PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

PLM Business School

Department of Hospitality Management

ITM 0002 PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

______________________________________________________________________________

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

This chapter presents the major tourist destination areas of Cordillera Administrative Region. The major
discussions will be on access, health and safety issues, geographical characteristics, major attractions,
gastronomy, and distinctive cultural attributes of the region related to the development and promotion
of tourism in the Philippines.

Objectives

By the end of the chapter, students should be able to:

1. identify the different major attractions, activities, accommodations, and cultural highlights in the
provinces within the Cordillera Administrative Region;
2. create different tour packages that carry different types of tourism activities within the region;
and
3. assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the region in terms of the 4 As
of tourism.

Introduction

The Cordillera region encompasses most of the areas within the Cordillera Central mountain range of
Luzon, the largest range in the country. Baguio is its regional center. The Cordillera Administrative
Region include the provinces of:

 Abra;
 Apayao;
 Benguet;
 Ifugao;
 Kalinga; and
 Mountain Province.

1
Fast Facts

Capital Land Area Major Industries No. of Cities No. of Towns

(in hectares) and
Municipalities
Agriculture, Cottage,
Bamboo and Rattan
Abra Bangued 416,525 27
Craft, Weaving,
Embroidery
Agriculture, Furniture,
Apayao Kabugao 441,335 Garment Craft, Food 7
Processing
Agriculture, Tourism,
Benguet La Trinidad 282,659 Livestock, Woodcraft, 1 13
Loom Weaving, Mining
Agriculture, Trading,
Ifugao Lagawe 262,821 11
Manufacturing
Agriculture, Trade,
Kalinga Tabuk 323,125 Loom Weaving, Rattan, 1 7
Coffee Preprocessing
Agriculture, Furniture,
Mountain Bamboo and Rattan
Bontoc 215,738 10
Province Craft,
Handicrafts

A. Ports of Access

via MacArthur Highway,

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX),
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and
Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX)

2
By Land: Due to its geographic nature as the only landlocked region in the country, the Cordillera
Administrative Region is only accessible by land through the MacArthur Highway or via the
interconnected expressway systems from Manila, Ilocos Region, and Central Luzon Region. Regular bus
trips are offered by various companies from Manila to the provinces of CAR.

Getting Around: Private van and car rentals are available to move around the region as well as public
modes of transportation. One can take a bus to move from one province to the other or a jeepney and
tricycle to get around towns.

B. Attractions and Activities

3
C. Range of Accommodation

4
D. Food and Delicacies

5
E. Recommended Pasalubong

Pasalubong – Cordillera Administrative Region

 Organic Rice
 Strawberries
 Sundot Kulangot
 Choco Flakes
 Ube Crinkles
 Peanut Brittle
 Lengua de Gato
 Ube or Strawberry Jams
 Rice Wine
 Good Sheperd Products
 Kalinga Coffee
 Handmade Beads
 Handwoven Products
 Bamboo Products
 Wood and Stone Carvings

F. Festivals and Special Events

Abra

 Abrenian Kawayan Festival — (March 6-9) showcase of Bamboo as the major product in Abra.
 Arya Abra — (March 9) commemoration of the creation of the province in 1917.
 Tingguian Festival — (March) ethno-cultural celebration that features traditional dances, songs,
and rituals of the Tingguians.

Apayao

 Say-Am Festival — (March) a thanksgiving festival for bountiful harvest.

Benguet

 Strawberry Festival — (March 18-April 9) a showcase of the iconic product of Benguet,

strawberries.
 Adivay Festival — (November) celebration of unity and cooperation while promoting their
famed vegetable harvest.
 Panagbenga Festival — (February) a celebration of the season of different variety of flowers.

Ifugao

 Imbayah Festival — (April) annual wooden scooter racing event.

 Gotad Ad Festival — (June) showcase of their old cultures and traditions.

Kalinga

6
  Matagoan Festival — (June 16) cultural festival showcasing cultural practices of the eight sub-
tribes of Tabuk.
 Ullalim Festival — (February 13-16) a cultural festival showcasing the life and culture of Kalinga
through their traditional sports, crafts, and indigenous food.

Mountain Province

 Lang-ay Cultural Festival — (April 7) a cultural celebration showcasing the culture and tradition
of the province through their tribal dances and songs.

G. Major Cultural Groups

This region is home to numerous indigenous tribes collectively called the Igorot. Other indigenous
groups in the region include Apayao, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Kalinga, Isneg, Bontoc, and many more.

The Apayaos inhabit the northern part of the Cordillera mountains. The three generalized groupings (1)
Kabugao Mandaya Tawit; (2) Karawagan; and (3) Talifugu are riverine-oriented and practice slash-and
burn cultivation. The political structure is headed by individuals with high economic and leadership
distinction with a large kin following but the position is not inherited.

The Ifugao (Ifugaw, Ipugao, Ypugao, Hilipan, Quiangan) are world-famous for their spectacular rice
terraces especially in Mayaoyao and Banaue where entire mountainsides are sculpted like giant steps.
Agriculture is the main source of subsistence with its wet rice cultivation in the famous rice terraces, as
well as dry cultivation of other crops like sweet potato. The Ifugao has a complex indigenous religion
marked by that includes hundreds of deities and elaborate rituals that are celebrated within personal
and social events. One such celebration is the elevation of a couple to the rank of kadangyan which
includes the carving a special bench that signifies prestige—the hagabi.

The Ibaloi is a large ethnic group found in the Benguet province. Rice-terracing is also practiced in the
lower portions of the mountains reached by drainage systems. Animal husbandry practiced though meat
is traditionally limited to ritual consumption. The traditional community includes a council of elders
(tongtong) whose opinions are valued by the rich (baknang) and the poor (abitug). Ritual celebrations
are conducted which includes animal sacrifice, feasting, and use of fermented rice beer. The rich are
Interred in coffins after mummification in artificially made caves.

H. Major Industries

CAR's export products include ethnic wood carving and hand-woven materials. The mining industry also
continues to position the region as the highest contributor to the total gross value added of mining and
quarrying in the country. With regards to agricultural products, Cordillera is the best and primary source
of highland vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and other
greens. The region is also known for its aromatic coffees and strawberries. About 300 varieties of its
upland rice are exported to USA and Japan.

I. Languages/Dialects Spoken

Aside from Filipino and English, Ilocano, Kalinga, Ifugao, Iloko, Kankana-ey, and Ibaloi are also spoken.

7
SWOT Analysis for the Region

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Attractions

Access

Accommodations

Amenities

Regional and Provincial Slogans

Region/Province Current Slogan Used

Abra
Apayao
Benguet
Ifugao
Kalinga
Mountain Province

Guide Questions for Discussion

1. What are the major activities that can be done by tourists within the Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR)?
2. What rare attractions, activities, and flora and fauna exist in the Cordillera Administrative
Region?
3. If you are to design a package tour for the region, what kind of tours will you prepare and what
sites and attractions will you include?

Activity

Divide the class into two opposing teams, one in favor of and another team against this question:

Is Baguio undoubtedly the summer capital of the Philippines? Have each team assign three
spokespersons to come up with their arguments of why Baguio is or is NOT the only summer capital in

8
the Philippines. Tagaytay and some other places are also becoming popular summer destinations in the
country.

References and Additional Resources

Maria Criselda Gatchalian -Badilla, PhD. Philippine Tourism, Geography and Culture, 1 st. Edition. Rex
Bookstore