Sagada tours suspended for cultural event

SAGADA, Mountain Province — Tours to several key locations within Sagada's Central and South Central barangays will be suspended on 1 December 2025, as residents conduct their annual community cultural event, "Sagangsang."

The sites to be temporarily closed to tourism activities on that date are Echo Valley, the Hanging Coffins, Bokong Waterfall, Sumaguing Cave, and Lumiang Burial Cave.

"Sagangsang" is the Annual General Assembly of the Sagadanians, also known locally as the "Miting di Umili," or community meeting. It is a specific part of the traditional "Ubaya" cycle, a set sequence of community and cultural activities practiced in Sagada. "Ubaya" is an indigenous community practice of a temporary "lockdown," or period of rest and cessation of work.

On 1 December, residents from the Central Barangays of Patay, Dagdag, and Demang will gather at Toking. Barangay Ambasing has also been invited to participate this year.

The assembly is facilitated by the barangay captains and the "amam-a," or elders. The community uses Sagangsang to discuss and decide on issues that affect the entire "ili," or community. Topics typically include community projects, management of shared spaces, and specific local concerns, such as the proposed structure at one of the "dap-ays" (community centers).

Sagangsang functions as a collective decision-making process. It is a space for the community to consult with elders, achieve consensus, and practice customs vital for preserving harmony (kapya) within the ili.

During Ubaya-related events like Sagangsang, the community enforces a cultural pause. This pause ensures residents can focus entirely on discussions and rituals without interruption.

The suspension of tours safeguards the community's cultural integrity and prevents visitors from inadvertently entering areas where the assembly or related rituals are taking place.