Man and Mountain:
An enduring love story
&ŽƌĐĞŶƚƵƌŝĞƐ͕/ĨƵŐĂŽĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐƐƵƌǀŝǀĞĚŽŶƚŚĞŚĂƌǀĞƐƚƐĨƌŽŵƚŚĞ
ƚĞƌƌĂĐĞƐ͕ĂŶĚƚŚĞƚĞƌƌĂĐĞƐŐĂǀĞďŽƵŶƟĨƵůƐƵƐƚĞŶĂŶĐĞŝŶĞdžĐŚĂŶŐĞĨŽƌƚŚĞ
ůŽǀŝŶŐĐĂƌĞĂŶĚŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞŽĨƚŚĞ/ĨƵŐĂŽƉĞŽƉůĞ͘dŚŝƐůĞŐĂĐLJŽĨ
ĂŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞĂŶĚƌŝƚƵĂůƐ͕ŝŶĞdžƚƌŝĐĂďůLJŝŶƚĞƌƚǁŝŶĞĚ͕ŝƐƚĂŶŐŝďůĞŝŶƚŚĞĚĂŝůLJůŝǀĞƐ
ŽĨƚŚĞƉĞŽƉůĞǁŚŽůŝǀĞŝŶƚŚĞƚĞƌƌĂĐĞĚƐůŽƉĞƐŽĨƚŚĞŽƌĚŝůůĞƌĂƐ͘
,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ƚŚĞƌŽďƵƐƚƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶĐĞŽĨƚŚĞ/ĨƵŐĂŽůŝĨĞƐƚLJůĞŚĂƐďĞĞŶĐŚĂůůĞŶŐĞĚ
ďLJƚŚĞŵĂŶLJĐŚĂŶŐĞƐĐĂƵƐĞĚďLJŵŽĚĞƌŶŝnjĂƟŽŶĂŶĚĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘
dŚĞƚŽƵƌŝƐŵŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ͕ǁŚŝůĞƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐŶĞǁŝŶĐŽŵĞƐƚƌĞĂŵƐ͕ĂůƐŽĐĂƌƌŝĞƐ
ǁŝƚŚŝƚĂĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚŬŝŶĚŽĨƐƚƌĂŝŶŽŶƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂůŽƵƚůŽŽŬƐ͘
dŚĞƌŝƐŝŶŐĐŽƐƚŽĨůŝǀŝŶŐĂŶĚĐŚĂŶŐĞƐŝŶƚŚĞĂŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĂůĐLJĐůĞŚĂǀĞŵĂĚĞ
some farmers convert to ůoǁͲůanĚ rŝce anĚ seconĚ croƉs͘ zoƵnŐer
ŐeneraƟons eĚƵcateĚ ŝn more ƵrďanŝnjeĚ toǁnsŚŝƉs are aƩracteĚ to otŚer more moĚern means
of ůŝveůŝŚooĚ͘ tŝtŚ feǁer famŝůLJ memďers ǁŝůůŝnŐ to Ěo tŚe farm ǁorŬ͕ terraces cannot ďe
maŝntaŝneĚ as tŚeLJ ƵseĚ to ďe͘ esƉŝte tŚese cŚaůůenŐes tŚe ƉeoƉůe sƟůů ƉƵsŚ forǁarĚ͘
tŝtŚ cŚaracterŝsƟc Ɖersŝstence͕ commƵnŝƟes Śave ũoŝneĚ ůocaů Őovernment Ƶnŝts anĚ Ɖartner
orŐanŝnjaƟons Śave taŬen on ŝnŝƟaƟves tŚat are focƵseĚ on ƉreservŝnŐ /fƵŐao cƵůtƵre anĚ tŚe rŝce
terraces͘
Two Thousand Year-old
Living Sculpture
ŵŽŶŐƚŚĞƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞƐƚŚĂƚŚĂǀĞǁŝƚŚƐƚŽŽĚƚŚĞƚĞƐƚŽĨƟŵĞ͕ƚŚĞZŝĐĞdĞƌƌĂĐĞƐŽĨƚŚĞWŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞ
ŽƌĚŝůůĞƌĂƐĂƌĞƌĞŵĂƌŬĂďůĞĨŽƌƚŚĞŝƌƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶĐĞĂŶĚŐƌĂŶĚĞƵƌ͘dŚĞƚĞƌƌĂĐĞƐĂƌĞůĂLJĞƌĞĚĨĂƌŵŝŶŐ
ƉůŽƚƐďƵŝůƚŽŶƚŚĞŽƌĚŝůůĞƌĂŵŽƵŶƚĂŝŶƌĂŶŐĞƐďLJƚŚĞ/ĨƵŐĂŽƉĞŽƉůĞ͘dŚĞŝŶƚƌŝĐĂĐŝĞƐŽĨƚŚĞƚĞƌƌĂĐĞ
ƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞͲͲͲŝƚƐŶĂƚƵƌĂůŝƌƌŝŐĂƟŽŶ͕ƐƚŽŶĞĂŶĚŵƵĚǁĂůůƐ͕ĂŶĚƵŶŝƋƵĞůĂŶĚͲƵƐĞͲͲͲŚĞůƉĞĚƚŚĞ/ĨƵŐĂŽƐ
ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĂƐLJƐƚĞŵŽĨĨĂƌŵŝŶŐƚŚĂƚǁĂƐďŽƚŚƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞĂŶĚƉƌŽĚƵĐƟǀĞ͕ĂƐǁĞůůĂƐĂůŝĨĞƐƚLJůĞƚŚĂƚŝƐ
ŚŝŐŚůLJŝŶŇƵĞŶĐĞĚďLJƚŚĞĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJͲĐĞŶƚƌŝĐĐƵůƚƵƌĞŽĨƚŚĞ/ĨƵŐĂŽƐĂŶĚƚŚĞŝƌŶĂƟǀĞďĞůŝĞĨƐ͘/ƚŝƐ
ďĞĐĂƵƐĞŽĨƚŚŝƐƚŚĂƚƚŚĞďĞĂƵƚLJŽĨƚŚĞƚĞƌƌĂĐĞƐŚĂƐŇŽƵƌŝƐŚĞĚĨŽƌƐŽůŽŶŐ͘
Life-Sustaining
Landscape
dŚe rice terraces are vaůƵeĚ͕ Įrst anĚ foremost͕ as aŐricƵůtƵraů ůanĚ͕
ǁŚere /fƵŐao famiůies Őroǁ tŚeir fooĚ͘ dŚe terraces ǁere
ďorn from tŚeir Ěesire to ďecome a seůfͲsƵstaininŐ͕
inĚeƉenĚent commƵnitLJ͘ ,ence͕ everLJ asƉect of tŚe rice
terraces ǁas ĚesiŐneĚ to ǁorŬ ŚarmonioƵsůLJ ǁitŚ tŚe environment͘
dŚe toƉmost foresteĚ area is caůůeĚ tŚe pu-gu͘ /t is ǁeůůͲƉrotecteĚ͕
anĚ serves as tŚe ǁatersŚeĚ anĚ tŚe soƵrce of natƵraů irriŐaƟon for tŚe terrace Ɖůots͘
At the head of the terraces are ŵuLJŽŶg;famiůLJͲoǁnedͿ and commƵnaů forest areas that Ɖrovide
necessiƟes ůiŬe medicines͕ fƵeů͕ materiaůs for ďƵiůdinŐ hoƵses͕
as ǁeůů as for ǁood carvinŐ and ďasŬet ǁeavinŐ͘
dhe third secƟon are the rice terraces͕ ǁhose ǁaůůs ǁere
ďƵiůt ǁith nothinŐ more than naƟve tooůs and the hard
ǁorŬ of the /fƵŐao ƉeoƉůe͘ dhe ǁaůůs that sƵƉƉort each
terrace are sƟůů made and reƉaired ǁith stone and mƵd͕
and ǁere desiŐned to foůůoǁ the natƵraů contoƵrs of the
moƵntain͘ AůonŐ the terrace ǁaůůs is aůso an intricate ǁeď
of canaůs that heůƉ the ǁater Ňoǁ freeůLJ from the
ǁatershed throƵŐh to the varioƵs terraces͘ At the foot of
the terraces is theĚŽůLJĂ͕ a herďaceoƵs and frƵit forest that serves as a ďƵīer ďetǁeen the viůůaŐe
seƩůements and the rice terraces͘ Aůů these ensƵre that the commƵniƟes are aďůe to madžiminje
their terrace Ɖůots ďLJ LJieůdinŐ aďƵndant and ƋƵaůitLJ croƉs͘
Bounty from
the gods
dŚeŝr ƉrŝmarLJ croƉs ŝncůƵĚe ͞,eŝrůoom Zŝce͕͟ tŚe most Ɖromŝnent of ǁŚŝcŚ are tŚe naƟve
varŝeƟes tŚat can ďe ŚarvesteĚ annƵaůůLJ͕ caůůeĚ ƟŶĂǁŽŶ;ůŝteraůůLJ onceͲaͲLJearͿ͘ dŚe /fƵŐao
ďeůŝeve tŚat tŚŝs Őraŝn ǁas a ŐŝŌ Őŝven to tŚem from tŚe ŐoĚs anĚ tŚe
storŝes are contaŝneĚ ŝn traĚŝƟonaů /fƵŐao mLJtŚs͘ dŝŶĂǁŽŶ is
consiĚereĚ esƉeciaůůLJ nƵtriƟoƵs͘ KrŐanicaůůLJ Őroǁn͕ it is Śeavier
tŚan ůoǁůanĚ rice͕ even if tŚe LJieůĚs are not as ƉůenƟfƵů͘ ZesƉect
anĚ ŐraƟtƵĚe for tŚe sacreĚ rice are edžƉresseĚ in tŚe aŐricƵůtƵraů
cLJcůe of ƉreƉaraƟon͕ ƉůanƟnŐ anĚ ŚarvesƟnŐ ͲͲͲ an intricate ďůenĚ
of ůaďor anĚ ritƵaůs tŚat are ůeĚ ďLJ tŚe DƵŵďĂŬŝ ;naƟve ƉriestsͿ͘
Outstanding Universal Value
dhe Zice derraces of the WhiůiƉƉine ordiůůeras is an oƵtstandinŐ edžamƉůe of an evoůved͕
ůivinŐ cƵůtƵraů ůandscaƉe that can ďe traced as far ďacŬ as tǁo miůůennia aŐo in the
ƉreͲcoůoniaů WhiůiƉƉines͘ dhe terraces are ůocated in the remote areas of the WhiůiƉƉine
ordiůůera moƵntain ranŐe on the northern isůand of >Ƶnjon͕ WhiůiƉƉine archiƉeůaŐo͘
thiůe the historic terraces cover an edžtensive area͕ the inscriďed ƉroƉertLJ consists of
Įve cůƵsters of the most intact and imƉressive terraces͕ ůocated in foƵr mƵniciƉaůiƟes͘
dheLJ are aůů the ƉrodƵct of the /fƵŐao ethnic ŐroƵƉ͕ a minoritLJ commƵnitLJ that has
occƵƉied these moƵntains for thoƵsands of LJears͘
dhe Įve inscriďed cůƵsters are͖ ;iͿ the EaŐacadan terrace cůƵster in the mƵniciƉaůitLJ of
<ianŐan͕ a rice terrace cůƵster manifested in tǁo disƟnct ascendinŐ roǁs of terraces
ďisected ďLJ a river͖ ;iiͿ the ,ƵnŐdƵan terrace cůƵster that ƵniƋƵeůLJ emerŐes into a
sƉider ǁeď͖ ;iiiͿ the centraů DaLJoLJao terrace cůƵster ǁhich is characterinjed ďLJ terraces
intersƉersed ǁith tradiƟonaů farmers͛ ďĂůĞ ;hoƵsesͿ andĂůĂŶg ;ŐranariesͿ͖ ;ivͿ the
anŐaan terrace cůƵster in the mƵniciƉaůitLJ of anaƵe that ďacŬdroƉs a tLJƉicaů /fƵŐao
tradiƟonaů viůůaŐe͖ and ;vͿ the atad terrace cůƵster of the mƵniciƉaůitLJ of anaƵe that
is nestůed in amƉhitheatreͲůiŬe semiͲcircƵůar terraces ǁith a viůůaŐe at its ďase͘
dhe /fƵŐao Zice derraces eƉitominje the aďsoůƵte ďůendinŐ of the ƉhLJsicaů͕
socioͲcƵůtƵraů͕ economic͕ reůiŐioƵs͕ and ƉoůiƟcaů environment͘ /ndeed͕ it is a ůivinŐ
cƵůtƵraů ůandscaƉe of ƵnƉaraůůeůed ďeaƵtLJ͘ dhe /fƵŐao Zice derraces are the Ɖriceůess
contriďƵƟon of WhiůiƉƉine ancestors to hƵmanitLJ͘ Ƶiůt ϮϬϬϬ LJears aŐo and Ɖassed on
from ŐeneraƟon to ŐeneraƟon͕ the /fƵŐao Zice derraces reƉresent an endƵrinŐ
iůůƵstraƟon of an ancient civiůinjaƟon that sƵrƉassed varioƵs chaůůenŐes and setďacŬs
Ɖosed ďLJ moderninjaƟon͘
ZeachinŐ a hiŐher aůƟtƵde and ďeinŐ ďƵiůt on steeƉer sůoƉes than manLJ other terraces͕
the /fƵŐao comƉůedž of stone or mƵd ǁaůůs and the carefƵů carvinŐ of the natƵraů
contoƵrs of hiůůs and moƵntains to maŬe terraced Ɖond Įeůds͕ coƵƉůed ǁith the
deveůoƉment of intricate irriŐaƟon sLJstems͕ harvesƟnŐ ǁater from the forests
of the moƵntain toƉs͕ and an eůaďorate farminŐ sLJstem͕ reŇect a masterLJ of
enŐineerinŐ that is aƉƉreciated to the Ɖresent͘ dhe terraces iůůƵstrate a
Ɖersistence of cƵůtƵraů tradiƟons and remarŬaďůe conƟnƵitLJ and endƵrance͕
since archaeoůoŐicaů evidence reveaůs that this techniƋƵe has ďeen in Ƶse in the
reŐion for ϮϬϬϬ LJears virtƵaůůLJ ƵnchanŐed͘ dheLJ oīer manLJ ůessons for
aƉƉůicaƟon in simiůar environments eůseǁhere͘ dhe maintenance of the ůivinŐ
rice terraces reŇects a ƉrimariůLJ cooƉeraƟve aƉƉroach of the ǁhoůe
commƵnitLJ ǁhich is ďased on detaiůed ŬnoǁůedŐe of the rich diversitLJ of
ďioůoŐicaů resoƵrces edžisƟnŐ in the /fƵŐao aŐroͲecosLJstem͕ a ĮneůLJ tƵned
annƵaů sLJstem resƉecƟnŐ ůƵnar cLJcůes͕ njoninŐ and ƉůanninŐ͕ edžtensive soiů
conservaƟon͕ masterLJ of a most comƉůedž Ɖest controů reŐime ďased on the
ƉrocessinŐ of a varietLJ of herďs͕ accomƉanied ďLJ reůiŐioƵs ritƵaůs͘
riteria Ƶnder ǁhich the site is inscriďed into the torůd ,eritaŐe >ist͗
riterion ;iiiͿ͗ dhe rice terraces are a dramaƟc tesƟmonLJ to a commƵnitLJΖs
sƵstainaďůe and ƉrimariůLJ commƵnaů sLJstem of rice ƉrodƵcƟon͕ ďased on
harvesƟnŐ ǁater from the forest cůad moƵntain toƉs and creaƟnŐ stone
terraces and Ɖonds͕ a sLJstem that has sƵrvived for tǁo miůůennia͘
ůtŚoƵŐŚ centraů to /fƵŐao cƵůtƵre͕ ƟŶĂǁŽŶ
rice is not tŚe onůLJ item in tŚe /fƵŐao Ěiet͘
KtŚer common croƉs foƵnĚ in tŚe
terraces are taro͕ camote͕ cassava͕
Őarůic͕ onions͕ tomatoes͕ sƋƵasŚ͕
ďeans anĚ varioƵs ůeŐƵmes͘
riterion ;ivͿ͗ dhe rice terraces are a memoriaů to the historLJ and ůaďoƵr
of more than a thoƵsand ŐeneraƟons of smaůůͲscaůe farmers ǁho͕ ǁorŬinŐ
toŐether as a commƵnitLJ͕ have created a ůandscaƉe ďased on a deůicate
and sƵstainaďůe Ƶse of natƵraů resoƵrces͘
Tinawon
Stalks
riterion ;vͿ͗ dhe rice terraces are an oƵtstandinŐ edžamƉůe of ůandͲƵse
that resƵůted from a harmonioƵs interacƟon ďetǁeen ƉeoƉůe and their
environment ǁhich has ƉrodƵced a steeƉ terraced ůandscaƉe of Őreat
aestheƟc ďeaƵtLJ͕ noǁ vƵůneraďůe to sociaů and economic chanŐes͘
Bulul
Carved wooden figure representing ancestral spirits, used to guard rice crops and granaries.
A GUIDE FOR
TOURISTS:
the Įve municipaliƟes that are Ƌuite accessiďle and reasonaďly priced͘ To maŬe the most of the trips͕ it͛s
important for tourists to reŐister and Őet Őuides from the respecƟve municipal tourism oĸces͘ tith proper
Őuidance you are assured of ďoth your safety and an adventure with no opportuniƟes leŌ unedžplored͊ PayinŐ
the fees is also an important way for tourists to help support the /fuŐao communiƟes and their rice terraces͘
The wonders of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras cater to many tourist
interests͘ There are numerous waterfalls and ďeauƟful treŬ routes for the thrillͲseeŬinŐ
adventure tourists͕ restaurants and souvenir woodͲworŬ shops for leisure tourists and
a plethora of museums and some edžperienƟal tours for those interested in more
academic edžcursions͘ There are also many convenient inns and homeͲstays across
CENTRAL Mayoyao
Terrace CLUSTER
Tappiyah Falls
To Baguio
Dt. EaŐchaũan aīords visitors a Őrand
panoramic view of the central Dayoyao
terrace cluster, made picturesƋue by
terraces interspersed with tradiƟonal farmers͛ bale
(houses) and alang (Őranaries)͟. džplore the lush nature
treŬs to nearby waterfalls and enũoy the local ŐinŐer
and rice wine products.
41 km from Banaue (approx. 2.5-hour drive)
8.5 hour drive via
Mt. Province
Banaue Rice
Terraces
4 km. from Banaue
Town Proper
HUNGDUAN
Terrace CLUSTER
2
5
Batad
Terrace CLUSTER
The atad terraces are nothinŐ short of spectacular͘
Eestled in an amphitheatreͲliŬe semiͲcircle with a villaŐe
at its base, it basŬs in the chiaroscuro of shiŌinŐ liŐht
from driŌinŐ clouds͘ Dany opt to climb the terraces and
then treŬ down towards Tappiyah waterfalls͘ Kne can
also enũoy the view from any of the homesͲstays alonŐ
the top of the terraces and shop for naƟve handͲwoven
tedžƟles and woodcraŌs͘
16 km from Banaue (approx. 1-hour drive)
Batad Saddle
anaue
Banaue
Museum
sisit the edžtensive terraces of ,unŐduan, famous for its
resemblance to a spider web when seen from the air.
^pend the niŐht in homeͲstays located in the midst of the
terraces nedžt to the ,apao river. džplore the nearby
oŐyah ,otsprinŐs.
26 km from Banaue (approx. 1-hour drive)
NAGACADAN
Terrace CLUSTER
4
Banaue
Trade
Center
Bangaan
Terrace CLUSTER
RiŐht within the Dunicipality of anaue is a
tourist favorite. iŐnjaŐ down to the heart of the
anŐaan terrace cluster which bacŬdrops a
tradiƟonal /fuŐao villaŐe. /t͛s your chance to
observe a day in the life of /fuŐao farmer families.
14 km from Banaue (approx. 1-hour drive)
& Municipal Hall
<ianŐan
3
1
Relive the tradiƟonal culture of the /fuŐao people as
you treŬ throuŐh the Kpen Air Duseum of the
EaŐacadan terraces of <ianŐan͘ The displays illustrate
the typical life cycle of /fuŐao families, showcase the
naƟve weaves and tedžƟles as well as the common
aŐricultural produce and typical architecture͘
33 km from Banaue (approx. 1 hr and 30 -minute drive)
Asipulo
To Manila
How to
Respect the
Culture of
the Ifugao
ͻ Avoid wearinŐ overly
revealinŐͬshort clothinŐ
ͻ AsŬ permission ďefore taŬinŐ
pictures, especially of
community elders
ͻ then usinŐ naƟve aƫre and
toolsͬmusical instruments, asŬ for
Őuidance, as one risŬs
oīendinŐ if these are not used for
their intended purpose
ͻ e aware of certain holidays
which /fuŐao communiƟes prefer
to oďserve Ƌuietly amonŐ
themselves
ͻ Respect the strict
privacy of family rituals
and rituals of healinŐ
ͻ &or your safety and the
preservaƟon of the
terraces, do reŐister at
the respecƟve municipal
or tourism oĸces
ͻ Pay the environmental fees
ͻ TreŬŬinŐ throuŐh terraces is
best conducted with
recommended Őuides͖ always
sƟcŬ to the pathways and follow
your Őuide
ͻ zou may wish to rent walŬinŐ
sƟcŬs͖ some treŬs have steep
inclines and can be challenŐinŐ
ͻ Eo smoŬinŐ in public areas
;some municipaliƟes have local
ordinances)
ͻ Eo liƩerinŐ
ͻ Refrain from edžcessive drinŬinŐ,
and try to tone down Őroup
conversaƟons in the eveninŐs,
especially when stayinŐ
near communiƟes
>aŐawe
348 km via San Jose City
This map presents the uniƋueness of the ͚Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras͛ ʹ a torld ,eritaŐe ^ite
in /fuŐao, the Philippines͘ The tedžt included with this map has been taŬen directly from the
nominaƟon dossier by which this property was inscribed in ϭϵϵϱ, and also from the results of the series of
worŬshops and consultaƟve meeƟnŐs conducted in /fuŐao under the proũect enƟtled ͚The Power of Culture͗
^upporƟnŐ CommunityͲased DanaŐement and ^ustainable Tourism at torld ,eritaŐe ^ites in Dalaysia
and ^outheast Asia,͛ funded by the 'overnment of Dalaysia via the Dalaysia &undsͲinͲTrust͘
This map illustrates locaƟons and interpretaƟons of the inscribed components for visitors to beƩer
edžperience the KutstandinŐ hniversal salue of the site, and is part of hE^CK͛s ũoint eīort to conserve and
safeŐuard torld ,eritaŐe ^ites for future ŐeneraƟons͘
dĞdžƚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚĂŶĚĚŝƟŶŐ
&oundaƟon for CommunicaƟon
/niƟaƟves ;&KC/), /nc͘
Emily A. Abrera
Isabella Ann Mendoza
risƟna Elisse . udiamaƚ
Noriel T. Barrios
WŚŽƚŽŐƌĂƉŚĞƌƐ
Śarles Alƚomonƚe
Ariel Dalisay
hE^CK Kĸce, :aŬarta
Śrisƚa ,ardũasapuƚra
tiesŬe ^apardan
/ŶŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƟŽŶǁŝƚŚ
WƌŽĚƵĐĞĚďLJ
hE^CK Kĸce, :aŬarta
&ƵŶĚĞĚƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ
^ƵƌǀĞLJŽƌ͕>ĂLJŽƵƚ͕ĞƐŝŐŶ͕
ĂŶĚ/ůůƵƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ͗
Ariel Dalisay
&or more informaƟon about the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras͗ hƩp͗ͬͬwhc.unesco.orŐͬenͬlistͬ ϳϮϮ