APAYAO

• Mt. Kilang is a prominent tourist destination with a towering height of 1,656 meters. Its impressive outline is adorned by sea of clouds, making it a breath-taking sight that travellers should not miss.
• Apayao, derived from the Isnag dialect meaning 'river' or 'large body of water,' holds significant importance as a life-giving source for its people and neighboring provinces.
• Apayao


  • Located in the northernmost part of the Cordillera Administrative Region
  • Spans a vast land area of 4,502.33 square kilometers or 1,738.36 square miles
  • Comprises 7 municipalities: Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Luna, Pudtol, and Santa Marcela, encompassing a total of 133 barangays
• Apayao is geographically divided into two regions: Upper Apayao and Lower Apayao.
• Upper Apayao


  • Consists of Kabugao, Conner, and Calanasan, covering 67.2% of the province's total land area
  • Characterized by majestic mountainous terrain, marked by towering peaks, plateaus, and intermittent valleys
• Lower Apayao


  • Comprises Flora, Luna, Pudtol, and Sta. Marcela, accounting for 32.8% of the land area
  • Features a predominantly flat landscape with rolling mountains and plateaus
• Apayao shares its borders with various provinces: Cagayan to the north and east, Ilocos Norte and Abra to the west, and Kalinga to the south.
• The mountains of Apayao became a refuge for those seeking solace from foreign influence and social issues

  1570s
• The Spaniards encountered the Apayaos, later known as Isnags, who inhabited the region between Cagayan and Ilocos and were considered infidels.
• Spanish influence reached the Isnags


  1. Through the Abulug-Apayao River

  2. Leading to the establishment of churches and evangelization efforts by Dominican friars
• The Isnags resisted Spanish rule, leading to rebellions and conflicts.
• Apayao became a sub-province of Cagayan and later became part of the Mountain Province


  1900s
• During this period, Apayao's unique culture and heritage thrived.
• The Kalinga-Apayao Province emerged, solidifying Apayao's identity alongside Kalinga


  1967
• Despite challenges during Martial Law, the Apayao Solidarity Movement played a pivotal role in promoting development and empowering the Apayao people.
• Apayao became a separate province, ushering in a new era of progress and growth

  1995
• With dedicated leaders at the helm, Apayao embraced its promising future, focusing on community development and improving the lives of its people.
• The name "Isnag" is derived from the combination of "is," meaning recede, and "Uneg," which is an Iloko term for the inner area of inhabitation.
• The colonizers referred to them as "Los Apayaos/Apayaos," referring to the river whose banks and nearby rugged terrains were their habitat.
• Researchers made notable observations about the characteristics of Isnags.
• Isnags


  • Peaceful people who only resort to violence to avenge wrongs done to them
  • Smoking tobacco and chewing momma together are activities that imply friendship
  • Engaged in conflicts with each other in the past, such as Karagawan against the confederation of Dibagat, Alicit, Cumao, Tuyangan, Tubungan, and Baliwanan
  • Trained their young men to protect their families and territories from attacks, contributing to their reputation as skilled warriors
• Tribal wars and headhunting activities came to an end when Blas Villamor was appointed as a commander of the Philippine Constabulary in Tawit.
• Isnag people


  • Classified based on their dialect accents: (1) Mandayas of Calanasan and some parts of Luna and Flora, (2) Mallods of Kabugao, Pudtol, and some parts of Luna, and (3) Nagbuangan of Conner and southern Kabugao
  • Despite the variations in accents, they are still able to understand and communicate with each other
• Independent livelihood is the primary goal of Isnag education and training.
• Isnag education


  • Emphasizes self-sufficiency and adherence to established norms throughout a person's life
  • Moral education takes precedence over vocational training, with children being exposed to various taboos and subjected to physical and emotional sanctions
  • Physical and vocational training focuses on the practice of kaingin work, where children are provided with miniature tools and taught through oral instructions while working alongside their parents
• In formal education, missionaries imparted Christian values.
• The dormitory in Talifugo was established as a primary school, marking the first educational institution among the Isnag


  1914
• The Namaltugan Settlement Farm School opened in Cabil


  1916
• A subsidiary agricultural high school was founded in Kabugao


  1930
• Apayao High School, the province's first private educational institution, commenced on July 8, 1948.
• The Apayao State College (ASC) is the sole higher educational institution in the province.
• The evolution of Apayao State College


  1. Established as Conner Vocational High School in 1971

  2. Renamed to Kalinga-Apayao School of Arts and Trades (KASAT) in 1978

  3. Became the Apayao Institute of Science and Technology (AIST) in 1995

  4. Evolved into a chartered college as the Apayao State College (ASC) in 1998
• Through its functions in instruction, research, extension, and production
• Welcome to Lesson 4! We will be exploring indigenous games in Apayao and playing them to appreciate their role in the province's culture. Additionally, you will learn about Isnag Literature, which is rich in oral tradition, including tales, verses, and epics that reflect cultural values. Lastly, you will discover how Iyapayaos express love through melodious songs and plays that mirror their history and culture. Join us for a fun and enlightening experience!
• Lesson Outcomes


  • Express appreciation for the different indigenous games through playing
  • Identify techniques and creative uses of language in Isnag Literature
  • Demonstrate how Iyapayao music form reflects its history and culture through reflection
  • Sing selections of Iyapayao chants/songs with correct pitch, rhythm, expression, and style
  • Perform the Iyapayao dance
• The mode of delivery includes demonstration, Verbal Instruction, and Group Work
• Games


  • Not only for physical activity, but also for social bonding, cultural expression, or spiritual ritual
• Games in Apayao


  • Bisnag
  • Innalaan (Tag)
  • Pasangor (Stilt Race)
  • Sikwatan (Pick-up sticks game)
  • Dagay (Lower Imallod) or Magdadahay (Kabugao)
  • Kulipagpag
  • Magsisiniru or Sinniruan
• Isnag Literature


  Rich cultural heritage expressed through various forms including riddles, epic tales, poems, proverbs, stories, folktales and legends
• Disodis


  Songs that release tensions and share outlooks on life, sung during feasts, solitary moments, and kaingin work rest