Abra (province)

Abra is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its
capital is Bangued, is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Apayao on the north, Ilocos Sur and Mountain
Province on the south, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur on the west, and Kalinga and Apayao on the
east.

History
The first inhabitants of Abra were the ancestors of the Bontocs and the Ifugaos. These inhabitants
eventually left to settle in the old Mountain Province. Other early inhabitants were the Tingguians, or
Itnegs, as they are also known. In 1598, a Spanish garrison was established in Bangued to protect
Christian Ilocanos from Tingguian raids. Originally the area was called El Abra de Vigan ("The
Opening of Vigan"). During the British Occupation of the Philippines, Gabriela Silang and her army
fled to Abra from Ilocos and continued the revolt begun by her slain husband, Diego Silang. She was
captured and hanged by the Spanish in 1763.
In 1818, the Ilocos region, including Abra, was divided into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. In 1846, Abra
was created[3] as a political-military province with Lepanto as a sub-province. It remained so until the
arrival of the Americans in 1899.
In 1908 the Philippine Commission once again in annexed Abra to Ilocos Sur in an attempt to
resolve Abra's financial difficulties. On March 9, 1917, the Philippine Assembly re-established Abra
as a province.
In 1942, the Japanese forces occupied the Philippines and entered Abra.
Abra was liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces and local Cordilleran guerrillas during
the Battle of Abra in 1945, at the end of the Second World War.
The revolutionary Marxist priest, Conrado Balweg, who fought for the rights of the Cordillera tribes,
began his crusade in Abra. After successfully negotiating a peace accord with Balweg's group in
1987, the Philippine government created the Cordillera Administrative Region, which includes Abra.

Geography
Physical
Abra is hemmed in by the towering mountain ranges of the Ilocos in the west and the Cordillera
Central in the east. The Abra River runs from the south in Benguet to the west and central areas,

bisecting the whole Abra Valley. It is joined by the Tineg Riveroriginating from the eastern uplands at
a point near the municipality of Dolores.
Barangays
The 27 municipalities of the province comprise a total of 303 barangays, with Poblacion in La Paz as
the most populous in 2010, and Pattaoig in San Juan as the least.[5][6]
Further information: List of barangays in Abra

Demographics
Abra's inhabitants are mostly descendants of Ilocano settlers and members of the Tingguian tribe. As
of 2011, the population of the province is 240,141.
The predominant languages are Ilocano[7] and Itneg.[8] Based on the 2000 census survey, the majority
of the province population is Ilocano 71.9%. Other ethnic groups living in the province are
the Tinguian 18.7%, Ibanag 4.5%, Isneg 3.2% and Tagalog 0.4%.[9]

Economy
As of 1990, there were 743 cottage industries in Abra, of which 208 are registered with
the Department of Trade and Industry. 59% are engaged in bamboo and rattan craft making, both
leading industries in the area.
In 1992, the natural dye industry, together with loom weaving and embroidery, was revived by former
Governor Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera, the first female governor of Abra.
Abra's economy is agriculture-based. Its major crops are rice, corn, and root crops; commercial
products include coffee, tobacco, and coconut. Extensive grassland and pasture areas are used for
livestock production.

Kalinga
Kalinga (Ilokano: Probinsya ti Kalinga and Filipino: Lalawigan ng Kalinga), Tagalog pronunciation: [kli])
is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region of Luzon.
Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the
east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north.
Kalinga and Apayao are the result of the 1995 partitioning of Kalinga-Apayao; this was to better
service the respective needs of the various indigenous peoples in the area.

Geography
The topography of Kalinga province is rugged and sloping, with mountain peaks ranging from 1,500
to 2,500 metres (4,900 to 8,200 ft) in elevation. The provinces western side is characterised by
sharp, crested, interlinking peaks of steep slopes, isolated flatlands, plateaus and valleys. The
eastern lands are mainly of rolling and gradually sloping foothills.
Large swaths of the province's lowlands are open grassland suitable for pasture, while the highlands
have extensive areas of tropical rainforest. In higher elevations to the west, particularly in the
mountains of Balbalan, lie some of the most intact pine forests of Luzon island. Rizal and Tabuk with
their flatlands are the biggest rice producers. Next in rice production are the mountainous area, and
of note are the rice terraces of Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Tinglayan, and Tanudan.

Climate
The province enjoys an average temperature ranging from 17 to 22 C (63 to 72 F) with Type
3 weather patterns. The dry season extends from November to April, while the rest of the year is
considered the rainy season, the heaviest rains usually occurring from July to October.

Hydrology
The province is drained mainly by the Chico River, with its headwaters in the Mountain Province and
emptying into the Cagayan River. The Chico River has several tributaries: Bunog River in Tinglayan
in the south; the Tanudan and Biga Rivers in the east; Pasil River in the central area; and Poswoy,
Dao-angan, Mabaca and Saltan Rivers in the west.
Several small lakes can also be found in Kalinga. These water resources if to be tapped could
provide abundant sources for power generation, fishing, irrigation and for domestic use, but would
destroy rice terraces, villages, livelihoods, and complete indigenous cultures.

Culture
There are many sub-tribes in the province. The strong sense of tribal membership and filial loyalty
results in frequent tribal unrest and occasional outright war. Due to the mountainous terrain and
warrior-culture of the people, the Kalinga were able to preserve their culture despite centuries of
occupation in the lowlands by the Spaniards, Americans, and the Japanese. Unbeknownst to many,
the last stand of President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901 took place in Lubuagan, which he proclaimed
the seat of government,[citation needed] and where the Aguinaldo Museum commemorates the event.
The Kalinga people are highlanders and the most extensive rice farmers of the Cordillera peoples,
having been blessed with some of the most suitable land for both wet and dry rice farming. Like
the Ifugao, the Kalinga are prolific terrace builders. The Kalinga are also skilled craftsmen, wellversed in basketry, loom weaving, metalsmithing, and pottery, the last centred in the lower Chico
River Valley.

Apayao
Apayao (Ilokano: Probinsya ti Apayao, Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Apayao), is a landlocked province of
the Philippines in theCordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital town is Kabugao.
The province borders Cagayan to the north and east, Abra and Ilocos Norte to the west,
and Kalinga to the south. Prior to 1995, Kalinga and Apayao comprised a single province
named Kalinga-Apayao, which was partitioned to better service the needs of individual ethnic
groups.
With a population of 112,636 (as of 2010) [3] covering an area of 4413.35 square kilometers, [1] Apayao
is the least densely-populated province in the Philippines.

History
Spanish period
Although Apayao, which was then part of Cagayan,[4] was among the earliest areas penetrated by the
Spaniards in the Cordilleras, the region, inhabited by the Isneg tribe, remained largely outside
Spanish control until late in the 19th century. As early as 1610, the Dominican friars established a
mission in what is now the town of Pudtol. In 1684, the friars again made attempts to convert the
people and established a church in what is now Kabugao.
The Spanish authorities were then able to establish in Cagayan the comandancias of Apayao and
Cabugaoan in 1891,[4][5][6]which covered the western and eastern portions of what is now Apayao.
The comandancias, however, failed to bring total control and the Spanish government only
maintained a loose hold over the area.

American period
The Americans established the Mountain Province on August 13, 1908, with the enactment
of Act No. 1876. Apayao, along with Amburayan, Benguet, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Lepanto,
became sub-provinces of this new province.[5][6][7]

World War II
In 1942, Japanese Imperial forces entered Apayao, starting a three-year occupation of the province
during the Second World War. Local Filipino troops of the 1st, 2nd, 12th, 15th and 16th Infantry
Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the military forces of the USAFIP-NL 11th and
66th Infantry Regiment, supported by the Cordilleran guerrillas, drove out the Japanese in 1945.

Kalinga-Apayao]
On June 18, 1966, the huge Mountain Province was split into four provinces with the enactment
of Republic Act No. 4695. The four provinces were Benguet, Bontoc (renamed Mountain
Province), Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao. Kalinga-Apayao, along with Ifugao, became one of the
provinces of the Cagayan Valley region in 1972.
On July 15, 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region was established and Kalinga-Apayao was
made one of its provinces.

Kalinga-Apayao splitting
Finally, on February 14, 1995, Kalinga-Apayao was split into two distinct provinces with the passage
of Republic Act No. 7878.[6][8][11]
The merged outlines of Apayao and Kalinga resemble a bust of a man akin to former
President Ferdinand Marcos (looking toward his home province, Ilocos Norte) whom the media
called as the "Great Profile" during the Marcos Era.

Geography
Physical
Apayao is basically on a mountainous area traversed by many rivers. Region I, II and other
provinces assemble its boundaries. Plains and valleys are used for farming. Apayao is basically
composed of farmlands.
Barangays
The
7
municipalities
of
the
province
comprise
a
total
of
133 barangays,
with Poblacion in Kabugao as the most populous in 2010, and Eleazar in Calanasan as the least.[3][12]
Further information: List of barangays in Apayao

Climate
The prevailing climate in the province falls under Corona's Type III Classification. It is characterized
by relatively dry and wet seasons, from November to April, and wet during the rest of the year.
Heaviest rain occurs during December to February while the month of May is the warmest.

Demographics
Based on the 2000 census survey, half of the population is Ilocano 50.82% and almost 1/3 of the
population
is Isnag 29.95%.
Other
ethnic
groups
living
in
the
province
are
theMalaueg 3.69%, Isneg 3.48%, Kalinga 3.08%, Ibaloi 1.01%, Kankana-ey 1.24%
and Bontok 1.04%.[13]

People and culture

The Isneg, also Isnag or Apayao, live at the northwesterly end of northern Luzon, in the upper half of
the Cordillera province of Apayao. The term Isneg derives from a combination of is meaning
recede and uneg meaning interior. Thus, it means people who have gone into the interior. In
Spanish missionary accounts, they, together with the Kalinga and other ethnic groups between the
northern end of the Cagayan Valley and the northeastern part of the Ilocos, were referred to as los
Apayaos, an allusion to the river whose banks and nearby rugged terrain were inhabited by the
people. They were also called los Mandayas, a reference to an Isneg word meaning upstream.
The term Apayao has been used interchangeably with Isneg, after the name of the geographical
territory which these people have inhabited for ages. This is inaccurate, however, because the
subprovince of Apayao is not exclusively peopled by the Isneg.
There has been a large influx of Ilocano over the years. From Cagayan, the Itawes have occupied
the eastern regions. The Aeta inhabit the northern and northeastern parts of the province. There are
the Kalinga, the other major group in the province. The Isneg have always built their settlements on
the small hills that lie along the large Apayao-Abulog river of the province. In 1988, the Isneg were
estimated to number around 45,000. Municipalities occupied by the Isneg include Pudtol, Kabugao,
Kalanasan and Conner (Peralta 1988:1).
Two major river systems, the Abulog and the Apayao, run through Isneg country, which until recent
times has been described as a region of dark tropical forests, and endowed with other natural
resources. In one early account, the Isneg were described as of slender and graceful stature, with
manners that were kindly, hospitable, and generous, possessed with the spirit of self-reliance and
courage, and clearly artistic in their temperament.

Economy
Apayao is devoted to agricultural production, particularly food and industrial crops such as palay,
corn, coffee, root crops and vegetables. Main fruits produce are lanzones, citrus, bananas and
pineapples. Rice production totals 42,602 metric tons annually, as food crops totals 96,542 metric
tons.
Economic activity is also based on livestock and poultry breeding such as swine, carabao, cattle,
goat and sheep. Other additional investment includes manufacturing, food processing, furniture,
crafts and house wares making.
Updated records of the Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Office reveal that existing
industries in the province are furniture, garment craft, food processing, gifts and house wares, and
agricultural support.

Festivals
Say-Am Festival
Say-am Festival of Apayao which is celebrated every February 14. It is in celebration of the
founding anniversary of the province and Isnags grandest feast or celebration. A feast
featuring and ushering the traditional way of Isnags thanksgiving to the Higher Supreme
unseen being called ALAWAGAN executed and commenced through rituals spiced with
pep songs, native chants and dances called the TALIP and TAD-DO. The holding and
celebration of Say-am in the older days connotes status that the family is respectable and
well-to-do.The Festival highlights the Agro-Tourism and trade fair which showcase the
different products and beauty of natures of Apayao,Isnag Indigenous games,Sports,Street
dancing and the Search for Miss Dayag ti Apayao which showcase the Beautiful and
intelligent Ladies of Apayao.
Calanasan Annual Town Fiesta/Say-am Capital of Apayao
Say-am naya Calanasan the origin of Say-am Festival of the Apayao province Celebrated every
3rd week of March.The Festival highlights the Agro-industrial and trade fair which showcase the
different products of Calanasan,Isnag Indigenous games,Sports,Street dancing and the Search
for Miss Dam-ag naya Calanasan which showcase the glamorous Ladies of Calanasan.
Pudtol Town Fiesta, Pudtol
Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of May, Agro-Trade Fair Pageant and Sports.
Connor Franta
3rd Week of May, cultural presentations, trade fair, pageant and sports activities.
Fruit Harvest Festival
September and October in Kirikitan, Conner. Harvest season of Rambutan, lanzones, durian,
oranges and pomelo.
Luna Foundation Day
October in Luna. Showcasing agro-trade fair, pageant and sports fest.
Pudtol Foundation Day
2nd Week of December in Pudtol. Showcasing agro-trade fair, pageant and sports fest.
Balangkoy Festival
Cebrated at the municipality of Sta. Marcela

Ifugao
Ifugao is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon.
Its capital is Lagawe and borders Benguet to the west, Mountain Province to the north, Isabela to the
east, and Nueva Vizcaya to the south.
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and Banaue Rice Terraces are the main tourist
attractions in the province. These 2000-year-old terraces were carved into the mountains, without
the aid of machinery, they used their "bare" hands to provide level steps where the natives can plant
rice. In 1995, they were declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3]

Etymology
Ifugao is named after the term "i-pugo" ("i" [from/people] and "pugo" [hill]), which translates to people
of the hill.

History
Spanish regime
During the Spanish occupation, Ifugao was under the jurisdiction of the province of Nueva Vizcaya.
In 1891, the Spanish government established Quiangan as a comandancia-politico-militar for the
Ifugao area.
The Spanish occupation in the province ended with the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution.

American occupation
On August 18, 1908, Ifugao was separated from Nueva Vizcaya [10] and, along
with Amburayan, Apayao, Benguet, Bontoc, Kalingaand Lepanto, was annexed to the newly
created Mountain Province established by the Philippine Commission with the enactment of Act No.
1876.

World War II
Ifugao became the center of warfare in the last year of World War II when Gen. Tomoyuki
Yamashita launched his last stand against the American and Philippine Commonwealth forces
at Mount Napulawan. He informally surrendered to Captain Grisham of the 6th US Army in the
Philippines based in Kiangan,[5] before he was flown to Camp John Hay where he formally
surrendered.

Post-war era[edit]
On June 18, 1966, Republic Act No. 4695 was enacted, and Ifugao was converted into a regular
province when the hugeMountain Province was split into four (the other three being Benguet,
Mountain Province, and Kalinga-Apayao).[4][12] Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao were placed under the
jurisdiction of the Cagayan Valley region.[5][13]
On July 15, 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region was established by then-President Corazon
Aquino thru Executive Order220, and Ifugao was made one of its provinces.[5][14][15]
In 1992, Republic Act No. 07173 was enacted, separating several barangays from Kiangan and
constituting them under a new municipality known as Asipulo.[16][17]
Since 1992, the province has been observing every September 2 as Victory Day, commemorating
the valor of Philippine war veterans and the surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita in the
municipality of Kiangan on September 2, 1945.[18][19][20]

In 1995, the Batad Rice Terraces, Bangaan Rice Terraces (both in Banaue), Mayoyao Rice
Terraces (in Mayoyao), Hungduan
Rice
Terraces (in Hungduan)
and Nagacadan
Rice
Terraces (in Kiangan, Ifugao) were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site under the
collective name "Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras".[3]

Geography]
Covering a total land area of 2,628.2 km, the province of Ifugao is located in a mountainous region
characterized by rugged terrain, river valleys, and massive forests.

Administrative
Ifugao is divided into 11 municipalities, all of which belong a lone legislative district.[21][22]

Political map of Ifugao

Barangays
The 11 municipalities of the province comprise a total of 175 barangays, with Santa
Maria in Alfonso Lista (Potia) as the most populous in 2010, and Banga in Lagawe as the least.
[21][22]

Further information: List of barangays in Ifugao

Demographics
Based on the 2000 census survey, Ifugao are the majority of the province population with them
comprising about 67.9% of the population. other ethnic groups living in the province are
the Ilocanos 13.7%, Kalahan 8.6%, Ayangan 6.2% 0.6%.[24] [25]
The people of Ifugao province are called Ifugaos, but mistakenly called by non-Cordilleran as
Igorots. Ifugaos, despite the similarities in some cultural traditions and practices, are considered
a separate ethnic group from Igorots.
As of today`s total number of population of Tinguian in the province of Ifugao is 2,609. (source:
National Statistics Office)

Religion
{{Bontok-Lagawe (Vicariate Apostolic)[Catholic-Hierarchy]}}
Roman Catholicism predominates in Ifugao with approximately 60% adherence. In 2014, The
Vicariate Apostolic of Bontok and Lagawe recorded a 61.5% Roman Catholic adherence. The
most significant religion other than Roman Catholicism is the Aglipayan Church while many
people are still professing indigenous beliefs.

Rice culture

A traditional house in Ifugao.

Ifugao culture revolves around rice, which is considered a prestige crop. There is an elaborate
and complex array of rice culture feasts inextricably linked with taboos and intricate agricultural
rites, from rice cultivation to rice consumption. Harvest season calls for grandiose thanksgiving
feasts, while the concluding harvest rites "tungo" or "tungul" (the day of rest) entail a strict taboo
of any agricultural work. Partaking of the rice wine (bayah), rice cakes, and 'moma' (mixture of
several herbs, powdered snail shell and betel nut/ arecoline: and acts as a chewing gum to the
Ifugaos) is an indelible practice during the festivities and ritual activitiess. their retual and
Agricultural terracing is their principal means of livelihood along with farming. Their social status
is measured by the number of rice field granaries, family heirlooms, gold earrings, carabaos
(water buffaloes), as well as, prestige conferred through time and tradition. The more affluent,
known as kadangyan were usually generous by nature, giving rice to poor neighbors in time of
food shortage(s) and/or hardship(s). Furthermore, their culture was known for their legal system,
using one of the world's most extensive oral legal traditions specifying the offense depending on
the use of custom law; trial by elders (influenced in part by public opinion); or trial by ordeal. The
wealthy were subjected to greater fines than the poor.
Untouched by the influences of Spanish colonialism, Ifugao culture value kinship, family ties,
religious and cultural beliefs. They're unique among all ethnic groups in the mountain province,
not only for their interesting customs and traditions but also for their narrative literature such as
the hudhud, an epic dealing with hero ancestors sung in a poetic manner. Another feature
unique to the Ifugao is their woodcarving art, most notably the carved granary guardians bului
and the prestige bench of the upper class, the hagabi. Their textiles renowned for their sheer
beauty, colorful blankets and clothing woven on looms. Houses were well-built, characterized by
as a square with wooden floors, windowless walls, and pyramidal thatch roofs. Elevated from the
ground by four sturdy tree trunks, they feature removable staircases that were hoisted up at
night to prevent entry by enemies and/or wild animals. Lastly, their attire remain traditional for
male Ifugaos, donning the wanno or g-string; there are six types of wanno which are used
depending on the occasion or the man's social status. Ifugao women, on the contrary, wear
tapis, a wraparound skirt; there are five kinds of skirts worn, depending on the occasion and/or
status of the woman/girl.

Benguet
Benguet (Tagalog
pronunciation: [beet]; Ibaloi: Probinsya
ne
Benguet; Ilocano: Probinsya
ti
Benguet; Filipino: Lalawigan ng Benguet), is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the
southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad.
The highland province is known as the "Salad Bowl of the Philippines" because of its huge
production of upland vegetables.[1][2][5]
Located in the interior of Benguet is the highly urbanized city of Baguio, which is independent of the
province.

History
The mountainous area now covered by Benguet has been settled for millennia by several peoples
collectively known as theIgorots. Two of these groups, the Ibaloi and the Kankanaey, are dominant
ethnolinguistic groups of the area. In the pre-conquest period, these tribes enjoyed flourishing trade
with lowland groups immediately to their west and south, such as the Ilocano and thePangasinense.

Spanish period
At the beginning of the Spanish Era, colonisers heard of the rich gold mines in the mountains and
attempted to colonize the highlands, but failed. In 1572, Juan de Salcedo led a small expedition into
the southern part of Benguet, but the natives forced it to retreat. [5] The first major expedition into the
mountains occurred in 1620, when Spanish explorers went into the La TrinidadValley and briefly
controlled some Igorot gold mines, but abandoned them after a few years.
In the 1800s, Spanish colonizers made more serious attempts such as expeditions under Col.
Guillermo Galvey[6]:280 and succeeded in establishing a presence in the La Trinidad Valley, named
after Galvey's wife.[5]
This area later became a district of the new province of La Union in 1846. Eight years later, in 1854,
Benguet became a separatecomandancia politico-militar. Parts of the present province were
established as component territories of other comandancias such as Lepanto and Amburayan.[5]

American period
When the Americans took control of the Philippines, they established local civil governments in many
parts of the country. American civilian government was established in Benguet on November 23,
1900 by virtue of Act No. 48, with Canadian journalistH.P. Whitmarsh appointed as the province's
first governor.
The Americans then established Mountain Province on August 18, 1908, with the enactment of Act
No. 1876. Benguet, along withAmburayan, Apayao, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Lepanto, became
sub-provinces of this new province. [5][10] Later, the township of Baguio was abolished upon its
conversion into a chartered city in 1909. In 1920, Benguet absorbed the sub-provinces of
Amburayan and Lepanto.[5]
In the 1930s, mining companies started operating in the province. This brought jobs, and many
lowlanders migrated to Benguet, especially in towns surrounding the gold mines, such
as Itogon, Mankayan and Tuba.[7]

World War II
During World War II, Igorot guerrillas and the combined Filipino and American forces fought
Japanese soldiers during the final days of the war in 1945.

Post-war Era
On June 18, 1966, the huge Mountain Province was split into four provinces with the enactment
of Republic Act No. 4695. The four provinces were Benguet, Mountain Province,KalingaApayao and Ifugao.[5][11][12] Benguet became one of the provinces of the Ilocos Region. On July 15,
1987,
the Cordillera
Administrative
Region was
established
by
President Corazon
Aquino thru Executive Order 220, and Benguet was made one of its provinces.[5][13][14]

Geography
Physical
Situated within the Cordillera mountains, Benguet is dominantly mountainous. Mount Pulag, the
highest in Luzon is located withinKabayan.
The mountains are the source of several springs and creeks that converge to form several rivers, the
major ones which include the Agno,Amburayan, Bued, Bakun, Balili and the Asin. Some of these run
through river valleys or gorges.
Several natural lakes, small in size, are found within the hinterlands. The largest are the "Four
Lakes" in Kabayan; Lake Bulalacao, Lake Datep-ngapso, Lake Incolos and Lake Tabeyo.

Administrative
The province is bordered by Mountain Province and Ifugao on the northeast, Nueva Vizcaya on the
southeast, Pangasinan on the south,La Union on the west, and Ilocos Sur on the northwest.
Municipalities
Benguet is subdivided into 13 municipalities, all of which belong to a lone legislative district.[15]
The highly urbanized city of Baguio, although independent from Benguet, is located in the interior of
the province, surrounded by the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablanand Tuba. The city used
to be part of the province but became independent when the city's charter was enacted in 1909. It is
informally considered as part of Benguet, especially in census data, [3] but has a separate legislative
district from that of the province.
Barangays
The 13 municipalities of the province comprise a total of 140 barangays, with Pico in La Trinidad
as the most populous in 2010, and Anchokey in Kabayan as the least.[16]

Demographics
In the May 2000 census, Benguet had a total population of 330,129. This figure is up by 16,296
from 313,833 persons recorded in the 1995 census, giving an annual growth rate of 1.09%
during the 5-year period compared to the national average of 2.43%. The province registered
63,123 households, an increase of 4,588 households over the 1990 figure. This gave an
average household size of 5.20 persons, slightly higher than the national average of 4.99.
At the 2010 census, the population excluding the independent Baguio City was 403,944, which
makes it the most populous province in the region. If Baguio City is included, the population is
772,620.[4]

Inhabitants
The native inhabitants of Benguet province comprise three ethnic groups. Kankanaeys dominate
the northwestern municipalities of the province, Ibalois are concentrated on the southeast,

and Kalanguyas are mostly found in the east.[5][17][18] Migrants from lowland provinces have fused
with the local populace to form a melting pot in some areas.[12][18][19]
According to the 2000 Philippine census, Kankanaeys comprised 43% of the entire provincial
household population at the time, while 29.2% were identified as Ibalois. Resident lowland
ethnic groups included Ilocano at 13.4%, Ikalahan at 3.7% and Tagalog at 2.4%.[20]

Religion
Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion with 73% adherence while Aglipayan (a local
form of Catholicism) is an important minority. Many other Christian groups are also found and
they are represented by Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Presbyterian,
Methodist, Baptist, Jehovah's Witnesses as well as Muslims.

Languages
Benguet residents generally speak their own languages in addition to Ilocano, Tagalog,
and English, which are used for trade and commerce. The Ibaloi tribe speak Ibaloy, which is
similar to Pangasinan, while the Kankanaey have their eponymous language, which is related to
the Bontoc language.
The SIL Ethnologue database [1] classifies the languages under the South-Central
Cordilleran branch. Nabaloy (named in the database as Ibaloi) is part of the Southern
Cordilleran branch which also includes Pangasinense. The Kankanaey language is under
the Central Cordilleran branch, which also includes Bontoc and Ifugao.

Economy
Agriculture, mining, and tourism are the major industries in Benguet. Because of its temperate
climate and high altitude, Benguet is an ideal place for producing vegetables. Benguet is often
called the Salad Bowl of the Philippines.[2][5][18] The La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post in the
municipality of La Trinidad serves as the hub of vegetable trading in the province, attracting
farmers, merchants and traders from the local community and the Philippines' different
provinces. [21] Major
crops
produced
include potatoes,
Baguio
beans, peas, strawberries, cabbage,broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and carrots.[5][22]
Horticulture and floriculture are practiced in the province. [23] The province supplies flowers to the
different municipalities, including Baguio City.[24] [25] Apisang (scientific name: Pittosporum
resiniferum), a plant endemic to the Philippines, is grown in the municipalities of Kapangan and
Kibungan as a potential alternative source of fuel and energy, rivaling the jatropha biofuel plant.
[26][27]

Other
agricultural-related
activities
are monggo processing, fruit
brittle manufacturing, broom making and basket weaving.[5][28]

preservation, peanut

The province suffers from crop damage resulting from seasonal frost during the cold months of
December to March, especially in high-altitude towns such as Atok, Buguias, Mankayan and
Kibungan.[29][30] In February 2007, Benguet suffered crop damage due to temperatures as low as 7
degrees Celsius, and important crops like cabbage were damaged.[31]
Mining is a major industry in Benguet, which is one of the country's leading gold producers.
[5]
The Benguet Corporation, the first and oldest mining company in the Philippines, has extracted
gold, copper and chromite in Itogon since 1903.[32] [33]
Other mineral deposits are silver, copper, pyrite, and limestone. Silver smithing is a large
industry in Benguet, and many entrepreneurs sell silver works at lower prices in Baguio
City compared to Manila. In 2006, revenues from mining reached 4 billion pesos from just two
(Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation and Philex Mines) of many mining firms operating in

the province. The province's mining vigor has never translated into better quality of life of the
Benguet people, simply because a bulk of the mining firm's taxes are not paid directly to the
province. The two mining corporations, like many others around the country, have principal
offices in the City of Makati, a set-up that makes Makati the prime mining tax beneficiary.
The presence of Baguio City in Benguet draws many tourists from the lowlands. Often, people
who go to Baguio also explore the province, especially the strawberry and vegetable plantations
in La Trinidad. Accommodations are sparse, and many tourists opt to stay at different Hotels in
Baguio Citywhereby Baguio City becomes their starting point for their Benguet adventure (See
also the Tourist Attractions section below.)

Education
Universities

The Benguet State University (BSU) is the only university in the province, with its Main
Campus at La Trinidad. It has eight colleges, two academic institutes, and a graduate
school. The university has two satellite campuses in two municipalities; the Buguias
Campus at Loo, Buguias, and the Bokod Campus at Ambangeg, Bokod.[34]

Aside from BSU, the independent chartered city of Baguio hosts a number of higher
education institutions. These universities and colleges attract students from across the
Philippines.

High Schools
The Cordillera Regional Science High School is located in La Trinidad. The Benguet National
High School has several annexes distributed in the capital town of La Trinidad.

Tourist attractions
The province is a major tourist destination in the country, [1] with most of its tourist spots centered
on culture and nature.[35] Baguio City's location within the province provides a boost to the
tourism industry of the province.[36] Interesting places in the province include Kennon
Road, Binga Dam, strawberry and flower farms in La Trinidad, the Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, and
the Palina and Naguey rice terraces in Atok.
Tuba and Tublay hot springs are usually flocked by local tourists from the neighboring provinces.
Vegetable terraces can be seen along the Halsema Highway, especially during the growing
season, while the mist-covered "Man-asok" River is another destination. Kabayan is known for
its centuries-old mummies, while Buguias is visited for its hot springs and the Apo Anno.

Antique
Antique (Pronunciation: /ntik/) or (/ntik/) is a province of the Philippines located in
the region of Western Visayas. The province's capital, San Jose, is located in the western portion
of Panay Island and borders Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo to the east, whilst facing the Sulu Sea to the
west.

Name
Antique was one of the three sakup (districts) of Panay before Spanish colonizers arrived on the
islands. The province was known at that time as Hantk, the local name for the large black
ants found on the island.[4] The Spanish chroniclers, influenced by the French, recorded the region's
name as Hantique, which was then read as 'antique (silent 'h'). The locals then pronounced the
name into its present name "Antique" (n-ti-k)[citation needed]

History
Historians believe that the earliest people who settled on the island of Panay were
tribalNegritos or Atis. Oral history, relayed as the "Legend of Maragtas", states that in 1212, ten
"datus"
from Malay escaped
persecution
from Sri-Vishaya,
a
Hindu-Malay
empire
inBorneo and Sumatra when the empire was suddenly upturned by religious groups from Hindu to
Islam killing those who oppose the new ruling majority. The ten datus, led by Datu Puti, sailed
northward with their families and communities, landing on Panay after departing Borneo. [5]
Upon arrival, the Malay datus met the Ati chieftain Datu Marikudo and his wife Maniwantiwan. They
offered the chieftain a salakot (wide-brimmed hat)[6] (out of exaggeration, the present day locals
believed to be of pure gold) which includes a golden necklace, earrings, bracelets and trinkets they
wore when they fled Borneo among other gifts of pearls and fine clothes as a display of respect and
to buy the land for them to live. Datu Marikudo responded to the datus' generosity by giving the
Malayans the lowlands and moving to the mountains with his Ati tribe as the mountains are sacred to
them. The legacy of this landing is commemorated annually in Antique during the Binirayan festival.[7]
The island of Panay was then divided into three sakups: Hantik, Aklan and Irong-Irong. Aklan
became the present-day Aklan andCapiz, Irong-Irong became Iloilo, and Hantik (also called Hamtik
or Hamtic) became Antique. Hantik was named for the large black ants found on the island called
"hantik-hantik".[8]
The sakup of Hantik was given to Datu Sumakwel, one of the ten datus, and who, according to
tradition, was a sword master and wisest of them. The three sakups were later governed as a
political unit called the Confederation of Madyaas, also under Datu Sumakwel. Datu Sumakwel
founded the town of Malandog, considered to be the first Malay settlement in the country. Malandog
is now a barangay in the present-day municipality of Hamtic, which was named after the
historic sakup.
During the Spanish colonial period, the coastal province was vulnerable to attacks by Moro raiders.
Under the direction of the Spanish friars, a series of watchtowers, like the 'Old Watchtower'
in Libertad and Estaca Hill in Bugasong, were built to guard Antique.
In 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army landed in Antique and occupied the province during
the Second World War.
During the Japanese Insurgencies and Occupation (1942-1944), the military general headquarters
and camp bases of the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was
active from 1942 to 1946 and the military general headquarters and camp bases of the 6th Infantry
Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was re-activated between 1944 and 1946. Additionally,

during the implementation of the anti-imperial Japanese military operations on Panay Island between
1942 and 1945 in the Antique province, Filipino military forces aided the local guerrilla resistance
against the Imperial Japanese Army.
Between 1944 and 1945, Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 6th Infantry Regiment of the
Philippine Constabulary and the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth
Army defeated the Japanese troops and liberated the province. The liberation was achieved with the
active support of recognized local guerrillas.

Geography
The province of Antique is one of the six provinces comprising Western Visayas or Region VI and
one of the four provinces in the island of Panay.
The Province of Antique is an elongated stretch of land occupying the entire western side of the
island. It is bounded by the rugged central mountains of Panay, bordering on the provinces of Aklan
in the northeast, Capiz on the east, Iloilo in the southeast and the Sulu Sea on the west. Its westernmost and northernmost point is Semirara Island at 120710N 1212110E, while its easternmost
point is approximately 1101N 12219.5E. Anini-y is the province's most southerly point
at 102424N 1215738E. Resembling a seahorse in shape, it is 155 kilometres (96 mi) long and
35 kilometres (22 mi) at its widest point.
Antique has rugged and varied land. Nogas Island, Hurao-Hurao Island and Mararison Island have
long stretches of white sand beaches that are ideal for shell-hunting. Batbatan Island on the other
hand, appeals to scuba divers because of the well-preserved coral reefs. Mount Madia-as (or
Madjaas), on the border with Aklan, is the highest peak on Panay. This 2,113 metres (6,932 ft) high
mountain[9] is a dormant volcano with lakes and 14 waterfalls. It is said to be the legendary home of
Bulalakaw, the supreme god of the ancients, and beckons as a challenge for hikers and trekkers.

Demographics
Antiqueos are seafaring people that share many characteristics with their Panay neighbors.
However, the steep slopes and the rugged, long mountain ranges of Antique have isolated it from the
rest of Panay. Hence, they have developed their own distinct language calledKinaray-a. This dialect
is of Austronesian origin characterized by the predominance of r's and schwa sounds spoken with a
lilting gentle intonation.
The Antiqueos are noted for their industry. They are renowned weavers throughout the Visayas.
The Bugasong patadyong, a tube cotton fabric of plaid design, is highly valued because of its
fineness of weaving. Pia cloth is also produced in looms throughout the province. Wine
manufactured from the sap of the coconut is a cottage industry.

Religion
The people of Antique are predominantly Christians, with Roman Catholicism as its largest
denomination. Even today, the Catholic Church remains influential in both the society and politics of
the province. Other religious denominations present in the province next to the Roman Catholic is
the Iglesia Filipina Independiente more commonly known asAglipayan Church, others are
Protestants and Nontrinitarian such as Baptist Churches, Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist
Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Church of Latter Day Saints, among others.
In the mountains, remnants of ancient folk beliefs persist. Babaylans or native priestesses continue
to divine the future, heal the sick or conjure spells.

Economy

Agriculture
For the year 1998, production of palay, the primary crop of the province, registered a total of 177,521
metric tons (mt.) or 4,438,025 cavans from 58,847 hectares with an average yield of 3.02 metric tons
per hectare. An increase of 8,280 mt. or 16.37 percent over last years (1997) production was
observed because the area harvested has increased by 9,822 hectares or 5.86 percent. However,
the average yield per hectare decreased by 0.3 mt. per hectare or 0.09 percent. The average yield
per hectare for irrigated lands is 3.39 mt., 2.63 mt. for rain-fed farms, and 1.57 for upland areas. The
province regularly harvests enough to feed its population. This year, [when?] there is a surplus of 83,756
mt. or 2,093,900 cavans of palay.
Copra, the second major agricultural commodity, registered a total production of 15,712 mt. in 1998
reflecting a decrease of 965 mt. (5.78%) as against last years (1997) yield of 16,677 mt. The main
bulk of copra came from the municipality of Caluya where this area accounts for 44 percent of the
total copra output of the province. The area planted with coconuts constitutes about 34 percent of
the total area of the province. Caluya, together with Pandan, account for more than half (53%) of the
total provincial figure in terms of area planted, number of bearing trees, nuts production and copra
yield.
For current year, data on production of other field crops are the following: corn, 650 metric tons;
legumes (moonbeams, peanuts and other beans), 1,689 metric tons; muscovadosugar, 2,280 metric
tons; root crops (camote, cassava, ube, etc.), 3,434 metric tons; vegetables (leafy, fruit and root),
870 metric tons; banana, 11,102 metric tons; and mango, 1,330 metric tons.

Fishery
By the end of the year preliminary data for the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported that
the total volume of fishery products reached 24,299 metric tons. The aquaculture sector yields the
highest production during the inclusion of seaweeds in this sector.
Fishing is the major source of livelihood for households in the 15 coastal municipalities. The rich
fishing grounds of the Cuyo East Pass, Sulu Sea, and the municipal waters along the approximately
296.8 km coastline, make fishing a promising venture. The fishing season is year round and peaks
during December to June. A total of 17,437 households are directly dependent on fishing, and
39,055 households are indirectly dependent on it.

Tourism
The province has many tourist attractions, activities, points of interest, facilities and services to offer.
There are tourism areas that are developing and many are still to be developed. Tourists traveling
from Iloilo to Boracay can stop by Antique's tourism areas. The whole stretch of coastal areas in
Antique is suited for scuba diving. Starting from the southern town of Antique tourists can drop by
Sira-an Hot Spring, claimed to be a medical spring. The next destination is the capital town San Jose
de Buenavista passing by Malandog Marker, site of the first Malayan Settlement. Tourism amenities
like restaurants, shopping malls, pasalubong centers, accommodations and beach resorts are
present. Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, can be found in Sibalom Natural Park. In the
municipalities of Patnongon and Laua-an, tourists interested in traditional methods can visit
muscovado mills and watch how muscovado sugar is processed. Products made with muscovado
are also available; Laua-an is noted for its long butong-butong (a candy made with muscovado
sugar). Tibiao has the Bugtong Bato Falls and the Fish SPA. From Culasi Mount Madia-as can be
seen, the Mount Olympus of Antique. Sebaste has the Igpasungaw Falls, the Sebaste Inland Resort
and the most visited Saint Blaise Church, where devotees of St. Blaise make a pilgrimage every
year during the annual fiesta. Pandan has Malumpati Health Spring and Bugang Riverdeclared the
cleanest body of water in the whole country [according to whom?]where rafting and river boating can be
experienced. This is the most developed tourism area with a tour package. Libertad is famous for
its bariw mat and bag weaving.

Livestock and poultry

Livestock and poultry raising in the province is through backyard or commercial system of
production. Data from Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) revealed that from 1,441,660 head of
livestock and poultry in 1997, the number rose to 1,547,944 in 1998, an additional 106,284 heads,
indicating a 7.37% growth. The main reason behind this growth is the increase in poultry production
of almost 7.88 percent.

Forestry
Forest products include bamboo, rattan, buri, bariw, nito, log, charcoal, abaca, herbal vines and
plants, wild flowers and others. These forest resources are of undetermined quantity, and are used
as raw materials in the construction industry, furniture and handicraft.
A large percentage of forestland is classified as protected (59.29 percent or 70,338.52 hectares). A
little more than 50 percent of the total forestland is vegetated. The municipalities of Culasi, San
Remigio and Valderrama registered the highest vegetative cover with an area of 13,005 hectares,
8637.50 hectares and 6,35 hectares respectively. The remaining 40.71 percent or 48,296.48
hectares are classified as production forests.

Trade, commerce, and industry

Major products shipped out of the province are palay, rice, copra, muscovado sugar, legumes, fruits
and vegetables, livestock, fish and fish preparations, and seaweeds. Manufacture items like native
gifts, toys, and housewares are sold in major cities of the country and abroad. Principal mined
products exported include coal, marble, silica, copperand gemstones.
The main goods entering the province are construction materials, dry goods, groceries, canned and
bottled products, fertilizers and others.
The capital town of San Jose de Buenavista is the center of business in the area. Potential growth
areas include the towns of Culasi, Pandan and Sibalom. Investment opportunities with good
prospects in the province are:

Sugar industry

Seaweed processing

Marble processing

Gemstone and semi-precious stone processing

Coco oil mill

Livestock and poultry processing

Food Processing

Marine products processing

Furniture, handicraft, metalcraft

Fiber extraction/processing/weaving

High value crop production

Feed/Feed Milling

Banks and other financial institutions

As of 1998, Antique has a total of eleven rural banks, five private commercial banks and three
government banks: the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines have
branches at San Jose de Buenavista and Culasi, Antique. There are also 51 multi-purpose
cooperatives and four credit cooperatives.

Establishments
An establishment is an economic unit which engages under a single ownership or control. The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) classifies establishments as manufacturing, trade and
service. For 1998, fourteen manufacturing establishments were reported. Such manufacturing
establishments are making hollowblocks, wood furniture, steel/wood, packed foods, metal craft,
threshers, soap and sidecars. Service establishments totaled 117 and a total of 294 trade
establishments.

Mineral resources
Antique has deposits of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources. The metallic mineral resources
include copper, gold, chromite, pyrite, iron, manganese and ferro alloy and limestone. Copper
deposits in Barbaza and San Remigio are estimated to have a volume of 36,255 metric tons and
59,445 metric tons respectively. Pyrite deposits in Valderrama and Sibalom are estimated at 120,000
metric tons while limestone deposits in Culasi are estimated at 30 billion metric tons.
The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) confirms the presence of gold in Mt. Dumara, Laua-an
extending as far as Lumboyan, Barbaza. An analysis conducted in ore deposits indicated that 39.75
grams of gold can be found in a metric ton of ore. Non-metallic deposits include sulfides, clay, sulfur,
oil and gemstones. Marble deposits are estimated at 1.8 billion metric tons in Libertad, and 2.3 billion
metric tons in Pandan. Coal reserves in Caluya are estimated to be 1.6 million metric tons.
An indication of oil deposit was recently discovered at Maniguin Island in Culasi.

Binirayan festival
Started in San Jose in 1974 by governor Evelio Javier, this is a week-long festival that includes
colorful street parades, beach shows, plaza concerts, a beauty contest and trade fair. "Binirayan"
biray, or "sailboat" in Kinaray-a (Antique's local language), refers to the Pre-Hispanic legend of the
Bornean datus to reach Malandog beach, where they befriended the Atis (Aetas) and eventually
started a civilization. As above-stated, Antique tradition holds that it was founded by
Bornean Malays in the 12th century, although this had been long debunked as a hoax. According to
legend, 10 Bornean datus (chieftains) claimed Panay island and their leader, Datu Sumakwel,
founded the settlement in Malandog, Hamtik, Antique.