Threading the Roads of Abra

Historical

	Pinaing (Sacred Stones)
	(Dumayco, Penarrubia; 6.62 km. from Bangued). In the hollow of a huge Balete Tree are found sacred stones called “pinpinaing” by the village people, which symbolize the “anito” (spirits) of their ancestors.

	Don Teodoro Brillantes Family Museum
	A private museum which houses the collections and mementos of the Brillantes family, with a strong reflection of Spanish culture.

	Old Roman Catholic Churches
	Among the traces of the cultural heritage left by the Spanish colonizers, these churches are found in the municipalities of Bangued, Tayum, and Lagangilang.

	Natural

	Abra River
	The biggest, longest, and most popular river among the numerous rivers criss-crossing the valleys of the province. It is where all rivers and streams converge together. An ideal place for swimming and fishing.

	Boliney Hot Spring
	(Bani, Boliney, Abra). Can be reached by jeepney after a 32 kilometer travel on a dirt road. Ideal for hot and cold baths.

	Tugot ni Angalo
	(Kabaruyan, San Quintin). Translates to “Footprints of Angalo” – Angalo being the Adam or First Man in Abra mythology. Believed by the locals to be the set of footprints of a real giant in San Quintin, it measures around 15 meters long, five meters wide, and ten feet deep. On a clear day, it can be seen visibly even from a distance.

	Libtec Underground River
	(Barangay Libtec, Dolores). An enchanting underground river where appears, from a distance, a cave protruding at the surface of a seemingly empty field. But underneath the surface is really a flowing underground river that mirrors the jutting stalagmites, creating the awesome view.

	Kimkimay Lake
	(Taquib). One of the several lakes of Taquib in Villaviciosa. According to legend, it was formerly a dwelling of several families. A favorite place for town picnics, swimming, and fishing.

	Sibud-Sibud Cave
	Located along the newly constructed road of Tineg, it can be reached after a 33 kilometer or 1 ½ hour travel. An ideal place for nature lovers.

	Limbo Lake
	Another lake located in Villaviciosa. While not as popular as Kimkimay Lake, it offers an ideal place for campers and hikers as it can not be reached by jeepney or bus although the distance needed to be traveled is negligible.

Man-Made

	Don Mariano Marcos Bridge
	Located along the Abra Kalinga National Road, it is the third longest bridge in the country, with a total length of 886.812 linear meters.

	Tangadan Tunnel
	A 40-meter tunnel located along the Abra-Ilocos Sur National road, it can be reached from the Narvacan Junction after cruising a winding 9-km. road that cuts through the hills bordering Abra and Ilocos Sur. A popular landmark of the province where dignitaries and other prominent visitors are often welcomed.

	Lusuac Dam
	(Lagayan). A gravity irrigation dam that is also an ideal place for fishing and swimming. Travel time is 1 ½ hours.

	Victoria National Park
	Features a shrine of the Blessed Mother cradling the Infant Jesus built near the reservoir of the Bangued waterworks as well as a swimming pool. Located atop a hill overlooking the town of Bangued and neighboring municipalities of Tayum, La Paz, Pidigan, and Penarrubia.

	Borikibok Resort
	(San Miguel, Bucay, Abra). It can be reached by traveling the winding 16-km. Penarrubia-Bucay Road. Offers a cool, shady, cozy ground for picnic lovers; heart-shaped swimming pool; and dance & conference square under the shady atmosphere of trees.

	Brima Resort
	(Penarrubia, Abra). Can be reached by traveling a 7 ½ km. distance along an asphalt-and-gravel road. Boasts of a swimming pool under the shade of mango trees, making it an ideal place for swimmers who prefer the cool water and a cozy atmosphere.

	Malamsit Calm Spring
	(Tingguian, Penarrubia, Abra). One of the province’s first privately developed resorts, it is located in the historic lowland town of Tingguian. Offers a swimming pool with clear and calm water amidst ornamental plants and shady fruit trees.

	Manabo Irrigation Project
	A Php 6 million project jointly undertaken by the Miserdor, an association of German Catholics, the Bavarian Ministry of Agriculture, and the people of Manabo. Ideal for educational trips, with its Roman-inspired aqueducts, spacious swimming pool, and one-kilometer tunnel.

	Palayan ng Bayan
	Vast tract of barren land converted into agricultural land upon the launch of the Palayan ng Bayan program in the province in 1974, a sister program of Masagana ‘99. The site covers a sprawling 56 hectares atop a hill.

	Abra River Irrigation Project
	A project of the Abra Church and the National Irrigation Administration designed to irrigate approximately 3,900 hectares of farmland in the municipalities of Tayum, Bangued, Pidigan, and Penarrubia. The project enables the people of these municipalities to harvest crops twice a year.

	Provincial Capitol
	Three-storey building situated north of Bangued Town Plaza and northwest of Bangued Municipal Hall.

	Malanas Dam
	(San Juan, Abra). A gravity irrigation dam that taps the water resources of Malanas River irrigating a sizable portion of the ricefields of San Juan. Can be reached by mini bus along the Bangued-Dolores-San Juan Provincial Road. Travel time is 30 minutes to one hour; traveling distance is around 0.6 kilometers.

	Mary Barbero Park
	The town plaza of the municipality of Tayum which is located 5.6 km. northeast of Bangued. Boasts of a man-made lagoon, a playground for children, and century-old acacia trees surrounding the landscaped plaza. Named in honor of Mrs. Mary V. Barbero, wife of the late Deputy Minister Carmelo Z. Barbero.

Festivals

	Arya Abra
	(March 9). Celebrates the creation of the province on March 1917 by virtue of Act 2683. Cupped by a grand cultural parade depicting Abra in its historical stages starting, from the early pre-Spanish era to the present times.

	Tingguian Festival.
	Ethno-cultural festival featuring the rich and colorful dances, rituals, and songs of the Tingguians.

grandkids strikes a pose while mourning..

BANGUED, Philippines (UCAN) — The administrator of a northern Philippine diocese surprised the brother of a slain congressman when the priest spoke strongly against political killings at a funeral Mass Dec. 27.

Monsignor Nilo Peig led 23 of Bangued diocese’s 28 priests at the Mass for Luis Bersamin Jr. 11 days after gunmen killed the elected representative from Abra’s lone congressional district and his bodyguard outside a church in Quezon City, just northeast of Manila.

Among Mass concelebrants were priests serving in Abra’s mountainous areas including Divine Word missioners. The late congressman’s relatives, friends, provincial and national officials, province mates, police and military personnel were among the crowd of about 800 people who packed the cathedral of St. James the Elder in Bangued, 325 kilometers north of Manila.

"The ugliest act a man can do," Monsignor Peig said in his homily, is "killing a fellow human being." He continued: "By God’s intention, Christmas should be the most peaceful time of the year and yet here we are, gathered around another fallen leader — shocked over what has happened, troubled about what is happening, apprehensive over what may happen next."

Monsignor Peig recalled that in January, he buried Mayor Ysrael Bernos of La Paz, Abra, who also was shot to death by assassins. Last November, he led funeral rites for Congressman Bersamin’s relative, James Bersamin, a member of the Provincial Council, who was killed by gunmen. Monsignor Peig was appointed administrator of Bangued on June 15, 2005, after Bishop Artemio Rillera was transferred to head the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union.

Having to bury political leaders "one after another in their prime," with three funerals in less than a year, is a "sad and shameful distinction for Abra," he said. He called on people to pray "for all those who may wish to take political advantage of this tragedy, that they may not succeed in using it to further their selfish interests and advance their personal ambitions at the expense of the innocent."

Monsignor Peig also asked people to pray "for our civil authorities, that they may have the determination, the fairness, the leads, especially the breaks they need in their investigation in order to bring this crime to its proper closure."

In his homily, he urged people to promote "peaceful coexistence despite rumors of impending violent political war." The Church leader reminded his people about "being just to others while demanding that justice be done."

When the victim’s younger brother, Court of Appeals Justice Lucas Bersamin, spoke for the family at the end of the Mass, he expressed surprise over the support of so many priests and especially over Monsignor Peig’s public denouncement in his homily.

"It is high time the clergy in Abra come out openly against assassinations in Abra … despite intimidation," Justice Bersamin declared. He also shared his hope that his brother’s death would not be in vain.

Congressman Bersamin, 62, was vice chairperson of the House committees on dangerous drugs, and trade and industry. He also served as a member of committees on agriculture and food, cooperatives developments, national cultural communities, the northwest Luzon growth quadrangle, and public works and highways. He reportedly was considering running for governor in the scheduled May 2007 polls.

The congressman had just attended his niece’s wedding when gunmen shot him and his bodyguard outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

At least 18 other local politicians including mayors, councilors, village chiefs and village councilors have been murdered in the province the past five years in what police call "political killings." The prevalence of private armed groups led the Commission on Election (COMELEC) to list the province among 27 election "hotspots" in 2004.

Bangued diocese serves the whole province of Abra, a mountainous area where 84 percent of 236,910 people are Catholics. The rest are mostly Protestants and indigenous Tingguian people with their native faiths.
http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5343

Abra was a mere encomienda attached to the Ilocos region in 1619.By the year 1846, Abra had established a bishopric with its seven curacies under the Augustinians. On July 29,1892, there were already 28 schools, most of which taught catechism.

In 1867, Abra suffered a flood that destroyed farms and plunged the people into such desperation that the Economic society of the friends of the Country, through Governor-General Jose Basco, decided to purchase farming implements for the inhibitants. Abra is also the historic place where Gabriela Silang made her last stand. She was captured in 1769 and was brought to Vigan where she was executed.

Former Name: El Abra de Bigan (1619)

Land Area: 3,975.5 square kilometers

Capital: Bangued -Mayor Ma. Zita Claustro Valera

Population: 160,198 (1980)

Principal Dialect: Ilocano

Income Classification: Second Class Province

No. of Cities: None

NO. of Municipalities: 27 (Bangued, Boliney,Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Langiden, La Paz, Licuan, Luba, Malibcong, Manabo, Peñarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo, and Villaviciosa)

No. of Municipal Districts: 5 (Boliney, Bucloc, Danguioman, Lacub, and Tineg)

Topography: Terrain is extremely rugged except for some cultivated area in the Abra River basin. The Abra River traverses. The entire province from south to north, and turns west toward Ilocos Sur, draining into the China Sea. The river and its tributaries make Abra the richest province of Region 1 in terms of water resources.

No. of Principal Rivers:3 (Abra river is the largest)

No. of Mountains: 27

Climate: Dry season from October to April, rainy from May to September. The coldest month is January; the warmest month is May.

Average Annual Rainfall: 127.1 inches

Principal product / crops: Rice, tobacco, corn, and banana. Industries: Logging (major industry), horse and cattle raising, bamboo craft, footwear industry, mat weaving, hollow block making, ceramics, pottery, hat weaving, and basketry. Mineral Resources: Iron, white clay, coal, limestone, gold, silver, and copper.

Forest Resources: Timber, rattan, honey, and wax.

Tourist Attraction: Abra River, gold dust along Bolongan river, dome-shaped reservoir, Victoria Park and the “Ruined Church of Pidigan”

Governor: Vicente P. Valera
Congressman: Luis Chito V. Bersamin

In the town of San Quintin, the words ABRA WELCOMES YOU can be read above the entrance of the Tangadan Tunnel, a 40-meter long passageway along Abra-Ilocos Sur national road. It serves as a standing witness to all those who comes in and goes out of the province. But before reaching the tunnel, keen eyes will notice a statue of a prancing stallion on top of the hill near the police watch post. The stallion is supposedly the symbol of the steadfastness and agility of the Abreños. An effigy of Gabriela Silang can also be found at the nearby Welcome Park.

Next stop will be Abra’s capital town of Bangued. Traveling around Bangued is made easier and enjoyable by the tricycles (must be the most beautiful and most decorated you’ve ever seen) that rule the town’s streets. The heart of Bangued is jam-packed with different business establishments. The newly built Rosario building could be the best stop for you. Restaurants, Internet cafés, grocery stores, wine stores, billiard halls and beauty parlors can be found or surround this place. And if you want to stop by to hear mass, St. James the Elder Cathedral, just beside the commercial complex, offers masses early in the morning and in the afternoon. On the western part of the municipality is another clay brick laden church, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel. This chapel hails you as you enter the cemetery in its vicinity. So, if you are into some eerie ideas for the evening, the place goes well with you. As you wake up or after you jog around the town early in the morning and you need a good, hot breakfast (aside from the customary pan de sal) you must have to taste the pansit that panciterias all over the town has to offer. And if you are the kind of person that never completes his day without gulping some beverage in a beer house, or a party animal, just instruct the tricycle driver and he will give you choices as many as your fingers. You may enjoy the rest of the night in those places but be ready for the suspicious stares that people will cast on you as you go out from these establishments.

History obsessed people would find breathing ground in the next town after Bangued, the municipality of Tayum. The Saint Catherine Church is both a historical and religious attraction in this place. It houses a very huge pipe organ and also the biggest church bell in the province. It is also made of clay bricks. Not yet satisfied, history professor? Then proceed to the Gabriela Cariño Silang Museum. This lodges some belongings of the hero who made some Amazonian contribution for country’s sake. Just keep hitting the gas and you will reach the Don Mariano Marcos Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the country. It connects the town of Tayum and the next town of Dolores.

Vacation in Abra will never be complete without a visit and a picnic to its many rivers. Every town in this province boasts of a river where most residents escort their visitors for some cold and chilling swim. Actually, these rivers have different names but they will all end up as components of the Abra River that flows and finds its way to meet the mighty waters of South China Sea. And if you remember your Philippine history and geography teachers talking about Tinguians, then Abra is the place, my dear. These are the people in the highlands of the locale that have preserved their culture and are famous for their dances and rituals (not mentioning some tribal wars). And, due to the fact that the province is a valley and mountains, pack your mountaineering gears and have some trekking and climbing in its mountains and hills.

Abra, coming from the Spanish word “abrir”, which means, “to open” is a province belonging to the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The opening refers to the gorge through which the Abra River flows from Abra valley to the sea. It is an Seven-hour long trip northward from Manila.