The Bests of Mayoyao, Ifugao

One of the places we went to visit in Ifugao is Mayoyao. A two and a half hours drive going up from Alfonso Lista, where one can find Magat Dam, and two hours’ drive coming back. Thanks to the goodness of our friend Edna Dulnuan Natuno who took the pain of convincing us with my two companions – Rakel Sonim, and Jenny Acosta A.K.A “Lhayad” - to stay another day to visit Mayoyao and driving us to the place.

On the way up to Mayoyao, one can have a view of the vast forested mountains of Ifugao. By the invigorating views alone, one can say it is very much worth the time and expenses. Add to it the refreshing air as bonus and you’ll say it’s a never regrettable experience.

We did not have much time to explore the place, but we had enough time to see some of its pride, and listen to the stories of Leandro, the man who gave his time to accompany us to at least enjoy and maximize our time of visit.

Let share with you some of the images one can see when going there.  Just click on the image to enlarge or to view them all.

Figure 1  Before we went up to Mayoyao we first gone to the famous Magat Dam, one of the largest Dam of the Philippines

Figure 2 Magat Dam. This is where Electricity is being produced

Figure 3  Magat Dam.  The floating things are fish ponds and floating small houses. People goes there for picnics if you know somebody.  10 years ago, we went their to enjoy the water and fresh fishes

Figure 4  Going up to Mayopyao. Thick Forests along the way

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Figure  9  The Mayoyao Rice Terraces

Figure  10  The fields are being ready for planting, so, by the month of April onwards, the place will be green and is a good months to visit, unless, one wants to see and experience how the fields are being prepared MANUALLY without using machines.

Figure 11  Mayoyao Police Station

Figure 12  Stores along the way to the center

Figure 13   One can conclude that Mayoyao is a Place of  "House Thousand Pyramids" due to the way their traditional homes are made.  The house now is mainly used as an storage or Alang in their local dialect.

Figure 14  Still in Mayoyao but outside of the center

Figure 15  Mayoyao Museum.  Just not lucky day because it was closed.  However, it says everything inside is for your eyes only.  "No Picture Taking"

Figure  16  A Hostel is located in one of the high mountains where you can have a look at the beautiful views of the terraces.  It's about 10 minutes ride from the center

Figure  17  A replica of the Apfo'or(Burial Tomb)

Figure 18  Just some remembrance to say "We were there"

Figure  19  The hostel is ready to accommodate you

Figure 20-23  This and the following images are just some things to remove your anxieties as you traverse up and down the mountains going to Mayoyao

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Figure  23  Aguinaldo One of the places to pass by before reaching Mayoyao

Figure 24  According to the woman who owns this house, "This is our farmhouse." The people of Mayoyao's practice is to build their homes next to their farms which explains houses in the middle of their rice terraces.

Okay, folks, there are more images to share but I rather invite you visit the place.  The things I uploaded here are just some of the things you'll see.

Leandro wanted us to go visit their three beautiful falls, and the last place(At the top of the Mountain) where the Japanese soldiers and Ifugao fighters fought but this visit was not planned at all, so, we reserved it for the next visit. See you there!