"From unknown rice terraces, springs, waterfalls, culture, traditions and people, I believe Abra has more to offer but for it to happen, the province must gain first the trust of travelers and tourists that it is safe to explore whether as a solo backpacker or as a group."
Abra is a province that is usually ignored for tourism. One reason I may connect with this situation is the bad publicity that Abra is known for via media. Abra is known to be a province with high incidence of crime most especially those related to politics.
[BANGUED] Downtown Bangued with Sleeping Beauty Mountain (Background)
ON SAFETY
[BANGUED] Abra Provincial Capitol
Once election in this province comes, it becomes a hot spot of the Commission on Elections because they are expecting that violence may happen.
On my walk along the streets of #BANGUED
PHOTO: Sapilang Falls in Brgy Sagap, the capital of the province, I actually didn't feel a warm welcome from the people maybe because I am just paranoid about the warnings of my parents and the news I was hearing on radio and television.
But per experience, I knew it is safe here, just get rid of anything that is related to politics and be sure to don't act as if you are high and mighty, you might be misinterpreted. Make it sure also that you look friendly and lastly, don't make any enemy here. I don't recommend you to visit Abra immediately before, during and after election and during campaign period.
Within the provincial capital Bangued, major tourist attractions are not plenty and asking the locals themselves, they even don't have an idea where to send me. They simply say awan (a term for "none"). In fact, I already have an idea what to expect about Abra since I went to their Provincial Capitol to ask some individuals in order to be more familiar about the province.
The province is exciting! The culture, the natural and even man-made wonders, the people and the traditions are all amazing but few are known about them -- so Abra remains to be at the bottom of the tourism hierarchy because of some factors related to the province itself.
But just to test how the locals can assist tourists and travelers in exploring their province, I was just disappointed that from the 5 strangers I asked, no one of them can recommend a place to visit and have fun.
There are only few good roads that interconnect the towns, so most of the towns especially at the upland area become isolated during heavy rains.
A town called Tineg is the least accessible that it becomes allegedly a dwelling place for the leftist group NPA.
Some news reporters and military people reach the town using choppers while the locals spend a day or two in returning home from Bangued using horses, not vehicles - due to the absence of good roads to the most remote communities.
However, the shallow portions of this interior town located deep in the mountains of Abra can be accessed by land in either muddy or dusty rough road.
Inside the Provincial Capitol of Abra, I didn't feel any tension, instead I was feeling secured. They have air-conditioned offices and the employees of the Capitol looked decent.
In front of the Capitol, some posh cars were parked and I have an instinct that they are mostly owned by the politicians.
At the third floor of the Capitol, I was aback to see military people inside a public building and it created paranoia at the tip of my hypothalamus.
On my walk along the streets of #BANGUED
#BANGUED
FAST FACTS: Bangued is the capital of Abra province. Majority of the people are Ilocanos. Bangued is a bustling town located at the Abra Valley.PHOTO: Sapilang Falls in Brgy Sagap, the capital of the province, I actually didn't feel a warm welcome from the people maybe because I am just paranoid about the warnings of my parents and the news I was hearing on radio and television.
But per experience, I knew it is safe here, just get rid of anything that is related to politics and be sure to don't act as if you are high and mighty, you might be misinterpreted. Make it sure also that you look friendly and lastly, don't make any enemy here. I don't recommend you to visit Abra immediately before, during and after election and during campaign period.
ON TOURISM
[VILLAVICIOSA] Kimkimay Lake in Brgy Tuquib of Villaviciosa Town
But just to test how the locals can assist tourists and travelers in exploring their province, I was just disappointed that from the 5 strangers I asked, no one of them can recommend a place to visit and have fun.
[LICUAN-BAAY] Wilawil Falls in Baay
A town called Tineg is the least accessible that it becomes allegedly a dwelling place for the leftist group NPA.
Some news reporters and military people reach the town using choppers while the locals spend a day or two in returning home from Bangued using horses, not vehicles - due to the absence of good roads to the most remote communities.
[TINEG] The undiscovered beauty of Tineg town
However, the shallow portions of this interior town located deep in the mountains of Abra can be accessed by land in either muddy or dusty rough road.
ON POLITICS, MILITARY
[BANGUED] Inside the Abra Capitol
At the third floor of the Capitol, I was aback to see military people inside a public building and it created paranoia at the tip of my hypothalamus.
[BANGUED] Municipal Hall of the capital town
Errr... Soldiers? What might have they done here? It suddenly sparked at the back of my mind about the news I always hear that politicians in Abra have military escorts, a very controversial scenario in Philippine politics. Allegedly, military escorts no longer serve the interest of "all the people", but serve the interest of "one."
Expect to see military people at the entrance Tunnel of the province and during election, they are scattered everywhere.
ON PHYSICAL ASPECT
Geographically, Abra is a landlocked province and it is a part of the CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
PHOTO: Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, Mt Province: A gathering of all tribes of the province. (CAR).
CORDILLERA
FAST FACTS: This is Northern Philippines' mountainous region composed of 6 provinces with numerous tribes, sub-tribes, dialects, distinct culture and heritage. The provinces included are Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain ProvincePHOTO: Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, Mt Province: A gathering of all tribes of the province. (CAR).
[DAGUIOMAN] Rice fields of Daguioman town in Abra
Abra is not at all mountainous. There is also a lowland part. The capital Bangued is nestled in a valley drained by the Abra River which originates from Mt Data in MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
PHOTO: A marker at Mount Polis, near the boundary of Mt Province and Ifugao draining to the West Philippine Sea via the towns of #BANTAY
PHOTO: Old Quirino Bridge in Banaoang: This bridge used to connect Bantay to the rest of the south. It's no longer in use. A new bridge has been built to replace it. and #SANTA
PHOTO: Church of Sta Catalina de Alexandria in ILOCOS SUR
PHOTO: Pinsal Falls (taken during dry season): Said to be the largest in Ilocos Region..
Abra has an extremely rugged terrain with mountains and hills rising along its perimeter and interior.
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
FAST FACTS: This province is known for the cave connections and hanging coffins of Sagada, the burial caves and rice terraces of Bontoc and for being a center of a vibrant Igorot culture and heritage.PHOTO: A marker at Mount Polis, near the boundary of Mt Province and Ifugao draining to the West Philippine Sea via the towns of #BANTAY
#BANTAY
FAST FACTS: Bantay is home to the Bantay Belfry built in 1519 where several TV show and movie scenes have been taken.PHOTO: Old Quirino Bridge in Banaoang: This bridge used to connect Bantay to the rest of the south. It's no longer in use. A new bridge has been built to replace it. and #SANTA
#SANTA
FAST FACTS: This coastal town located at the Abra River delta is believed to be the birthplace of Gabriela Silang, a revolutionary Filipina fighter during the great World War..PHOTO: Church of Sta Catalina de Alexandria in ILOCOS SUR
ILOCOS SUR
FAST FACTS: This province has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Sta. Maria Church and the Heritage City of Vigan.PHOTO: Pinsal Falls (taken during dry season): Said to be the largest in Ilocos Region..
Abra has an extremely rugged terrain with mountains and hills rising along its perimeter and interior.
THE PEOPLE
Early inhabitants of Abra are the Tingguians or Itneg. The Ilocanos traded with the Tingguians and eventually learned that Abra was a good place and upon occupation, the Tingguians are forced to flee to the mountains.
[TUBO] Old women of the Maeng Tribe of Tubo with colorful hair beads
[MANABO] Young generation of Muyadan Tribe in Manabo town
[DAGUIOMAN] With me is an elder of the Banao Tribe of Daguioman
[MALIBCONG] Photo-opp with a golden couple of the Banao Tribe
Majority of the people of Abra is Ilocano. Some other minor groups living in the province are the Itneg or Tingguian people.
I also learned from a resident in Bucay, Abra that there are some communities or villages there with different dialects. At one area, a group of people is speaking one dialect while the other group of another area speaks another dialect. Asking why this is the case, she answered that those groups belong to different tribes, thus different dialects too. One tribe, one dialect, united with one identity, amazing!
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Abra is actually an amazing place but full of challenges for you to explore because most of the towns are remote but for sure once you reach those hidden towns, I know it will be worth seeing a pure beauty without a touch of commercialism.
From unknown rice terraces, springs, waterfalls, culture, traditions and people, I believe Abra has more to offer but for it to happen, the province must gain first the trust of travelers and tourists that it is safe to explore Abra whether as a solo backpacker or as a group.
[TINEG] Said to be the Cordillera's murder capital
The name of the province, being almost synonymous to politics-related killings and violence, my father called me immediately when he learned that I am in Abra, speaking with extremely angry voice on phone wanting me to go back home ASAP because of fear I might be harmed. So this is what I am talking about. It is the challenge to change the image of Abra for good, my father is one of those people restricting their friends and family members to explore Abra. In light of the foregoing, there is a big task of changing the image of Abra as a peaceful place waiting out there./end
Abra #TownExploration Series
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MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *SOCIETY*
[PANGASINAN] Flesh-Eating Disease: of Prophecy, Hipocrisy and Politics
TEASER: "...though media are very entertaining and informative, our role is to become critical thinkers."
[IFUGAO] Giving the Children of Ifugao a Bright Future
TEASER: "If the smile of your crush or your loved one can make your day complete, I would say a helping hand that will make the children of the rice terraces to continually smile will mean a lot."
[VIGAN] Let's Support Vigan City for the New 7 Wonders Cities
TEASER: "Live with the people of Vigan and love it. From there, you will learn that there are just culture and traditions that can not be explained in words and can not be showcased in festivals that you have to actually experience it for a considerable length of time for you to understand.""/span>
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