Kalinga: Expect the Unexpected at the Cordilleras

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Summer is the season which students are usually excited with. Well it wasn’t like that for me. In my opinion summer is just another hot and tiring time at home. But this year’s summer vacation made me change my mind and realized it is far from what I thought it was. In fact my summer vacation was very fun and memorable. I was able to go to different places, meet new friends and visit my relatives which I rarely see.

It was my father who decided to change our annual routine. He told us that we will be going to their province. At first I wasn’t excited to go because I really don’t like to be in a place without my friends but when we got there already, I found out I am able to have fun even without them.

My family and I went to a nearby river and swam there. Though it was very cold, I enjoyed it because the water was very clear and it even had crabs and small fishes swimming on it.

After that we went to the neighboring town to participate in their fiesta which I really enjoyed. I even sang and performed a dance number with some friends I met there. We stayed there for a day and walked back home which took us almost four hours. Oh, haven’t I mentioned that my father’s province is in Kalinga province? And I’ll tell you it’s a 4 or more kilometer walk from the downtown to their “baryo”.


The province of Kalinga is land deeply entwined with the local ethnic groups' culture. It is a landlocked province in the northernmost section of the Cordillera Region. It is bounded by the provinces of Cagayan and Apayao in the north, Mt. Province in the south, and Abra in the West. The greater sections of Cagayan and Isabela are found on its eastern part.

The name Kalinga was derived from the Ibanag and Gaddang "Kalinga" which means "headhunters." In the past, headhunting was considered noble and it symbolizes bravery. Tatoos, a status symbol which men respect and which women admire, are given to warriors as reward. Thus a "mingol" or warrior enjoys a high status in Kalinga society.

Presently, Kalinga is fast emerging as an "Eco-Tourism Discovery of the Cordilleras" since its operation as a regular and separate province.

Going back to the story, after a week or so we decided to go back home and said our goodbyes to those people we will surely miss. Upon arriving at home I immediately slept. The next morning my mom said our church will be having a DVBS (meaning Daily Vacation Bible School). Since I enjoy attending something like Bible studies, I immediately invited my friend and registered. For a week we studied about the armor of God and the lessons made me realize so many things which I thank God for. And when we graduated, my friend and I got recognized with awards. I even got Top One and Best in Memory Verse.

Through the whole summer vacation I was able to enjoy and learn many things. I was able to do things I thought I can’t and even have friends in a short span of time. I guess summer wasn’t really bad at all and it depends upon the person spending it if it would be fun and memorable.


Contributed by Yorienhel Edma