Tadian, Mt. Province an Emerging Town in The Philippines

by: Felisa Daskeo

Tadian, Mountain Province is just another simple, unknown town in the northern part of the Philippines. Perched between tall mountains overcrowded with tall pine trees and rocks that looked like guards above, Tadian is as quiet as the cold morning breeze and as serene as the mountain overlooking it. The tranquility of the town makes one feel so cozy and at peace with the rich nature surrounding it. Living in this town makes one feel so protected and blanketed with the calmness and peace that easily devours the innermost being.



Yes, this is my hometown that I call home. Home because even if I don't live now in the place, the mere thought of the place makes me feel at ease and safe.

Nature around is what makes the place rich. Nature was so kind. The land is fertile and although it is mountainous is fit for planting. The Igorots terraced the terrains in order for them to be able to plant rice and vegetables. This rice terraces is one of the wonders of the world that kept people imagining how all those rice terraces were so perfectly and beautifully carved in the mountains.

The rice terraces are just a few meters away from the beautiful houses.

But these were not done overnight, instead, the rice terraces were created by the Igorots since the time that man has learned to use tools. I imagine they had made use of the crude tools of primitive times. Until now, men are still building rice terraces in my hometown. That is their way of life and for as long as man is alive the rice terraces will still be built by my people.

Igorots are known as very hard-working people. This was proven by what they could do to the mountains around them. No man could build rice terraces as incredibly as the Igorots. They are natural engineers who love terracing mountains in order to make a living.

Igorots are early risers. They go to the fields at dawn until sunset. The women carry crops on their heads to bring home to their families. while the men carry them on their broad shoulders.

The woman is already in her seventies, but she still goes to the fields.

When I was a little girl, I could still remember how my father and my grandfather woke up at three in the morning to prepare their food and then go to the fields as early as four o’clock in the morning. Nobody was allowed to sleep until sunrise. According to the old men and women, a person who wakes up late will not be able to accomplish something.

The Igorots have emerged with the drastic change in technology and they cannot be left behind. This is not impossible because of their love for education. Most of the new generations are now degree holders and they are either out in the cities or else in other countries working and developing their skills.


Even the types of houses built in Tadian are affected by the modern life. You cannot see anymore the traditional houses around but big, concrete houses that are at par with the houses in other communities in the Philippines.

This house is already an antique house. In the 1960s, this was the best house I have ever seen in my life, but today there are more and more beautiful houses being constructed in Tadian.

Tadian town is now populated with beautifully constructed houses. Below are a few of them.

Some people might think that Igorots are pagans. While our ancestors had their own beliefs and their God, we are Christians and we have our church.

This is a Roman Catholic church.

The old tradition of burying the dead in the yard is not anymore a practice in Tadian. There are two cemeteries in the town which are both free.

My father who passed away in 1994 was buried in the cemetery.

A walk around town will bring you to a memorable place where I finished my elementary education. The Tadian Central School is only a few meters away from our old house and I walked to and from school every day.

Walk further and you will see a stairway that seems to lead to heaven. And there you find the Tadian Municipal Hall.

And then, going up the road, you will finally find the school where I finished my high school education. Now, Tadian School of Arts and Trades where I studied in the 1970s has now become a Mountain State Polytechnique College that caters to both high school and college students.

This is the academic subjects building. There are several other buildings around.

I have walked you around my town and hope you have enjoyed it. Thank you for dropping by.

Copyright 2009 Felisa Daskeo

A Poem Borne From The Heart

This Ilocano poem was long been kept in my trunk. My younger brother was still in high school when he composed this poem. I was so overwhelmed when I read it because it touches the deepest chamber of the heart when one truly reads and try to see into the words of this poem. I am sharing this poem to everybody who understands Ilocano.

TUGOT DAGITI NAGLAS

Uray met ti panunot agtayab
A kas kalapati
Ket suknorenna to kaadalman
A paset dagiti sardam
Saan a nagpayak
Dagiti lagip ko,
Naitalimengda iti kaunggak
Nga aglulua iti dara

Kasano a mailibayak
Ket nakapatpatak ti saning-i
Dagiti agtinnag a tudo
A mangipalagip ipupusaymo?
Uray no daegan to init
Ti nagrupsa a pammategko
Matdaakto latta a mangipalagip
Kadagiti nanglaylay a Sampagita
A tinagibik iti kaawanmo.


I have yet to know how much effort my brother put into this poem as a very young man when he composed this. Perhaps one would wonder how a very young man was able to compose such very heart-rending poem.

To my brother who composed this poem, I give my whole heart appreciation for what you have done. Thanks for composing this poem and I’m sure people will love this just like how I love it.

The Legend of the name TADIAN

 The Legend of the name, Tadian, Mt. Province, was narrated to me by my father who loved to tell us stories about our place and our old folks.

There are lots of interesting stories about my place and my old folks and other people of my cultural heritage and this is just one of them. Several stories of long time ago were not written in books but I will try to have a recollection of them and share them with you in this site.




When I heard the story about my town, I was amazed because it sounded funny.

The story begins with an Igorot man caressing a rooster, perhaps early morning in his yard or on the way. Then there was this White man passing by, (it wasn’t told whether the man was an American or a European), all they knew was that he was a white man asking some directions from the man engrossed with the cock. The Igorot man of course was not in a position to comprehend the English language in those olden times and he ended misinterpreting the White man.

So, with no other thoughts in mind but the treasure in hand, the Igorot man thinking that the White man was amused about the cock and was asking about it, he answered, “Manok adi ay natadi-tadian.” (A chicken with crowns.)

From that time on, the town was named Tadian.