Batad Rice Terraces | Hiking the Famed Amphitheater of Ifugao
Batad Rice Terraces, among the five UNESCO inscribed world heritage sites in Ifugao, is undeniably the best among the rest. Come as I take you to the amphitheater rice terraces of Batad!
The Amphitheater
Right after our Mt. Napulauan hike in Hungduan, I extended my stay to explore more of the area. Nothing beats a cold morning in the Cordilleras with a warm sunrise and a cup of coffee with this kind of view.
Transportation proved to be challenging that I rode on top of the jeep until I reached the saddle point going to the village of Batad. The hike going to the village is fairly easy no less than 30 until one reaches the tourist registration area.
Life in rural Batad still seems as laidback as it was many years ago. Upon entering the village into the view deck, I was just awestruck.
The rice terraces are laid out on the side of a steep mountainside forming an amphitheater. To add, these rice terraces curve along the side of the mountain all around the valley. There must be a hundred layers from top to bottom.
The Ingenuity of the Human Hands
As compared to many other rice terraces in the country, the ones in Ifugao are built by bare hands-on higher altitude and steeper slopes. A good surviving example of the ingenuity of our Cordilleran ancestors.
The terraced ponds are irrigated by an intricate water system coming from the mountain tops and are fortified by mud and/or stone walls to keep them from collapsing. Until this day, rice is still being planted on these natural wonders.
It is amazing to think that something their ancestors built so long ago is still paying dividends now. The continuity of the farming practices, using pretty much the same methods as they did when they were first constructed.
Banaue Rice Terraces on the other hand, albeit being famous and as seen at the back of the 20-peso bill, is not inscribed as a world heritage site. Moreover, there are five sites in Ifugao: the Batad Rice Terraces and Bangaan Rice Terraces (both in Banaue), Mayoyao Rice Terraces (in Mayoyao), Hungduan Rice Terraces (in Hungduan), and Nagacadan Rice Terraces (in Kiangan).
Tribal Culture
Batad Rice Terraces was said to have been built some 2000 years ago. It shows no evidence of having been influenced by any colonial cultures.
Primarily because of the challenging and treacherous mountain passes surrounding them, the Cordillera tribes have successfully resisted any invaders, thus preserving their pre-colonial cultures.
These rice terraces are intertwined with the history, culture, and traditions of the people of Ifugao
My guide told me that during harvest season, it is the women of the village who reaps all the rice stalks, while the men prepare the food for the ritual. In addition, the elderly women of the village perform the Hudhud, this is a narrative of chants during planting and harvest season.
Moreover, Hudhud Chants of Ifugao, a National Cultural Treasure, is also inscribed by UNESCO in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
Here’s to hoping that Batad still stays the same for many generations to come!
Read More: Challenging the Stairways of Finaroy | Mt. Amuyao (2,702+)
How to Get There
- Batad Rice Terraces is located in the village of Batad in Banaue, Ifugao. (18kms from Ifugao town proper)
- From Banaue Market, there is a terminal of monster jeepneys that goes to and from Batad but this depends on the passenger traffic. I was just lucky to hitch and do a “topload” ride.
- Another option for commuting is to rent a tricycle for a hefty price. (500php until the saddle point)
- From Manila, you can take the Ohayami Buses bound for Banaue daily.
- The terminal is at Fajardo St. Corner Lacson St in Sampaloc, Manila near the University of Santo Tomas
- They operate daily and leave for Banaue at 08:00 PM, the fare is at 500 PHP and travel time is around 8-9 hours
- Alternatively, you can also try the CODA Bus Lines in Cubao that is bound for Sagada. They pass by Banaue and have daily trips to and from Manila.
- The terminal is at Cubao HM Transport Terminal
- They have three trips daily and leave by 08:00 PM, 09:00 Pm, and 10:00 PM. (Fare: 450 PHP Regular, 550 PHP Deluxe)
Updated September 16, 2017
