All about Maligcong
Barangay Captain: James Fayofay
Barangay
Kagawad
Area (ha): 1,500
Population: 691
Number of Families: 206
Number of Registered Voters: 542
Number of Precincts: 3
2007 Internal Revenue Allotment: P567,
459
Municipality: Bontoc
Province:
Region: Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR)
Barangay Maligcong is known for its
rice terraces that can rival if not outshine the grandeur of Ifugao’s
“Stairways to Heaven.” This claim may not be far from the truth for indeed, the
rice terraces here are more awesome as the main village is right at the center
of the sprawling fields.
Maligcong is also the home for the
“Karate Kids.”
Edgar Kapawen, a native of Maligcong
is the Sensei of the North Luzon Japan Karate Association. It is he who
initially placed the Barangay Maligcong in the high flying map of this Japanese
Sport. Maligcong also produced the likes of Julian Che-es who presently has his
own school based in Germany, and Franklin Kawa-en now based in Dubai.
Tom Sadcopen, who like the three
once enjoyed national fame in Karate Competitions, chose to stay in the hills
and tend to his farms which together with the others have pioneered the now
much-talked-about practice of organic farming. Indeed, it is from this barangay
that most of the organic fruits found at the public market come from.

Legend of the Maligcong People
The people of Maligcong are supposed
to have originated from Kadangran, a place between the present village and
Bontoc Ili.
One day a pregnant sow owned by
Kadangran folks wandered away and found itself beside a “kongkonger” (boulder)
where it gave birth. The owners of the pig followed and tried to force it to
return but in vain. Instead, the couple and the family went to establish their
home near the “kongkonger.” Ever since, people from the original village joined
them and formed what is now Maligcong.
The word Maligcong is rooted in the
word “ligcong” which means to level land for rice field. After years of labor,
the people have to carve the mountains and steeps surrounding the area into the
terraces for their fields and other crops.