21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (CAR)

FACTS ABOUT CAR

 Cordillera- a name given by the Spanish Conquistadors when they first saw the mountain ranges. Meaning
"knotted rope", the Spanish term refers to the jumbled rolls and dips of this long- range traversing the
northern part of Luzon Island.

 Cordillera Central- is a massive mountain range situated in the northern central part of the island of Luzon,
in the Philippines.

 Cordillerans ('people from the mountains')- group of indigenous people of Cordillera. They are called as
“Igorot”.

 The region is dubbed as the “Watershed Cradle of North Luzon”

NATIVE DELICACIES

1. Lechon de Abra, similar with others, proudly have its crispy skin. However, it is still different with other
lechon in the country. It is prepared with thinly sliced leaves and seasoned with lots of garlic, salt, and
pepper.

2. Sinuman and Patupat are the local version of rice cakes in Abra. The taste is even comparable to a world-
class dessert! Sinuman is a triangular-shaped rice cake that is served as it is. Patupat on the other hand is
served with muscovado sugar.

3. Pinikpikan is a common soup dish among the provinces in the Cordillera Region. However, instead of
using native chicken, Apayao's version of Pinikpikan found its taste with native ducks. It is much more
tastier and gives a much stronger soupy taste according to the locals.

4. Cinafa’y Feclat - Roast Snake. Same as CINAFA'Y FANIYAS. Style copied entirely from the Late Daniel
Ayochok. The leaves required here are found only in the Cordillera Mountain Ranges.

FESTIVALS

1. Panagbenga Festival Panagbenga / Baguio Flower Festival which is celebrated in February. The
festival focuses on Baguio as the Flower Garden City of the North. Highlights include flower exhibits,
lectures, garden tours, floral competition and a parade of floats.

2. Matagoan Festival Tabuk Matagoan Festival which features G-String marathon (runners wear G-String
only), cultural dances and songs. The festival showcases the different products of tabuk coming from the
different parts of Kalinga such as the aromatic Kalinga coffee.

3. Adivay Festival Adivay Festival in Benguet which means "coming together of people to celebrate" is
celebrated every month of November. The month-long activities highlights the Agro-industrial and trade fair
which showcase the different products of Benguet.

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PROVINCES OF CAR

A. ABRA PROVINCE

- Capital: Bangued

- Known as the "Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines“ Natural dyes arASe extracted from the barks, leaves,
fruits, and roots of these plants, and used to color food, beverages, textiles, cosm etics, furniture, and
pharmaceutical products.

TOURIST SPOTS

1. Don Mariano Marcos Bridge along the Abra Kalinga National Road - third longest bridge in the
Philippines.

2. Don Teodoro Brillantes Family Museum It is a private museum which houses the collections and
mementos of the Brillantes family with a strong manifestation of the Spanish culture.

3. Abra River - This is the biggest, longest and most popular river among the numerous rivers criss-crossing
the valleys of the province. It is where all rivers and streams congregate together. This is a perfect place for
swimming and fishing.

B. APAYAO PROVINCE

- Capital: Kabugao

- Dubbed as “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness.” Here, underground rivers, majestic waterfalls,
magnificent lakes hug a unique land that is replete with captivating caves, picture-pretty parks, and exotic
wildlife.

TOURIST SPOTS

1. Apayao River the unpolluted waters of Apayao River render fish and wildlife visible along its banks. Along
the river can be found an array of picture-pretty waterfalls that are varying in sizes. Traversing six Apayao
municipalities, from Calanasan to Luna, Apayao River is navigable by.

2. The Lussok Crystal Cave is located in Luna, Apayao Philippines. It is a perfect example of the beauty of
the natural wonders of the country. With its 3 room cave that holds various stalagmite formations, it’s a
must see for anyone visiting Apayao

C. BENGUET PROVINCE

- Capital: La Trinidad

- Benguet is the homeland of several tribes, collectively referred to as the Igorot.

- The highland province is known as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines due to its huge production of upland
vegetables.

- Well-known for its mummy caves which contain naturally mummified bodies.
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D. BAGUIO CITY

- An Independent city within Benguet. Regional Center of CAR . Founded by the Americans in 1900 at the site
of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. The name of the city is derived from the word bagiw in Ibaloi meaning
“Moss”

TOURIST SPOTS

1. BEGBEG BURIAL CAVE it is a potential natural attraction found in Wangal. This is also a burial cave of
the ancestors of the community residents. It is for viewing only.

2. ROSE GARDEN AND CUT FLOWERS This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La
Trinidad. The tourist can indulge themselves in the scent of the variety of roses and colors of flowers, from
deep red to pink, yellow, lavender and the pristine white of Malaysian mums. Some 90% of harvests of the
different farms are sent down to Manila by refrigerated vans. The rest are sold in the local market and in
the City of Baguio.

3. STRAWBERRY FIELDS This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. The

town earned for itself a place in the Guinness World Book of Records by producing the largest "strawberry
shortcake" which weighs 9.6 tons and feeds more or less 50,000 guest and residents. Strawberry picking by
hand is allowed by some farmers in the area.

E. KALINGA PROVINCE

- Capital: Tabuk

- Declared as the Whitewater Rafting Capital of North Philippines. Dubbed as the Prince of the Highlands.

- The name Kalinga is derived from the Ibanag and Gaddang "Kalinga" which means "headhunters." In the
past, headhunting was considered noble and it symbolizes bravery. Tatoos, a status symbol which men
respect and which women admire, are given to warriors as reward. Thus a "mingol" or warrior enjoys a high
status in Kalinga society.

TOURIST SPOTS

1. Aguinaldo Hill - is located at Barangay Asibanglan-Pinukpuk Road at Allaguia junction. This hill was used
as a common post by Gen, Aguinaldo during the Philippine-American war.

2. Sungang View Point - the viewpoint affords a majestic view of the valleys villages and mountains of
Tinglayan, Tanudan, Tabuk and Lubuagan. A very good view of the Tulgao and Dananao Rice Terraces can
be seen at the view point.

3. Rice Terraces - rice terraces at Barangay Tulgao, Tinglayan, 14 kilometers from the National Highway
Road could be reached by vehicle. The barangay road was constructed by Father Gilbert Obin, a catholic
missionary assigned in Tinglaya. It offers a better panoramic view of the rice terraces and the sprawling
villages of the different barangays of Tinglayan.

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F. MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

- Capital Bontoc

- Known as the “Weaver’s Paradise” due to the presence of various weaving centers. This was a province that
practiced the traditional parliamentary/participatory form of governance as evidenced by the presence of the
Dap-ay/Ato, a traditional form of governance led by the respected elders in the community.

- Known for hanging coffins.

- Formerly dubbed as " La Montanosa"  by Spanish administrators for its mountainous terrain, Mt. Province lies
in the heart of the Grand Cordillera, known to be the Philippine's biggest and highest chain of mountains. 

TOURIST SPOTS

1. Rizal Memorial Plaza (Bontoc) - found at the heart of the capital town. The statue of Dr. Jose Rizal stands
towering the plaza which serves as a good respite and also as a playground and meeting venue for
programs and other gatherings.

2. Caves/Hanging Coffins - feature shimmering underground streams with golden or silvery stalactite and
stalagmite formations and cool nature pools inside.

3. Mount Clitoris (Tadian) - formerly Mount Mogao is a conical shaped and stands proudly over 3 villages. It
is considered as sacred and appears serene and solemn at dusk or dawn.
Chico River Panoramic View - the mountain tops and mountain sides provide panoramic/scenic viewing of the
winding Chico River meandering through ricefields, rocks and sand as well as good vantage points to humble
dwelling of the villagers.

G. IFUGAO PROVINCE

- Capital: Lagawe

- Ifugao is home to a thriving ancient culture and host to the famous rice terraces.

- The Ifugao is a group that lives in a mountainous region of north-central Luzon around the of town Banaue.
Also known as the Ifugaw, Ipugao, Yfugao, they are former headhunters who are famous for their spectacular
mountain-hugging rice terraces.

- Ifugao name means "inhabitant of the known world." Many of the older Ifugao continue to live as their
ancestors did. Some men still wear loincloths; and thea practice of headhunting was given up only a few
decades ago.

TOURIST SPOTS

1. Banaue Rice Terraces Dubbed as the "Eight Wonder of the World," the Banaue Rice Terraces start from
the base of the mountain range and reach up to several thousand feet high. It is said that their length, put
end to end, would encircle half of the globe

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2. Philippine War Memorial Shrine The enormous memorial shrine was built to commemorate the end of
World War II. A concrete pyramid-type structure that resembles an oversized Ifugao native house, it depicts
historical events, from Filipino opposition to Spanish rule to the Death March, and the role of the Ifugao and
American troops in the defeat of General Yamashita.

REPRESENTATIVE LITERARY TEXT OF CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

1. Aliguyon
- used as collective designations for the native peoples of the Cordillera.
Examples of the Cordillera epic poetry are The Harvest Song of Aliguyon (Ifugao) and The Heroic Exploits of
Banna (Kalinga).

- Ritual myth, recited by mediums, meant to explain the origin of the particular rituals and how these rituals
should be conducted.

- A mythical figure known both for wealth and prowess.

- It is sung: during the wake for the member of the upper class, at weeding time when women work the rice
fields, and during the harvest season.

- A harvest song because it is sung more often than not during harvest

- Only women can sing, with a soloist (sings all the parts that pertain to the story itself) and chorus ( serves as
occasional commentator on what is presented in the narrative) singing alternately

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