Kalinga’s
Awichon Cultural Village is an accommodation that defines the very meaning of a
homestay stripped of resort amenities yet filled with the comforts of
home, and enriched with a heritage character, as it was built by the cultural
bearers of Kalinga.
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| Awichon Cultural Village |
While
the famed tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od remains in strong consideration for the
prestigious Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), Kalinga already holds the
distinction through Alonzo Saclag, a master of traditional dance and performing
arts who received the award in 2000.
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| View from the top |
Saclag
and his wife, Rebecca, established Awichon Cultural Village in Brgy. Upper Uma,
Lubuagan, as more than just a heritage site. It is a living space where
traditions are sustained through tribal houses, ceremonies, and immersive
experiences.
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| The simple interior of each hut |
Rebecca
shares that her husband, Alonzo, was captivated by the traditional dances and
music of Kalinga from an early age, a fascination that later shaped his life as
a cultural practitioner of the province’s heritage. With the founding of
Awichon Cultural Village, the couple sought to share that heritage more widely,
offering visitors a chance to witness performances that bring Kalinga’s
traditions to life.
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| The traditional homes where guests can sleep in Awichon |
Showcasing
traditional Kalinga architecture, with guest houses constructed from wood and
roofed with cogon grass. These design elements stand as testaments to
indigenous craftsmanship. Each structure embodies an architecture rooted in
symbolism, with interiors that reflect centuries-old practices such as clay
pots boiling over clay stoves, and small fireplaces that once served as the
heart of family life, drawing everyone together during the cold season.
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| Colorful leaves and greens surrounds you |
Beyond
the architecture, the village features a collection of native instruments, from
the reverberating gongs to tiny bamboo flutes, each carrying the rhythms of
Kalinga heritage. Guests are invited not only to observe but to immerse
themselves in the culture by trying out handwoven garments, joining performers
in traditional dances, and partaking in activities that offer a glimpse into
the daily lives of Kalinga’s past.
An
Enlightening and Memorable Stay
On
our first evening, dinner was not merely a meal but an immersion into Kalinga
tradition. As we sat under a starlit sky, guests were served native dishes as
students from the local high school performed dances that once marked community
gatherings.
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| Young cultural performers can be seen performing for guests at Awichon |
The
steady beat of gongs guided their steps, echoing a rhythm long performed by
their elders. Between dances came the Salidumay, an indigenous folk chant
passed down through generations. For visitors, the evening unfolded as more
than entertainment, it was a glimpse into a cultural gift that the people of
Kalinga continue to preserve and share.
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| Guests can wear some handwoven traditional clothing as well |
For
Mary Khrystelle Luha, a content creator whose work demands constant connection
to devices and social platforms, a short stay at Awichon Cultural Village gave
her a much-needed social media detox.
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| Lots of open fields to roam around in the middle of the Cordillera mountains |
“In
experiencing how a true Cordilleran used to live, especially in this part of
Kalinga, I was reminded of how simple life really is—and how often we’re the
ones who make it complicated,” she said.
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| A lavish charcuterie spread to go along with some local favorite dishes |
The
pause from Wi-Fi, she added, felt almost essential. “It turns out you can sleep
on a simple bed and still wake up fully energized. And without Wi-Fi connection,
you discover more chances for genuine conversations.”
Finally
Got Inked, the Kalinga Way
I
have yet to fulfill the dream of sitting before Apo Whang-Od for one of her
signature dotted tattoos. But receiving my first tattoo in Kalinga, where the
tradition runs deep, gave me another memorable experience.
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| Getting my first ink |
At
Awichon, three women trained in the province’s traditional tattooing came to
visit. Soon, a line had formed, almost everyone from our group eager for a
turn. There seemed no better way than through Kalinga's traditional
"batok", the ancient hand-tapped method that uses a thorn, or gisi,
fastened to a bamboo stick and rhythmically struck with another piece of wood.
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| Trying out one of the Kalinga shields on display around the village |
Each
tap carried the sting of ritual, a steady six out of ten on the pain scale, but
also the weight of a promise I had long made to myself. For my first body ink,
I chose the local symbol for “prayer.”
Earthing
Experience at Awichon Cultural Village
Since
our trip earlier with the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines aims to
highlight Kalinga’s idyllic setting for wellness enthusiasts, we were joined by
wellness advocates including writer and entrepreneur Stephanie Zubiri of
Soulful Feasts. Set amid thick greenery and open fields, the village offered a
fitting backdrop for grounding rituals and mindful connection.
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| Grounding session led by Stephanie Zubiri of #SoulfulFeasts |
In
one earthing session, Ophelia, a local cultural bearer, led a chant to
Kabunian, the supreme deity in Kalinga belief. “We were told that sitting on
their local weaves connects Kalinga people to their ancestors,” Zubiri later
shared on Instagram. “At that moment, she said, the spirits were with us,
grateful for our presence.”
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| Local cultural bearer Ophelia. Photo by Stephanie Zubiri |
Another
participant, model and wellness advocate Kelly Misa, reflected on the
experience: “From fire ceremonies to cacao rituals at sunrise, ancient dances
to intricate weaves, our time in Kalinga reconnected us to land, spirit, and
self.”
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| Perfect place to do some yoga or just meditate |
Awichon is not only defined by its landscape as represented by pockets of rice terraces carved into the hillsides, the sharp ridges that turns golden by sunset, and lush trees inhabited by different bird species, but by the way it slows time itself.
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| I'm leaving with a beautiful souvenir |
This article first appeared on Rappler.
