The Map Moved
When the whole Cordillera was one province
In 1908 a single Mountain Province covered the Cordillera. It was split in 1966 and came back together as a region in 1987. The legend of Benguet's name is told as a legend.
0:59 · Cordillera Administrative Region · October 9, 2026
The story
Your grandparents may remember when the whole Cordillera had just one name. Spanish administrators called these mountains La Montañosa. In 1572, explorers under Juan de Salcedo climbed into Benguet, looking for gold. Legend says Benguet itself is named for benget, the heavy head cloth people wore against the cold and wind.
In 1908, a law created one Mountain Province, governed from Bontoc. It held seven sub-provinces: Benguet, Amburayan, Lepanto, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao. In 1966 it was split into four, and a smaller Mountain Province kept the old name.
In 1987 the pieces came back together as the Cordillera Administrative Region, joined by Abra and Baguio. In 1995 Kalinga and Apayao became provinces of their own. That is why the Cordillera counts six today. Did your lolo or lola still call it all Mountain Province? Tell us in the comments.
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