"They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers."

[BANGUED, ABRA, PHILIPPINES] ▬ This series is very long. This is the 9th and the last installment. I think I've already poured out all the words from my heart since Part 1. I don't know what to say now. I think I've said everything I want to say. I think. But yeah, still, this is Abra. Its great surprises have actually put many words in my mind. That maybe the reason why this experience last March ended with 9 long articles. Without such surprises, it would definitely be hard to squeeze out the creative juice.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO FLOAT PARADE IS THE FINALE EVENT FOR THE KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015.


Today's highlight is the parade of Bamboo floats. The towns in Abra participated in the event. Some towns joined together to create just 1 float while some towns have their own float each.

I was in front of the Abra Capitol. It was the hottest part of the area because it has no shade. The sunlight directly scorched my skin. The sunblock lotion wasn't enough. You know, no one ever dared to stay where I was staying because of the direct sunlight. But I endured it. Anyway, I knew I was at the best spot to take photos.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAGAYAN


The float from the municipality of Lagayan had its turn. Standing on the bamboo float are river fishermen showing proudly their catchpalileng and igat. Like the other towns in Abra, Lagayan is rich in water wonders and resources. Its rivers abound with fish they call as palileng and an eel they call as igat. So this is what the town of Lagayan showcased in their float.



KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUCLOC

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ CULTURAL DANCERS FOLLOWED THE BUCLOC FLOAT.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ BUCLOC TOWN BROUGHT ITS YOUNGEST CULTURAL STREET DANCERS.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ YOUNG TRIBESMEN DOING THE RITUAL DANCE WITH THEIR GONGS

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THEY ARE THE PUBLIC SERVANTS OF BUCLOC.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THEY ARE PERFORMING THEIR TRADITIONAL DANCE TOO.


The town of Bucloc, inhabited by the Masadiit sub-tribe, gave their best in this parade. Their float was followed by the dancing tribe which made their presence stellar. The public servants of the town also joined the parade. They wore pink clothes and they executed their traditional dance as they pass in front of the Abra Capitol.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF SALLAPADAN AND DAGUIOMAN

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ SIDE VIEW OF THEIR FLOAT

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO PRODUCTS AT THE BACK OF THEIR FLOAT


The towns of Sallapadan and Daguioman are adjacent to each other. The two towns joined together for this float. 

The three towns at the west part of the province of Abra namely San Isidro, Villaviciosa and Pilar also have a common float.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ PILAQUIN: PIDIGAN, LANGIDEN AND SAN QUINTIN TOWNS

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ PILAQUIN FLOAT WITH A WOMAN HANDLING A BOLO

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ BACK OF THE PILAQUIN FLOAT


The float of PILAQUIN shows bravery. A woman handles a bolo. At the back of the float is the name of a heroine. Pidigan townsfolk claim that Gabriela Silang is from their town. Gabriela is a revolutionary hero who fought for freedom in colonial times.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ MUSLIM BRETHREN

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF ABRA


This day is not all about the bamboo floats. It also showed how Abra maintains harmony among the different cultures. When I saw these Muslim brethren, my heart melted. I did not expect that there is an organized community of Muslims in Abra. I thought that Abra only has the Ilocanos (mostly Christians) and the Itneg tribes. I was wrong. The Muslim minority live with the Ilocanos and the Itneg people with peace and harmony.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF LUBA AND TUBO

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ SIDE VIEW OF THE FLOAT

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ FEATURING THE TAGPAO FALLS FOUND IN THE HINTERLANDS OF TUBO


The two southern towns of Tubo and Luba also had their share. Their float featured the Tagpao Falls, probably one of the highest in Abra (I've been to this waterfall and it required us to hike at least 8 mountains/ridges for 3 days and 2 nights to reach it).

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF LACUB AND MALIBCONG

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THE CHILDREN OF LACUB/MALIBCONG ON BOARD A FLOAT

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ BACK OF LACUB/MALIBCONG'S FLOAT


Lacub and Malibcong are tribal towns. The latter is an ancestral domain of three tribes: Mabaka, Gubang and Banao while the former is inhabited mostly by the Binongan tribe.

Check out more photos below.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF SAN JUAN TOWN

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS ONE IS FROM LA PAZ.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ FROM THE TOWN OF LA PAZ

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ TINEG'S FLOAT FEATURES THE ENDANGERED AND EXPENSIVE LUDONG FISH.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ FROM THE TOWN OF BOLINEY

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ BOLINEY'S COWBOY

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ LICUAN-BAAY TOWN'S PIECE

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ AS USUAL, DOLORES TOWN FEATURES THEIR SAKUTING FESTIVAL.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCERS ON THE FLOAT

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015

[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCE STREET DEMO


My personal favorite here is the float from Dolores. Their bamboo float spewed smoke adding drama to their piece. The float also swayed like wave while the tribesmen do their dance rituals.



I intended to flood this post with photos because I want to show everyone the efforts made by each  participant in giving us the idea what these Abra towns have to offer through the floats they made.

Each town did a great job. They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers. ▬ end of series

[END] ▬ THANK YOU ABRA FOR THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!


► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES

This is the end of the series. To all who followed this, my big gratitude. I hope you will follow again my next blog series. I have more to come.
___________________________________________________

Part 1

[BANGUED] ▬ My First Midnight in the Hill of Cassamata via Oval Era

_________________
TEASER ► ...as the sun sets down with the silhouette of Mt Bullagao, west of the river valley, I leave the place. I never attempted to stay there after dark.
| Part 2

[BANGUED] ▬ Padaya Trade Fair: Abra Local Industries' Heart & Soul

_________________
TEASER ► I thought it would be another ordinary trade fair but I was wrong. The padaya gave me many answers on my search for truth and knowledge: reasons why I love traveling.
| Part 3

[LA PAZ] ▬ A Village of Abel (Loom) Weavers in Abra Called Bulbulala

_________________
TEASER ► Who would have thought that today, their pasture became greener by keeping the inheritance manifested through their weaving skills.
| Part 4

[BANGUED] ▬ Abra River Sunset in Calaba

_________________
TEASER ► Abra has no beach. This river serves as a summer getaway. The sunset here is unique. It represents Abra's distinct landscape.
| Part 5

[BANGUED] ▬ Silnag: Night Parade of Floats, Lighted with Love and Pride

_________________
TEASER ► Although the stigma of Abra in the politics world is the source of its infamy, there will still be a light to enlighten the dark ages.
| Part 6

[BANGUED] ▬ A Night of Traditional Dances and Cultural Rites

_________________
TEASER ► I was surprised even more how rich the culture of Abra is. Very rich. Very unique. Their identity and culture make Abra a very interesting province to love and take care.
| Part 7

[BANGUED] ▬ Brgy Patucannay: of Waking Up Early and a Soup Dish

_________________
TEASER ► I observed how they prepare this popular soup dish. They just prepare everything right before your eyes. I saw bones, mainly skulls, in a stainless basin.
| Part 8

[BANGUED] ▬ Kawayan Festival: The Biggest Cultural Show in Abra

_________________
TEASER ► No million-dollar dance show can ever fathom the depth of the meaning of the dances their ancestors wanted them to execute.
| Part 9


► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Vice Governor Chari Bersamin who invited us to witness the Abra Kawayan Festival. With me is fellow travel blogger Estan Cabigas of langyaw.com.

[2] The map I used below is courtesy of Eugene Villar on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

[3] Erratum: Pardon the photo watermarks. All photos here were taken on 08 March 2015.
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MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *ARTS*

[BANGUED] ▬ A Night of Traditional Dances and Cultural Rites

_________________
TEASER ► I was surprised even more how rich the culture of Abra is. Very rich. Very unique. Their identity and culture make Abra a very interesting province to love and take care.

[BANGUED] ▬ Silnag: Night Parade of Floats, Lighted with Love and Pride

_________________
TEASER ► Although the stigma of Abra in the politics world is the source of its infamy, there will still be a light to enlighten the dark ages.

[VIGAN] ▬ Abel House Decor, an Expression of Love

_________________
TEASER ► This time, the ancestral houses can not run from this fever. These houses need to be a medium of showing to the world the Bigueรฑos' love for their city.

[VIGAN] ▬ World Costume Festival: Vigan Conquers the World

_________________
TEASER ► The heart and soul were poured to those costumes. Passion was indeed evident.

[BANGUED] ▬ Kawayan Festival featuring Abra-inspired Terno Fashion Show

_________________
TEASER ► Kawayan Festival is Abra's greatest festival coinciding with the foundation day of the province.

[VIGAN] ▬ Longganisa Festival: A Colorful Vigan City Fiesta

_________________
TEASER ► The Longganisa Festival marks the opening of a year-long cultural celebration in Vigan.

[VIGAN] ▬ Glass Mosaic and Boklan Arts, and Some Revelations About Me

_________________
TEASER ► Yes I know, I am not perfect and I can never be the best example you might be looking for but I just feel the need to do my part and to start it.

[VIGAN] ▬ Abel Iloko Fabric as Decoration to Vigan Ancestral Houses

_________________
TEASER ► It is exposed to sun, air, rain and other elements but I tell you, Abel Iloko fabric is very durable.
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Axact

EDMAR GUQUIB y DEL CASTILLO

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran. Professional Nurse on Weekdays. Coffee Addict. Travel Blogger in Between. For collaboration or partnership, email your business proposal at admin@edmaration.com.

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