Exploring the towns of Mountain Province, and exploring the barrios of Bontoc, all from the one vantage point: Fato (Rocky Top), Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
Sacred Fato is in Fa-ang (Maligcong) territory in the municipality of Bontoc. However, it
is also a three-way natural boundary point between the three adjoining villages
of Churya-a, Fa-ang and Litangfan. It is my favorite stopping point on the less
travelled mountain trail to Chonglian.
If I had not been nalukutan this morning, I might have witnessed the sunrise waking Kalawitan from its cloudy slumber.
But a little later from Litangfan at ag-ageo, the sun was already in full stride- rolling around the sky. The sleep-in was much needed though, for a beauty sleep. It did not work, but at least I got a bit of energy for the hike.
Swinging to the south-southwest and the heights of Bauko: The horizont line in the middle is the Mt Data plateau with Madalipey at its right edge. It is framed by Mt Data at left and Mt Polis #2 at right. At middle-right nestled at the foot of Polis is the village of San Gabriel, its rooftops clearly visible. Behind Polis and clearly not visible is the town of Tadian.To the southwest: Mt Ampacao in Sagada is at far left. Metropolitan Kiltepan is in the middle. And at near bottom is Likayan Road climbing up to the Dalican saddle.
Looking
northeast to Maligcong. Sadanga is well hidden behind the range.
So there you have it: all the worlds of Mountain Province to explore. Now here’s some more words to learn, only in Fato. Apparently, every photo below paints a thousand words. All you need to do is read them signs. See, when you go exploring, you learn a new language. The language of nature as spoken by the mountains.
But there’s more to Fato than a selfie photo. Fato is just one gateway to the Cordillera ranges.
So, explore the Cordillera mountains. Start in Fato for a taste of the natural montane world. Hike here to bathe in the forests. Feel the breezes blowing. Eavesdrop on the whispering pines, smell their scented hair.Climb Fato to fill up your senses. Up here, your spirits are always high.