HOME FRONT TERRACES : Humility In The Heights - Christmas Ed Kapangan Ecotour 3rd Outing

One way of promoting our tourism is exploring our nature. Our planet is blessed with a rich environment, natural attractions, historical events and other splendors.

In the Cordilleras, ecotourism sites abound. Like the world wonder rice terraces, caves, hot springs, sparkling rivers and waterfalls with a rich culture and tradition.

Burcio's Organic Anthurium Plants

One good event to consider is the Christmas Ed Kapangan calendared on the month of December. The harvest of rice is also within this month and the Christmas spirit is around the corner.

This municipality thrives mainly on agriculture with no major industry such as mining or factories that pollute the environment. Each barangay has its own rice terraces or gardens and a community with friendly people.

Amburayan River

Sizing up with other ecotourism promotions, such offers include eco tours, agri tours, health tours, competitions and other adventures designed to attract visitors. These are remunitive trade which may help improve the community’s programs and projects via incomes derived from the tourism activities. Of course these ecotourism promotions should be sustainable, manageable and will not corrupt the people nor alter the environment. Others offer health spas, nature treks, fruit tree parks, zoo lands, animal or plant gardens, zip lines, beaches and other entertainment mechanisms. Whether expensive or not, there are many tourists, local or international, that come and go enjoying these God given habitat.

Bolalacao Cave is situated below this road at Bolinsak

Christmas Ed Kapangan is an annual activity which aims to promote its tourism potentials. Tourists and participants tour along the Acop Kapangan road then stopping by at the Municipal Hall. After the break, the tour will proceed to Burcio’s organic anthurium plants. Along the route, the tour passes by the Bolalacao cave at Bolinsak wherein Amburayan River and the Balakbak Santa Clause could be viewed.

Balakbak rice terraces

Saw Santa Claus

Arriving at Balakbak Barangay, a campfire and cultural night will be presented at the Balakbak Mini Park. Visitors will witness owik, butchering of a pig by the community leaders and officiated by a mambonong (native priest). The butchered pig will be served for dinner on a wat-wat style. After dinner, a popular dance in Kapangan called Grand March will performed together with interested participants. Other dances are also entertained. Caroling including exchanging of Christmas gifts will conclude the night’s activities.

On the second day, the participants will trek to the rice terraces and village to witness and participate in the pounding of chu-om (burned soft rice) which blends well with the native coffee or tea for snacks. Spelunking on caves will follow along the route.

At Amburayan River, the visitors/participants will have a picnic with the Kapangan musclemen, then swim and fish using the indigenous fish traps.

There are other indigenous practices and products that are offered such as the red rice, rice wine, kine-eng (smoked meat), organic vegetables, fruits, and highland handicrafts.

For future tours to be conducted, cultural presentations should be coordinated with the communities and Indigenous Peoples organizations. Indigenous sports, concerts, community festivals, event shows, exhibitions, and other nature challenge may be considered. Other sites that could be developed are camp facilities like rest rooms, museums, recreational semi wild forest, and adequate water supply. It is therefore important that we protect our mountains and reforest them. Preserve our natural resources, environment and our culture for our visitors and populace to commune with nature.

A list of related shortcomings should be analyzed and a list of solutions should also be recommended.

Other improvements of interest is a showcase of our old agricultural implements, WW II memorabilia weapons, old transport vehicles of the Dangwa Transportation, Igorot type houses and other features which are educational and has a sense of history. These will make the difference aside from the peace loving attribute of the Kapangan people.

Come one!!! Come all.

“Only after the last tree has been cut down.

Only after the last river has been poisoned.

Only after the last fish has been caught.

Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.”— Cree Indian Prophecy