New Highest Point — Attraction in Ifugao

As much as I enjoy riding my motorcycle, I also enjoy stopping in a beautiful places and Taking Picture, especially if I’m on a long trip. It couldn’t get any better if you’re on the Highest Point of the Philippine Highway System at daybreak. Whenever you pass by Halsema Highway, then you won’t miss this point. I, Jerico Bajo, as a member of the Fairways to Highways Motorclub together with Herbert Manaog of Davao Agila Rider’s Philippine Loop Team, we had our stopover here at the 2nd Highest Point, in Atok, Benguet. It has an elevation of 7,400 ft above sea level while the Kiangan-Tinog-Buguias Road is declared the new highest point in the Philippines with an elevation of 7,968.07 Feet or 24,28.66 Meters above sea level.

Quite frankly, I couldn’t get a good sleep while cruising the long and seemed like an endless road from Mindanao. We started our trip from Davao City as part of our work and route surveying our Telecommunications Project Sites last week amidst the threat of covid-19 and the strongest typhoon of this year, "Bagyong Rolly", "Bagyong Siony" and a low pressure typhoon but none of those halted our mission from continuing our trip. Aside from the undeniable coldness, the coffee I had earlier have kicked in since we departed from La Union past 3 in the morning. My eyes are shut but my mind is wide awake. Finally tired of pretending to be asleep, I took my light-capturing device and took my first glimpse of the sunrise

It didn’t take that long until we finally reach the 2nd highest point. It was my first time setting my foot in this place and it was also the first time to catch the sunrise here. The feeling is totally exhilarating!

This is the view deck located in the area. We aren’t so lucky enough to see the breathtaking view deck because it was a foggy morning. May the Almighty guide our trip and clear our way from every obstacle that we might face...

Sunday 19Nov2023 with Efren & DocMin. Pangasinan to Baguio to Sagada —that was our road trip plan for the day. It was an unexpected right turn when we saw the signage that says TINOC : our curiosity got the best out of us and before we knew it we are already heading to this winding-sharp-turn-while-climbing-up type of road where the clouds are lower than us and thick fog envelopes us type of scenery. It was a BIG WOW to see the NEW HIGHEST POINT @7968ft abive see level. With the thick fog surrounding us, it was like a scene in a movie… all in all, we’re glad to be in this iconic place. There are some erosions on the road alongbthe way thus extreme caution has to be observed. There are also some ‘not so good’ parts of the road along the way. It’s a trip you should not miss given you chance & time to do so… it’s worth driving the never-ending...

The road leading to the new Highest Point in Tinoc, Ifugao is already an experience itself - full of zigzags and stunning scenery along the way. The place is very cold due to its high elevation, which makes the ride refreshing. However, don’t expect wide scenic views at the top since it’s surrounded by high areas and an even higher mountain. Still, visiting this spot has been one of my bucket list rides - to reach the highest point in the Philippine...