Hingyon
Hingyon, officially the Municipality of Hingyon is a municipality in the province of Ifugao, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 9,966 people.
Etymology
The name “Hingyon” was derived from the Ifugao term “Hing-ngiyon”, meaning a diversion from a major route. The main route then, and even now, is the national road connecting the municipalities of Lagawe and Banaue and the diversion road is at Barangay Piwong, now a part of Hingyon, going towards the municipal mainland.History
The Municipality of Hingyon was created by virtue of Batas Pambansa Bilang 239, under Presidential Decree No. 1527 on September 12, 1982. Hingyon consisted then of eleven barangays which were formerly parts of the municipalities of Lagawe and Banaue. On September 6, 1991, by virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No.236, Series of 1991, Barangay Cababuyan was divided into Cababuyan North and South, thus, there became twelve barangays of the municipality.The people of Hingyon, like all other Ifugao’s, are descendants of the first man and woman on earth. The man is named “Wigan” and the woman “Bugan”. They had children and the intermarriages of their offspring produced the people of Ifugao.
In Hingyon, throughout the generations, there emerged three distinct tribes. These are the “Munkalyon” Tribe, the “Mun-alyon” Tribe, and the Ayangan tribe of Humalophop, Mompolia. The distinction is reflected in the pronunciation and intonation of the Ifugao dialect.
Based on accounts of American anthropologists like Samuel Kane, Harold Conklin, and Otley Beyer after Spain seceded the Philippines to the Americans in the early 1900’s, the early people of Hingyon were pagans. They adored idols and practiced many rituals. Almost all occasions, whether merry making or mourning, call for the butchering of chickens, pigs or carabaos and drinking of the “baya”. In fact, one indication of the socio-economic status of an individual is the number of pigs or carabaos he has butchered, since this practice of butchering usually goes hand in hand with the collective wide area of his rice terraces. The more terraces he owned, the wealthier he is, the more respected he is in the village and the adjoining villages. Perhaps to inform strangers who come to the village, the house of the “kadangyan” is adorned by the skulls of carabaos butchered in the past.
As modernization came in, it brought changes in the villages including perceptions of people. Due to economic constraints and the entry of modern education and religion, many rituals have become things of the past. For instance, a new concept of “kadangyan” emerged in the villages. No longer were those who owned the widest terraces considered as rich, but rather, those who owned much money, or who earned much cash whether local or abroad. The terraces which were the symbols of wealth became symbols of hard labor, illiteracy, and poverty. The rituals and icons intended to please the “gods” for a bountiful harvest became idols of paganism and acts of worshipping them were considered “unchristian”.
Respect shifted from the “kadangyan” or “muntonah” to people considered “educated”, and those who had much money. Fortunately, some of the favorable cultural practices still persist up to the present and arduous efforts were made by the municipality to revive, preserve and transmit these practices to younger generations.
Geography
The Municipality of Hingyon, a landlocked province in Ifugao, is situated at 16°51’North, 121°6’ East, on the island of Luzon. Positioned at an elevation of approximately 889.4 meters or 2,917.3 feet above mean sea level. It is bounded by the Municipality of Banaue to the North and East, Lagawe, Ifugao to the South, and Kiangan, Ifugao to the West, Hingyon spans a total land area of 6363.07 hectares, organized into 12 barangays.The town is composed of twelve barangays, among these, Barangay Umalbong holds the largest share of land, covering 1435.54 hectares or 23% of Hingyon's total land area. In contrast, Barangay Bitu has the smallest land area, with 112.49 hectares, constituting 2% of the municipality's total land area. This geographical diversity underscores the varying sizes and characteristics of the barangays within Hingyon, contributing to the municipality's overall landscape and identity.
Hingyon is situated from the provincial capital Lagawe, and from the country's capital city of Manila.
Barangays
- Anao
- Bangtinon
- Bitu
- Mompolia
- Namulditan
- Northern Cababuyan
- O-ong
- Piwong
- Poblacion
- Southern Cababuyan
- Ubuag
- Umalbong
Climate
Faultline
A geological faultline traverses several barangays, namely Namulditan, Piwong, Bitu, Mompolia, and Umalbong. It is important to note that the validation of this faultline is pending, awaiting confirmation based on the maps provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the Ifugao Faultline.Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the municipality in question is situated approximately 6 kilometers from the Hapap Faultline, which is currently active and extends through the municipality of Hungduan based from the data of DOST-PhilVolcs. This emphasizes the significance of monitoring and verifying the status of the faultline passing through the mentioned barangays to ensure accurate risk assessment and appropriate precautionary measures.
Geology
The geological composition of the entire municipality is characterized by Oligocene-Miocene deposits, encompassing both sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Oligocene rocks comprise diverse sedimentary formations such as sandstone, shale, and limestone, with the ability to develop in marine, terrestrial, or transitional environments. In the Miocene era, a variety of sedimentary rocks formed under distinct environmental conditions, alongside notable occurrences of mountain-building and tectonic activity that contributed to the creation of metamorphic rocks.Landslide
The hazard map produced by the MGB highlights landslides as the predominant risk in the municipality. The susceptibility assessment categorized areas into four levels: low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility.Landslide Susceptibility Rating Parameters:
Very High - Areas usually with steep to very steep slopes and underlain by weak materials. Recent landslides, escarpments and tension cracks are present. Human initiated effects could be an aggravating factor.
High - Areas usually with steep to very steep slopes and underlain by weak materials. Areas with numerous old/inactive landslides
Moderate - Areas with moderately steep slopes. Soil creep and other indications for possible landslide occurrence are present.
Low - Gently sloping areas with no identified landslides.
The majority of the municipality faces a high susceptibility to landslides, with a particularly elevated risk in the Namulditan and O-ong areas. The central part of the municipality also exhibits a moderate susceptibility to landslides, along with some smaller portions scattered throughout the area.
Soil type
The analysis of soil types in Hingyon encompasses crucial characteristics like depth, clay ratio, water holding capacity, porosity, and permeability, all of which influence the classification and utilization of soil. The two primary soil types present are Langa Silty Clay Loam and Mountain soil. Langa Silty Clay Loam, known for its agricultural suitability, supports a variety of crops due to its favorable characteristics. This soil type prevails across numerous barangays, qualifying them for a range of agricultural activities, from aquatic to land-based crops. Additionally, its loamy composition makes it an excellent choice for construction, providing an optimal blend of silt, sand, and clay. The only potential concern lies in its susceptibility to decomposition when wet.Conversely, Mountain soils exhibit heterogeneity, with properties influenced by climate and altitude. Soil composition varies with the slope, featuring loamy and silty characteristics on valley sides and a coarse-grained texture on upper slopes. The lower parts of the valley, being more fertile, make it suitable for the plantation of coffee, spices, and tropical fruits. However, field crops may not thrive as well in mountain soils. Understanding these soil types and their characteristics is vital for informed and use decisions, agricultural planning, and sustainable development in Hingyon.
Topography
Hingyon's landscape is distinguished by its narrow and steep-sided channels or ravines formed by the turbulent waters of intermittent streams. Annual erosions contribute to the steepening of slopes, resulting in additional barren lands within otherwise pristine watersheds. The Hingyon river, flowing consistently throughout the year, carries soil deposits, shaping steep cliffs, and revealing massive rocks along its path. Adding to this picturesque ruggedness, the peaks of Mt. Atugu to the south and Mt. Anapawon to the west stand as citadels in the dramatic panorama.The majority of the municipality features slopes ranging from 30% to 50%, indicating a notably steep terrain. Additionally, there are areas within the municipality with slopes classified as severely steep, measuring 50% and above, as depicted on the map. Furthermore, the map reveals sections characterized by a more moderate incline, varying from 8% to 30% steepness, ranging from level to gently moderating to steep.