More than Whang-Od: Top Philippine tour operator eyes wider promotion of Tinglayan’s hidden wonders

FEATURE

“I want people to know that there is more beyond the tattoos.” — Jeneffer Palacsa-Baltazar

Tinglayan, Kalinga — For years, the name Tinglayan has been synonymous with one person—Apo Whang-Od, the world-renowned traditional tattoo artist whose village of Buscalan has attracted visitors from across the globe.

But beyond the century-old tattoos lies a municipality filled with towering mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, steaming hot springs, ancient rice terraces, and living cultural traditions waiting to be discovered.

Now, one of the country's top-performing tour operators believes it is time for the rest of Tinglayan to step into the spotlight.

Earlier this month, Jeneffer Palacsa-Baltazar, owner and general manager of Agetyeng Travel and Tours (ATT), personally visited Tinglayan to assess its tourism potential and explore the possibility of including more of its destinations in future tour packages.

The visit has fueled hopes among local officials and tourism advocates that the municipality's lesser-known attractions will soon gain wider recognition among travelers seeking authentic cultural and nature-based experiences.

Beyond the Famous Tattoos

For many tourists, Tinglayan begins and ends with Buscalan.

Yet those who venture farther will discover a different side of the municipality.

There is Mt. Binuluan, famously known as the "Sleeping Beauty" because of its distinctive silhouette against the horizon. There are the scenic Palang-ah Falls and Hot Spring in Tulgao, the picturesque Padjao and Bugnay Rice Terraces, and numerous trails, villages, and cultural sites that showcase the rich heritage of the iKalinga people.

For Baltazar, these destinations reveal the very essence of what makes the Cordillera special.

“When I finally personally saw the tourism potential of Tinglayan, I just knew that this is the very essence of what and why I am promoting Cordillera. I want people to know that there is more beyond the tattoos, kasi ang nakikilala lang talaga honestly ay si Apo Whang-od, pero meron pang iba in Tinglayan,” she said.

An Invitation That Sparked Interest

The visit was made possible through the initiative of Tinglayan Tourism Officer Larae Lactao, who invited Baltazar to personally experience the municipality during the International Farm Tourism Festival, where ATT served as one of the event managers.

According to Baltazar, the invitation immediately caught her attention because Buscalan had long been one of the agency's established destinations.

“…nakita kami ni Larae and she happened to be a student of my husband. And dun niya na-mention na why not mag-visit din in Tinglayan… when it got to me, I was happy and una ko talagang naisip is si Apo Whang-od. Actually, antagal na naming ino-offer ang Buscalan sa packages,” she recalled.

What began as curiosity soon turned into a deeper appreciation of the municipality's untapped tourism assets.

A Community Ready to Be Discovered

During their stay, Baltazar and her team conducted assessments in Tulgao, Dananao, and other communities to evaluate destinations from a visitor's perspective and determine how they could be packaged into future tourism offerings.

The team also shared recommendations with Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay and Tulgao West Punong Barangay Ruben Ganagan, both of whom expressed support for initiatives aimed at expanding tourism opportunities in the municipality.

Under the envisioned partnership, ATT would help develop and promote tour packages while ensuring quality visitor experiences and responsible tourism practices.

While some residents remain cautious about opening more areas to tourism, Baltazar believes Tinglayan is ready to share its treasures with the world.

“…kaya din talaga ginusto kong pumunta dito because I wanted to help promote the community more. The adventure, the nature and hidden treasure, rich heritage is already there, promotion nalang ang kulang… I chose Tinglayan simply because it deserves to be seen, heard, experienced and it deserves to be shared,” she said.

A New Chapter for Tinglayan Tourism

As interest from tourism stakeholders continues to grow, local leaders are hopeful that visitors will soon begin exploring more than just Buscalan.

For Tinglayan, the goal is not to move away from its famous tattoo tradition, but to complement it with the many other stories, landscapes, and cultural treasures that make the municipality unique.

And if advocates like Baltazar have their way, future visitors will leave Tinglayan not only with a tattoo—but with memories of mountains climbed, waterfalls explored, rice terraces admired, and a deeper understanding of Kalinga's living heritage.

After all, as Tinglayan seeks to broaden its tourism horizons, one message is becoming increasingly clear: There is indeed more to discover beyond the tattoos.