I do not have wanderlust. I do not have an adventurous soul which craves for extreme experiences. What I do have, however, is a need for recovery. I have reached the point of breaking out from life. I needed a fresh start. 

Thankfully, God created this place called Sagada. It serves as heart of the Philippines' Mountain Province. Coincidentally, it had cured a million of wandering, aching, and broken hearts. With this healing comes a very long, winding, and unexpected journey.

Benguet Mountains
1. THE ROAD TO SAGADA
Sagada's magic is no secret to many. But what newbies like me knew nothing about was the road to Sagada. I stayed a night in Baguio before proceeding to SG. As ever, the City of Pines served only delights for its guests. I revisited Point n Grill for its Bulalo, had breakfast at the Original Glen's 50's Diner (see review) and revisited Mines View. The bus terminal to Sagada is located very near to the Central Mall; took the last trip at 1:00PM which costs 220 Pesos. Do not expect anything grand about the buses. The road to Sagada takes about 5-8 hours of uphill curves, depeding on the weather and number of vehicles. Breath-taking views of mountainous scenery and terraces surely makes the trip worthwhile. 

Kung nahabaan ka na sa byaheng Baguio, kailangan tibayan mo rin ang sikmura para sa byaheng Sagada. Mahaba ang byahe, nakakahilo. Dinaig ng daan ang Space Shuttle, parang roller coaster o kaya naman parang nangangabayo sa yugyug ng sasakyan. Pero, bawal magreklamo. Dahil sa buhay, madalas ginusto mo kung nasaan ka, ikaw ang gumapang at gumawa ng paraan para mapunta ka sa kasulukuyan mong sitwasyon. Kaya kailangan mong tiisin yung hirap, yung sakit, habang naghahanap ka ng paraan na itama ang mali, habang sinusubukan mong umahon sa kumunoy ng mga problema. Minsan pa nga, akala mo nandun ka na, akala mo tapos na, para lang malaman mo na wala pa pala, nagkamali ka na naman, nagassume at nanguna. Pero diba nga, the toughest part of the race is when you're about to reach the finish line, that part when you're almost dried out of energy. Don't worry, along this long and winding road, redemption is on its way. You just can feel it in your veins. 

To Witness a New Beginning is a Wonderful Gift
2. THE SUNRISE
I stayed in St. Joseph's Resthouse, probably the best place to achieve the Sagada mood while in town. I had dinner at the Sagada Lemon Pie House and tried their chicken curry at 150 Pesos. The Lemon Pie was a blast of good taste in my mouth at 30 pesos per slice and 200 for a whole pie. After which, I rested for the night bec I had to see the magic early. Depending on the number of tourists, there might be local jeepneys available at 4:00 AM. To be sure, ask around beforehand to schedule a special trip or ride with fellow tourists, good way to make new friends! You may bring coffee or light breakfast with you as you wait on top.

Para sa nakararami, ang Sunrise sa Sagada ay isa sa pinakamaganda sa buong mundo. Isipin mo, aakyat ka ng bundok sa madaling araw, para makita ang isang bagay na araw-araw namang nangyayari. Tulad sa buhay, minsan hindi natin nabibigyan ng pansin at halaga yung mga tao o bagay na alam nating nanjan naman kahit anong mangyari. We often wait for the unexpected to happen before we begin to appreciate the beauty of these things or people in our lives. Pero totoo, pag nakita mo nga yung pagsikat ng araw sa gitna ng mga bundok at ulap, di mo mapipigilang masabi sa sarili mo na "tama na, tahan na, panahon na para sumaya ka." It was such a powerful moment, as if the sun was telling you to GET UP AND START LIVING! You have been officially blessed with a new beginning.

Singit ko na rin ha? PLEASE DISPOSE YOUR GARBAGE PROPERLY. Let's not disgrace the spot's innocence with our irresponsibility. Okay na siguro na yung emotional baggages and pains ang binuhos natin sa lugar na to. She has done more than enough for her to deserve our respect and courtesy. 

 
(c) A Fellow Caver at Sagada
3. THE CAVE
It was my first time to go spelunking, and I accepted the challenge to survive Sumaguing cave. There are friendly local tourguides who will come very crucial to one's Sagada trip at 500 Pesos, depending on the tour package you will choose. I was fortunate enough to be guided by one of the pioneering guides. Sumaguing is a very beautiful cave which houses magnificent formations and probably a thousand insect bats. 

Kailangan din pala nating hamunin ang sarili natin paminsan-minsan. Dahil sa pagsubok natin ng mga bagay na hindi natin nakasanayan, o sa pagharap natin sa mga bagay na ating kinatatakutan, dun lang natin malalaman kung gaano tayo katapang. Akala natin minsan hindi natin kaya, sa unang sensyales ng panganib umaatras na tayo. At wala tayong masisisi kung eto ang naging epekto ng hapdi mula sa mga sugat ng nakaraan. But there comes a point that you have to suck it all in, and be someone yourself deserves to be. Like me, you might be surprised on how you can take those challenges and go through them. Yun nga lang, the journey will be rough and tough! In that cave I did things I never thought I would and could do. I literally held on to dear life, I climbed through rocky edges, I had the feeling of almost dying, and I almost gave up, but I did not. That's the thing, don't give in to your fears. Take the risk and do things that challenge you, then you'll discover more about yourself. After all, you're the one who will benefit from this the most.
 
Warmth
4. THE TOWN
Sagada is a very simple town. The houses and inns are very decent, and most of the townsfolk offer warm conversations about anything. True enough, a Sagada trip is made much more complete with the town experience. It takes about 20-30 minutes to go around the town proper, not counting majority of the residential areas. The cafés and restaurants offer really great food and mood. Must-tries are Sagada Brew, Strawberry Café, Yoghurt House, Salt and Pepper, Bana's, Gaia Café (which is at the far end of town), and the Sagada Lemon Pie House. I also had the chance to peek at wake rites where loved ones of the dead gather, pray, and sing local chants, in addition to Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud which they were fond of singing. 

Sakto ang Sagada para ipaalala sa atin ang katagang "simplicity is beauty". Sa dami ng nangyayari sa buhay sa syudad, minsan hindi na natin alam ang ibig sabihin ng "undivided attention". Many of us have forgotten how to just live. At Sagada, I was reminded to really eat while eating, to have a good rest when sleeping, to genuinely converse when dealing with others. But the most important thing, I was given the chance to liberate my mind, to let go of what needs to be freed, and to set my priorities right. Nakita ko na kahit wala ang maraming bagay na big deal sa syudad doon, life goes on. And it goes on innocently and almost stress-free. 


(c) A New Friend from Sagada
 5. THE TRUTH ABOUT SAGADA TRIPS
From its recent media boost, Sagada had gained the interest of many people. We are fortunate to discover such a beautiful creation. Sagada will always have this magic of healing wounds with its peace and simplicity. From the journey to the town and caves, Sagada will soothe your soul and silently renew your energy and spirit. 

The truth about Sagada trips is that it will remain to be A trip. It ends. I had to go back to Manila; and you will have to go back to your place after this pleasant affair. What matters most, like all learning ventures, is for us to put our realizations into action. The end of my Sagada trip marks the beginning of a new day; it did not just let me turn a new page, but it gave me a brand new pen to start writing new stories and drafting bolder dreams. This trip revealed many truths to me about life, love, and myself. I am thankful and optimistic that these truths will help me become the change I aspire to see in this world.

And so, my friends, regardless if you are a legitimate soul searcher, a professional traveller, or just someone looking for a place to go, to visit Sagada is to have the rare opportunity to look at life and know yourself in ways you would never have expected, and to receive the ultimate prize of starting all over again. 

IG: ion.ben
Twitter: @ionben


P.S.
I am happy that I made the decision to start visiting places in my own country. Looking forward to start peace-searching!