And it’s that time of the year once again! There will be another Sagada bonfire this year! If you’re going to Sagada at year’s end, it would definitely a must-see event! Like it has always been for the past two years, the bonfire will be held at Kiltepan Point – a gorgeous look out spot that culminates in a cliff that overlooks vast terraces. The fog usually rolls in at night time so the bonfire will  be a functional heat source against the cold Cordillera night!

The Sagada Genuine Guides are once again organizing the event for December 28. For just 250 pesos, you can already get a nice buffet, sample fruit wines and dance around the bonfire to traditional percussion. It’s going to be a trip! Feel free to bring your own food and alcohol! The cost also covers the transportation fee to and from the venue.

Party starts at 630! Let’s do this one more time.

Note: I’ve been to the last two and there’s no way I’m missing this year’s!

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Chin of the wildly entertaining and now emerging We Are Sole Sisters blog recently published a very light and somewhat inspiring piece on Sagada. She went up on a whim and ended up (as expected) falling in love with the place. Keep visiting their blog to see how Chin chronicles her stay in Sagada.

The next post is going to be on “5 things I did in Sagada that you should never ever ever tell my Daddy”. That sure sounds like an intriguing read, right?

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Around three years ago, a group of guys got together to create a website that would help people find their way to Sagada. The internet was still pretty bare when it came to having good websites that would be useful in providing information and tips on how to go about planning a trip to this sleepy mountain town at the heart of the Cordilleras. Travel bloggers already had their take on their Sagada adventures but it was still quite a challenge to consolidate the information. When I tried going back in 2006, I had to rely on Pinoyexchange (the Philippines’ largest online forum) for directions and hotel recommendations. This is how I discovered the then still unnamed and unpainted Residential Lodge – my home now for most of my 16 trips to Sagada. (more…)

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For better or for worse, Sagada has gotten the unfair reputation of being a source of marijuana (obtained from Cannabis sativa) and the town’s name has even been linked to the best quality of the “drug”.  Whether you believe in the legalization of marijuana use is irrelevant when you’re in Sagada – or anywhere in the Philippines for that matter. Yes, many countries have moved forward and made it possible for its citizens to access and use marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes but only Philippine laws would apply should you ever get caught.

Here’s what the law states:

Republic Act 1965 is the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. It metes out very stiff penalties for those who are found using, selling, storing and manufacturing substances that appear on a fairly comprehensive list included in the bill (the list includes cocaine, heroine, MDMA and other substances). You will face anywhere from 12 to 20 years in jail if you are found guilty and if you’ve seen what Philippine jails are like, it’s likely that you wouldn’t want to spend more than a few minutes in one.

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So please, do not unfairly equate Sagada with weed. The place can stand alone without that tag and reputation. No, it is NOT true that the people don’t care if you do use it – but you’re more than welcome to push your luck between getting a cheap thrill and landing 20 years in the slammer.

Do what you wish at your own risk.

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