserved.

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/ilocos-sur-experience.html

2. Heritage City of Silay, Negros Occidental

Hofilena Heritage House

The Hofileña Heritage House was the first ancestral house in Silay City, Negros Occidental to open its doors to the public in 1962.

Visits to the Hofileña house is by appointment, Tel. no. (034) 495 4561.

I was able to talk to the owner of the house (Mr. Ramon Hofilena) while he was throwing garbage early in the morning and he allowed me to tour the house.

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/heritage-houses-in-silay-city.html
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html

3. The Ancestral Houses in Sabtang, Batanes

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-captivating-and-stunning-beauty-of.html

4. Heritage Town of Taal, Batangas

I simply love my home province!

picture was taken in Batad, Banaue Rice Terraces

The Banaue Rice Terraces is a product of the Ifugao's agricultural engineering. It was proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and cited as the “priceless contribution of Philippine ancestors to humanity.”

Worthy of mention are the heritage houses in Intramuros in Manila and the heritage houses in Marinduque and Mauban, Quezon.

I have to admit that I am not a professional mountaineer!

In fact, I have never had the opportunity of doing a 2-3 day trekked in the mountain.

I even hate ascending in the mountain because of my weight. I have difficulty holding on to the rocks using my left hand due to a shoulder injury.

And I easily get tired trekking...

But these shortcomings never stopped me from still enjoying some of the mountains in the Philippines.

The first mountain that I trekked was way back when I was still a teenager. During the holy week. My friends and I were in the habit of going to Dolores, Quezon and spend our holy week in Dolores. During those days, there were thousands of pilgrims spending their time in the so-called "holy place."

After so many years, I ended up climbing mountains anew but for a different purpose. I want to climb Mt. Pulag and Mt. Apo. These are the spots I want to trek!

Here follows the mountains I have trekked -

Mt. Banahaw (2,109 meters) has many
features like waterfalls, caves, and springs.

The jump-off point is at Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon and other jump-off points
are Lucban and Tayabas, Quezon.

The actual climb can be classified from moderate to strenuous.

It will take you 2-3 days to reach the summit.

I climbed it three times when I was still young.

Banaue Rice Terraces (2,702 meters) is known as the 8th wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The jump-off point is in Ifugao Province. The hike is easy and the duration varies depending on the trekker's pace.

I climbed it once.

Mt. Kanlaon (2,438 meters)

The jump-off point is in Kanlaon City, 102 km from Bacolod, Negros Occidental and 167 km from Dumaguete. It has twin craters, one active and the other extinct.

I made only a partial ascent.

Mt. Samat in Bataan

Heroic place where the last stand was made during World War II.

I climbed it once only.

Mt. Maculot (947 meters) is located in Cuenca, Batangas and can be trekked in one day.

The climb was made last August, 2012.

Mt. Makiling (1,147 meters) in Los Banos, Laguna. The climb is easy to moderate.

-
I climbed it three times already.

Mt. Pinatubo (1,740 meters before eruption) is trekked using the Capas, Tarlac trail. You need only one day to reach the crater.

I climbed it once and I want to trek it again.

Taal Volcano (311 meters) in Talisay, Batangas. The trek is easy and can be done in one day.

It is the lowest active volcano in the world.

But first you to ride a boat to reach the jump-off point.

Then, reaching the jump-off point, you can either trek it by foot or ride a horse.

I tried to ride horse this time.

Then, after the 20-30 minute horse ride, you will reach the crater.

Mt. Tapias Viewdeck, Coron, Palawan

Climbing a mountain has its memorable moments.

When you are at the top of the mountain, the sight is simply breathtaking.. =)

Sagada, Mountain Province

Related links -
Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html