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Blue Soil Hills Wasn’t Instagram-Perfect, But It Was Unexpectedly Beautiful
The photos made it look like a fantasy movie. The online reviews called it iconic. But when I finally got to Blue Soil Hills in Sagada, it just didn’t live up to the hype. Maybe it was the weather. Perhaps it was the endless flocks of tourists, wearing down something that once felt untouched. But most likely, it was just me. I guess I’ve seen too much in recent years to be easily impressed. I didn’t feel awe. So, I just stood there, quietly, while tourists waited in line and struck poses around me. I let the crowd move around me. But ironically, I didn’t even feel disappointed. As unremarkable…
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Sumaguing Cave: A Journey Through Darkness, Doubts And What-Ifs
They say you can’t change the past. But somewhere between the ice-cold waters and slippery rocks in Sumaguing Cave, I kind of wished I could travel back in time. It started with a phrase uttered by a Caucasian tourist after exploring this underground labyrinth in Sagada. “I saw my life flash right before my eyes,” he said. I admit. That’s not exactly the most encouraging and comforting thing to hear right before a Sumaguing Cave adventure. Yes, I was once a fearless hiker and thrill seeker, with years of experience in hiking and exploring caves. But I no longer had the confidence and the athleticism I once had in my…
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Hanging Coffins of Sagada: A Hauntingly Beautiful Reminder That Life Won’t Wait
The dead don’t talk. Or at least, that’s what we’ve been told. As I admired the hauntingly beautiful Hanging Coffins of Sagada in Echo Valley, I felt the echoes of their voices, carrying the wisdom of the past. And that was when the questions came. What if the dead never truly left? What if they had learned a different way of talking? The thing is, even in their dead silence, the dead can teach you more about life than any living politician. And every burial ground holds stories, lessons, and silent reminders of what really matters most. Unfortunately, in a world too distracted by noise, we rarely have the patience…
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Sagada: That Thing Called Adventure (And Sofia)
A few weeks ago, I invited my friends on a weekend trip to Sagada. Nothing fancy. It was just a quick escape and a break from life’s never-ending cycle of deadlines, responsibilities, and grind. Most of them had excuses. Some were too busy, and a few left me on “seen.” But one of them replied with a yes. The only problem? She had been dead for over two years. The person I’m talking about is Sofia. At first, I thought it was a mistake. Maybe there was a glitch in the Matrix. Or perhaps it was one of those weird moments that made you question reality for a second. But…
