Sagada

For other uses, seeSagada (disambiguation).

Sagada Ganduyan
Municipality
Municipality of Sagada
Sagada in 2022
Flag Seal
Motto: Ipey as Nan Gawis
Anthem: Sagada Hymn
Map of Mountain Province with Sagada highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Sagada Location within thePhilippines
Coordinates:17°05′03″N120°54′03″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Cordillera Administrative Region
Province	Mountain Province
District	Lone district
Barangays	19 (seeBarangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•Mayor	Felicito O. Dula
•Vice Mayor	David T. Buyagan
•Representative	Maximo Y. Dalog Jr.
•Electorate	8,435 voters (2022)
Area
• Total	83.32 km2(32.17 sq mi)
Elevation	1,472 m (4,829 ft)
Highest elevation	2,374 m (7,789 ft)
Lowest elevation	835 m (2,740 ft)
Population (2020 census)
• Total	11,510
• Density	140/km2(360/sq mi)
•Households	2,798
Economy
•Income class	5th municipal income class
•Poverty incidence	19.75 % (2021)
•Revenue	₱ 85.91 million (2020)
•Assets	₱ 152.7 million (2020)
•Expenditure	₱ 81.94 million (2020)
•Liabilities	₱ 35.42 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO)
Time zone	UTC+8(PST)
ZIP code	2619
PSGC	144409000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)74
Native languages	Bontoc Balangao Ilocano Tagalog Northern Kankanay
Major religions	Episcopal Church of the Philippines
Website	sagada.gov.ph

Sagada,officially theMunicipality of Sagadais a 5th classmunicipalityin theprovinceofMountain Province,Philippines.According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 11,510 people.

Sagada is 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the provincial capitalBontoc,396 kilometres (246 mi) fromManilaviaHalsema Highway,and 146 kilometres (91 mi) fromBaguio.

Sagada is famous for itshanging coffins.This is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilized. The elderly carve their own coffins out of hollowed logs. If they are too weak or ill, their families prepare their coffins instead. The dead are placed inside their coffins (sometimes breaking their bones in the process of fitting them in), and the coffins are brought to a cave for burial. The Sagada people have been practicing such burials for over 2,000 years, however, not everyone is qualified to be buried this way; among other things, one had to have been married and had grandchildren.

Popular activities include trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites, nature hikes, and participating in tribal celebrations. Guides can be found upon registration at the tourist-office in Sagada Proper (the main town) for a small fee. Most of the guides are natives, also known as Kankanaey.

History

Sagada in 1980

Origin legend

According to legend, Sagada was founded as anilior village by Biag, a man from Bika in easternAbra.The people from Bika were forced out of theiriliby raidingheadhunters.Biag's family resettled inCandon, Ilocosbut when baptism or the giving of names was enforced, Biag's family chose to move back toward the mountains in search for a settlement. Along the way, he and his siblings decided to part ways. A brother, Balay, chose to return to Candon, a sister to Abra. Another brother settled along the upper Abra River. Biag pushed further to the east until he came to what is now Sagada.

Arrival of Anglican missionaries

Perhaps for lack of transportation and willing guides, fewconquistadorsset foot in Sagada during the Spanish Era, and a Spanish Mission was not founded until 1882.As a result, it is one of a few places in the Philippines that has preserved its indigenous culture with little Spanish influence.

Anglican missionaries led by Rev. Fr. John Staunton built theChurch of Saint Mary the Virginand founded St. Mary's School, Sagada in 1904.

Chico River Dam Project

Sagada was one of several municipalities in Mountain Province which would have been flooded by theChico River Dam Projectduring theMarcos dictatorship,alongsideBauko,Bontoc,Sabangan,Sadanga,and parts ofBarlig.However, the indigenous peoples ofKalinga Provinceand Mountain Province resisted the project and when hostilities resulted in the murder ofMacli-ing Dulag,the project became unpopular and was abandoned before Marcos was ousted by the 1986People Power Revolution.

In 1983, refugees fleeing theBeew massacre(in which the 623rd Philippine Constabulary burned down Sitio Beew in Tuba, Abra, claiming that they were "rebel sympathizers" ) were forced to take refuge in the Church of the St. Mary, where they were given succor by Fr. Paul Sagayo Jr. until they could finally be aided by Atty Pablo Sanidad of theFree Legal Assistance Groupand journalist Isidoro Chammag of the Bulletin Today.

Geography

Sagada is nestled in a valley at the upper end of the Malitep tributary of theChico Riversome one and a half kilometers above sea level in theCentral Cordillera Mountains,enveloped between the main Cordillera Ranges and the Ilocos Range.Mount Datain the south andMount Kalawitanin the southeast pierce the horizon.Mount Polis,Bessang andMount Tiradin the east, andMount Sisipitanin the north mark theMountain Province–Abraboundary. There arelimestonemountains throughout Sagada. This part of Luzon used to be submerged in the ocean tens of millions of years ago, and fossilized seashells can be found in the walls ofSumaguing Cave.

Barangays

Sagada is politically subdivided into 19barangays.Each barangay consists ofpuroksand some havesitios.

• Aguid
• Ambasing
• Angkeling
• Antadao
• Balugan
• Bangaan
• Dagdag
• Demang
• Fidelisan
• Kilong
• Madongo
• Nacagang
• Pide
• Poblacion
• Suyo
• Taccong
• Tanulong
• Tetepan Norte
• Tetepan Sur

Climate

Climate data for Sagada, Mountain Province
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	21 (70)	20 (68)	21 (70)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	28 (82)	24 (75)	22 (72)	21 (70)	20 (68)	19 (66)	22 (72)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	11 (52)	9 (48)	11 (52)	12 (54)	14 (57)	16 (61)	16 (61)	15 (59)	14 (57)	13 (55)	12 (54)	11 (52)	13 (55)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches)	35 (1.4)	46 (1.8)	63 (2.5)	117 (4.6)	402 (15.8)	400 (15.7)	441 (17.4)	471 (18.5)	440 (17.3)	258 (10.2)	94 (3.7)	68 (2.7)	2,835 (111.6)
Average rainy days	9.9	19.5	13.9	18.9	26.0	27.3	28.9	28.5	26.1	19.7	14.5	12.8	246
Source: Meteoblue(modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)

Under theKöppen climate classification,Sagada features asubtropical highland climate(‘’Cwb’’). The area averages 2,835 mm of precipitation annually, the bulk of which falls between the months of May and October. Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the course with average daily temperatures ranging from around 17 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Demographics

Children in Sagada

Population census of Sagada

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1918 6,189 — 1939 7,851 +1.14% 1948 8,472 +0.85% 1960 11,548 +2.61% 1970 12,947 +1.15%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1975 8,968 −7.10% 1980 9,460 +1.07% 1990 10,353 +0.91% 1995 10,354 +0.00% 2000 10,575 +0.45%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2007 10,930 +0.46% 2010 11,244 +1.04% 2015 11,127 −0.20% 2020 11,510 +0.67%
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority

Religion

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

Seeing that theRoman Catholicism in the Philippineshas long been established, missionaryCharles Henry Brentmentioned that "we are not building an altar over and against another altar," thus focusing Episcopal missionary activity among theFilipino-Chinesein Manila, thetribes in Mindanaoand the tribes of northernLuzon.Since the coming of missionaries from theProtestantEpiscopal Church in the United States,the municipality of Sagada has become the only Philippine town that is predominantly Anglican with almost 95% baptised into theEpiscopal Church of the Philippines(ECP). A known landmark at the centre of town is the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a vibrant Episcopal parish. In 2004, the ECP celebrated its centennial with much of the festivities centered on the town of Sagada.

Economy

Oranges cultivated in Sagada, being sold at a market inLa Trinidad,Benguet

Poverty incidence of Sagada

10 20 30 40 2006 11.20 2009 35.39 2012 10.20 2015 25.38 2018 12.62 2021 19.75 Source:Philippine Statistics Authority

Since the climate is similar to those ofBenguet,its crops are likewise temperate products such as cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, potatoes, carrots, beans, and others. Between 1882 and 1896, theSpanishcolonizers introducedArabica coffee:a source of income since theAmericanoccupation. Citrus, mainly lemon, lime andValencia orangeswere introduced fromSpainby Jaime Masferre to provide the needs of American missionaries and employees of the Mission of Saint Mary the Virgin. During the American Period, the Americans introduced products like strawberries, and peaches due to its cooler, highland rainforest climate.

In recent years, tourism has also grown to contribute significantly to the local economy. Inns, restaurants, tour guide services, and other tourism-related industries have also grown rapidly. The municipal government also collects significant amounts through the environmental fee it charges each tourist, as well as through the taxes levied on local businesses.

Government

Local government

Main article:Sangguniang Bayan

Sagada, belonging to thelone congressional districtof the province ofMountain Province,is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council (2022–2025):

• Congressman: Maximo Y. Dalog Jr.
• Mayor: Felicito O. Dula
• Vice-Mayor: David T. Buyagan
• Councilors:
  • Andrea Taltala
  • Kapon Gomgom-o
  • Mokyat Aclayan
  • Raynold Davis Dapliyan
  • Tambol Padawil
  • Fermin Lumbaya
  • Benjamin Capuyan
  • Felicito Kibayan Jr.

Places of interest

Sagada has many natural wonders, including:

• Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves
• Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls
• Rice terraces
• Echo Valley
• Kiltepan Tower
• Underground River
• Lake Danum
• Hanging Coffins
• Pongas Falls
• Blue Soil Hills
• Mount Ampacao
• Marlboro Hill
• Fortune Express
• Latang and Matang Caves

Other notable places include:

• TheChurch of St. Mary the Virgin
• The gravesite of Philippine history scholarWilliam Henry Scott

Notable personalities

• Eduardo Masferré- Filipino-Catalan photographer regarded as the Father of Philippine photography.
• William Henry Scott- Historian and Episcopalian missionary best known for numerous books on the Cordilleran peoples and on Precolonial Philippines.

Trivia

• Sagada was featured in theFilipino film,Don't Give Up on Us,andThat Thing Called Tadhana.
• Sagada was featured in an episode ofLocked Up Abroad.
• In the "Death" episode ofThe Moaning of Life,Karl Pilkingtonvisits Sagada to see a local community's cliffside burial techniques.

Gallery

• 
  Rice terraces in Sagada
• 
  Varieties ofSagada coffee
• 
  Hanging coffins in Echo Valley
• 
  Hanging coffins in Echo Valley

External links

• Official website
• SagadaatCurlie
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism on Sagada