The Tinglayan Way of Life Experience

Hola Tinglayan!

The municipality of Tinglayan, Kalinga Province is a 3 hour drive from the capital Bontoc Mountain Province. You’ve known you arrived in Tinglayan because they are the second town you’ll be after you’ve left Bontoc. From the road you’ll get a chance to see barangay Luplupa (which is on the other mountain side, separated by the mighty Chico River) and the bus stopped at barangay Poblacion which is the urbanized part of the Tinglayan. Here in Poblacion the main church, the mayor’s office, schools, eatery and inns are mostly located. Though the place seemed to be nice and accessible, we opted to stay at the Inn we’ve seen from the road. The name of the Inn is hugely painted on their roof and since we’ve been sitting on the top of the jeepney it’s very easy for us to see it.

Bridge's mighty foundation

The Long Rickety bridge

From Poblacion, we’ve walked for about 20 minutes and we need to pass by the rickety bridge before reaching the Luplupa River Side Inn (+639177501204, Php 250 per night exclusive of food) which to our surprised was owned by a German national and his Filipina wife. Mr. Otmar Holz is a well known philanthropist in Luplupa, having sent many students to schools and colleges by providing them scholarship and also donating rice to the townsfolk every so often. Actually on our last day at Luplupa, they have a scheduled rice distribution to the barangay but we didn’t wait for it because the activity will be done in the afternoon while our trip to Tabuk was in the morning. Mr. Holz and his wife stays at Luplupa from December to May (non-rainy season in the Phils) then return again to Germany for the rest of the year (non-rainy season in the Germany).

Willkommen!

From left to right: Rose, Olive, Floro, Mrs. Holz, Mr. Holz and Ben (the Labrador)

Luplupa Inn's simple garden

Olive with the map of Tinglayan

Where are we??

Another surprise was that to see foreigners in the middle of Luplupa village. Mind you the place is not that actually a tourist spot. The major tourist attraction of the place is the tattooed women of Kalinga but they live far from Luplupa. Anyhow we’ve find 2 Norwegian student Peter and Orjam (pronounce Orr-yam) who ate a wild boar in the forest of Kalinga and sleep in the cave as well, a Australian travel writer who had the tribal tattoo of Kalinga in his foot, and a French guy who is a friend of Otmar (I think).

Hello there, from Norway!

Having said our pleasantries to the people of Luplupa Inn and freshen up a bit, we decided to roam around the village and familiarize with it. One thing that would strike you of the place is the presence of black pigs on the street. Yes and I mean lot’s of them. BUT before you cringe on the idea about pigs roaming around, in very fairness to them they are 1). Very clean and have no foul smell, unlike the pink pigs we see on pigpens 2). They are courteous because they know how to KEEP RIGHT when walking on the street. 3). they don’t bite/attack as long as you don’t provoke them and 4). I think piglets are as cute as puppies.

Buhay baboy

Looking around the area I’ve noticed that 1). Most of them have satellite cable 2). Their favorite TV show is Mutya 3). They bury their dead inside their property 4) water is abundant; water pipes have no faucet 5). All of them are very nice and friendly. They have their own elementary school with a mini plaza where the gigantic acacia trees, rice terraces paddies, numerous mini-water falls, and a lot of fireflies at night according to Floro (who have seen the night creatures swarming over the acacia tree).

The Mighty Accacia trees

Every drop counts!

WELCOME!

" Hindi po ako scarecrow!"

Green, Green Palay

Posing Time!

But I think the person you should meet in Tinglayan is none other than Mr. Victor Baculi (insert applause here)!! He’s the braid haired and well respected leader in Tinglayan. He is so well known his name is included in Lonely Planet’s guide to the Philippines. He’s actually related Mr. Holz’s wife and his house is just outside the Luplupa Inn. According to him he was the longest serving barangay captain of Luplupa (29 years I think) and he already went to Germany for a visit. What I like about Mr. Baculi is his stories about Tinglayan and his life and also his funny (yet sometimes censored) jokes! This guy is so funny!

Meet Mr. Baculi!

Joke time with Floro and Mang Victor

During our stay in Tinglayan it made me realize how it’s possible to live in a simple life naman pala, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the rat race in the office, and the pollution and temptation the city has to offer. We can actually live a simple life, just like the people in Tinglayan, and be happy about it. Yes, happiness can be seen in the simplest way =).

The Road to happiness is here
Simply Breathtaking

Yes their place has a cerratic ell phone signal, no internet access, no malls to shop, no clubs for party scene but they do have clean and pure river and waterfalls, green rice paddies, lush rainforest with wild animals and birds, loads of fireflies at night, and peace and serenity in the midst of it. I think im ok with that kind of set-up, thank you very much.

Next to our adventure, the Mighty Chico River. Abangan =).