Banaue Rice Terraces in The Philippines

One of the most beautiful spots that people from other countries are dying to see in the Philippines is the, Banaue Rice Terraces- pronounced ba-na-we, a scene that touches the heart of every viewer, especially during summer when the place is like a golden Buddha hugging the mountain. What makes this view amazing is that, the rice terraces tower up the mountain, which makes the panoramic view awesome. What’s more interesting; the Ifugao’s- the inhabitants of the place- built this wonder thousands of years ago with only the crude tools as their aid in building the rice terraces.

The rice terraces is 1500 meters above sea level and covers approximately 10, 360 sq. km. of mountainside. From below, the rice terraces look l ike giant stairs going up to heaven.

Wikipedia Photos

Banaue Rice Terraces remains unscathed despite the many calamities that hit the Philippines for decades. The rice terraces stood harsh times for countless years, but recently there have been some problems due to drought and some natural disasters.  The rice terraces needs some reconstruction from time to time.

Banaue Rice Terraces boasts of its colorful terrains especially during summer when the rice plants start to ripen, making the terraces a total scene of wealth. The golden shade that the rice plants create gives hope to the farmers of Ifugao every time the harvest season is nearing. This plus the rich culture of the Ifugaos, make the place an interesting place to visit. The number of tourists that visit the place every day gives the inhabitants, great hope in fighting poverty which is a growing problem in the Philippines. While the tourism industry does not make them rich financially, it is a big help to the ifugaos.

When the rice plants have ripened and the farmers have harvested the crops; life becomes easier and the hopelessness becomes a story of the past. Banaue Rice Terraces feeds hundreds of Ifugaos who toil the earth to make a living. The nature lovers have kept their ancestor’s land in their hands in good faith even while rich land developers are turning agricultural lands into commercial lands. They will fight to maintain the rice terraces that have given them food for thousands of years.

Ifugao may not be a rich province but it boasts of its rich culture and the rice terraces that thousands of people are dying to see.

Banaue Rice Terraces is one of the best places to see in the Philippines. This is not a common site in other countries and if you love nature, this is the best place to make your visit to the Philippines worth remembering.

As you travel more places in the Philippines and socialize with different types of people around; you will see the secret behind the special characteristics of Filipinos that are different from other people and perhaps you begin to appreciate what is behind that Filipino ancestry. Filipinos may be misinterpreted often but when you get used to them, you can say that, they are unique people with values that cannot be bargained for. True, many Filipinos are still trying to change but then, a Filipino will always be a Filipino in heart.