Ifugao, located at the foot of the Cordillera mountain ranges, is a home of thriving culture and host to the famous rice terraces carved from the base of the mountainside to the top, which appeared to be massive green stairways reaching to the sky. The Banaue Rice Terraces is considered as the 8th wonder of the world.
A landlocked province, Nueva Viscaya on the south, Isabela on the East and Mountain Province on the north. Ifugao has rigged terrain and peaks, except on western portion, which has a very alluvial land found along the Magat River.
Ifugao is derived from the word “Ipugao” meaning “from the hill.” “Pugo” means, “hill” while the prefix “I” means “from”. The Spaniards changed “Ipugo” to “Ipugaw’ and later on chaged to “Ifugao” by the Americans.
At the end of the Spanish Rule, Kiangan (Now Ifugao) became one of the several Politico-Military Commandancia in the mountain region. It became a sub-province of Nueva Vizcaya in 1905 when later was created in 1839.Ifugao was separated from Nueva Vizcaya in 1905 and became a sub-province of Mt, Province in 1908. With the passing of Republic Act No. 4695 known as the “Division Law of Mountain Province,” Ifugao became a separate province along with Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao, and (New) Mountain Province – the former sub-province of Bontoc.
During the last stage of World War II, Ifugao became the center of warfare as General Yamashita known as the “Tiger of malaya” put up his last stand against the joint Filipino and American forces in Mt. Napuluwan. Yamashita finally surrendered signifying the final liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese Forces.
