DiscoverConner
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Conner.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Conner
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Conner
- Conner, in the very centre of the Apayao Province, is in the midst of a web of rolling hills, steep ridges and a large and sandy riverbank which is washing the middle of the town.
- Lush forest cover prevails in the landscape of the municipality which helps in the protection of numerous wildlife species besides providing peaceful walking paths and picturesque spots to nature enthusiasts for holidays to Conner, Apayao.
- The valley is filled with rivers and streams which supply the rich plains with fresh water that sustains local fishing, irrigation and domestic activities.
- Conner is a cultural crossroads, where Indigenous Isnag community is in contact with the Ilocano settlers with their traditions, language and festivals which add colour to the social environment of the town.
- The climate of the town is a type of tropical highland climate, which ensures that the temperatures are pleasant all year long and the town is pleasant to visitors who dislike low temperatures and warm weather.
- To visitors who are planning an itinerary, the dry season is the most ideal time to visit the natural scenery and cultural activities of Conner, as it is a clear road network and the river stream is constant.
- Capital (of the province): Kabugao
- International airport: None in Conner
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz (some remote barangays may have limited or generator-based supply)
- Official / local languages: Isneg/Isnag, Ilocano, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, with indigenous beliefs among some communities
Reason 02
Highlights
- In Apayao River Valley, which is a major agricultural source of the region, there are breathtaking sceneries made up of moving water, terraces, and mountain ranges perched far away in the distance.
- The core of Conner is agricultural activity, rice paddies, corn fields, and root-crop gardens cover the valley with centuries old farming methods.
- The Isnag Cultural Centre offers a live museum where people may see the traditional way of weaving, music, and telling storeys which allow extending the heritage of the community.
- Best method to fly into Conner is through world pinoy flights which are the most convenient to fly to Conner in case you are coming in Manila or any major Philippine hub and have an easy start in your adventure.
- Diversity in the ecosystems and guided hiking, birdwatching, and botanical studies make ecotourism a flourishing business in Conner due to its reserve forests.
- The spirit of the town is brought out through community celebrations, like the holidays to Conner town fiesta, which gets visitors engaged into a riot of music, dance, and religious faith.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- During the dry months between November and April, the weather is calm and sunny, which is why it is best to go trekking, walk the river, and get acquainted with the agricultural centre of the valley.
- The Apayao River is very full of water particularly during wet season of May to October; this makes the landscape around it very green and beautiful, and this makes it attractive to photographers and nature lovers.
- The hottest day in Conner hardly takes the temperature beyond $25^\circ\text{C}$, even during the hottest season and makes outdoors activities comfortable to both children and adults.
- It is also the harvest season, as the rainy season leads to farmers bringing freshly-harvested rice and corn to the local markets, which also can provide tourists with a taste of the abundance of the season.
- Holidays to Conner seasonal holidays, like the Isnag Say-am, tend to be held during the dry months and this gives them a chance to observe the traditional ceremony in a sunny clear environment.
- The dry season will be the most convenient to have long hikes and cultural tours by visitors who favour warm temperatures and daylight.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Apayao River Bank
- Go down by the bank of a river and touch the cool breeze which comes out of the water, especially in early morning or at nightfall.
- Look at the fishermen of the place, as they put on nets or rods into the clear stream, a process which has existed in the place since time immemorial.
- Note the extensive riparian plants that surround the banks, forming a natural habitat of birds and insects.
- Small wooden rafts or canoes were transported and given a clue on how the people use these waterways within the valley.
- Take the time to put your feet in the river, a cool tradition that people, when they visit, enjoy.
- Make shots of the reflection of the river on the hills surrounding it, and you are able to capture a tranquid picture which varies with the position of the sun.
Conner Town Proper
- Arrive at the town hall, where a tower of the bells is greeting the inhabitants and guests with a powerful sound that fills the plaza.
- Take a walk along the central square, observing the combination of Ilocano and Isnag houses, which stand next to the modern buildings made of brick.
- Observation of how people shop and mingle every day, purchase fruits and vegetables, talk, or just walk, puts life into the social rhythm of the town.
- Go to the little museum which displays woven mats and tools and ceremonies which depict the history of the town.
- Listen to the scream of vendors of roasted corn, fresh fish and local delicacies, an olfactory door to the culinary world of Conner.
- You can sit down and rest in one of the open benches as the sunset colours the sky in shades of oranges and purples, and is the best time to have a look back at how far you have come.
Agricultural Fields
- Go on a little trip to the back roads and see innumerable fields of rice paddies, the green squares stretching to the horizon.
- Watch farmers are also expected to work on the fields, they use small machines or hand tools to make sure that the crops are well irrigated and taken care of.
- Pay attention to the changes of seasons, as in June, there are young rice seedlings, in October when the stalks are finally in harvest, indicating the productivity of the valley.
- Discover how water in the Apayao River which is one of the most important systems sustaining agriculture in the valley is distributed to irrigation channels in the area.
- Taste fresh root crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes, which have just been picked in the fields and are still hot.
- Take panoramic views of the terraces, and the mountains in the distance enclosing the agricultural land, a monument of human labour and the fertility of the earth.
St Joseph the Worker Parish Church
- Go through the stone front of a church and get that feeling of tranquilly which fills the building, a relief after the chaos outside.
- Notice the beautifully carved wooden alter, with religious icons and candles that gives the impression of sanctity.
- Hear the hymns of the choir in service, their voices singing with the dim light streaming through the stained-glass windows.
- Take note of the fellowship of parishioners, men and women and children, as a place of worship, but also as a social centre.
- Visit the small cemetery where families have staked flowers and put prayer stones to identify the generation of the past with the current one.
- Spend some time thinking about the morning prayers and you can experience the communal spirit which binds residents together.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Market (Public Market)
- Come into the busy market, with stalls of fresh fruits, shiny river-fish, and sweet herbs which pervade the air.
- Connect with traders who showcase their baskets made of weaves and their hand-crafted potteries, which give one an insight into Isnag artistry.
- Taste the local basi, a sweet wine made of sugarcane which locals use during feasts and family events.
- Watch the rhythmical movement of the market when customers buy and sell products, bargain, and discuss their life every day.
- Savour a fast bite of freshly cooked corn or sweet potato, a simple but tasty dish of culinary delights of Conner.
- Get to know the seasonal products that determine what the market offers, which allows one to understand how the valley plans its agriculture calendar.
Isnag Cultural Sites
- Go to a nearby barangay where an Isnag community has a traditional dance with colourful costumes and beating of drums.
- Get acquainted with the ancient art of weaving that was practised many years ago (mendang) converting bamboo fibres into robust basketry.
- Experience ritual of badyang, a community event in which the elderly consecrate the fields to get a good harvest.
- Go on a guided tour of sacred areas of forests where the Isnag people pay respect to the spirits that guard their territory.
- Participate in a storytelling event, during which the elders share myths about the mountains, rivers, and ancestors who created the valley.
- Make a respectful piece of work capturing the sites of the culture making sure that you abide by the local practises and take photographs only with their consent.
Roadside Mountain Views
- Take rural provincial roads that cut across hilly terrain, whereby one has a panoramic view of the Apayao River valley.
- Stop at places of observation when you can see the river meandering off across green fields, with mountains in the distance.
- Take panoramic pictures of terraced landscape of the valley with the perfect harmony of human and nature.
- Observe how the seasons change, the green foliage of summer compared to misted snow-white mountains in winter, which points out the dynamic aspect of geography.
- Go on a little field trip to a small bridge where people carry boats across the river to depict the ordinary life in the valley.
- Enjoy the pure mountain air, a memory of the pristine beauty of the valley and the peaceful life of the people.
Indigenous Handicrafts
- Go to stands with elaborate woven mats, each design a legend woven by Isnag weavers through the years.
- Behold the art of bamboo sticks, which are carved into various utensils, tools and decorations that are useful as well as art.
- Buy a small basket, and observe the weaving of the natural fibres in tight durable patterns that can last many years.
- Talk to the craftspeople about the materials they use including local bamboo, pandan leaves, and herbal dyes which provide colours.
- Get to know how these handicrafts are transferred between the masters and their apprentices and keep the culture and cultural identity.
- Consider the fact that the purchase of these products contributes to the development of the local economy and preservation of ancient proficiency.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Most of the population in Conner is the Isnag people, whose traditions entail communal agriculture, traditional weaving and seasonal celebrations, which also celebrate ancestors.
- The Ilocano settlers who came to the region in the mid-$20^\text{th}$ century also come with their own agricultural skills that lead to the development of a combination of agriculture techniques that are advantageous to the productivity of the valley.
- The blending of local languages with Ilocano, Isnag and Tagalog enables the people to communicate and interact culturally with one another.
- Everyday activities are based on community workshops: the farmers discuss the planting schedule, the village attends church services and the family has meals with rice, fish and local root crops.
- Some of the most important Isnag ceremonies include the use of the so-called Say-am ceremonies which aim to mark harvests, the spirits of the river and enhance the ties of the community.
- Dances, music, and religious rituals are also part of the festal activities and specific to the area and can give a visitor a taste of the local culture.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- The Pinikpikan, the most traditional local meal is made of chicken cooked with local herbs and it is accompanied by freshly picked vegetables, making it a wholesome meal.
- The Apayao River is also rich in river fish including tilapia, catfish, and carp, which are grilled or steamed, to enable one to taste the natural flavours of the fish.
- Native rice is grown in terraces and boiled to its perfection, and it is served with root crops, such as cassava and sweet potato, to create a healthy base of carbohydrates.
- Local basi, which is a wine made of sugarcane and aged in bamboo tubes, has a sweet and slightly fermented flavour, and is served with savoury food at community celebrations.
- Roasted corn is an easy to eat snack marketed by street vendors and it is both fragrant and sweet, besides being simple to walk with in the town markets or the banks of the river.
- Fruits like mango and bananas are in abundance during the harvest season and the locals are in a position to make fresh fruit salads and tropical desserts.
Fun
- Tourists will get to swim in the clean waters of Apayao River with safety points and guides on how to keep hydrated showing the right methods to use.
- Fishing expeditions of the community members provided tourists with an opportunity to fish in the river and then enjoy a community meal with the fish they manage to catch.
- Walking in the forest reserves along the valley will provide the opportunity to see the native wildlife, enjoy the view of the towering trees, and feel the fresh mountain air.
- The ability to engage in a community planting day gives the guests an opportunity to understand the modern method of farming as taught by the experienced farmers.
- The daily rituals of the Isnag people (weaving, cooking, and storytelling) are viewed as a cultural experience and can be better understood regarding life in the region.
- Night outings at a bonfire with some traditional music and dance make the weather alive to the tourists so that they can interact with the locals.
Fashion
- It is advisable to dress lightly in breathable clothing; lightweight shirts and breathable clothes are to be worn keeping the travellers cool and free to move.
- Light jacket or sweater is recommended on cool morning and evening particularly during dry season when temperatures drop after the sun sets.
- Walking sandals or closed-toe shoes with good grip are required to walk over uneven surfaces, in the banks of rivers, and muddy walkways.
- Additional accessories like a wide hat and sunglass cover against the sunshine on the sunny day and on the water surface, which reflects.
- Neutral colours are recommended to blend with nature and minimise the chances of insect invasion.
- A reusable water bottle and a small backpack are also good to carry essentials when going out on a day trip or hiking trip.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The Apayao is the lifeline of the town and offers kayaking, rafting and guided river walks to show the beauty of the valley hidden.
- Conner stands to the edge of forest reserves, which contain an extremely diverse flora and fauna like rare orchids, local birds and mammals which can be found in natural habitats.
- Farming plains- huge rice fields and cornfields depict human resourcefulness, as the methods of the indigenous people are in touch with the cycles of nature.
- Mountains and ridges on the edge of the valley would offer a panoramic view, which would be ideal to capture photographs, meditate or just bask in the scenic beauty.
- The meadowlands are covered with seasonal wildflowers which attract pollinators and decorate the tapestry of the valley with a clear touch of colour.
- Holidays to Conner guided wildlife tours, which are conducted by the locals, provide close experiences with wildlifes, including deer, wild boar, and various species of birds found roaming in the region.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- Holidays to Conner Town Fiesta, is an event on March 24-25 dedicated to St.Joseph the Worker, attending which is accompanied by mass, processions, and communal feasts where the local cuisine is presented.
- During planting and harvesting season, agricultural exhibitions enable farmers to showcase produce, sell methods and receive awards on best yield.
- The community gathers to celebrate the blessings of the river through traditional Isnag rituals like Say-am ceremony where people petition the river to protect the next season.
- The town is animated by music and dance festivals that include the performances of local bands, folk dancers, and drum groups to give a visitor an opportunity to join a spirited performance.
- Food contests are used to feature the local specialties and chefs and home cooks compete in making new recipes out of local food and recipes that might have been used in the past.
- A community parade with its floats painted in native motifs helps Conner to take pride in its heritage and welcomes outsiders to share a time together.