Elusive Kibungan apes on 'I-Witness'

I-Witness Kibungan Dokumentaryo ni Jay Taruc Airing date: Feb. 13, 2012 In the midst of the mountainous area of Benguet, a 70 year old legend has been circulating amongst the locals, about apes roaming the forestof Kibungan.  As tall as 4 feet, these primates were seen by the Kankana-ey elders circa 1940. According to them, as many as 100 were said to exist.  In fact, the town's name, Kibungan, is derived from these apes. Ape is "kibengan" in kankana-ey.   But as time passed, human settled in, roads were constructed, and trees were cut down. The mountains, which were teeming with wildlife and big trees, are now barren. As the town developed, the Kibungan apes vanished.   In search of the elusive Kibungan apes, Jay Taruc will travel almost 13 hours by land and on foot to find traces of these mysterious creatures. Renowned artist and seasoned mountaineer Romeo Lee will once again join him in his quest to unravel the mystery of the missing apes.   Find out what Jay Taruc and his team discovered about Kibungan and its apes this Monday on I-Witness, after Saksi.