A Nueva Summer Destination
MANILA, Philippines - It has been called the “Little Baguio” but this sleepy town in the north has a charm that gives it a distinct identity.
For many, Sta. Fe is just one of the towns in Nueva Vizcaya one should pass through to get to Cagayan Valley from the south or to the Southern Tagalog provinces from the north.
Unknown to them, this unexplored municipality possesses a natural beauty that deserves a second look or even a stopover.
The town mayor, Liwayway Caramat, said Sta. Fe is an alternative to Baguio City, which becomes crowded during summer.
“This is one place we can offer in lieu of Baguio if they are after cold temperatures,” Caramat told The STAR. “It has the same temperature as that of Baguio and it is still cold, especially in upland barangays like Sta. Rosa and Imugan.”
Sta. Fe is located 208 kilometers north of Metro Manila and 270 kilometers south of Tuguegarao. This third class municipality is accessible only by land transportation.
Since it is located in the Caraballo Mountain Range, the temperature in Sta. Fe drops to the teens in the evening, making it an ideal destination for those who want to escape the summer heat.
Sta. Fe has its own zigzag road – the historic Dalton Pass that connects Nueva Vizcaya with Nueva Ecija. The Dalton Pass also serves as the town’s end point.
“When I was small, Sta. Fe was called ‘Little Baguio’ because of the zigzag road and climate. It is also known as the gateway to the Cagayan Valley,” Caramat said.
Imugan Falls
A visit to Sta. Fe won’t be complete without a stopover at the Imugan Falls, a 35-foot two-level falls flowing between two mountains and streaming into a basin. The one-kilometer hike from Imugan proper to the falls takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
While the trek may be steep in some areas and rugged in others, the hike is a treat for the senses. Hikers will be able to hear the chirping of birds and feast on scenic views of wild orchids, tiger grass and hanging bridges.
The Imugan falls is a must-see for nature lovers. The cold, crystal clear waters and the quiet atmosphere make it an ideal place for those who want to relax and to temporarily escape the noise of the city.
The site makes a good profile photo for social networking sites but visitors should take some time to look at the natural masterpiece using their own eyes and take in the majestic expanse that Nature has laid out. A mobile device or camera should not create a gap between the visitor and the beauty in front of him.
Sta. Fe also has something to offer to history enthusiasts.
The Balete Pass, also known as the Dalton Pass, was a witness to the fierce clashes between Allied Forces and the Japanese troops during World War II. Both sides suffered heavy casualties as Balete Pass was subjected to numerous raids by bomber aircraft, according to Sta. Fe’s official website.
The historic site was named after James Leo Dalton II, a general of the US Army’s 25th Division who was killed by a sniper on May 16, 1945.
Located above the border of the Nueva Ecija province are three memorials in honor of American, Chinese and Japanese soldiers who perished during the war. According to the inscriptions in the memorials, 7,403 Japanese, 2,365 Americans and eight Chinese military men breathed their last in this area.
One of the notable structures is a white cross in the Japanese memorial site with the inscription “Peace Forever.”
To attract visitors, the government allotted 144.0988 hectares as a tourism site now officially known Balete Pass Wildlife Sanctuary. From the view deck at the park’s summit, which is about 3,000 feet high, one can view the marker that separates Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija.
Kalanguya Festival
If one wants to see how a centuries-old culture blends with modern times, he must attend the Kalanguya Festival celebrated every March.
Named after the original inhabitants of Sta. Fe, the event showcases the rich cultural heritage of the group belonging to the Igorot tribe.
The Kalanguya is one of the tribes recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous People. According to the local government, about 70 percent of the 14,500 inhabitants of this town belong to the tribe.
One of the distinct traditions of the Kalanguya is the padit, a ritual that involves the butchering of native pigs, native chicken and carabao. The ritual also features the chanting of a native song bah-liw and dancing to the beat of gongs and drums called tayaw.
The practice started to fade after World War II because of the flourishing of Christianity. To preserve the tradition, the local government passed an ordinance integrating the Kalanguya Festibal in the annual celebration of the town fiesta in 2002.
This highlight of this year’s festival was held last March 14 at the Sta. Fe Community Convention Center. Tribal chieftains clad in traditional attire chanted as they butchered five pigs in front of spectators. The pigs’ cries of pain were heard as pointed sticks were plunged into their hearts. Two water buffalos were also butchered on the side of gymnasium.
Outsiders may view the ritual as cruel, but for the Kalanguya, it is an act of unity. The meat of the butchered pigs or batang was boiled and then served to the public, a display of solidarity among residents of the town’s 16 barangays.
A dance competition showcasing indigenous beats, costumes and materials was also held to promote appreciation of Kalanguya culture among the youth.
The feast also featured a cultural literacy quiz bee, a float competition and indigenous sports like tug of war, bultong or wrestling, bamboo pole climbing, arm wrestling or hanggol and dapapnikillum or pig catching.
“Members of the Kalanguya tribe are peace-loving people. They (visitors) should explore this place and they will experience our hospitality,” Caramat said. “Some of them may be timid because they live in the upland barangays but once you get to know them, they are really good people who are really sincere when entertaining visitors.”
