Theory Busters in Banaue

My recent trip up north was the best time for me to catch up with my high school buddy Heidi. What's more, this trip turned us into something like myth busters. Oh yes, we got to check whether our theories about this travel would be proven or busted along the way. Hence, we are THE THEORY BUSTERS in Banaue!

Theory 1: People in the mountain province only have nature gods, so if you want to escape from observing the Lenten season, this is the place for you.

This theory is busted!

Proof: As we were waiting to depart Banaue, we saw people gather around what seemed to be a parking area to watch the sinakulo, a Lenten play that shows the passion of Christ, from his trial to his death.

Theory 2: When you spit moma anywhere, you will surely be fined 50 pesos.

Note: Moma is a combination of betel nut, lime paste and tobacco wrapped in a heart-shaped leaf.

The verdict? Busted!  Or maybe people who are in charge of catching "moma spitters" were just taking a day off on Good Friday?

Theory 3: Go for the topload and you will surely experience one hell of a ride.

No doubt it is a theory proven! 

Yes, we were up for this toploading adventure. So we climbed up the roof of the jeepney for this pain in the butt experience! Indeed, we had a hold-on-tight-you-might-fall moment because of the zigzaggy, rocky road. Nevertheless, the view up there was all worth it. :)

Theory 4: Take the jeepney like what the locals do and you are 100% guaranteed to learn where to find the best deals possible.

Proven or busted?

Well, it is PROBUSTED = proven and busted!

It’s a theory proven because the locals give you the easiest way to get from one spot to another. Plus, they give you extra pointers like better get a young (like 9-12 y/o) tour guide when you trek to the falls because you can just pay for how much you can give or better stay in these inns as they give good view of the terraces. Their directions are more than what Google map can offer.

However, it’s also a theory busted. Pourquoi? Simply because sometimes the people you think are merely locals are tour guides as well. Being the latter is what they do for a living; and of course they should make some good money.

On our way to Batad, we asked this man,who we thought to be a local, where to ride the jeepney, what to do in Batad, the places to see there, and whatnot. Along the way, we thought he is just one of the locals so we believed him when he quoted a Php150-fare from Banaue to Batad saddle. We also thought it was a good deal but to our surprise, the fare should have only been Php50, according to the other passengers who happened to be from the area. But it was too late, we already paid him Php300. 

Heid and I were both pissed off but we still managed to laugh and make fun of our “jeepney fare mishap” all throughout our trek to Batad. We walked along with the other trekkers, by the way. No tour guide! :) When we finally reached Simon's Inn, we checked in and went directly to the dining area downstairs. And guess who was there? The man who overcharged us. He was waiting and hoping we could hire him as our tour guide. He was so annoying, overeager to know our itinerary for the next day. Oh dear! Could he just literally and figuratively “get lost!”?

Theory 5. Using a walking stick is just an accessory for those trekkers.

The trail to Batad was busy like the expressway. Oh well, as for the speed of the trekkers, not really. But as you trek, you could see people to and fro Batad and a lot of them with their walking sticks which they prolly have bought or rented from the saddle. At first I thought, these people use walking sticks to complete their trekking ensemble. But after taking a one-hour rocky trail to Batad then another hour of cemented stairway trail to Tappiyah Falls, I succumb. Walking sticks are a must-have when you take unpredictable-bumpy-and-up-and-down treks.  

So yes, my theory is busted!

 

Theory 6. Tuna plus veggies plus rice equals yummy, healthy foodie.

We were trying to be healthy on this trip because trekking is healthy and staying with nature is healthy! So instead of ordering other dishes on the menu, we chose to have tuna, veggies and mountain rice. Sounds yummy! When our meals were served though, we were so surprised to see rice mixed with some vegetables and topped with maybe 5 grams of canned tuna? Oh la la! Seriously? Is this healthy at all? 

Verdict: Busted! Bland taste, unhealthy choice.

Theory 7. We can get a cheaper deal when we hire a kid guide.

Okay, so we were up for a cheap thrill. We did not get any tour guide to reach Batad so we stuck to our plan not to get a guide to get to the falls either. So we woke up early on Saturday, ate breakfast and prepped for the trek. No fuss, we felt that the falls is just behind that big mountain and we could get there in no time. But there were a lot of trails, we couldn’t decide which one to take. So we asked this guy we saw in the neighborhood how to get to Tappiyah. He gave us vague directions and said it is better to hire a guide for only Php500. Okay, we didn’t have enough time to find the trail via a human GPS (that's me and Heid combined) so we eventually gave in BUT in one condition – our guide must be a kiddie one, not him because he charges more. We eventually came to an agreement; he grabbed his little brother for a 200-peso kiddie tour guide to the falls. 

Hence, theory proven! 

Theory 8: The missing tourist will show up once we reach Tappiyah Falls.  

 

Proven. 

While having a chat with a passenger on our way to Banaue, we learned that a Romanian guy went missing Wednesday while swimming in Tappiyah Falls. We heard the same thing when we talked to Ate Julie of the Information Center. So Heid and I jokingly said he’s just waiting for us. He’ll show up when we get there. And this is what actually happened. We started to trek at half past five, Saturday morning and reached our destination after an hour. When we got there, his lifeless body was already sealed in a body bag. We couldn’t dare come close to the falls despite its beauty and preferred to just stay at the view point and watch as his body was being transported from the stream. 

I couldn’t help but wonder, did this man ever think that he’s going to come out alive the moment he jumped into the fast running water? Did he ever have any doubt of what he was about to do then? What was he thinking while he was struggling against the strong current? Did he feel any regret? Did he have a flashback of everything that has happened to him? Did he feel his body separating from his soul when he’s nearing his death? 

If one believes that death is equated to emptiness and nothingness, then there is a fat chance that souls exist. Whether there are souls wandering in the afterlife would be insignificant. However, I would like to imagine him as a wandering soul, still existing with the nature that took his life.

Alright, enough of the existentialist stuff. *wink*

Theory 9. Water from the mountain is potable.

We brought with us bottled water as we trek the falls, but halfway getting there, our drink was already half-empty (imagine the scorching heat and extreme workout it is a must to rehydrate!). But no worries, our little tour guide knew where to get that thirst-quenching, mountain H2O! It must have been my very adaptable tummy, but I didn’t feel any I-better-run-to-the-bathroom-before-it-is-too-late moment. 

Thus, it’s a theory proven! 

Theory 10. I will comeback to Banaue and see more terraces and trek more mountains.

Perhaps. But I prefer to see other undiscovered terraces, not the touristic ones. And I heard there are other beautiful sights around Ifugao, so who knows. :)

wander:

(Oyami bus ride at Php 350;  travel time:  5 hours)

(2) Lamut to Lagawe

(jeepney ride at Php 38; travel time: 1 hour)

(3) Lagawe to Banaue

(jeepney ride at Php 38; travel time: 1 hour)

(4) Banaue town proper to Batad saddle

(toploading at Php150; travel time: 1+ hour)

wonder:

I hope my itchy soles will never get tired of bringing me to different places to see beautiful things. 

I wonder whether I will have the same wanderlust when I grow a bit older. But I am so positive about it. My youthful and energetic mind will surely inspire me in continuously discovering that life outside the box. :)

Cheers!

*Edited photos from Heid's album