That Thing Called Sagada

by Kalanie Saldajeno

Tucked between misty mountain landscapes and picturesque pine forests is a serene little town called Sagada. This mystical little village in the Mountain Province is located approximately 5,000 feet above sea level and boasts spectacular views of mountains, a well-preserved culture, everevolving local cuisine, and cool climate. It is the perfect place to fall in love, cure a broken heart, or simply escape the hot weather and monotony of your daily life.

Sagada has been attracting tourists both local and foreign but the town was reintroduced to millennials when the hit 2014 romantic indie film “That Thing Called Tadhana” weaved Sagada into its storyline. The movie shows its main characters shouting all of their heartaches at Mt. Kiltepan’s breathtaking landscape. This movie eventually catapulted Sagada into a paradise that provides refuge to the brokenhearted and even heals broken hearts.

Mt. Kiltepan Hiking Trail

Mayiee Reynes

The journey to Sagada is an adventure by itself: The 12-hour ride from Manila may be hard on your buns but easy on your eyes. The winding road is challenging but you will never get bored with the views of lush mountainscapes, roadside waterfalls, and endless forests. You will know that you’re near your destination when you notice the temperature begin to drop and how the clouds are now only an arm’s length away. If you came from a warm place, be ready with jackets because the temperature can go as low as 14O °C.

Upon arriving you will notice how quiet it is—a calming and peaceful kind of quiet. A walk around town will make you appreciate what Sagada has to offer, from wine tasting to watching colorful sunsets with adorable dogs. Quaint diners and aesthetic cafes line the sidewalks providing an array of different food options. The town enforces strict curfew rules with all its shops closing at 9 pm. This places a serene veil over the entire town. The days and nights are peaceful thanks to the lack of vehicles as locals prefer to travel on foot. Sunrise watching at Mt. Kiltepan is one of Sagada’s most popular tourist attraction. Hiking takes about 45 minutes to an hour starting as early at three o’clock in the morning. You can enjoy a cup of coffee or a warm bowl of champorado as you watch how the sun slowly extends its rays to greet the mountains. You may be tempted to shout out all your heartaches just like what Angelica Panganiban did in the movie, but you’d rather not since locals don’t like the sacredness of the area to be disturbed.

Blue Soil Hills, another 3-hour hike from Mt. Kiltepan, is another spot that you wouldn’t like to miss. The hike itself is enjoyable and you will be rewarded with— as the name suggests—blue soil!

Blue Soil Hills

Sagada is also famous for its Hanging Coffins as you won’t find anything like it in any part of the world. The 19 centuries-old coffins are strung high up along limestone cliffs that lie close to the sky. The traditional way of burying full blooded Ifugaos is as fascinating as it is bizzare.

Hanging Coffins

Sagada is a town that sings where do broken hearts go. If you’re looking for your next travel destination, Sagada might be perfect—a town tightly bound to tradition and properly preserved by its residents who have slowly opened their doors to sharing their culture to tourists.