Honest taxi driver from Sagada returns lost mobile phone to owner

As posted by Marlon Bernard Baso on Facebook

Photo Courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

Cordillera - An honest taxi driver Mr. Joseph Inso from Sagada, Mt. Province returned the cellphone which was accidentally dropped from the pocket of my niece at the front seat of the taxi Ganduyan. 

We boarded the taxi at Lubas going to Km 4, La Trinidad, Benguet at about past 9am last Sunday - May 26, 2019 when the cellphone dropped unknowingly from the pocket of my niece. 

It was only when we arrived at the house when she noticed that her cellphone is missing. Frantically, she searched her pockets and her bags but shed didn't find it in either of them. 

So she suspected she might have dropped in the taxi we boarded.

Right away we contacted the missing cellphone and it was ringing but no reply. We also sent text messages but no reply. 

It's only this day June 2, 2019 about a week ago that the taxi driver found the cellphone when a passenger adjusted the seat and the cell phone dropped. 

Then the taxi driver was reminded of the calls and text that we had sent him. So he contacted me this afternoon and I met him at Slaughter Compound, Baguio City. 

He handed me the cell phone of which I am very grateful. 

With permission I asked for his name and took pictures of the taxi. To the taxi driver, thank you very much for your honesty. May God bless you and protect you through out your life. 

Photo Courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

Photo courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

source || Marlon Bernard Baso

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Important guidelines for tourists visiting beautiful town of SAGADA

Photo Courtesy || Bftamp Guides

Cordillera - The beautiful town of Sagada and its humble people are welcoming tourists around the world to come and visit their place and experience the unique culture of their people.

But before you pack your things and go to their place, the local government wanted to remind you of these simple guidelines that you should keep in mind when in Sagada.

Sagada's town mayor Mr. James Pooten issued these guidelines for tourists via the Philippine News Agency website.

All visitors are required to register at the tourism office where they pay certain fees like the environmental fee and guide fee among other fees.

"Travel agencies, groups, and individuals must register for the tours at the Tourist Information Office (TIO)," Pooten said.

He reminded the tourists to bring their official receipt with them which will serve as their entrance pass to the tourism sites.

Visitors who would like to visit the Echo Valley, Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave don't need to bring their car with them because the place is near and only require short walks. They can leave their cars at the designated parking area.

"Fetching of tourist is only allowed from Sumaguing cave back to the town center. There will be no designated parking space near the cave," Pooten added.

He said all tourist vehicles, whether private or government-owned, are required to park their vehicles during their stay in Sagada at their hotel parking or in pay parking areas.

"Only local transport shall be allowed to ferry tourist to identified sites. Registered municipal tourist shuttle will have one general line up stationed at the Tourist Information Center," he said, noting that this would assure that all tourists are accounted for and are safely back at their lodgings at night.

For accommodations, Pooten said that only LGU and Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited inns, hotels or home stays under the Sagada Inns and Hotels Association (SIHA) will be allowed to operate as accommodations.

These establishments must follow the standard pricing, he added.

Regarding waste management, Pooten said tourist are encouraged to bring their own refillable water tumblers and discourage from using plastic bottles.

Pooten also remind tourist to respect Sagada's culture especially when visiting sacred sites and participating in the local rituals.

"Please respect the culture. Keep a distance from rituals or any sacred sites. Do not touch or disturb coffins or burial sites. Do not attempt to join or film any rituals without direct permission from the presiding elders," he said.

"Do not disturb mass in the church or shoot videos/photos in or around the church during mass," Pooten added.

Sagada has so many places to spend time during the holidays and it's one of the most visited places in the Cordillera especially this coming months where a lot of festivals will be celebrated.

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Foreign vlogger experiences the best Cordilleran hospitality from a family in Sagada

Photo Courtesy || Fearless and Far

Cordillera - When it comes to pure and warm treatment of visitors either a local or foreigner, Filipino hospitality is something we like to take pride in. From the moment you step off the plane Filipinos will give you a warm welcome and a beautiful smile. Which already gives you a feeling of being at home even though you are in another country. This trait has become a culture in the Philippines and has been praised all around the world.

Although the Philippines is composed of many islands with people of different tribes and tongues and cultures, Filipino hospitality can be experienced anywhere and everywhere. Even from the highest peak of the mountain and in the deepest sea. They all know how to treat their guest properly. They will offer to show you around, invite you to their house and eat with them.

And by saying this I want to give out a perfect example, in the municipality of Sagada a tribe that is also well known for their unique hospitality, the Igorots. They are warm-hearted people and very hospitable. 

Actually, there was one foreign vlogger who  wanted to try the authentic delicacy around the town of Sagada and one of the locals he met became his guide. Since he likes to try the local food, he was invited by his guide to attend his 4 year-old son's birthday party.

The family welcomed him. He was shown various kinds of authentic Igorot food such as dinardaraan, etag and pinikpikan. The vlogger enjoyed the warm welcome and the hospitality of the entire family. For him there was no time of dull moment because everyone in the family wanted to talk to him. 

He said that “Looking at this plate I could tell I was far, far from home and it made me happy.”

As he spent a lot of his time waiting and hanging out around the place, and showing their culture he experienced a real travel experience.

“I’m happy. I’m here I’m happy I got the invitation and I’m happy I’m having a real travel experience.” With a simple invitation shows true meaning of hospitality. Making someone feel that once they are part of our culture and community regardless whoever it is.

“I love the most about the travel hanging out with someone who is from here with their family with their friends drinking local drinks maybe a little too much but having a good time eating food and feeling like I’m a part of the community.”

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"Panag-aapoy" - Sagada's unique way of remembering their departed love ones.

Photo Screengrab || Being Igorot FB

Cordillera - A fire  brightly burns at the cemetery of Sagada every November. Those who see this for the first time might think that people of Sagada are burning the whole mountain where they buried their  loved ones  by the looks of a large blaze of fire when  viewed from afar.  

The people of Sagada have been practicing their unique way of remembering their departed love ones called "Panag-aapoy" which means "to light a fire" in English. 

Every eve on  the first day of November , many iSagadas (people of Sagada)  gather at the cemetery to light pieces of a pine wood's flammable part called "saleng". If others light up candles, the iSagadas light up saleng to create a bonfire near the grave of their loved ones. 

READ ALSO: 76-year old Lola from Sagada speaks fluent English despite having no formal education

This lighting up of saleng must be done before sundown and the entire cemetery is covered with a yellowish glowing fire from the saleng. Thus, one might think that the whole mountain is burning. 

Many iSagadas consider this event a very serious moment for every family member to  commemorate the passing of their loved ones.  They don't consider this event as a festival to merry but they view this as a solemn moment for them to respect their dead. 

Tourists visiting the place on this day must know that this occasion should not be viewed as a festival. That's why you won't find people dancing and playing the gongs.

READ ALSO: Honest taxi driver from Sagada returns lost mobile phone to owner

The Dap-ay and the Episcopal Church  hosting the event said that promoting "Panag-aapoy as a tourist attraction without consulting them and the local government is not acceptable. 

It should be noted that "Panag-aapoy" is meant for the people of Sagada to honor their departed loved ones and not for tourist to take photographs and selfies for themselves. 

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Canadian vlogger says Sagada and Kalinga are the most beautiful places he had visited in the Philippines

Photo Courtesy || Becoming Filipino FB

Cordillera - A triumphant and memorable journey from the south all the way to the north passing through seas and mountains, Kyle Jennerman or popularly known as 'Kulas' had successfully concluded his road adventure in Batanes using his motorcycle he named 'Cindy'. 

When he arrived in Batanes, he was met by Rated K TV crew and conduct a short interview about his journey. 

When asked about his top 5 most memorable places in the Philippines, Sagada and Kalinga are his top one choice. The reason - the views of Sagada and Kalinga are incredible. 

"We literally drove from Manila up to Sagada and then Sagada to Kalinga. Sobrang malaki ang mountains, crazy roads but the views are incredible", Kulas said. 

In his travel diary in his BecomingFilipino Facebook Page, he shared what he learned about the Apayao Province. 

READ ALSO: Canadian vlogger "Kulas" admires the toughness of the Igorots and had a message to people discriminating them

"Driving trough Cagayan Valley, I realized I was near the Provincial Capital of Apayao. So, I decided to take a little detour. Even though I haven't explore the Province, it was great to learn a little and better understand just how big and diverse Luzon is! Did you know that Apayao is only 23 years old, and split from "Kaling-Apayao".

Yup, nestled away amongst  farmland on the foothills of massive mountains...Apayao's Provincial Capital kind of looks like a heart. Make sense! Because for the brief moments I spent there a lot of love was thrown at me...

It was such as beautiful simple experience outside the Capital, and without a doubt it made me realize..in the future I MUST explore this Province in the mountains."

Staying in Sagada is an incredible experience for Kulas. The cool temperatures and natural climate, the delicious local brewed coffee and Blueberries and the hospitality of the people, these are all the things Kulas will never forget about the town of Sagada. 

READ ALSO: WATCH: Canadian Vlogger "Kulas" travels to the vegetable terraces in Atok, Benguet

"Sagada, your environment is incredible, and you offer so many simple things that truly add comfort and happiness to days spent in your charming town", Kulas wrote in his FB page. 

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