The vast network of mountain ranges occupying the Cordilleras covers approximately 18,294 square kilometers of land. That’s half of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. It is made up of six provinces including Benguet, the Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, and Apayao. Yet, for all its grandeur, majesty and global fame, only a few have truly immersed themselves in the region–its villages, people, traditions, nuances, and cultural sensibilities. “When I talk about the Cordilleras,” Brian Yap says. “I’m not just talking about the rice terraces or popular destinations like Baguio or Sagada. I’m referring to the whole region.” Brian, who leads Lepanto Mining, has been making regular work trips to Mankayan, Benguet most of his adult life.“Typically, I would only stay for a few days,” he says. “Most of my time was spent within the camp grounds.” In 2021, a time when the pandemic restricted most travel, Brian began to venture..
