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Nov 27, 2016

Trekking to the Rice Terraces of Tibiao

GPS waypoint: 11°19'04.55"N, 122°04'38.24"E
Location: Tibiao (municipality), Antique (province), Philippines

Not a Monopoly
I thought the Banaue rice terraces of the Mountain Province has a monopoly of rice terraces in the country. But while trekking to the Bugtong Bato Waterfalls, I caught glimpses of a few rices terraces. I was told that there are more, but hidden from the trail. With Edwin, manager of Kayak Inn, as my guide, I saw a grander scope of Tibiao's rice terraces.

Banderahan
En route, we passed by a modest peak. It didn't look like anything special, but according to Edwin, the Japanese planted a flag on top of the summit during WWII (thus Banderahan, Filipino for flag). Furthermore, there used to be an mountain lake at Banderahan, but the 1990 earthquake shifted the underlying plates causing the water to be drained down.

trekking through the rice paddies

History
I was more curious to know if anyone knew the age of the rice terraces. Edwin asked the old timers, but none knew. But they were certain that the terraces were there before the Japanese came in.

Still Active
Unlike parts of the Mountain Province where some Igorots resorted to be OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) or took employment in Baguio instead of continuing to be farmers, the people of Tibiao continue to plant rice on the terraces. They are hard workers who know how to till the land for sustainance. Despite Tibiao being a coastal town, the people of Tuno Barangay are farmers, not fishermen.

Ending Thoughts
The presence of rice terraces is a strong statement about the resilience of a people. It's no joke to carve a mountain face into steps in order to plant crops. This is tough work under the scorching heat of the sun that usually takes several generations to complete. Having this in Tibiao gave me a sense that these people are not afraid of hard work. They'll do what it takes to thrive on the land.

--- TheLoneRider

Next stop: Culasi, Antique

Kayak Inn

white water river kayaking
hot kawa-bath | native lodging
Google Map | Facebook | Tripadvisor
GPS: 11°19'04.55"N, 122°04'38.24"E
Tibiao, Antique, Philippines
tribaladventures@gmail.com
(63) 922.701.4648

Tribal Adventures Tibiao

town tour on a mountain bike
waterfall trek | rice terraces trek
Google Map | Facebook | Tripadvisor
GPS: 11°19'04.55"N, 122°04'38.24"E
Tibiao, Antique, Philippines
tribaladventures@gmail.com
(63) 998 999 3049

Nov 27, 2016

Tibiao, Philippines

tourist attractions

Hot Kawa Bath - Kayak Inn is the original provider of the hot kawa bath with scenic and elevated river view. It has been featured in Matanglawin TV show with Kim Atienza
White Water River Kayaking - only Kayak Inn offers this service with full support crew - guide and porters
Bugtong Bato Waterfalls - 7 levels of waterfalls. The first 3 levels are popular and accessible. It has plunge pools with rope climbs to the 3rd level. The 7th level can be reached via a different route - it is far and high up but can be seen from the rice terraces.
Pottery Making - a demo is done on how to make a clay pot. You can also roll up your sleeve and do it yourself
Fish Spa - get your dead skin nibbled-off by little fishes
Tibiao Bakery - they bake their bread using wood burning ovens. It's famous in the whole Panay Island. The location in Tibiao is the original bakery

lodging

Kayak Inn - nipa hut cottages by the river, breakfast included + hot kawa bath + river kayaking
GPS: 11°19'04.55"N, 122°04'38.24"E
Location: Barangay Tuno, Tibiao (municipality), Antique (province), Philippines

tours

Tribal Adventure Tibiao - mountain bike tours, Tibiao town tour, pottery tour, waterfall trek, rice terraces trek
GPS: 11°19'04.55"N, 122°04'38.24"E
Location: at Kayak Inn, Barangay Tuno, Tibiao (municipality), Antique (province), Philippines

Tibiao Cost Index

(US$1 = PHP 49.73 as of Nov 30, 2016)

PHP 1000/pax river kayak and hot kawa bath combo at Kayak Inn
PHP 200/pax hot kawa bath at Kayak Inn
PHP 500 one night lodging in a nipa hut at Kayak Inn
PHP 50 barangay entrance fee (not sure if the barangay can legally unilaterally do this)
PHP 150 guide fee for the waterfalls
PHP 70/trip motorcycle ride from Importante Junction to Kayak Inn, one-way but per trip, not per person

How to Get to Tibiao from Boracay

from Boracay, take a Ceres Bus bound for Iloilo. Get off at the Tibiao Municipality

How to Get to Kayak Inn (Tibiao) from Boracay

from Boracay, take a Ceres Bus bound for Iloilo. Get off at the Importante Junction (this is immediately after Tibiao Municipality)
at the junction, take a motorcycle to take you to Kayak Inn, P70/trip, one-way, 15 mins. CAUTION: some motorcycle drivers will sell you into going to other kawa resorts and may even say unfavorable things about Kayak Inn - they are being paid commission by the competing kawa providers.

Things to do, Places to go in Tibiao

Hot Kawa Bath - kawa, shaped like an oversized wok, originally designed to cook muscovado sugar, is fired-up using bamboo with water and a few herbal leaves for a hot soaking bath. Kayak Inn is the original hot kawa provider with elevated river view.
White-Water River Rafting - at Kayak Inn, river kayaks with tour guides are provided for a 30 minute splash into the Tibiao River
Bugtong Bato Waterfall - 7 levels of waterfall. The first 3 levels are the most popular and hike-friendly. The 7th level is high-up and far-out requiring a different route. Kayak Inn offers guided treks.
Beach - although not as pristine as Boracay beach, if you are in Tibiao, you might as well give it a try - black sand with big flat stones by the beach
Pottery - clay pottery is demonstrated but you can also roll-up your sleeve and try your hand at it
Tibaio Bakery - in all of Panay Island, Tibiao Bakery is popular and has somewhat become a tourist attraction. They bake their bread in wood-burning ovens
Fish Spa - you can dip your feet by the oversize fish aquarium and have the fish eat up your dead skin - ticklish sensation