The Hidden Beauty of Mt. Atugu

The Hidden Beauty of Mount. Atugu

      Thinking of the country Philippines and for sure you will think of different astonishing destinations. As they said “It’s more Fun in the Philippines”. It has many beautiful tourist spot that can attract different people around the world. This is one of the reason why it’s more fun in the Philippines. Water falls, hills, mountains, rivers, volcanoes, beaches and rice terraces are just some of those in the list you want to visit in this place.

In Cordillera Administrative Region is where you found The Eighth Wonder of the World the Banaue Rice Terraces which is located in the Province of Ifugao Municipality of Banaue. In 1995, the UNESCO declared it as world heritage site.

The Province of Ifugao is also known as the “Home of The Rice Terraces” of the Cordilleras. It’s not only the rice terraces where people in Ifugao are proud of but there are many discovered beautiful destinations. Some of these are soon to be discover. It is located in a mountainous region characterized by rugged terrain, river valleys, green mountains, and massive forest. Ifugao is endowed with historical, cultural, natural and man-made tourist spots and attractions, which can lure any nature-loving tourist. The range of attraction offered in ifugao is clustered according to municipalities.

From the gate way of Ifugao, the province of Lamut where you can climb the tough Matangili Rocks Formation. The capital of Ifugao which is the province of Lagawe where you can enter the two deafening silent Bintakan and Nahtoban caves. The 1,000 steps of Alfonso Lista where lovers believe that if they finished it, then that is the beginning of their forever love together. The proud of Hungduan, which is also attracted from tourist, the Mt. Napulawan, the Hungduan Rice Terraces and the Bogyah Hot Spring. In Mayoyao you can also visit the Mayoyao Rice Terraces, Tinogtog Falls, and the Mt. Nagchayan. The historical province of Kiangan in where The Kiangan Shrine, The Ambuwaya Lake, Pangagawan Caves, and The Bagnit Falls are just the places where can tourist visits. The Tocucan Sulphur Hotspring in Tinoc. Of course the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Tappiyah Falls in Banaue. Lastly the very own Mt. Atugu in Hingyon.

The name “Hingyon” was derived from the Ifugao term “Hing-ngiyon”, meaning a diversion from a major route. The boundary between the Barangay Bitu and Barangay Anao is where Mt. Atugu located. According to the myth, they named it in memory of the first woman named “Bugan”. Mt. Bunagoa in Langiden Abra projects the shape of a woman lying prostate on her back, her breasts sharply contoured and her reclined head facing the sky. While Mt. Atugu projects a horizontally half body woman sitting with a broad shoulders, wide chest hugging some barangay of hingyon, the municipality of Lagawe,the Ibulao River and some part of municipality of Kiangan.  According to myth, the Ibulao River is her hairs.   “Ulun Bugan” or the head of mountain is the view point where in you can view high green mountains around.

To reach its peak, one needs to hike for one to two hours. Because the way going to Mt. Atugu is passable by motorcycle, you will reach about thirty minutes. While you are walking, you will embrace the beauty of nature. You are surrounded by tall leafy trees. Climbing mountains is an experience that is hard to put into words.  You are in a beautiful environment and when you reach the top, you feel incredible.

Before, Mt. Atugu had a big contribution to the everyday life of the people in Hingyon especially the Barangay Bitu, Anao, Mompolia, Umalbong Humalophop and Ubuag.  The slope of the mountains, was once evenly divided to that Barangays. It’s not only they worked in the fields but Mt. Atugu became there farming place wherein they plants different kind of crops like camotes, cassavas, gingers and many more. They also hunt here because, before there are many different species living like wild pigs, birds and others. But for this generation, they became extinct.

The sun rise

One of the hidden beauty of Mt. Atugu is the majestic sun rise. From the tiring hike, and perspiring sweat, don’t loss hope because the moment you reach the peak of the mountain, you will feel relief because of the beauty of the rising sun. The sun started to rise around five AM in summer time but around five-thirty AM in rainy season.

The sea of clouds

Lastly, the new discovery of the sea of clouds in Mt. Atugu, the combination of fogs and clouds. If you are on the peak of the mountain, you will feel like flying to heaven. Sometimes it is rarely to witness this but if you are early riser, surely you will witness. It takes a few minutes the fogs and clouds to be settled to view mountains and the rising sun.

If you are a mountaineers, surely you are very prepared on what the importance to bring and what to do in order to be survived and come back hope with a big wide smile on your face.

The following images and videos are taken from the uploaded post in Facebook wherein they luckily   witness the hidden beauty of mount atugu.

  

From further information to the public, Mt Atugu is now under renovation by the barangay officials of Bitu and the concern government politicians. But still come and visits are Mt. Atugu in Hingyon someday!!!!!!!!!!!

Special thanks to to the FB account of the following:
jaja binwag
julieanne backid abella
aceson ambojnon
fj pugs
prince mike