On its rest days, this town in Mountain Province shies away from tourists

It’s a rule everybody, especially our bosses, should get behind.

On its rest days called Teer, the town of Sadanga in Mountain Province will place bamboo poles on both sides of the road leading to its entrance to announce that rest day has been declared. As such, visitors are no longer welcome.

“Noong nagpunta ako doon, katakot-takot na interrogation ang ginawa bago nila ako samahan doon sa mga lugar,” blogger Angel Juarez aka Lakwatsero, tells “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

“Tinanong nila bakit mag-isa ako, sinong kasama ko, sinong contacts ko, paano ako nakapasok, wala raw ba akong nakitang parang off-limit sign doon sa village. Wala naman talaga akong nakitang ganoon, so nakapasok ako.”

Unlike its more popular and more accessible neighbors Banaue, Sagada and Bontoc, Sadanga has remained under the radar and low-key to most travelers.

It is very strict and protective with its customs and traditions, preferring to lose commercial income from tourism than compromise its values, way of life, and the beauty of its surroundings.

Sadanga is home to some of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders. Travelers already consider its lusciously green rice terraces a destination in itself, but locals know they are only a passageway to more hidden beauties like the majestic Fowa-as Falls.

The quiet town of Sadanga, where rules and punishment are a large part of culture and tradition.

The mystery that surrounds Sadanga makes it even more attractive to adventurers and backpackers. “Dito mafi-feel mo ‘yung totoong Cordillera. Wala kang makakasalamuhang turista. Makikita mo ‘yung way of life nila,” Juarez says.

Part of Sadanga’s way of life is a long deliberation for Teer. A council of elders would meet for up to six hours just to deliberate whether or not it’s time to close the town. And upon agreement, their spokesperson makes the announcement in their native dialect during the evening when everybody is at home to hear him.

Locals and tourists who choose to go against the law will have to make an offering. “It’s not about the value or the amount of violation fees, but the concept of rules and punishment,” explains Jimmy Ilagan, the Municipal Indigenous People’s  Mandatory Representative.

What happens during Teer, you may ask? A ritual called Pumatay, or an offering to their gods for a better harvest. Interesting isn't it?

When you decide to visit Sadanga though and get rejected during its Teer, just follow their law.

Traveling is not just about satisfying our curiosity and wanderlust. It is also about learning how to respect and regard with humility the places we are planning to go to. After all, we are just visitors in another community’s home. — LA, GMA News