MCP GOES 4x4 TO SAGADA
Jojo Ozaeta
(May 1-4, 2003)



Day 1

A group composed of Chem with nico, Keith with family, Norman with friend and me with my family left caltex quarter after 4am for our Banaue adventure. We had an easy ride to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija where we stopped for bfast before 7am. At 7:30am, with Norman in the lead, we headed for Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. This was to be a 4hr leg thru the winding mountain roads of Nueva Viscaya. The traffic thinned out after San Jose- the last town of nueva ecija- which enabled Norman to give us history lessons and insights, thru out talkabouts, as we drove thru Dalton Pass and other never-heard towns. The banter amongst us drivers kept us awake while our passengers slept or barfed soundly.

We got to Solano by 11am and filled our tanks at the last of the "big Petron stations" for the rest of the trip. I clocked 286km from pasig and loaded 28L, that's 10.2 km/L on diesel. The others loaded from 28-33L of gas, not much difference but the price! We decided to head on to Banaue rather than take a break for lunch- which would be providential for us.

The last leg to Banaue was an hour and a half of unending twisties rising to 1100m, about 370km from manila. As soon as we got there, we headed for Banaue Hotel for some lunch and the much awaited view of the rice terraces. The view, from the main dining room, was a let down- there was not much of the fabled rice terraces left! I expected to see great heights filled with rice terraces but was greeted with crumbling remains, but it was just a taste of better things to come! Oh, globe phones went silent, it's smart territory up there.

After lunch, we sought our lodging for the evening- Fairview Inn- simple but adequate. The inn screwed up and actually had us booked for the next day but, luckily, had ample space to accommodate all except Norman (Norman found a room at banaue hotel). Soon after we checked-in, another group arrived looking for lodging. Apparently, it is common to get to Banaue and just figure out where to crash when you get there. If we were just a half hour late, we would be looking for lodging that whole afternoon!

The rest of the afternoon was spent taking in the sights and checking out the local market. It started to rain by late pm so Chem and son picked a table at the nearest "carinderia" and listened to more of Norman's stories with drink in hand. Needless to say, the town was quiet by 7pm so we retired early but so did the water heater.

Day2

Wake up call at 5am courtesy of the whole fighting cock community of Banaue! Thank god the heaters were awakened too. The cool pine-scented air with a cup of mountain coffee got everyone together for bfast by 7am.
Group 2 (chitoF, ChitoS, Santi, Alfie) left at 3am for their straight trip to Sagada. By 7am, ChitoF said they were halfway, km170, so we estimated the group's arrival by about 11am.

Meanwhile, the Banaue group had finished their morning chores and were itching to tackle Sagada. We decided to go ahead to ensure our lodging, leaving Norman to meet up with the second group(again providential). We left Banaue at about 9:30am, 2 vitaras and a trooper.
The trip to Bontoc and Sagada was nothing short of breathtaking. The narrow road skirted the mountain side, you could see pine forests, terraces and steep cliffs. You could also see the road on the other mountain, marked with landslides and eroded portions, but it was the only road to Bontoc! It was a 3hr trip for 65km due to rough, climbing roads. At one point we reached 1800m high before descending to Sagada's 1400m altitude.

Sagada is worth the trip. Pristine forests, strong pine scent in the air, waterfalls, caves, hanging coffins- ideal for days of trekking. We stayed at St joseph's which was situated on a hill overlooking the town but still in the center of it. After lunch, we set out for our first hike to a nearby mini-falls just 25 min away. Chem and son decided to wait for us upon seeing the hill we had to descend.

We hiked down a hill, thru rice terraces, across a raging creek to find a 20m high waterfall. Keith and family took a dip in the pool while i took pictures. The fun started on the way back, when we saw the hill we had just come down from- our age was showing but even the kids were out of breath! That was enough for one day. BTW, Chem got tired just sitting and waiting for us- it was nearing beer time.

Group 2 had their own adventure. They reached Banaue at 11:30am, had lunch and left by 1pm- 2 identical silverados in convoy. Unfortunately, Norman had 2 flat tires on the way, first on the way to Bontoc and second on the way to Sagada. His tools were incomplete from a earlier episode, but, luckily, chitoS had his tool set- never been used and still in its original wrapping! They all lent words of encouragement as Norman became an expert at changing tires. They arrived at Sagada by 5pm, and the rest of us caught up on their tire-horror-stories (but were glad we went ahead!). Again, Norman was without lodging at St joseph but they found a place at Igorot Inn for the night.(notice the "luck" of Norman throughout).

Me and my family sought a recommended resto for dinner, yoghurt house, which turned out to be the best place in town and the staple for most of the group's meals. The resto at St joseph, aptly named cafe St joe, was dreadful, so we learned, after a meal there. There was a band playing that night at cafe st joe so the whole town dropped by for a drink much to the chagrin of the tired, weary ones who wanted to retire early that night. Most of the guys stayed up drinking and taking in the cool mountain air.

Day 3

More how-did-i-get-myself-in-this trekking, spelunking(cave entrance only) and hanging coffins. Sagada is indeed a treasure, specially for those that enjoy being one with nature, serenity, tranquility and sore muscles. It is worth it many times over, just ask Norman, who filled us with stories of head-hunting, tribal wars and the nearest vulcanizing shops.

We moved as a group, all 17 of us, when we could. We fixed meeting times for treks and meals, making sure everyone was in on the action.
Oh, we even overheard on the radio someone asking Norman if they've eaten or has he been eaten? We wondered what that meant (with kids asking us why we were smiling)? What a fun group we had, incl freudian your-slip-is-showing types!

Day4

I decided to take the road less travelled and headed to baguio thru the Halsema highway- but that's another story. You'll have to ask the others about their trip back home. Besides, my fingers are beginning to show muscles from all this typing!
Norman, please consider changing tire brands- Bstone,Yokos are safer than trojans.
Great trip guys, let's do it again!!!!

-Jojo Ozaeta

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