27/10/2026
📌 TRAVEL ADVISORY: RESPECTING THE SACRED TRADITION OF PANAG-APOY IN SAGADA
As the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Undas) approaches, the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) reminds visitors, tourists, travelers, tour operators, travel agencies, and other tourism stakeholders to respect the solemnity and cultural significance of Panag-apoy, also known as Panag-denet, in Sagada, Mountain Province.
Panag-apoy is a sacred cultural tradition, NOT a festival or a tourism event.
Observed by families in Sagada in remembrance of their departed loved ones, this solemn tradition is deeply rooted in the community’s cultural beliefs and practices. It is a time for remembrance and honoring the dead, and should not be presented, promoted, or packaged as a festival, entertainment, or staged tourist attraction.
In this regard, everyone is urged to observe the following guidelines:
▪️ Respect the Sacredness of the Occasion. Allow local families to observe their traditions, pray, and remember their departed loved ones without disturbance or intrusion.
▪️ Follow Local Guidelines. Respect instructions and restrictions established by the local government, community elders, and concerned authorities. Observe only from areas where visitors are permitted.
▪️ Maintain Silence and Decorum. Refrain from loud conversations, cheering, disruptive behavior, or any activity that may compromise the solemnity of the occasion.
▪️ Practice Responsible Photography. Be discreet when taking photographs or videos. Do not intrude on private family moments, use intrusive lighting, obstruct pathways, or photograph individuals and families in sensitive situations without their consent.
▪️ Drone flying is strictly prohibited throughout Panag-Apoy, except for authorized monitoring operations, subject to applicable regulations and required permissions.
▪️ Promote Cultural Sensitivity. Tour operators, travel agencies, guides, and tourism content creators are reminded to provide accurate information about Panag-apoy and refrain from misrepresenting it as a festival or commercial tourism spectacle.
▪️ Keep the Community Clean. Dispose of waste properly and leave the surroundings clean and undisturbed.
Tourism must be guided by respect for the people, traditions, and values of the communities we visit. The cultural heritage of the Cordilleras deserves to be understood and respected—not misrepresented or reduced to a tourist spectacle.
Let us honor the people of Sagada by preserving the dignity and solemnity of Panag-apoy.
For local guidance and visitor protocols, please coordinate with the Sagada Municipal Tourism Office thru 0939-181-4622 and their official page:
https://www.facebook.com/Sagadatourism?mibextid=ZbWKwL
