As a local guide we explore places that are not yet on Google maps, in this day and age I am surprised to find that there are places in our province that are beyond the reach of Google maps and that is mainly because there are no data signal in the area. The community in Cuba Kapangan Benguet specifically at Cuba Elementary school is such an area devoid of any data signal. I first found out about this when I tried to explore the area for a community outreach project. But what struck me the most is that despite the lack of internet connection life is comfortable for the residents of Cuba. That doesn’t mean however that they do not need anything else.
From time to time especially during the start of the school year the teacher and school administrator at the same time had to go to the nearby town or to Baguio City (which is about 30 minutes hike and 2 hours bus ride) to have their students’ ID’s printed. This school is the one nearest to the community deep in the mountains, there are around 30-40 students during the last time we went there. The building have 3 classrooms being shared by 6 grade levels and there are two teachers including the school administrator.
This part of Benguet is not known for anything related to tourism but along the way there are tons of beautiful views that will amaze anyone that includes crossing a hanging bridge over the mighty Amburayan river. Not to mention the fireflies that will light your way going to the school just in case you find yourself traversing this area at night.
To get to the school from Baguio City you need to travel by bus or private car for 2 hours then hike for another 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your pace. You have to traverse a small residential area, through the forest, across the Amburayan river using a hanging bridge, then a short climb to the mountains, again through the forest and when you reach the rocky part through that you will see a plateau where the school is located.
In my next trip to this school I plan on bringing some local guides to help distribute school supplies for the students and for LG’s to experience the life deep in the mountains and hopefully provide data for Google maps.