Coffee Alamid - The Philippine Civet Coffee

Kabayan, Benguet is home to the ancient Ibaloi mummies.  It is a very good respite for mountaineers who climb Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon, Philippines. The mountains and clouds are almost spiritual, a sight to linger on. Peoples' faces light up with a warm smile and immediately welcome you into their homes.  Among others, Kabayan also prides itself with "kintoman" rice, one of the ancestral rice varieties of the Igorots planted in their rice terraces.   When in Kabayan,  one can also experience its exotic organic "soil shampoo" called gidgidin their native dialect.

 Sagada, Mt. Province is a very popular tourist destination because of so many beautiful reasons:

• Intricate cave formations
• Echo valley
• Underwater river
• Big Falls/Bokong Falls
• Crystal Cave, etc.

But the eternal attraction of Sagada is the strong bond of friendship you develop with the Sagadans -  a portal to Igorot culture -  that makes you want to go back and stay even longer in your next visit.  




Bokod, Benguet houses the Ambuklao Dam,  a main source of electricity for the town of Northern Luzon.  Believed to have been the epicenter of the worst Baguio earthquake in the 1980's,  Bokod, because of the Ibalois' strong and determined attitude, has recovered beautifully.  At present, the farmers adopt and practice natural farming systems for the diversified abundant farm lands they have cultivated for fruits,  vegetables, and all sorts of farm animals. They have also initiated moves to develop their natural hot springs for community development.  Rejuvenated ancient coffee trees can be viewed as models -  for other coffee farmers to follow.  




Mt. Malarayat,  Lipa, Batangas has always been known as the origin of "barako" coffee in the Philippines. The national reserve Malarayat mountain range is partly in Sto. Tomas and Lipa, Batangas. Up to now,  a canyon relic during the Filipino-Spanish revolt is hidden in one of the mountain enclaves safely guarded by the forest dwellers.  Mt. Malarayat is one of the few forests of the Philippines that is very near and accessible to the city and yet is struggling to hold on to its forested abode.  






Barlig, Mt. Province is the last remaining virgin forest in the Mt. Province.   Its elevation is even higher than Sagada,  has occasional frosts in certain areas,  and also houses the Philippine monkey eating eagle.    Coffee used to be widespread during the Spanish era. However,  during world war II, the whole community was burned by Japanese soldiers.  Now,  only a few remaining coffee trees are alive but have retained their superior taste and quality. Many wild flora and fauna are still found in this pristine area.  There is no electricity yet but its preserved wild beauty is what will enthrall you to go back to Barlig.