DiscoverTubo
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Tubo.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Tubo
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Tubo
- The remote village of Tubo, in the mountainous south of the Province of Abra, is a veritable piece of Cordillera scenery, beckoning the pilgrim on holidays to Tubo, Abra, to enter an environment where the custom is the scarp.
- Tubo, the ancestral land of the Maeng-Tingguian people, has maintained a thriving tapestry of weaving, music and indigenous rule which has made it to the present generation.
- It has sharp, jagged peaks, which cut deep river gulches, and the heavily wooded ridges provide a tremendous richness of flora and fauna, which exist in their own secluded world.
- The highways going through this landscape are not always tarmac, and the process itself is also an adventure and a journey to the store that you would not find in a hurry and would want to explore.
- Since it is inaccessible, the municipality is a haven of cultural conservation, to which visitors get a rare raw peep into Cordilleran traditions.
- To those intending to come, it is better to reserve the travel via the services of the world pinoy flights to get an easy connexion to the closest Airport and then walk into the highlands.
- Capital (of the province): Bangued
- International airport: None in Tubo
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Loakan Airport (Baguio City, Benguet) – domestic flights (~5–6 hours by land)
- Laoag International Airport (Ilocos Norte) – domestic flights (~7–8 hours by land)
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary international gateway (~9–10 hours by land)
- 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 intermittent supply)
- Official / local languages: Ilocano, Abra Kankanaey, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The Maeng-Tingguian heartland will be a rich neighbourhood whereby the traditional backstrap weaving and the ceremonial music reverberated through the canyons, every visit will be an experience of living in a museum.
- The mountain nature of Tubo has remained untouched by modern development and thus offers crystal clear rivers and fertile forests that make up one of the most un-spoilt ecosystems of the province.
- With the traditional methods of farming practised in the community, like terrace farming on steep cliffs, it is easy to observe that the community has effectively adapted to the steep terrain, which has allowed the community to survive over the centuries.
- The burial ceremonies, state management, and meetings depict a system of indigenous law that is in harmony and respect among neighbours.
- Travellers are met with dramatic sceneries of the Cordillera mountain sides each at every turn giving them breathtaking panoramas that do not fade away quickly after the trek is over.
- The strong attachment that the municipality has to its natural and cultural heritage makes it an excellent place to visit in case of immersive responsible tourism.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The dry season, which lasts between December and May, is the safest and most comfortable period to adventure Tubo, since the unpaved roads are not likely to turn into the obstacle.
- The weather in highlands during these months is cooler particularly in evenings and this is perfect in trekking and stargazing during these nights.
- Wet season is a period between June and October which is characterised by heavy rainfall, which may cause landslides and road blockages hence making travelling risky and unpredictable.
- This speaks to travellers who are fond of the green scenery that can be found during the rainy months but they should expect limited access and possible delays as well.
- The changing of the seasons is usually associated with the local planting and harvesting celebrations, something that offers an additional degree of cultural immersion given the opportunity to do so.
- It is always important to look at the weather forecasts and road conditions in the area before going out on any activity, no matter the season of the year.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Maeng-Tingguian Communities (Cultural Exchange)
- Interact with the members of the community respectfully to understand their methods of weaving, and each design has a storey of ancestral history.
- Take a guided walk in a village, where you get to see how daily life is connected with the landscape and history around.
- Sit at a local council meeting or bodong meeting to observe traditional decision making action.
- Sample traditional foods that are made according to agricultural rhythms and availability of foods of the season by the tribe.
- Monitor the play of children that usually involves some traditional games that have been handed down in generations.
- Take pictures or draw sketches of specific places, but make sure you ask someone's approval, and do not disturb the normal way of life.
Mountain and River Treks
- Go by paths with marks on them, down into clear streams, where the cleanness of the water tells us of the pristine condition of the land.
- Have a local guide that would be familiar with the safest paths, and make sure that you stay in safe zones and do not break cultural taboos.
- Stop occasionally at scenic viewpoints where the sight of steep ridges and the mountains in the distance will be unforgettable.
- Record a diary of the voices, birds and wind, and maybe of the villagers in the distance, to record the sensual richness of the walk.
- Protect the natural environment by picking up any litter, so that the clean environment can be left to the next visitors and the locals at large.
- Have a simple picnic after the trek of locally produced rice and root crop, an ideal ending to the day.
Traditional Farming Areas
- See experienced farmers make terraces on rocky cliffs, which is the best way to use the land and not to erode it.
- Educate yourself on the planting patterns of crops with monsoon patterns to avoid excess watering of crops.
- Witness the application of natural fertilisers made out of forest produce which emphasises on the sustainable practises which have been developed over centuries.
- See how the communal labour after the planting and harvesting tends to come about with the collective ethos of the community.
- Talk with the farmers about their problems and expectations, and learn more about how climate change impacts their customary practises.
- A greater appreciation of the ingenuity necessary to nourish the population in such a harsh place.
Municipal Center
- Stroll in the central square of the town where the civilised life rocks through the simple stone buildings and small houses.
- Witness the proceedings at the local council, where modern day administrative trends are mixed with the traditional reverence of the elders of the community.
- Savour sample street food consisting of regional ingredients that are mixed with the local ones and experience the ordinary life in Tubo.
- Pay a visit to the small museum or cultural centre where one can find the artefacts of the Maeng-Tingguian heritage.
- Discuss with the barangay officials to know how they can strike a balance between development and preservation.
- Depart the municipal centre with the feeling of how governance and culture are combined in this isolated municipality.
Reason 05
Discover More
Traditional Arts and Crafts
- Visit the workshops where craftsmen weave blankets and clothes using natural dyes that have been prepared by extracting them in local plants.
- See how careful the art of basket-making is, with each strand of braid recounting the plenitude of the forest.
- Have a guided tour around a woodcraft workshop, where local designs are cut into furniture and ceremonial objects.
- Study the symbolic meanings of colour patterns, relating it to cosmology and identity of the tribe.
- Buy a hand-made product to leave a tangible reminder, which means that the fair trade practises give back to the community.
- Talk to the craftspeople about how they would like to save such skills in the face of contemporary pressures.
Feasts and Rituals of the Indigenous people
- When the time is right, attend a feast where a planting or harvest period is celebrated, and food is communally eaten.
- Note the chants during the blessing of crops which are very reverent to the land.
- Interview the elders who tell the meaning of every single dance move and ritual.
- Do not violate the space of sacred places by taking photographs or recording without clear consent.
- Once it is over, show gratitude to the hosts who have enabled you to experience one of the crucial cultural events.
- Think over the role of these rituals in creating community solidarity and a sense of stewardship.
Forest and Mountain Views
- Hiking in the tropical forest, hearing the birds sing in the choir which live in the high-altitude ecosystem.
- Joy in the view of mist floating across the ridges during early mornings and colouring the landscape with airy hues.
- See unusual wildlife - e.g. the Philippine eagle or various orchid species - endemic to the local micro-climate.
- Take pictures in the golden hour when the light is passing through the tree canopies and makes dramatic shadows.
- Make stops at observation spots and have the panorama of the jagged peaks of Cordillera to remind you of the splendour of nature.
- Go away renewed, and with a greater interaction with the environment that supports the local community for holidays to Tubo.
Local Produce
- Eat sample mountain rice, small-grain rice, which is not only nutritional but also rich in rural flavour.
- Savour root foods such as sweet potatoes and taro that are made in simple yet tasty dishes, which display the local cooking methods.
- Visit the small markets where the vendors are showing freshly picked fruits and vegetables, which are all produced at high elevation.
- Get to know the effects of the cooler climate on the yearly growing patterns which give the different flavours when compared with the produce in the lowland.
- Have discussions with farmers on organic practises that can ensure soil remains fertile with time.
- Take home some jars of fermented local treat, to have a touch of the traditional cuisine of Tubo.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The Maeng-tingguian tribe language and traditions take over the societal fabric, creating the thread of mutual belonging.
- A balance of power and agreement is seen through their collective way of governance through bodong peace agreements.
- Economic. - The community is based on subsistence agriculture, hunting and gathering of forest products.
- The collective values and continuity of livelihood are strengthened through traditional festivals like planting and harvest celebration.
- Music and dance of the tribe which is performed in the ceremonies acts as live documents of historical records.
- The children learn how to be good stewards and respectful so that the cultural heritage will be preserved for holidays to Tubo.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Pinikpikan, a local chicken dish cooked in accordance with the traditional rituals, has a strong savoury taste profile.
- Sweet potatoes and taro are root crops that offer nutritious staples which support the high-altitude diet.
- Mountain rice is a naturally grown rice crop that is harvested in cooler heights and it has a mild nutty flavour that complements local cuisine.
- There is simple cooking of local meats and vegetables, which is usually done by steaming or roasting, and it brings out the natural taste of the food.
- Fruits- Fruits that are available in seasons, like native berries, are sweet and are the delight of the festivals.
- Eating out is usually done in large bowls, centred on community food and group pleasure.
Fun
- Cultural interactions allow the visitors to experience the Maeng-Tingguian heritage firsthand and see how they are governing.
- Hiking through the clear mountain surroundings is an adventure that is exhilarating both to an adventure hunter and a nature lover.
- The hard and the rewarding routes through rugged Cordillora trailways give memorable scenic experiences.
- The guests have access to cultural performances, where one is exposed to the rhythm and narration of local music.
- Evening observing the stars above the low lights of the highlands shows constellations that are scarcely noticeable elsewhere.
- Wildlife viewing in thick forests provides an added dose of adventure to the eco-tourists for holidays to Tubo.
Fashion
- Layered clothing with warm clothes that are created out of robust fabrics is needed to protect against the lower temperature of the mountains, particularly in the evenings.
- Hiking shoes or well cushioned shoes are a must to move safely through the rugged terrain.
- Simple wear is a sign of respect to the cultural sensibilities of the tribe and it will guarantee that the visitor is a good person in the shared area.
- Small craftsmen make hand-woven blankets and clothes which may be useful or cultural souvenirs.
- The application of natural dyes in clothes highlights a sustainable attitude to fashion in society.
- When travelling, it is recommended that they carry lightweight items since weather changes very quickly in the high-land regions.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- Cordillera Mountain Range offers steep ridgelines and valleys which make a picturesque landscape to all outdoor activities.
- The land is cut by clear rivers, which serve as the habitat of freshwater species and areas of small-scale fishing.
- Forest reserves which are full of endemic plants and animals provide a refuge of biodiversity and ecological studies.
- This is the home to numerous species of birds, most of which are also endemic to the Philippine highlands.
- Walking paths are in both easy and difficult levels, and it is suitable to all types of visitors and their fitness levels.
- The different moods of the seasons also decorate the environment, mist-covered mornings, starry afternoons of the sun.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The traditional music, dance, and communal feasting are demonstrated at local cultural festivals, which are based upon the planting and harvest time.
- The town fiesta of the town, celebrated every year on the of March in memory of St. Joseph combines Catholicism with the local customs.
- These celebrations also involve colourful decoration of streets, and the community gathers in order to participate in processions and common dinners.
- Games, storytelling and exhibition of home-made products usually accompany the festive events and make it a colourful cultural quilt.
- The visitors of these events can understand how faith, tradition, and community spirit merge to form Tubo.
- The fiestas are a great occasion where the travellers can experience the spirit of the Maeng-Tingguian people in terms of hospitality for holidays to Tubo.