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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
Nov 27, 2016
Tibiao, Philippines
(US$1 = PHP 49.73 as of Nov 30, 2016)
- river kayak and hot kawa bath combo at Kayak Inn
- hot kawa bath at Kayak Inn
- one night lodging in a nipa hut at Kayak Inn
- barangay entrance fee (not sure if the barangay can legally unilaterally do this)
- guide fee for the waterfalls
- motorcycle ride from Importante Junction to Kayak Inn, one-way but per trip, not per person
- from Boracay, take a Ceres Bus bound for Iloilo. Get off at the Tibiao Municipality
- 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. 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.
- 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
- Boracay - most popular beach in the Philippines
- Malay - Nabaoy River, Pangihan Cave, Nagata Falls, Agnaga Falls, Naasug Point, Malay Ecological Park, Motag Living Museum
- Nabas - wind tubines, Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs
- Pandan - Malumpati Spring
- Libertad - Maanghit Cave, Ati Cave and Bungan-Bungan Spring
- Sebaste - Igpasungaw Waterfall
- Culasi - Malalison Island
- Tibiao - hot kawa-bath, white water river rafting, Bugtong Bato Waterfall, rice terraces, Tibiao Bakery, pottery, fish spa
- Anini-y - Nogas Island, scuba diving
- Boracay - most popular beach in the Philippines
- Malay - Nabaoy River, Pangihan Cave, Nagata Falls, Agnaga Falls, Naasug Point, Malay Ecological Park, Motag Living Museum
- Nabas - wind tubines, Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs
- Kalibo - Bakhawan Eco-Park, Tigayon Hill
- Tambak - oysters
- Capiz - Roxas City
- Carles | Estancia - Gigantes Island Boat Tour, Lighthouse of Gigantes Island and Bakwitan Cave of Gigantes Island
- Iloilo - Batchoy Indulgence
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Tibiao Essentials
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