Viewdeck at Banangan, Sablan, Benguet

We went to Sablan viewdeck for a sunset but failed to witness such. What we saw there left us learning some part of history instead.

A torii was recently erected in which a marker was set relating some history of Sablan. It was strategically placed such that it stands out red and bright contrasting the black and green background.

As stated in the marker, during the Spanish era, back to about 1572, in their quest for gold, they have created a trail leading to the mountains called the Santo Domingo-Naguilian-La Trinidad Trail. This horse trail passed through this area of Sablan. There are more of these so called horse trails all over Cordillera.

When the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II, garrisons were set and camps were made here in Banangan. The Imperial Army had a great vantage point, setting up telescopes so they can watch for enemy forces coming from the sea.

Then the Americans came and it was at this time that a one-way road was first built gaining another access to the City of Pines. Lt. Governor Eckman officially declared it on October 20, 1911. Because it was built on a steep mountainside and when the fog sets in making visibility almost none, telephones were set up to signal the coming and going of cars.

It is good to know this interesting history of Sablan that I only come to know until now. I hope they teach this in schools especially here in the Philippines. Knowing more about your history will make you love your place even more. Stories like this gives a new look on things.

On a good day, you get to see a beautiful sunset looking towards the West Philippine Sea. That was our main purpose of coming here. We may have been disappointed for there was no nice sunset, only a glimpse of what it could have been, we left with more knowledge.

If you are given the chance to pass by Naguilian, check out Sablan viewdeck and learn some history and hopefully you can catch a great sunset as well.

There are toilets and wash area here at the viewdeck so you can freshen up. Some stalls were also set up where food and drinks are sold. This is a convenient stop before you reach Baguio City.

#travel #history #sablan #benguet #landscape #historicalmarker #viewdeck

*Please note that the original article was posted in my Kiki Time account and re-posted here with revisions. *