It’s July, y’all! First half of the year is over, and the second half has begun. Time did fly so fast, didn’t it? The next thing you know, it’s Christmas. But that won’t be for a few months yet, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? To welcome the 2nd half of the year, let’s go local, to a place that’s really close, but I’ve never been to before. The BenCab Museum.
A part of me always thought it sad that people from other places know more about my own backyard than I do. So when the opportunity arose, I took the chance and dragged my balikbayan friend Rog to the BenCab Museum.
Let’s get one thing straight first: BenCab Museum is not in Baguio City, but on its outskirts. It is located at Km. 6, Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet. There are several ways to get there (check Location and Info here) and it only takes 15 minutes from downtown Baguio City if you have your own set of wheels. Or you could take a cab and just tell the driver where you’re going.
Or you can commute by taking the jeepney plying the Asin route. The terminal is located at Kayang of the Baguio City Public Market, beside the Baguio City Jail.
We arrived at the BenCab Museum at 1pm, and paid the requisite entrance fee. Adults have to pay Php 120.00 for admission to the Museum. We realized then that there is also the Eco-Trail tour, and it also costs another Php 120.00, plus a guide fee of Php 100.00 per guide (a guide is mandatory, otherwise you won’t be able to go around the Eco-Trail. We decided to go for the Eco-Trail first, just in case it will rain later in the afternoon.
Briefly, the BenCab Museum is an art museum/gallery established and owned by National Artist Ben Cabrera in his own property on the outskirts of Baguio City, which he has adopted as another home since moving there in 1986. Over the years, he has expanded and improved on the area, until it has become the art, tourist, and now nature destination that it is today.
In fact we can say that the place has three main attractions or draws: the Museum, which features his artworks as well as that of other artists; Cafe Sabel, the in-house cafe and restaurant; and the Farm & Gardens, where the Eco-Trail is conducted.
The Eco-Trail Tour
Our guide, a college student and intern, Anika, led us down to the first level of the Museum, and outside, to start the Eco-Trail Tour. Early on, she pointed out herbs and spices planted along the path, like basil, rosemary and coriander, supposedly all used in the dishes served at Cafe Sabel.
The trail was well laid out, and very safe to walk on, especially for the elderly and those who are not really keen on hiking. Very walking-friendly.
When we were there, there were a lot of people (it was a Saturday, after all) and most of them are from the Tagalog areas. 🙂 But it was just the two of us who went on a full circuit of the Eco-Trail.
There were several native houses set up, some built in situ, others transported from their original locations. This is the Kalinga House.
Some houses we were allowed to enter to check out the interior. Others we were not allowed to, because they are currently being occupied or lived in by some staff of the property.
This is the Lagawe House of Ifugao.
A notable feature in the yards of native houses, especially from the Mountain Provinces (not in Benguet, though) is the Dap-ayan, which can translate to “a place for gathering”.
It is basically a wide area with a stone floor, with stones forming a circle, serving as seats or chairs, and a fire pit in the middle, also made of stones. This is where people of yore sit down, grill their food, share their drinks, stories and songs, and, well, basically HANG OUT.
Anika also took us past the nursery area, where organic vegetables are being grown, to be used at Cafe Sabel. These are also being farmed by BenCab staff who live on the property.
There was a river that divided the property, and you have to cross it to get to the other mountain which is, incidentally, also owned by BenCab. Bridges were built to accomplish that purpose, and here is one of them: the Tawid Bridge.
We passed by several workers farming the land. Other than sparing you a glance, the farming staff just go about their work.
And whee at all the broccoli being grown!
This involves an uphill climb, on stone steps. But I can see why those who are not used to walking up and on trails will have a difficult time. It’s easy to become winded if you’re not careful as you go up.
This is the Kiangan House, also from Ifugao. With its own dap-ayan area.
Anika led us up a trail lined with fruit and nonfruit-bearing trees, with labels and name tags. There was even an area lined with bamboo trees. Our destination was at a small viewdeck where we can see the whole BenCab Museum on the other side.
If there is no fog (there was one when we were there), you can also catch a glimpse of the blue South China Sea. That’s what the guide said.
We recrossed back to the other side, this time using another bridge. There wasn’t a lot of water on the river, because this was mid-May, and rainy season is not here yet, obviously.
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Anika took us up to the mini rice field in front of the Museum, and to the west side, saying there’s a mini waterfalls there.
Yep, they raise koi (above) and corn, too!
Danum, in the local dialects (Ilocano and Kankanaey) means “water”.
And we saw a glimpse of the mini-waterfalls. 🙂 I wasn’t expecting much, considering the place is not really that huge to have a full-blown, legit waterfalls. But this one still looked nice.
I just wish there was more water. I suppose now that it has started raining, water is aplenty in the place.
Oh, and look! A perfect spot to sit down with friends and hang out while watching the water! Too bad bringing in of food is not allowed, it’d be perfect for a picnic!
After a while, we went back to the Museum, as the Eco-Trail Tour has ended. Anika bade us goodbye to meet with other guests to guide, while Rog and I went to Cafe Sabel for a late lunch. It was already 1:50pm at this time.
The whole Eco-Trail tour took us 45 minutes.
If you like nature and the outdoors, I suggest you also try out the Eco-Trail Tour when you visit BenCab Museum. I find it quite expensive, though. You’d basically spend Php 240.00 per person, and there’s the fee that you will pay for the guide (1 group of at least 10 gets 1 guide, I think).
Next post, I’ll give you a peek (coz I can’t give you a taste!) of Cafe Sabel. See ya then!
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