Where is the Igorot Stone Kingdom really located?
The public information office (PIO) of Baguio City clarified confusion about the location of the popular tourist destination in the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
The clarification came after TikTok users figured in a debate when someone expressed their dismay over the establishment of the man-made park.
The first user initially commented that the structure ruined the “beauty of Banaue.”
A second user responded by saying that the Igorot Stone Kingdom is not located in their hometown.
The first user agreed but added that it is “still” in Banaue. She also commented: “City lang Baguio pero Banaue ang province ay Benguet din. Same under Benguet kayo. Benguet ibig kong sabihin kanina hindi Banaue.”
“Ma’am, taga Banaue po ako. Ang province po namin ay Ifugao, hindi po Benguet,” the second user responded.
The exchange caught the attention of a radio station and Baguio City’s PIO.
The Baguio PIO said that Banaue, a municipality, is located in Ifugao, which is a province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“Ito ay hindi matatagpuan sa Baguio City gaya ng pagkakaalam ng ilan sa atin,” it added.
The Baguio PIO said that Baguio City is a chartered city that can be found in Benguet, another province in the CAR.
“Ang Igorot Stone Kingdom na isang paboritong pasyalan sa ngayon ay matatagpuan sa Longlong Road, Pinsao Proper, Baguio City at hindi sa Banaue,” it clarified on a Facebook post.
The tourist destination showcases the rock-laying skills of the Igorot, as well as their creativity, indigenous culture, way of life and tradition.
It is a five kilometers drive from Baguio City’s downtown proper.
Pio Velasco, the owner of the Igorot Stone Kingdom, said that the structure is a symbol of both ancient and contemporary Igorot culture.
It is also a tribute to his mother Rita Velasco who he considered a courageous and understanding Igorot woman.
The Igorot Stone Kingdom was opened to the public last year.
