When one mentions the name of the province of Ifugao and asks what its capital is, not a few would mistakenly say Banaue. The mistake is somewhat understandable. The world-renowned Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were for a long time referred to as Banaue Rice Terraces and are still referred to as such in most materials. However, the Banaue Rice Terraces is in fact not among those enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but it has already gained so much popularity and is almost inseparably associated with Ifugao and the Cordilleras.

Those were the places where we were next headed to after our stop at St. Joseph Mission Parish and Ambuwaya Lake: the capital of Ifugao and the town most commonly, but mistakenly, believed to be such.

We first tried to find our way to the Provincial Capitol of Ifugao located in the capital town of Lagawe. Given that we were not familiar with the place, we had to move around until we found the right street that leads to the Lagawe Town Plaza and Village Park that is fronting the capitol building. After we have found a suitable parking, Ran and I went down to explore the place while Mama chose to stay in the car with Riyan and Mikle.

Prominently standing on the park grounds are model structures of the fale, the traditional house of the Ifugao, keeping ties with tradition and culture strong even in the middle of the bustling capital. Trees complement the already cool climate of the province, further enhancing the relaxing vibe of the place. The park is a very suitable place to spend time with family, hangout with friends or just spend some time in solitude.

The fale models in the park fronting the provincial capitol building.

Ran and I went all the way to the provincial capitol building. The capitol building features structures that portrays the fale as well, paying homage to the traditional and cultural identity of the Ifugao even in their primary center of government.

The Ifugao Provincial Capitol in Lagawe.

In an authentically Renegade Junctures fashion, of course, we took our photos and twofies.

The Renegade Duo in front of the provincial capitol building.

After we were done taking photos, we carried on our journey to our next stop—Banaue, the town often mistaken as the capital of Ifugao. Before we can even reach the town center, we had to stop first to the landmark that says we finally made it: the Banaue Welcome Arch.

It was rather difficult to get an unobstructed photo of the arch. It runs across the thoroughfare which tends to be busy with travelers, and taking a center picture would mean doing so from the middle of the road. Besides, the popularity of Banaue and consequently, the arch that welcomes you to the town, makes it a tourist spot that a lot of other people would really stop at it to take pictures.

We were in no way the exception. We have to take those photos.

After our photo ops by the welcome arch, we went to visit one of the many stores lined along the road. Among other things, the stores near the Banaue Welcome Arch sells traditional Cordilleran clothes, accessories, home accents and food. They are likewise great spots to buy pasalubong.

It was already around 10:00 AM when we stopped at the welcome arch but the sun has not shown itself yet. It was about time to move though, as it would still take at least a couple of hours before we finally get to our accommodation.

On hindsight, short as our visits in the capitol and in the welcome arch were, it was able to set the record straight, at least in our minds. While Banaue is often mistaken as the capital despite Lagawe being the official one, the two municipalities are not competing anyway. If one would even correct the misinformation, it may be started by stating the indubitable fact that both play critical roles in conserving natural resources and preserving cultural heritage, both of which are identifying marks of the Ifugao.