Monday, January 14, 2013

Sagada via Banaue Part 1: The Banaue Rice Terraces

Twitter
The Banaue Rice Terraces
Back several decades ago, when I was much younger, my uncle would always test me what are the 7 wonders of the world. After reciting correctly the 7 ancient wonders, my uncle would surprise me, "and what is the 8th wonder?" To his satisfaction, I would proudly say, "The Banaue Rice Terraces of the Philippines!"

Since then, I always had wanted to see the rice terraces which I heard often in our history class and read in textbooks. To me then, and up to now, it is a wonder of how thousands of men labored lovingly to create a beautiful landscape that describes native Ifugao's ingenuity and deep understanding of nature. Constructed more than 2000 years ago, before the colonization period, the rice terraces is a testament of the native's high level of knowledge of structural and hydraulic engineering to produce crops such as taro ( first crop produced), rice, and these days, a variety of vegetables. 
Dyanamic Irrigation Employed by the Rice Terraces ( each terrace feeds water to the terrace below it )
Contrary to the popular belief that the Banaue Rice Terraces is a "World Heritage Site", the reality is that Banaue Rice Terraces failed to make it to the Unesco World Heritage list due to the presence of modern structures right now. :( The proliferation of modern structures in and around the area made it score low in the integrity criterion of Unesco. The rice terraces that are listed in Unesco's World's Heritage Site are Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan. Together, they form clusters of rice terraces named as "The Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras". Even though Batad and Bangaan are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Banaue but they are not referred to as the Banaue Rice Terraces. Despite not making it to the UNESCO WORLD'S HERITAGE list, The Banaue Rice Terraces is a National Cultural Treasure under Ifugao Rice Terraces.  The Philippine Cordilleras host some of the nation's National Parks, and one of the top tourist destinations is Sagada, which I will be sharing in my next posts. 
My Father @ Banaue Rice Terraces
What makes my trip to Banaue Rice Terraces and Sagada very special is that it is a trip with my family. Back when we were younger, my father and mother always would talk about how great is our God to give men such intelligence to form the Banaue Rice Terraces. It was soooo inspiring listening to both nanay and tatay talk about the rice terraces then. How I wish nanay was also present during our Banaue trip, but her loving memories and wisdom shared to us will always live in our hearts. It was sooo good listening to tatay again like he would when we were younger about this magnificent gift we got, right there in front of Banaue Rice Terraces.
I Just Can't Help But Take These Roosters Pictures, them, being part of my childhood as tatay raised roosters when we were younger
Also, it was great to be wandering in nature and exploring nature's wonders with the 3 generations of my family: tatay the first; me and my brothers the second; and my nieces and nephew the third generation. 

More about Sagada via Banaue in my later posts.......
♥♥
Facebook Twitter StumbleUpon Digg Delicious Reddit Technorati Mixx Linkedin

24 comments:

  1. you made the right choice of booking Sagada, Beth. breathtaking sceneries! can't wait for your next post.

    discovering the amazing gifts of nature with your love ones is just precious! glad you had a grand time with your family just as i did. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh it's a beautiful rice terrace, and it belong to the World's wonder.

    Good to see your father all smiling, Betchai!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Betchai!!!!! My friend is back inside the computer :) it feels like a dream that one sweet day I met you in person! What can I say I guess this is my favorite post here at the joys because the place is close to my heart...I have yet to see Banaue myself :( the place looks grandiose through your lens...love that photo of your sweet tatay...it must have been awesome hearing him talk about the goodness of God giving man the intelligence to create those rice paddies around the mountains...the rooster shot is beautiful as beautiful can be....I must say I said "awwwwww" when you didn't go on with the tale hehe, "bitin" anyway looking forward to part 2 :) mwahugs :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am sure it is very interesting story to listen too.. I like to listen to the old folks experiences..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous and amazing scenery of this rice terrace! I can see the resembling of you on your tatay's happy face!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The hubby and I have been to Banaue but not Sagada. We hope we can find the time to go there. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your uncle is so funny,Betchai.This is the place I wanted to visit one day. Hopefully in my next vacation. I could relate with you about the rooster,my father raised as well when we are younger. Good looking tatay mo,Betchai.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ate Beth, I was looking at your photos on FB and they are so breathtaking as usual! I haven't been up North and someday I would set foot there and that would include Banaue Rice Terraces.

    ReplyDelete
  9. one of my dream destinations. ever. such a good thing to be with your family on a trip like this. happy new year and belated happy birthday again, ms beth

    ReplyDelete
  10. The pictures are awesome and I have to thank you for sharing them. I haven't been to Banaue and Sagada and I only rely on travelers' accounts and pictures of their wonderful visit to those beautiful places.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Is that your dad, parang barkada ko lang eh. Good you pick Sagada as a destination. Betchai, nakita mo ba ang Jollibee sa Banaue rice Terraces? di ba annoying sa eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I hope that this gorgeous Rice Terraces will be preserved and be seen by future generations.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Really great shots of the Banaue Rice Terraces. I've seen some picture perfect postcards of the Banaue Rice Terraces but somehow these photos of yours have a more personal effect, up close and personal sabi nga. :) i love the dynamic irrigation photo, answered a lot of questions for me. It feels good to see nature and man's ingenuity working together.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sagada has always been awesome. Glad you were able to make it there.

    ReplyDelete
  15. In all honesty, naiinggit ako sa mga kababayan natin na marami ng narating ng magagandang lugar sa bansa natin!! I mean, in a good way naman.. Hehehe.. Yung feeling lang ba na, sana maikot ko manlang din ang Pilipinas kase sa totoo lang, mas madaming magagandang tanawin sa atin kesa sa mga bansang gustong-gusto nating marating.. Bakit nga ba di muna natin libutin ang sariling atin, no?

    Sayang at kinapos kami nun ng oras ng asawa ko nung umakyat kami ng Baguio.. Gusto din sana namin nun makapunta dun.. God willing, sana matupad din.. =)

    ReplyDelete
  16. oh my gosh...such a breathtaking view...I've never been to this part of Luzon...awesome photos!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! Those are absolutely stunning pictures! Parang andyan din ako sa rice terraces na yan! :D I really wish to visit this place someday!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sis, I can see the joy of your father i'm sure he is so happy to see you both after a long time of being faraway..like you i have a dream of seeing that wonders with my own two eyes, but i guess it will not this time...thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yey! May update na! :)Nice shots Miss Beth... Good thing most paddies are now green... :D Excited for your next post... :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have never seen a closer picture of the Banaue Rice Terraces than these which you have provided. It is almost like being there.

    ReplyDelete
  21. How beautiful! These rice fields made me nostalgic, reminded me of the Himalayan mountains of India. Traveling with family and listening to their wisdom makes for such wonderful travel experiences. I loved reading this betchai, through your pictures... I could see your childhood. I'm glad that you had a great time. Looking forward to more stories :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. thanks for introducing us finalyl to this eight World Wonder, I have heart a lot about the rice terraces and I really enjoyed your shot, of course being there with your family made it even more special for you...

    ReplyDelete
  23. The first two photos are just sooo postcard-perfect! Hoping to have my own set of photos too... someday! ;-)

    ReplyDelete

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!