Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

The Rice Terraces of Cordillera was built more than 2000 years ago by ancients people of Ifugao before the arrival of Spaniards. Five locations were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the rice terraces in Bangaan, Batad, Mayaoyao, Hungduan, and Nagacadan. The Banaue Rice Terraces was not included in the list because of many modern structures built in the site that makes it low in score for criterion of UNESCO. The five clusters of rice terraces has pass the criterion because of preservation and blending of physical, socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political environment as a living heritage landscape.

There are some rice terraces in other parts of the world but the rice terraces in Cordillera stands out because of its steep slope (maximum of 70 degrees) and high altitude(up to 1500m). The making of this terraces shows a great knowledge of ancient Ifugao in civil engineering. It is proven with their good design and construction of earth or stone walls along the terraces and carefully carving the contour of the mountains for better irrigation from forest top. A complex system of small earth dams, sluices, channels and bamboo pipes are installed to make the whole area of rice terraces flooded.

In 2001, the Rice Terraces of Cordillera was included also in the List of World Heritage in Danger due to deforestation, climate change and globalization.

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Bangaan Rice Terraces

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Batad Rice Terraces

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Batad Rice Terraces

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Batad Rice Terraces

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by Harley Palangchao
Mayaoyao Rice Terraces

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Mayaoyao Rice Terraces Aerial View

Hungduan Rice Terraces

by Shubert Ciencia
Nagacadan Rice Terraces

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Puerto Prinsesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the beautiful places to visit in Philippines. It is located in 50 kilometers north of Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. The main feature of the park is the 2nd longest underground river named as Saint Paul Underground River which is 8.2km in length. Inside the caves, different formations of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites are present.

The area also represents a habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. The researchers identified 800 plant species, 165 species of birds, 30 species of mammals and 19 species of reptiles.

In 1999, the park was considered in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The underground river was also included in top 28 finalists in 8 wonders of the world.

Outside the underground river:

Inside the underground river: