SideTrip: Bontoc, the Mountain Province connection
The small town of Bontoc, Mountain Province
I’ve finanlly got a chance to drop by and explore this little town called Bontoc. Most of the time, it’s just one of those areas you only pass by either going to Sagada or Banaue. But it would seem that Bontoc is also an ideal point to jump off any trip going to the different parts of Mountain Province. If you are coming from Manila, you can ride on the new Cable Bus located in Trinity College and they head straight to Bontoc. From there,many jeeps plying to different directions like Banaue, Sagada and Besao can be found. Since Bontoc is in the middle, travel time is reduced.
Tatooed Women. A dying art form
Aside from the connection with different areas, it’s interesting to see our tribes people walking down these streets. Elders, still wearing traditional garbs and women with full body tatoos. Those tatoos are said to be a dying art form since modern women doesn’t like to put them anymore due to the painful process. These Tatoos for women are considered decorations, like jewels, for men however, tatoos are a badge of honor, it means they have slayed or killed an enemy during a war.
A church in Bontoc.
Bontoc is also a developing and clean town. New structures are being built, and there are a number of Inns if you decided to look around and see more of the town. A number of souvenier shops on the streets and there’s an ATM (from PNB) here if you find yourself running out of money in the midst of your trip.
Never miss the Bontoc Museum.
And NEVER miss going to the Bontoc Museum if you’re in town. Our companion M, who has been around most of the museums around the country said this is one of the best Museums here. Aside from the antiquities from different tribes inside the museum, there’s the outside museum which emulates the cultural houses and community setup of the Mountain Province tribes. So don’t fail to check this one out.
Tags: Bontoc, Cordilleras, Mountain Province, People, Structres
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Thursday, November 17th, 2005 at 2:11 pm 
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November 17th, 2005 at 4:03 pm
naku nakakatakot pala kung maraming tatoo yung lalaking nakasalubong mo kasi dami na nung napatay, hehe.
ok pala Bontoc, ganda ng church nila, modern na rin ang dating.
November 17th, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Wow! What a gorgeous site!
Wow, wow, wow!
Best of luck to you, Ferdz! I’d be tickled pink if you did win, because this website deserves it!
November 17th, 2005 at 7:45 pm
WoW! You got a great site! Ganda! And you’ve got awesome pics too. Ganda pala ng Bontoc, pinakamalayo ko na yatang narating dyan sa Mt. Province is La Trinidad. Link kita ha? Thanks.
November 18th, 2005 at 1:45 pm
wow! nice shots! love your page! cool!
November 18th, 2005 at 4:59 pm
haha pre ayos dito ah… kaw pla nagsulat nun ardous journey, binasa ko yun bago pumanik laking tulong!
November 18th, 2005 at 10:53 pm
That’s very interesting background on tattoos among the tribal people. In North America, tattoos have become very popular among the average person and among celebrities. Many believe it’s just a fad.
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:05 am
okay sa bontoc ah, buti ka pa puro lamyerda, pasalubong!
November 22nd, 2005 at 11:00 am
Helow! You have pictured our life in Bontoc and I congratulate you for that.Nice talaga! Grabeh! Continue your good work. May God bless you!!!
November 22nd, 2005 at 11:29 am
beautiful pics of places, dude! i wish i could go there and shoot also. inggit ako.
November 23rd, 2005 at 1:59 pm
lola has a wicked tattoo!
November 30th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
deployed to iraq, it made my heart melt to see beautiful pictures of my hometown. kudos to you my friend.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Thanks for this. Yes, tattoos (the old way) are not popular anymore. My grandmother has one and does not recommend it, because as you said, it’s painful.
October 29th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I REALLY MISS BONTOC VERY MUCH!!!!!