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Sagada is one among the ten towns in the mountainous province of the Cordillera region of northern Philippines. The town is sustained by agriculture which is the primary source of livelihood of the people. Sagada also earns a significant amount of revenue from the tourism industry. It is reputed for its pleasurable weather, pine landscape, rocky terrain, waterfalls, centuries-old burial caves, and rice terraces, local weaving and hanging coffins. The residents of Sagada are called Igorots who speak the kankana-ey dialect. Interestingly, most people feel free in speaking English than in Filipino. The population of Sagada is primarily Anglican. There are two waterfalls in Sagada. The smaller and older Bonkong is situated on the margins of the central barangay of Patay; the more majestic but younger Bomod-ok is situated on the northern barangay of Bangaan. At the foot of the Big Falls lies a pool of crystal clear water where a swim is all it takes to rejuvenate the worn out vacationer. The pool of Bonkong as well as its precipice is a traveler’s paradise. This cliff is carved out of solid rock, which is the consequence of continuous beating of the water against the rocks. Underneath Sagada lies a network of limestone caves and subterranean streams. These were created by the water which had eroded entire limestone mountains over millennia. Some of the caves are dry for the underground rivers that had created them have disappeared. The Big Cave, Sumaging, was created by river erosion. If you want to explore this cave, make sure you are accompanied by a guide and lanterns and ropes. Other big caves are found in southern Sagada. The third attraction of Sagada is the hanging coffins. On your way to Ambasing, limestone karts with cliffs are dotted with pine trees. One of the cliffs is perched precariously on a wedge, with four or five coffins arranged in a pile. The oldest is more than a century old.
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