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Cordillera Administrative Region, officially designated as CAR, is an administrative region in the Philippines
occupying the northern-central section of Luzon. It covers 6 provinces, namely, Abra, Apayao, Benguet,
Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, as well as 1 highly urbanized city. The regional center is the City of
Baguio.
It is bordered on the East by the Cagayan Valley, and West by the Ilocos Region.
CAR has 75 municipalities and 2 cities. It has a land area of 18,293.70 square kilometers of mostly
mountainous terrain.
From Ormoc City you can ride a bus to go to Manila. The nearest airport to Cordillera Administrative Region
is Clark International (CRK). However, there are better options for getting to Cordillera Administrative Region.
You can take a bus from Manila (MNL) to Baguio via Araneta Center Bus Terminal, Mabalacat, and Dau in
around 5h 24m.
TOP 6 MUNICIPALITIES
1. Bangued
Municipality of Bangued, capital of the province of Abra. It is a landlocked municipality.
The name Bangued evolved from the Ilocano word "Bangen," which means roadblock, anything that
discourages. The Spanish spelled it as "bangued." The "D" was substituted for the nasal sound of "H."
When the Americans came, the pronunciation was changed to "bangued." To discourage raids in the
settlement at Bangued, which is usually situated from Pantoc (now called Penarrubia), "bangen"
were placed at the roads leading to the town.
It is elongated in shape towards the north and south and bisected through the center by the large
Abra River. It is situated in the western portion of the province with boundaries defined by the
Province of Ilocos Norte and the Municipality of Danglas in the north; La Paz, Tayum and Peñarrubia
in the east; San Isidro in the south, and Langiden and Pidigan in the west.
2. Calanasan
Municipality of Calanasan, (formerly known as Bayag, meaning "slow") municipality in the province
of Apayao, Philippines.
According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 12,550 people. Its land area is 1,256.15 square
kilometers (485.00 sq mi), making it the largest municipality in the province.
Calanasan is the source of the Apayao River which empties into the South China Sea and is the only
navigable river in Apayao.
3. Aguinaldo
Municipality of Aguinaldo municipality in the province of Ifugao.
According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 21,128 people.
Created the municipality out of Barangays Bunhian, Damag, Galonogon, Itab, Jacmal, Taang, Talete,
and Ubao, from the Municipality of Mayoyao.
The economy is mostly agricultural with palay as the main crop.
Aguinaldo is 86 kilometers (53 mi) from Lagawe and 403 kilometers (250 mi) from Manila.
4. La Trinidad
Municipality of La Trinidad municipality and capital of the province of Benguet.
The municipality is known for its strawberry plantations earning the title "Strawberry Fields of the
Philippines". La Trinidad is within Metro Baguio area. The town's name comes from the Spanish
phrase for "The Trinity “.
According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 137,404 people.
5. Bontoc
Municipality of Bontoc, capital of the province of Mountain Province.
Bontoc is the historical capital of the entire Cordillera region since the inception of governance in the
Cordillera. The municipality celebrates the annual Lang-ay Festival.
According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,104 people. Bontoc is 392 kilometres (244
mi) from Manila.
6. Pinukpuk
Municipality of Pinukpuk, municipality in the province of Kalinga.
Pinukpuk is in the northern part of Kalinga province, which is a gateway to Tuao, Cagayan, and
Conner, Apayao. It is 31 kilometers (19 mi) from Tabuk City and 523 kilometers (325 mi) from Manila.
According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 34,275 people.
GEOGRAPHIC PROFILE
The region is primarily mountainous, positioned in the Cordillera Central Mountain range, which includes
Mount Pulag, the highest mountain in Luzon.
Within the region are several streams and rivers including the Chico River, which is a tributary of the Cagayan River.
Other major rivers include:
Abra River
Amburayan River
Abulog River
Apayao River
Agno River
Bued River
1. Mount Pulag is Luzon's highest peak at 2,928 meters (9,606 ft) above sea level, third-highest mountain in the
Philippines, and the 26th-highest peak of an island on Earth.
It is second-most prominent mountain in the Philippines, it is a dormant volcano. Located on the triple
border of the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya, the borders meet at the mountain's peak.
Mount Pulag is third highest next to Mount Apo and Mount Dulang-dulang.
Mount Pulag is famous for its "sea of clouds" and its exceptional view of the Milky Way Galaxy at dawn,
which has attracted many tourists who wish to see the "other-worldly" scenery.
The entire mountain is believed to be the home to the tinmongao spirits and is the sacred resting ground of
the souls of the Ibaloi people and other ethnic peoples in the area.
2. The Chico River is a river system in the Philippines in the island of Luzon, encompassing the regions of
Cordillera and Cagayan Valley. It is the longest tributary of the Cagayan River with a total length of 233 km
(145 mi).
The most extensive river in the Cordillera region, it covers the provinces of Mountain Province, Kalinga, and
Cagayan. It is referred to as a "river of life" for the Kalinga people who live on its banks and is well known
among development workers because of the Chico River Dam Project, an electric power generation project
which residents resisted for three decades before it was finally shelved in the 1980s - a landmark case study
concerning ancestral domain issues in the Philippines.
3. The Abra River, also called Lagben River, is the seventh largest river system in the Philippines in terms of
watershed size. It has an estimated drainage area of 5,125 square kilometres (1,979 sq mi) and a length of
179 kilometres (111 mi) from its source in the vicinity of Mount Data in Benguet province.
4. The Abulog River or Abulug River is the 9th largest river system in the Philippines in terms of watershed size.
It has an estimated drainage area of 3,372 square kilometres (1,302 sq mi) and a length of 196 kilometres
(122 mi) from its source in the mountains of Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region. More than 90%
of the drainage area of the river is in Apayao province while the remaining, including the mouth of the river,
is in Cagayan province.
5. The Agno River, also known as the Pangasinan River, is a river on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Traversing the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan, and Tarlac, it is one of the largest river systems in the
country, with a drainage area of 5,952 square kilometers (2,298 sq mi). It originates in the Cordillera
Mountains and empties into the South China Sea via Lingayen Gulf. The river is 248 kilometres (154 mi) long,
making it the sixth longest river in the country.
6. The Amburayan River is a river in the northeastern portion of island of Luzon in the Philippines. It originates
from the Cordillera mountains and traverses the provinces of Benguet, La Union, and Ilocos Sur, with a total
length of 96 km (60 mi). It is believed to be one of the longest rivers in northern Luzon. It also offers a wide
array of fun and excitement. The river serves as the boundary between the provinces of Ilocos Sur and La
Union.
7. The Apayao River is a river on the island of Luzon in the Apayao province of the Philippines. It flows from an
extensive watershed in the western slopes of the province, flows past the town of Kabugao and runs into the
Pacific Ocean at the coastal town of Abulug. Together with the Abulog River in Cagayan province, the river
forms the Apayao-Abulug River Basin, the ninth largest river system in the country.
8. The Bued River is a river in the island of Luzon in the Philippines with a total length of 80 km (50 mi). It
covers primarily the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union. The river originates
from the city of Baguio and joins with the Angalacan River in the municipality of Mangaldan, Pangasinan to
form the Cayanga River.
PEOPLE (TRIBE)
Cordillera is home to many ethnic tribes living on the Cordillera Mountain range. They are commonly referred
to as the Igorot.
The Tingguians are composed of sub-groups known as the Itneg tribes which includes Adasen, Balatok,
Banaw, Belwang, Binungan, Gubang, Inlaud, Mabaka, Maeng, Masadiit, and Muyadan or Ammutan. Their places in
Abra are as follows:
Isnag tribe, also known as Isneg comprising the sub-groups known as the Ymandaya and Imallod (Isnag refers
to the people, while Isneg refers to the dialect). Isnags are found not only in Apayao but also in the eastern section of
Ilocos Norte and northwestern portion of Cagayan. Their places of abode in Apayao are as follows:
Ibaloi
Kankanaey
Kalanguya
Karao Tribe
Tuwali
Ayangan
Kalanguya
Ifannawer – Banaue
Bontoc — Bontoc
Balangao — Natonin
Baliwon — Paracelis
Applai: Bauko, Besao, Sabangan and Sagada
Tubog
Banao
Tanudan
Tanudan
Tongrayan
Ifutfut: Fugnay, Ngifat, Lacnog, Tabuk
Iterkaw: Nambaran, Tabuk
Ifasao: Isla, Appas Tabuk
Ichananaw: Lacnog, Tabuk
Itongrayan: Luprupa, Ifunug, Amfato, Damsite, Tabuk
Isumacher: Sumacher, Filong, Man-ufer, Mallango, Fangad, Madopdop, Lacnog, Ipil, Bayabat, Tannubong,
Bulo. Tabuk
Ylubuagen: Lubuagan
Ipinukpuk
Kankana-ey
Bagbag-o
Ifontok
Ilocano
RELIGION
Roman Catholics account for 62% of household population.
Of the 1,791,121-household population of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in 2020, more than
three fifths or 1,106,409 persons (61.77%) reported Roman Catholic as their religious affiliation. It was
followed by Episcopal Church in the Philippines with 104,455 persons (5.83%) and United Church of Christ in
the Philippines with 47,776 persons (2.66%).
Completing the top ten religious' affiliation in CAR were Iglesia ni Cristo (2.52%), Assemblies of God (2.47%),
Pentecostal Church of God Asia Mission (1.84), Bible Baptist Church (1.45%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (1.44%),
Lutheran Church of the Philippines (1.40%), and Free Believers in Christ Fellowship (1.35%).
DIALECT
The region has been called "the most diversified ethno-linguistic region in the Philippines“with the many
"sub-dialect variations" of its major languages. This diversity has been attributed to the mountainous topology of the
region. However, this did not lead to variations in "cultural development", and most of the people share a "similar
cultural identity".
The following are the dialects that are used in Cordillera Administrative Region:
Apayao Province
Gov. Elias C. Bulut Jr.
The Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) is a conservative political party in the Philippines which was
founded in 1992 by presidential candidate Danding Cojuangco. Members of civil society (including the
business sector) who called themselves "Friends of Danding“.
The 75-member Lakas party led the "Sunshine Coalition," which included the 61-member NPC, members of
the Liberal Party, and several other minor parties. The Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) party led the
20-member opposition bloc.
Benguet Province
Ifugao Province
Kalinga Province
Mountain Province
Tourist Attractions
1. The Banaue Rice Terraces (Filipino: Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banawe) are terraces that were carved into
the mountains of Banaue, Ifugao, in the Philippines, by the ancestors of the Igorot people. The terraces are
occasionally called the "Eighth Wonder of the World". It is commonly thought that the terraces were built
with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1,500 meters (4,900 feet)
above sea level. These are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. It is
said that if the steps were put end to end, it would encircle half of the globe.
2. Cassamata Hill National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Bangued,
Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The park covers an area of 57 hectares (140 acres) and was
declared a protected area in 1974.
Its location in the southern limits of Bangued municipality by the Ilocos Sur-Abra road affords easy
access to its residents. The hill itself is an easy climb via a winding road or on foot by concrete stairways.
Visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the small town below as well as the whole expanse of the
Abra River valley flanked by the Cordillera Central and Ilocos mountain ranges. The 990-meter (3,248 feet)
tall Mount Banti Goolong (also called "Sleeping Beauty" mountain by locals) is especially impressive from
Victoria Park located in the summit of the hill. In addition to the park and mountain trails, Cassamata Hill also
provides recreational facilities such as swimming pool, a hotel, and an amphitheater. The park is also the site
of a water reservoir and a shrine to the Virgin Mary.
3. The Fire Mummies of the Philippines, also known as the Kabayan Mummies, Benguet Mummies, or Ibaloi
Mummies, are a group of mummies found along the mountain slopes of Kabayan, Benguet, a town in
northern Philippines. They were made from as early as 2000 BCE. Today, they remain in natural caves and a
museum in Kabayan.
Scientists believe that the Fire Mummies were created by the Ibaloi between 1200 and 1500 CE in
five towns in Benguet and buried in caves. Others believe that the process of mummification began in 2000
BCE. What makes the Fire Mummies unique is their mummification process. Mummification would begin
shortly before a person died, where he would ingest a very salty drink. After his death, his corpse was
washed and set over a fire in a seated position, drying the fluids. Smoke from tobacco was blown into the
mouth to dry the body's inside and internal organs. Eventually, herbs were rubbed into the body. Mummified
bodies are then placed in a coffin made of pinewood and laid to rest in rock shelters, natural caves, or man-
made burial niches.
4. The Mansion House (also known as The Mansion) is the official summer palace of the President of the
Philippines. The mansion is in the summer capital of the country, Baguio, situated around 5,000 feet (1,500
m) in the Cordillera Central Range of northern Luzon.
The Mansion consists of an elegantly designed Spanish Colonial Revival main building and a
guesthouse. The elaborate main gate, made of ornate ironwork, was once thought to be a replica of a main
gate of Buckingham Palace in London, but this is false. The front gate is still one of the most photographed
sections of the complex. The public may visit the inside of the Mansion House, which contains a museum
featuring presidential memorabilia.
5. Wright Park is a wooded area in Baguio which became known for its horseback riding services for tourists. It
was named after American Governor Luke E. Wright and was established as a recreational area. It is situated
near The Mansion. The horses are owned and handled by "pony boys", who are often a member of the Ibaloi
community.
Festivals
1. Abra - Laga Festival - The Laga Festival is a celebration of the Municipality of Lagayan’s abundance of
bamboos as well as their products that were made from it. Held every second week of March, the Laga
Festival is relatively new compared to the other festivals of Abra but has since grown in popularity, thanks to
the various activities that are part of the celebration in which the culture of the Ilocanos and the Tingguians
are highlighted through songs, dances, and their unique bamboo products.
2. Kalinga - Bodong Festival - The Bodong Festival, is an annual event in celebration of the province of Kalinga’s
Founding Anniversary which falls on the 14th of February. It is a showcase of Kalinga’s unique culture,
practices, songs, dances, and indigenous products. “Bodong” is a unique peace-making system of the
Kalingas of Northern Luzon, Philippines. Forging relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering peaceful co-
existence, the “BODONG” is a unique socio-cultural and economic institution conceived and painstakingly
developed through the centuries out of a need for collective security which is the basis for binding viable
communities which sprung from their ardent desire to live in peace and social security and with the belief of
advancing towards economic prosperity and social stability if peace is achieved. Bodong also promotes the
development and preservation of a cultural heritage that bespeaks of a DISTINCTIVE ETHNIC IDENTITY.
3. Ifugao – Gatod Ad Ifugao - The Gotad Ad Ifugao is an annual Cultural Festival of the Province of Ifugao. This
cultural celebration is conducted with the primordial goal to promote, protect, preserve, and perpetuate the
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practice (IKSP) of the Ifugao People. Moreover, this grand event of the
province serves as a venue to promote camaraderie and foster unity between and among the people of
Ifugao.
4. Panagbenga Festival - is a month-long annual flower occasion in Baguio, Philippines. The term is of
Kankanaey origin, meaning "season of blooming". The festival, held in February, was created as a tribute to
the city's flowers and to rise from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. The festival includes
floats that are covered mostly with flowers, not unlike those used in Pasadena's Rose Parade. The festival
also includes street dancing, presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, that is inspired by the
Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of celebration that came from the Cordilleras.
5. Say-am Festival - is a cultural festival and founding anniversary celebration in the province of Apayao,
Philippines held every February 14. It usually starts on the first day of February and culminating activities fall
on the 14th of the month, which is the date that the province was established. The festival honors the
culture of Isneg, an ethnic minority group, as well as a festive recollection of the date that the province was
created.
Food Tourism
Pinikpikan
Pinikpikan is a traditional chicken dish made by repeatedly hitting the chicken with a stick until it dies, which
is said to make the meat more tender and flavorful. It's a unique and controversial dish that's popular in the
Cordillera region. Although pinikpikan used to be served in a very simple form that is usually boiled with very few
ingredients, it has evolved into several variations such as adobo, salad and tinola which you can see as you go down
the list.
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken
2 tablespoons of salt
2 tablespoons of vinegar
Instructions:
Pinuneg
Pinuneg is a blood sausage made with pig's blood, innards, and spices. It's a savory and hearty dish that's
perfect for breakfast or as a side dish.
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix the pig's blood, chopped innards, onion, and garlic.
2. Add vinegar, water, salt, and pepper.
3. Stuff the mixture into the pork intestine or casing.
4. Tie both ends with a string.
5. Boil the sausage for 30-40 minutes or until fully cooked.
6. Slice and serve hot with rice.
Etag
Etag is a traditional smoked meat made from pork or beef, often used in stews or soups. It's a savory and
smoky dish that's perfect for those who love bold flavors.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Inabraw
Inabraw is a vegetable soup made with a variety of indigenous vegetables such as okra, eggplant, squash, and
bitter gourd. It's a healthy and nutritious dish that's perfect for vegans and vegetarians.
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
2 cups of water
2 tablespoons of oil
Instructions:
1. In a pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the water and bring to a boil.
5. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked but still firm.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot with rice.
Chopsuey
Chopsuey is a vegetable stir-fry dish that's popular all over the Philippines, including the Cordillera region. It's
made with a variety of vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, and snow peas, sautéed in a light sauce and
served over rice. This may seem out of place since chapsuey did not originate from the region. However, the
numerous vegetable farms in the different provinces have made the food a staple in the area and became a specialty
in numerous restaurants serving both the locals and the visitors.
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons of oil
Instructions:
Handcrafts
Cordillera Weaves
Cordillera Weaves is one of the trademark art forms in the region. These weaves tell stories of identity and
change, and it is used in all stages of life from birth to death and from sickness to health. The designs of their weaves
can also distinguish each group in the Cordilleras. The Ifugao Ikat, for example, can be identified by the diamond
stripes of white and red stripes. And Bontoc weaves are characterized by geometric designs of things seen around
like rain, lizards, men, and flowers. On the other hand, Kalinga weaves incorporate symbolism into their works. The
colors red and indigo and red represent the sky and ground, while yellow represents wealth and refers to growth and
fertility.
Wood Carving
Among the best art forms found in Baguio City is wood carvings. Like the weaves, this art form did not
originate in the city itself but the province of Ifugao. It is heavily linked to the culture of the area. As one of their
stories go, the Gods taught their ancestors how to carve the bulul, one of the more known wood carvings of the
region, to protect their rice. The people treat these with the utmost care because they believe it holds the power of
ancestral spirits. They’re often credited for increasing the rice harvest and protecting it from pests, thieves, and
calamities.
Ibaloi Basket
A burden basket of the Ibaloi. Like the ballag and allataw of the Ifugao, this is exclusively for the Ibaloi
women. It is a tall basket with a square base and body but a round mouth on top. It is meant to be carried in the back
via rattan strap attached and worn in the forehead; the head supports the weight instead of the shoulders.
Traditionally used to carry crops like potatoes, camote, and rice.