Sagada

Why not a road trip in the mountains of northern Luzon. But first have a night at Poro Point Thunderbird Resort on Christmas eve. Then head for the mountains towards Sagada and return to Metro Manila via Banaue and Baguio.

The complete trip in four days. First day: Manila to Thurderbird Resort. Second day: Thunderbird Resort to Sagada. Third day: Sagada - Banaue - Baguio. Forth day: Baguio to Manila

The round trip made over the Mountain Province and Benguet

The history of Mountain Province is replete of intriguing past as many varied stories and circumstances were recounted by elders. Suffice it to say that the origin of the province has not been recorded. Spanish exploratory attempts to conquer Mountain Province were made between 1566 to 1665. Total subjugation of the area was never achieved throughout the three (3) centuries of Spanish rule because the fierce, warlike and hostile Igorots and formidable travel obstacles intimidated the Spaniards. Spanish occupation of some portions of the Cordilleras ended on September 3, 1899 when the Spanish headquarters in Bontoc was taken by Filipino forces. Some brave Igorots joined their lowland brothers in the fight against the Americans in 1898. After the establishment of the civil government during the American occupation in 1901, Mountain Province became a special province of the Philippines in 1907. Bontoc-Lepanto, Amburayan, Ifugao, Kalinga, Benguet and Apayao comprised the sub-provinces. Samuael Cane, the provincial supervisor , was appointed governor and Bontoc was made the capital town. In 1908, the old Mountain Province was created with seven(7)sub-provinces which later was merge into five provinces: Benguet , Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga (BIBAK). In 1967, the division of these five provinces gave birth to four new provinces namely: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Mountain Province. The sub-province of Bontoc retained its name Mountain Province and maintained Bontoc as its capiral town. On March 25, 1967, Mt. Province became an independent province. Then President Ferdinand E. Marcos appointed and inducted into office the first provincial officials . This new province came into operation on April 7, 1967.