THE BANAUE RICE TERRACES

Kalinga- Apayao is one of the 4 provinces consisting the Mountain Provinces. The other 3 are Benguet, Bontoc, and Ifugao. Although all of these four are categorized as "The Mountain Provinces", there are distinct cultural differences of one province that identifies it from the other.

Some of the best scenic spots in the Philippines are found in these provinces. Kalinga - for the Chico River and Mt Patukan - where the Sleeping Beauty Lies, Benguet is where the second highest peak in the Philippines is found, and Ifugao - where the well known - Banaue Rice Terraces nestles.

The Banaue Rice Terraces - is considered by Filipinos as the 8th Wonder of the World. This formidable structure had survived hundreds of years and stands as a monument to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the native farmer who had built layers and layers of rice paddies, atop mountainous terrain.



Just like the Pyramids of Egypt, one would marvel how bare hands - with minimal equipment(stone and clay) - could erect a complex structure such as these.

Although The Banaue Rice Terraces is not found in Kalinga, Ifugao is considered a good neighbour, and anything pertaining to "The Mountains" is considered Kalingan.








Allow me to introduce the Lady responsible in taking these pictures.

These pictures were photographed by Jenn of Jenn Was Here
who so generously allowed me to use them in this blog.

Although Jenn is an indoor person, she was persuaded to join a summer trip around Northern Philippines.


Jenn and an Ifugao Wood carving


Her favorite color is violet but her personal paraphernalia are in red. (Don't ask me why). Her artistic side has many facets - photography (let the pics convince you), she can cross - stitch; she can also create cards for persons she care about. Right now, she is into scrap-booking. (Jenn, how could you have enough time for all of these? and you are also into blogging!).

There is this one liner that indicates this lady has her childlike insouciance intact; she says :" My eyebrows are still virgins. They haven’t been trimmed or plucked yet."

Jenn, thanks again and more power to you!

For more pictures and articles, visit her blogs at:
Jenn Was Here
Shutter Happenings
Le Kulitszie Familie
Memories By Jenn

THE IGOROT COSTUME

Camille of Memoirs of a Med Student, is a 22 yr - old, lovely Med student who has interests in books, movies , food and - believe it or not - PC games and basketball.
Aside from pursuing Medicine, she also puts aside time to watch movies and to read books by Coelho and other well known authors. Her blog is very stimulating because of the diverse interests that Camille has. Go visit her blog at Memoirs of a Med Student.




Although she is not an Igorot in blood; she had done justice to the ethnic beauty of the Igorot costume. She is holding the traditional wooden shield in her left hand and the spear in her right. She is also wearing the colorful native beads and the headress.

This picture was taken during a visit to Baguio - the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

Thanks Camille for allowing me to use your picture in my blog.