Bontoc Things to Do

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I was just wandering around the town when I spotted this church...from the church's grounds is the view of the mountains that sorround the town. Going inside, I noticed come interesting paintings located at the right side of the church.

Every April, tribes from the different municipalities in Mt. Province are gathered to participate in the celebration of the Lang-Ay Festival. Unlike the other festivals in the Philippines, the delegates here are dressed in their native/authentic attire as they go around town dancing with pride. The audience are expected to appreciate the real-life celebratory dances performed by the tribes as they offer thanksgiving to their gods for the blessings of good and bountiful harvest.

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The Episcopalian Church of Bontoc built the All Saints' Cathedral from generous donations of patrons. The church is made of native stone gathered from the Chico River and cut by local stonemasons from Mainit town who generously told the priests that they were willing to work for less than their usual pay because it is for the church and their community.

One of the best features of the church other than the backdrop of the altar is the circular stained glass on its facade. It features an Igorot family surrounded by figures depicting various professions all looking up to the figure of Jesus Christ.

If you are driving to Bontoc from Banaue or vice versa be sure to stop at the Bay-yo View Deck and enjoy the Bay-yo rice terraces. It is smaller than the other rice terraces but its location is very picturesque and worth some photographs! :D

The weather is also cooler there than in Bontoc.

It is best to visit the Malegcong Rice Terraces during May and maybe early June when the plants are well-established already. I visited it over Easter this year and was told that the weather have been too dry that the planting of upland rice have been delayed.

It is easy enough to get there as there is a regular run of PUJ plying the route Malegcong-Bontoc. It takes about 30 minutes uphill driving and another 45 min walk to the village on top of the mountain.

The main street of town of Bontoc is lined on both sides by shoplots. From far, you can see the misty mountains. As this is only a stopover for us, we did not venture far out of the town - just had our breakfast in one of the shops and then walk about the town area..

See pictures of town on my travelogue..

This is a little tricky to find. The museum is located on the grounds of the St. Vincent elementary school. You will notice the unique building-replicas of Ifugao, Sagada and Bontoc dwellings. The small museum has an unique collection of Igorot crafts and everyday items. There are some beautiful antique Chinese bowls and plates. There are headhunting remains, such as a human jaw bone, which was used as handles for their gongs, drums and cymbal type instruments. There are interesting, but very disturbing photographs of head hunting victims. On the museum grounds, there is a small living museum that consists of replicas of tribe dwellings. There is even a traditional pig pen with two live pigs. On the grounds there is a small gift shop.

Bontoc is the place to base yourself to go trekking to the Maligcong Rice Terraces. These rice terraces differ from the ones in Banaue as they were constructed with stones that have been piled atop one other.