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Mayoyao, also known as Mayaoyao, is a town in Ifugao, a province in the Cordillera mountain range in the north of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. It has some of the famous Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Mayoyao has been settled since precolonial times, with numerous stone tombs known locally as Apfo'or scattered across town. Mayoyao's inhabitants were known during the Spanish era for raiding colonized settlements in the lowlands of the Cagayan Valley.
Mayoyao was finally conquered by the Americans during the early 20th century. During the closing days of World War II, it became site of the Battle of Mayoyao Ridge, in which Allied forces defeated Japanese holdouts and forced the surrender of the main body of the Japanese forces led by the feared General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the "Tiger of Malaya", in Kiangan on September 2, 1945.
Mayoyao has some of the famous Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but it is frequently overlooked by tourists, who stay in neighboring Banaue due to Mayoyao's relative isolation and limited infrastructure.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Mayoyao is along the Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo-Alfonso Lista-Ramon Road, which directly connects Ifugao province with Isabela. Like the rest of the region, this is a narrow mountain road with many twists and turns. There are infrequent buses and jeepneys connecting the town with Banaue and the provincial capital, Lagawe, as well as Santiago City in Isabela and Solano in Nueva Vizcaya. The main transport terminal in Mayoyao is near the public market.
Get around
[edit | edit source]There are tricycles in town, but a 4WD or any vehicle suitable for mountain roads is best used. Most attractions in town are accessible following extended hikes.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Mayoyao Rice Terraces. A rice terrace complex covering more than half of the town. It is one of five rice terrace complexes in Ifugao included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but is overlooked by tourists in favor of the more accessible ones in Banaue.
- 2 Tenogtog Falls, Inwaloy. A three-tiered cascade named after a local word for "slice", a reference to the area being in a hunting ground.
- 3 Chaya Rice Terraces, Chaya. A subsection of the Mayoyao Rice Terraces.
- 4 A'pfaw Mahencha Falls, Chumang. A three-tier cascade accessible through a trail with 536 steps from Khohang Garden.
- 5 Khohang Garden and View Deck, Chumang. A mountainside garden with pine trees and a viewdeck overlooking A'pfaw Mahencha Falls.
- 6 Mount Nagchajan, Chaya. The site of the Japanese stronghold during the Battle of Mayoyao Ridge, riddled with caves and foxholes used as shelters. There is a small war memorial at the peak, which also offers panoramic views over Mayoyao.
- 7 Mayoyao Municipal Hall, Poblacion. The seat of local government in Mayoyao, strategically overlooking a cliffside with views of the surrounding mountains.
- 8 Lumaguid Stone, Buninan. A large boulder along the Balangbang River held together by three smaller rocks. According to legend, Mayoyao will remain prosperous as long as the boulder stays in its position.
- 9 Balangbang Apfo'or. An indigenous tomb.
- 10 Banhal Apfo'or. An indigenous tomb at the back of Mayoyao Hostel.
- 11 Mount Amuyao. The eighth-highest mountain in Luzon, it is a 2,702 metres (8,865 ft) peak at the boundary with Mayoyao, Banaue and Mountain Province whose summit offers views reaching to the plains of Isabela. According to Ifugao legend, it is where the first Ifugao couple sought shelter following a great flood that submerged the province.
- 12 Aliju Falls, Buninan.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw. Last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of April. The town's annual cultural festival, featuring performances of native songs and dances.
- Lenong Ad Majawjaw (Lenong Peace Festival). August 8-9. A festival commemorating the Battle of Mayoyao Ridge.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Mayoyao Public Market, Bato-Alatbang.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Maura's Cafe, Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo-Lista-Ramon Road, Poblacion, ☏ +63 927 220 0496, [email protected]. 9AM-7PM. A cafe whose specialties are Japanese freshwater eel (pikaw) and pigeon pea soup.
- 2 Café Carmen, Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo-Lista-Ramon Road, Bato-Alatbang, ☏ +63 967 258 0210, [email protected]. 8AM-8PM M-Th, 8AM-9PM F, 10AM-9PM Sa, 2-8PM Su.
Drink
[edit | edit source]A locally produced-drink is pfajah (rice wine).
Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are several homestays in Mayoyao.
- 1 Mayoyao Hostel and Viewpoint, Banhal, ☏ +63 927 518 5814, +63 935 916 9273.
- 2 Mayoyao View Inn, Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo-Lista-Ramon Road, Poblacion, ☏ +63 905 412 9293, [email protected].
- 3 Helen's Guest House, Lower Onagol, ☏ +63 906 141 0715, [email protected].
- 4 Milcah Lodge, Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo-Lista-Ramon Road, Poblacion, ☏ +63 905 199 3194.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Accidents and landslides are common along the mountain roads, with the danger compounded by low or nonexistent guard rails and fog. Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition.
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