Rice terraces to host solidarity trek for West Philippine Sea

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MANILA, Philippines — A solidarity trek for the West Philippine Sea will be conducted as the culminating activity of the 4th Iwang ad Batad/Tinawon Rice Harvest Festival later this month.

The festival taking place this year from May 29 to 31 is a celebration of Ifugao culture, community and the annual harvest of tinawon rice — the sacred heirloom grain deeply woven into the identity and traditions of the people of Batad.

Barangay Chairman Romeo Heppog and members of the Batad community are spearheading the "Akyat Para Sa West Philippine Sea: Batad Trek" on the last day of May to express support for the men and women safeguarding the country's seas.

"This is our way of showing that the West Philippine Sea is not only an issue for communities by the coast," said organizers. "Even here in the mountains, we stand with our fellow Filipinos and the people protecting our seas."

The trek — which has a difficulty level ranging from 1 to 4, depending on the trail section used — is on top of the annual invitation for more Filipinos to experience the culture, heritage, and community spirit of Batad in Ifugao firsthand.

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The festival will continue to highlight the Ifugao people's rich traditions and communal practices through activities like the mun-iwa (traditional rice wine-making), bachang (a communal labor practice similar to bayanihan), and indigenous games and community-led cultural showcases.

The community climb on May 31 will be limited to 150 slots divided in two early morning batches in order to preserve the integrity of the Batad Rice Terraces, one of five sites inscribed as a World Heritage Site, and minimize environmental impact

Registration for the trek costs P1,000, inclusive of an event shirt, snacks, water, a community lunch with Batad residents, and a P250 donation for the repair of rice terraces, which were damaged by a landslide last November.

Participants are advised to bring reusable water bottles and are responsible for booking their own accommodations, although organizers may provide recommendations for places to stay within the area.

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