Bontoc: The Hidden Mountain Gem of the Philippines

Bontoc is a hidden paradise located in the mountain valleys of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. We were fortunate enough to visit the landlocked refuge that is home to a community whose warmth and generosity are unmatched.
The Cordillera Mountains are a sight to behold-its lush greenery and mineral-rich highlands speak for themselves, but the real beauty lies within its people who continue to uphold the traditions of the people before them. Let’s travel through the quiet mountainside and feast on local delicacies like Safeng, Bisukor, Patupat, and more.
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The Fat Kid Inside Studios
Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Content Producer
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Cayetano - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Mary Lournette Baligod - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Editorial Producer
Hans Rivera - Multimedia Producer
Julius Rivera - Camera Operator
Steven Sune - Editor
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blaze - Editor
Ivan Christian Cocjin - Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Production Assistant
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Designer
Kim Manuel - Graphic Designer
Roanne Salvacion - Accountant
Donalyn Aranda - Accounting Assistant
Social Media:
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[@kennethvillacastin1249]

Thank you for always featuring the beautiful culture and tradition which our country is blessed to have.

[@jewelanneapolinar9704]

Welcome to my little hometown.👋 At last, my quaint hometown of Bontoc has taken center stage, uncovering its hidden gem: the underrated, art of savoring pancakes and mami, accompanied by the bold embrace of barako coffee at the Market, and more. This discovery reaches far beyond the surface, transcending our status as a mere pit stop on the journey to renowned places like Banaue, Kalinga, or Sagada. Loving this short dokyu as it has deeply touched my heart, for it portrays the essence of our town in a way that resonates profoundly. My gratitude knows no bounds for this beautifully crafted depiction. Thanks @FEATR !!🥰🤍

[@featrmedia]

Enough said! Thanks for the support!

[@jewelanneapolinar9704]

@@featrmedia my pleasure!🤍

[@jdvandeventer]

I WOULD LOVE TO TAY HERE FOR A MONTH. I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES. I visited Philippines many times.I would likee to make contact with anyone living here or who lived here.

[@jewelanneapolinar9704]

@@jdvandeventer I am from Bontoc and my pleasure to welcome you here! 🤍

[@jesterleander8]

Excellent storytelling, FEATR Team! These types of videos really expose us to the rich cultures of our country. 🇵🇭 Thank you for producing amazing content! 🔥

[@featrmedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ry.aighty]

felt so serene, able to travel and experience this warm yet lucid, from all the unending dues, this place just shoot you back to a very humble and simple living. Thank you for this nice ice breaker!

[@eyaangel618]

It really feels great, not just in Bontoc but the whole if Mt. Province- the quiet and peaceful indigenous communities are who we are greatful of preserving their culture for us to enjoy such sceneries and stiries today

[@jerrybrentzburgos4627]

FEATR is really a master in its own craft... i really enjoy how it features local culture, cuisines, crafts and natural wonders...

[@sassyj6258]

As you said slow paced but the rhythm is not lost, our lives do revolve on season of planting, celebration, tradition, culture and community; lots of respect for community and nature,

[@SHIORII_L0V]

Welcome I'm from mountain province and it is a beautiful place and related to the grandma in the video she is indeed a kind women and may she live longer❤

[@JALGalleries]

Patupat is one of my favorite pasalubong whenever we a wedding gig nearby Bontoc or just pass by. Even for me as a native growing up here in Baguio, local foods always reconnects us back into our roots.. Food is culture..

[@bloatedbaeb]

The whole video is giving Anthony Bourdain era, thank you for for featuring untold cuisines of our country 🙏🏻

[@hilariosongcuan1703]

Our Patupat in Isabela is also different. Thank You for sharing this beautiful life in Bontoc.

[@thursdaysaint]

i feel like this is very different from ur usual style of story telling it makes me feel more involved like i was there experiencing everything with u. ur food documentaries always carry so much heart and i wish they gain greater renown and appreciation in the future!!

[@roggiepogi211]

This documentary is some real top tier on a kind.

[@Maniwalaka.1765]

This is culture and I wish we Filipinos from NCR, Bulacan, and other modernized provinces of the Philippines could go back to the pre colonized practices we had so we can have a much organized, proud, and disciplined youth and people!

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

I have a KZbin channel, but I can honestly say I will never showcase the Philippines as well as this channel does. Every video makes me want to jump on my bike and just go....with a spoon and fork of course😉👍

[@Adam-en4zq]

Such an amazingly talented content creator

[@ozymandiaz7859]

i grew up there, and it changed so much. it is a fraction of how it used to be. the river was its main attraction but today it is gone, it turned into a sewer. during my childhood the the river was clean and everyday it is full of people swimming and having a good time. it is so different today, it feels like my hometown vanished into thin air and never to be seen again.

[@mr.grayyoutubechannel]

I hope you could visit QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya. Abundant of waterfalls. I'm so willing to be your tour guide, and certainly be going home to Philippines. 😅

[@mln7771]

Pre-Colonial history is fascinating. I"m learning about my cultural heritage. Beautiful content. Thank you FEATR!

[@lucaspierre9305]

Oh Bontoc, I had fond memories of you! Thank you Featr for another Cordillera feature.

[@justinelopez668]

Bontoc pancake and kapeng barako is the best!!!! Their patupat is also a must try.

[@MrRedthorn]

this is my go-to place when I need to be relaxed specifically Mt. Kupapey. Love staying there! from Manila.

[@bbhsoleil]

Why go to Japan when we have our own little villages to explore. If only they can be more accessible

[@rubylenotana5727]

Nkakamis yong ilonggo version ng rice cake,yong ingredients naman ng rice cake ng negrense ay iba ,malagkit,gata ng niyog,luya,asin din kunting asukal,then ang pagluto nmn ng malagkit is halfcook lng siya kasi ibabalot pa siya sa dahon ng saging,din ilaga ng 30 to 40mins.masarap siya i partner sa kape oh di kaya sa nilagang LuYa n my kunting asukal na kong tawagin namn ng mga ilonggo is TAHO😊

[@yllen6152]

Wow, so Natural

[@ayrasanmiguel9363]

I LOVE WATCHING THIS KIND OF FOOD VLOG! I LOVE KNOWING THE GEM OF THE PHILIPPINES! ❤🎉😮 THANK YOU SO MUCH FEATR!!!

[@frankiefernandez9225]

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful

[@yohan-j1c]

FEATR videos are fascinating ❤❤

[@leamagsayo4258]

Sarap yang bisukol

[@ipswitch82]

sabali style da met gyam dta ti patopat a.. dakami ket jay kabaybayo nga mejo green pay lng nga diket maikabil ti nalaga nga bulong niyog santo mailuto ijay napespes nga unas..

[@AriesQt]

SECONDDDD

[@welbiks17]

This video reminded me how Anthony Bourdain tell his stories. 🥰

[@ameliahirata4629]

I remember when I was grade 5 may bodegoinside our house at nakita ko jame may palay tinamong ko si Uncle Valer stockan na palay daw pag wala na bigas sakaka nalang magpagiling so cook rice is so delicious kasi bago kiskis hoe this preservetiom na palay to be continioue

[@AFord-fc5ib]

more untold stories pleeaasseeeer

[@cristallynparungao436]

Hello, good day!! This is Cristallyn, a student from the Philippines. I would just like to ask for your permission to use some parts of this video for educational purposes. Sincerely, I thought your videography was excellent, and the videos were a great fit for our project. Rest assured that we will give proper credit to your video and state your KZbin channel along with it. Thank you!

[@marilynnunez7974]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@mhobylopez9647]

❤🎉❤🎉

[@marytom9787]

Sarap nyan

[@darwinyumol9782]

10:44 still with you😂

[@Hope82000]

❤

[@euclidnaboye5662]

Ahem. Land of very good fayers

[@larrydulnuan6139]

Cha iBontoc kapet way nagayad tay ilakok si cape way nagayad

[@bryandave8185]

Untold stories ???? in what part the story is?

[@jensantos4542]

How to make Safeng?

[@JillTravenner]

Welcome to the Philippes❤ Happy you made it to visit in Cordillera Province.

[@kendallkatalbas4915]

Kanami

[@norevicmaghinay6522]

The gem of the Philippines that must be known,relieved and not be forgotten.thank you erwan and featr for featuring our heritage ❤️

[@virginiaabad8799]

Love this. 💖 you're a working social anthropologist Erwan. Your videos are educational, can be used as a teaching material.

[@elledmn]

I thought you're already done featuring the Cordillera, I'm already hopeless that our small barangay will be visited by your team. But this is really surprising!!!and thank you so much for exploring Bayyo. I even saw my grandma and relatives. I hope that your team enjoyed the stay. 😊

[@paradiso8763]

They actually have a video about the wedding in Bayyo 🥰 hope you've seen it... if not, you may watch it on their channel as well 😍

[@govols1995]

I knew an 80 something year old man in Germany who hunted wild pigs much the same way as the man in this video, with a spear. He had trained dogs who would chase the boar towards him, and he would sidestep at the last second and spear them. Brave men. Boar can really mess you up.

[@jinroh516]

Erwan, you sound like a Mexican, inhale exhale, Cordillera is pronounced “Kordilyera” not like Tortiya like how the Mexicans say Tortilla

[@JackHanma123]

Bontoc should put a stop on incest in the Cordilleras....incest will damage us from inside out....i pity those young people victims of incest-rape....😮❤

[@christinaalviedo579]

It really feels great dear Erwan…being a part of old and rich traditions. This gives us a new perspective in life living here in California for almost five decades this gave me the feeling of pride for how simple and resilient people in this side of our country. Thank you for taking us in this journey. God bless.🙏♥️🙏

[@Djjezz]

Watching fr9m.Libas imelda Guihulngan City Negros Oriental

[@feyaa8737]

If only our government know how to market our produce.

[@VictorianoAlambra-t3e]

Yung patupat ng Bontoc, dto sa Pangasinan tawag nmin ay suman. Parehong masarap sa kape.

[@asongaspinfamily]

Patupat ang tawag namin sa cagayan

[@shade9592]

I thought the hunter was reaching for a rifle behind the door... Sibat ang kinuha ampta... That's hardcore! Cheap and simple. Just don't get tusked in the leg.

[@markpinagpala2784]

Payak na pamumuhay ❤❤❤. story telling writers editors love it! Imasen bisukel ken patupat ❤❤❤

[@toopieare]

It’s amazing how some of our most “traditional” food is based on plants that originate from the Americas like kamote and kamoteng kahoy (cassava). They seem so Filipino. And, indeed, they are.

[@mayetdomasin1968]

This is the kind of vlog we need to watch, educational & Outstanding. Hope our tourism will recognise you & your team efforts. Deserve to be awarded🎉🎉

[@WildPath]

Thank you FEATR for giving the spotlight to the Cordillera region and its rich culture. This is my home!

[@johnkelvintztc]

I will never forget how delicious the php100/tub yogurt that we bought from a random eatery on the main street. God that was super delicious!!!

[@rubylenotana5727]

Tenchuuuu Featr for featuring ,watching HAIL CITY KSA

[@jojopalabino6952]

I visited Bontoc once and it was like a dream. The place is surreal and it felt like I was in a different country. Longing to go visit back soon ♡♡♡

[@mayergloton6470]

Really appreciate all your content FEATR!! ❤❤ we need more of this quality content to showcase our culture & heritage… to revisit our identity and spread awareness of our diverse culture. Kudos!!!❤

[@featrmedia]

More to come! 🙌

[@Kristine_L]

Wonderful story telling and videography, as always! Thank you for teaching us about our homeland.

[@thepreparedpinoychannel5637]

Arang(the rice granery) is one of the proof how resilient and prepared some Filipinos are. I have came across this rice keeping technique before during my research. I wish you can do more videos like this. Thank you

[@arjelalvarez713]

Hindi sya nasisira? How do they treat it against pests, humidity, moisture...

[@thepreparedpinoychannel5637]

@@arjelalvarez713 it is an age old granary. i am sure there are times na nasisiraan sila but they seem to have mastered the art of making it

[@KnH07]

​​@@arjelalvarez7131. thoroughly sun dry the rice before storing. 2. Make sure that the granary roofing has no leakage when rain comes. 3. Don't directly place the stored rice to the concrete flooring or walls of the granary. Cover the concrete floor and wall with pinewood planks bofore storing the rice. 4. Wooden flooring and walls should be used in the granary flooring snd walls. (Pine wood is the most advisable) 5. For pest like rats, and birds, make sure that the granary is closed all the time. (The posts of the houses and granaries especially in ifugao are fitted so that no rat or mouse will get in. ) Saka dito sa Cordillera, walang risk ng pagbaha kaya mas panatag kami mag imbak ng palay ng matagal. 6. Dapat lpinapausukan yung rice granary lalo kung tag lamig. Gawa ka bonefire sa sulok ng granary. Ang pinaka time tested ay yung 1 2 4 5 at 6 yung 3, recent lang yan. Maski yung galvanized sheets di rin advisable para sa walling ng rice granary.

[@KnH07]

​​@@thepreparedpinoychannel5637nasisira ang palay kapag tumagal ng dikit sa concrete wall at matagal nakalagay sa concrete flooring. Nasisiraan talaga kapag may tagas ang bubong o pinasok ng daga. Madali makita kapag may daga dahil merong pinagbalatan ng palay na makikita sa paligid. Kapag pinasok ng daga ang granary, ilabas mo lahat ng palay, hanapin yung daga at patayin o kung may pusa ka, ipasok mo sa storeroom. Bahala na siya maghanap pag wala na, isalansan mo ulit yung palay mano mano pabalik. Matrabaho yon.

[@paulkernagtulao1872]

Thank you for featuring our hometown Bay-yo, Bontoc Mt.Prov. God bless.

[@jhomin2691]

Thanks for another great episode,, more episode please... I love cordillera...mountain province, sagada, baguio, bontoc, benguet, ifugao, kalinga... All about nature and their culture and food..,🥰

[@merlitasevillabader]

Your my hero! Thank you for showing the world our wonderful indigenous f beautiful folk. You are just too privilege to do what you are doing. These people must be protected in all areas of life against encroachment of “ civilized selfish greedy uplanders” in cahoots with powerful political groups. May you remain young and healthy to do the traveling, interview , research and presenting our valuable mountain folks. Please present the Aetas too who are so endangered wherever they are. They have been victims of land stealing by “ educated individuals and groups.” More power and worldwide followers and financiers.

[@reignfernandez7974]

The place and the culture parang nasa mongolia talaga ang Miaw Ethnic Group sa china parang ganito din❤

[@hildajones1426]

Wow so much to learn. Thanks for your vlog.your new subscriber from Australia.

[@soterofamily6514]

Missing my hometown! This is a nice treat for us who are homesick.

[@angelinaorialignacio8148]

I am a filipina proud to be a Filipino,I love my country Philippines thank you for sharing the culture,lifestyle of my own country,God bless you

[@ArunMundhra-s3h]

Love from India This is so similar to Nagaland Our North East Indian State.

[@MockStudio25]

It feels like a movie

[@NameKho-h7e]

Man i love the raw color of your video....Parang indie film!!!!

[@marygracetariao3157]

Erwan: Are you still with me? Me: YES!!😃

[@aliwipfilm7252]

Sir Erwan try the Quezon province delicacies

[@montallanaianoliver3762]

superb storytelling!! good job!!

[@alecmayangao8011]

Bontoc - Ili ay Kalalaychan...❤❤❤

[@dekstrose]

Beautiful documentary! Beautiful Cordillera!

[@nivlemhero4115]

Could drinking "Safeng" wine be a secret to get beautiful white teeth? 😁😅

[@bonkersblock]

When I leave America? I’m settling in bontoc..

[@luckycutie8745]

It looks like a different country compare to the south

[@JugglerSantos]

what music did you use? sounds nice, is it filipino?

[@johnamaecababasada6979]

I'm greatful to see this video sir erwan 😊, this place is the unique root of my 97 years old grandmother, everything you featured po they've shared to us "apos" gawaing bukid at lutong bukid anumang okasyon maroong patopat 😅 as always favorite pares sa brewed coffee po❤

[@sirJoelP]

Awesome Feature. bontoc. Raw..ordinary yet LIFE

[@TheIgorotWanderer]

Wooow! This is my hometown 🏡. I hoped you enjoyed your stay and learned about the culture and traditions. Thanks for featuring Bontoc! 😇 Please come back again!❤

[@crystalsnow07]

My Born place,.Mt. Province. I studied in Bontoc and I miss patupat, barako coffee (which is quite expensive here) and etag, but you can't buy etag here in Manila.

[@gaelsong168]

I just really love FEATR's content. Na-m-miss ko tuloy umuwi sa Pinas❤

[@wellingtongayob1494]

my probinsya

[@lenlen0a]

ang sarap panoorin❤... ito ung klase ng lugar na gusto kong tirhan...simpleng bahay,simpleng pamumuhay,puro greens ang makikita.ito ung lugar na parang bumabalik ka sa 90's❤❤❤ sana lang walang mga bastos at walang modo na nagpapaingay ng motor at todo magpatugtog ng speaker at videoke

[@gilberttello08]

Very educational brother. Keep doing this kind of videos visiting other parts of our country. Honestly I don't watch your "food vlog" as kahit sinong creator gumagawa na nito. I pick episode where you visit province discussing its food, but also culture and way of life.

[@obiecastro2482]

1,,,2,,,3,,,,,Happy life in Bontoc ! Love you Aaaaaaaalllll!

[@niebz-ql8tw]

My hidding place Mt.Province. malapit ka na sa Sagada daanan mo na rin. 😊

[@Peaceful903]

❤ “unpretentious people”❤️

[@mikeoteyza4923]

Missed my home town bontoc

[@AngryKittens]

I wonder what safeng's original starch component is. Maybe adlay? Both cassava and sweet potato are introduced. So they must have used something else in pre-colonial times.

[@unsopken0623]

My father's hometown is Omfeg, Bontoc, and our family has been living in Cebu for quite some time now. It's been a while since we last visited my father's birthplace, and I really miss the delicious patupat and the ambiance. Perhaps there are some folks who still know about our Kadchao Clan.