CAR: CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

 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.

How to get there?

 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.

2 CITIES IN CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

1. Baguio
 is a highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Baguio was called "Kafagway" by
indigenous people, designated as the hill station. The name "Baguio" originates from the American
period and is derived from the Ibaloi word bagiw (moss), which was then Hispanicized as "Baguio". A
demonym for natives of the city, "Ibagiw", is also derived from bagiw.
 It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", owing to its cool climate since the city is
located approximately 4,810 feet (1,470 meters) above mean sea level, often cited as 1,540 meters
(5,050 feet) in the Luzon tropical pine forests ecoregion, which also makes it conducive for the
growth of mossy plants, orchids and pine trees, to which it attributes its other moniker as the "City of
Pines“.
 It is geographically located within Benguet, serving as the provincial capital from 1901 to 1916, but
has since been administered independently from the province following its conversion into a
chartered city. The city is the center of business, commerce, and education in northern Luzon, as well
as the seat of government of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
2. Tabuk
 is a component city in the landlocked province of Kalinga. It serves as the provincial capital.
 Tabuk was once called the “Valley of the Gamonangs”. The Gamonangs are a Kalinga tribe which
dominated northern Kalinga some centuries ago. This tribe was reportedly hostile and antagonistic
that it provoked the anger of southern Kalinga tribes into joining forces against the Gamonangs.
 The city has a land area of 700.25 square kilometers or 270.37 square miles which constitutes
21.34% of Kalinga's total area. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 121,033. This
represented 52.72% of the total population of Kalinga province, or 6.73% of the overall population of
the Cordillera Administrative Region.

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.

Ethnic people of Abra

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:

 Adasen - Lagayan, Lagangilang, San Juan and Tineg

 Banaw - Daguioman, Malibcong, also found in Balbalan, Kalinga
  Binungan - Baay-Licuan and Lacub
 Balatok - in the villages of Amti, Kilong-olaw, & Danak, all in Boliney
 Belwang - in the village of Dao-angan in Boliney
 Gubang - Malibcong
 Inlaud - Lagangilang and Peñarrubia, in Lumaba village of Villaviciosa, in the villages of Abang and Patoc in
Bucay, in Langiden, San Isidro, San Quintin, Danglas (also found in some parts of Nueva Era)
 Mabaka - Lacub and Malibcong
 Maeng - Luba, Tubo and Villaviciosa, (also found in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, Banayoyo and other towns in Ilocos
Sur)
 Masadiit - Sallapadan, Bucloc and in the village of Sapdaan in Manabo, and in barangays Poblacion, Bawiyan,
and Dumagas in Boliney
 Ammutan a.k.a. Muyadan tribe - in Manabo

Ethnic people of Apayao

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:

 Ymandaya (Isnag) - Calanasan (Bayag)

 Imallod (Isnag) - Kabugao, Conner, Pudtol, and some parts of Luna (Macatel)
 Malaweg – Conner

Ethnic people of Benguet

 Ibaloi
 Kankanaey
 Kalanguya
 Karao Tribe

Ethnic People of Ifugao

 Tuwali
 Ayangan
 Kalanguya
 Ifannawer – Banaue

Ethnic people of Mountain Province

 Bontoc — Bontoc
 Balangao — Natonin
 Baliwon — Paracelis
 Applai: Bauko, Besao, Sabangan and Sagada

Ethnic people of Kalinga

 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:

 Balangao, spoken in Natonin, Mountain Province.

 Bontoc, spoken in Bontoc, Mountain Province.
 Ibaloi, spoken in Benguet.
 Ifugao, spoken in Ifugao.
 Ilocano, spoken in Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, and Ifugao. It is the regional lingua
franca.
 Isnag, spoken in Apayao.
 Itneg, spoken in Abra.
 Kalinga, spoken in Kalinga.
 Kalanguya, spoken in some parts of Benguet.
 Kankanaey, spoken in western Mountain Province and some parts of Benguet.

Political Profile and Parties

Abra Province

 Gov. Dominic B. Valera

 The National Unity Party (NUP) is a political party in the Philippines. The party was formed in 2010 by former
members of Lakas-Kampi CMD who broke away after internal discontent within the party. From 2016 to
2022, the party was part of the PDP–Laban-led coalition in the House of Representatives, the Coalition for
Change.
 The party was accredited by the Commission of Elections as a national party in a resolution dated October 5,
2011. On September 26, 2012, the party held its first national convention where they announced support for
Team PNoy for the 2013 elections, however most NUP members ultimately supported the United Nationalist
Alliance, especially Garcia.

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

 Gov. Melchor D. Diclas

 Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan ('Philippine Democratic Party–Strength of the People'),
abbreviated as PDP–Laban, is a democratic socialist political party in the Philippines founded in 1982. It was
part of the country's ruling party coalition from 1986 to 1992 under the administration of Corazon Aquino
and the country's ruling party from 2016 to 2022 under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

Ifugao Province

 Gov. Jerry U. Dalipog

 The New Society Movement (Filipino: Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, KBL), formerly named the New Society
Movement of United Nationalists, Liberals, et cetera (Filipino: Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ng Nagkakaisang
Nacionalista, Liberal, at iba pa, KBLNNL), is a right-wing political party in the Philippines. It was first formed in
1978 as an umbrella coalition of parties supporting then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos for the Interim
Batasang Pambansa (the unicameral parliament) and was his political vehicle during his 20-year regime. It
was reorganized as a political party in 1986 and is the furthest to the right of the political spectrum among
active parties after Marcos' ouster.

Kalinga Province

 Gov. James S. Edduba

 Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats, abbreviated as Lakas–CMD and known simply as Lakas, is a political
party in the Philippines. Lakas–CMD is considered to sit on the centre-right of the political spectrum and is
influenced by Christian democracy and Islamic democracy. Since the 2022 elections, Lakas–CMD is currently
the biggest party in the House of Representatives, with the party's president, Martin Romualdez, serving as
Speaker of the House.[4] The party is a dominant member of the UniTeam Alliance led by President
Bongbong Marcos.

Mountain Province

 Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr.

 Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan ('Philippine Democratic Party–Strength of the People'),
abbreviated as PDP–Laban, is a democratic socialist political party in the Philippines founded in 1982. It was
part of the country's ruling party coalition from 1986 to 1992 under the administration of Corazon Aquino
and the country's ruling party from 2016 to 2022 under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

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

2 tablespoons of cooking oil

Ginger, onion, and garlic for stuffing

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken by removing the feathers, head, and feet.

2. Lightly hit the chicken with a stick or bamboo to bruise the skin and make it easier to remove.
3. Peel off the skin and remove the internal organs.
4. Stuff the chicken with ginger, onion, and garlic.
5. Rub the chicken with salt and vinegar.
6. Grill or roast the chicken until fully cooked.

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 cup of pig's blood

1 cup of innards (liver, heart, and lungs), chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup of vinegar

1/4 cup of water

Salt and pepper to taste

Pork intestine or casing

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:

1 kilogram of pork or beef, cut into serving pieces

Salt and pepper to taste

Banana leaves for wrapping

Wood chips for smoking

Instructions:

1. Rub the meat with salt and pepper.

2. Wrap the meat in banana leaves.
3. Smoke the meat over wood chips for 6-8 hours or until fully cooked and tender.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool.
5. Slice and serve with rice.

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:

1/2 cup of sliced okra

1/2 cup of sliced eggplant

1/2 cup of sliced squash

1/2 cup of sliced bitter gourd

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 cups of water

2 tablespoons of oil

Salt and pepper to taste

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:

1/2 cup of sliced carrots

1/2 cup of sliced cabbage

1/2 cup of sliced bell peppers

1/2 cup of snow peas

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup of oyster sauce

1/4 cup of water

2 tablespoons of oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a wok or pan, heat the oil over high heat.

2. Add the garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the oyster sauce and water.
5. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked but still crunchy.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot over rice.

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.