The construction of the tunnel started in 1934, an imperative need to divert the old road which was very steep and difficult to negotiate...
» It is a symbol of the Abrenians' resistance against oppressors.
» Near the tunnel is a military camp and a park dedicated to Gabriela Silang, an Ilocano heroine.
🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » ABRA
The province of Abra, considered to be an off-the-track destination for tourists and travelers because of negative publicity (my 2012 perspective), my brother and I bravely entered the province with a motorbike (Honda Beat scooter). It took us half a day (from afternoon to dark) to traverse several towns along the Abra-Kalinga Road, Ilocos Sur-Abra Road, and some off-roads.
It brought me into the realization that Abra is a very beautiful province that is full of natural wonders, including man-made wonders and unknown heritage sites that were not written yet on mainstream history books.
► Backstory
In 2012, I've come to reverse the idea that this province is infested with dark politics beyond the dark tunnel entrance. I don't live in Abra, but it is close to my heart.
Sometimes, I even hesitate to blog about the beautiful spots in the province because I am afraid that it might gain attention due to the power of the internet; and eventually, tourism activities may become unsustainable—ending up as trash seconday to irresponsible human activity.
The foregoing words and opinions are from my 2012 POV of Abra. Since I've rewritten this post in 2025, things have changed a lot. Having said that, I don't take credit of the growing popularity of Abra just because I was one of the pioneer travel bloggers who extensively trailblazed Abra in 2012 and introduced it to the world wide web. The improvement of tourism in Abra is the result of multifactorial processes, and the credit goes to the people of Abra.
► Reflections and Notes
In my 2012 view, I wanted the beauty of Abra to be maintained. Many are not aware that many places in Abra are extremely beautiful, probably better than some of the well-known destinations for tourists. Some waterfalls I've seen in photos are even lovelier than the other famous ones I've seen in person. The people and tribes are beautiful with well-kept old traditions. Culture seemed interesting and well-preserved too.
With my younger brother, we drove to the highlands of Narvacan that would eventually lead us to Abra. I don't know if I should be excited or nervous, but I couldn't deny the fact that I was more than excited.
The zigzag road we were traversing gave us instant relief. Those green mountains were just sweet; not that I tasted them, but the mountainview captured the sweet spot of my heart.
We could also hear the sound of waterfalls rushing from afar, but there was no way we could get close to that waterfall quickly because that would require us to spend more hours. Besides, we did not know how could we reach that waterfall located in the next mountain.
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🇵🇭 NARVACAN » (2012) I asked my brother to take a photo of me with the waterfall as the focal point.  |
In my recent trips to Abra, it has been a dream to photograph this tunnel the way I wanted it; but I've always ended up nothing because I usually ride on a bus. The idea of driving a motorbike to Abra, though a bit unsafe based on the 2012 general perception, popped out my mind so that I could stop anytime and practically anywhere.
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) Like an innocent child, reaching Abra in 2012 on a motorbike was already a big achievement for me and my brother. |
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) This tunnel is both an integral and critical part of Abra's connectivity to the lowlands. |
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) This tricycle exits the province of Abra via the Tangadan tunnel. |
Near the tunnel is a military camp and a park dedicated to Gabriela Silang, an Ilocano heroine.
► History
Few is known about the history of Tangadan Tunnel. In fact, I have contacted some people in Abra via a facebook group of Abrenians. I asked them if they could share their knowledge about this tunnel; but as of this writing, no significant information were provided to me yet.
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) The Tangadan Tunnel is locally called "usok" or "usokan". Both are Ilocano terms from the root word "usok" which means "to enter a tight space." |
It is my hypothesis that the horses used in Vigan for calesas during the colonial period may have came from here.
The only written history (though based on a verbal account as told by an elder living in Brgy Tangadan) that I could possibly cite as a reliable source is from a souvenir book of IRAA meet in 1981. IRAA stands for Ilocos Regional Athletic Meet. In 1981, Abra was still part of the Ilocos Region.
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) Near the Tangadan Tunnel is a monument of Gabriela Silang inside the Abra Welcome Park. |
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) A passenger jeep leaves the tunnel to bring passengers to Ilocos Sur. |
According to that souvenir book, based on the memoir of an elderly living near Tangadan Tunnel named Benito Perlas, Tangadan tunnel was more than just a welcome tunnel. It is also a symbol of the Abrenians' resistance against oppressors.
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » Above is an old photo of Tangadan tunnel via Bangued Multiply page (page no longer accessible as of 2025-July-20). |
The construction of the tunnel started in 1934, an imperative need to divert the old road which was very steep and difficult to negotiate. More than fifty workers labored for two years: hammering, drilling, and blasting their way through solid rocks. The resulting structure was a crude one. The walls were not reinforced, so that loose rocks fell when rains came.
The Allied Forces tried to destroy the tunnel twice to impede the advancing Japanese soldiers. However, it did not totally collapse.
It was only in 1961 that restoration works started, a feat accomplished through the efforts of former congressman Lucas Paredes who worked for the appropriation of over P200,000.00 for the tunnel's reconstruction and improvement.
► Theories About the Horse Symbolism
I believe that there is a reason for everything. I do not know who crafted the horse symbolism on the Abra Provincial Seal, and I don't have an idea about that. On the other hand, there is no such thing as mystery because there is a reason for everything. However, those horse symbolisms are mysterious for me—being unable to investigate the real meaning of it.
If you have noticed some of the photos above, 2 colums of horses were placed on the sides of the tunnel. Why horse? It puzzled me, creating an urge to investigate and do a research about it.
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) This tunnel is an integral part of Abra's connectivity to the lowlands. |
Here are some of the theories:
» Theory 1 | Abra as Horse Capital of the Philippines: One of them told me that Abra used to be the "Horse Capital of the Philippines," and those horses were good for races.
» Theory 2 | Horses used to freely roam around Abra: A statement from another Abrenian showed that Abra used to be the land of free-roaming horses, quoted:
According to my late grandfather, large horses were grazing and roaming freely in Abra during his childhood. One would simply catch a wild horse to tame or domesticate, and it is his to keep. My grandpa had sold 30 of his tamed horses in the 1930's to accummulate enough money to fund his journey to the mainland USA in 1930.
The horse variety pre-dated the arrival of the Spaniards, so it was surmised that they were not Spanish, Mexican, or Portuguese horses as many believed; but rather brought to our land by the Chinese pirates led by Lim Ah Hong giving the theory that the Abra horses belonged to the same horse variety used by the Mongols to establish the biggest empire in history. Horses coming from Abra were the champions in horse races held in Manila during the Spanish era.
If you have related theories, you can shoot me an email via admin@edmaration.com. For now, these theories I posted are from those I contacted.
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) My brother and I posed in front of the Tangadan tunnel for a self-timered photo. |
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) This is the first photo of me with the Tangadan tunnel inside the frame. |
► Tangadan Tunnel and Pop Culture
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🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) The Tangadan Tunnel is a prominent and popular feature of the Ilocos Sur-Abra Road. |
I tried to find a YouTube video about that commercial to no avail.
► Transition ending...
If you are much into the notorious "image" of Abra, you might find it hard to appreciate the province. Abra has many hidden gems unknown to many. They remained practically unknown because that 'image' has also helped preserve those places by discouraging the people to explore that province. Take note, I'm speaking here based on my 2012 POV.
I am not yet done. Aside from those mysterious horse symbolism and the not-so-documented history of the Tangadan Tunnel, I discovered another horse; but at that time, it was a monument. For the next post, let's discuss this horse monument located in San Quintin.
To be continued...
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
2025-July-20:
• The article was rewritten, proofread, and revised (injecting both 2012 and 2025 perspectives). Lay-out aligned with other pages.
2012-October-01:
• This post was published.
I remember our conversation the other night about Abra, Apayao and the rest :) I dunno, but since I was a kid, laging ang tingin ko sa Abra is 'land of the brave people'. I cannot exactly pinpoint if I read it in a history book or if in a way, I admired a hero from Abra.
ReplyDeleteI still want to go there and appreciate its beauty. I have a feeling na marami pang undiscovered spots dyan. Let me know agad once you know na history of that monument :) Wala bang nakasulat na anuman like kung sino yung nakasakay? Horse is also a symbol of strength.
wow!!! ang galing parang Motorcycle Diaries. Dame kong nalaman, sana mabisita ko rin ang abra ;)
ReplyDeleteMicamyx|Senyorita | For the next post Mica, I am currently researching it again. Too bad these places aren't documented well, let alone markers that describe the spot. Once I have enough words to say about it, I will publish it ASAP.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it would be safe enough on my part to tell you that Abra has more adventures and beautiful places to offer, but more on adventures because most of the natural wonders are located remotely and that would be off-beat mainly :)
Indeed, Abra is the land of the brave. Huwag kang tigasin dito dahil sigurado mapupuruhan ka, LOL!
darwin | tracking treasure | Darwin, yup! Visit na soon! Actually I tried to find ample time to write this post. Geeez, I saw horses as symbols and it made me feel so curious! And for the fact that I only know little about the tunnel. Too bad I still wasn't able to dig the roots, but some theories from the people are worth thinking of :)
ReplyDeleteLalabas pagiging Detective Conan mo niyan, kidding. Anyway, Abra has a lot of things to offer and just waiting to be unveiled by the town explorer. Can't wait on the next post. :)
ReplyDeleteSky Summer | Ayy, Thanks for always keeping an eye :)
ReplyDeleteHala, goosebumps...nakakaintriga naman yung kasunod...at si Karl Kalabaw talaga...second year high school pa ako nun, hehe...12 years ago pero naaalala ko nga. :D
ReplyDeleteCris | Pinay Thrillseeker | Whoa! I'll explain next why I had goosebumps, alam mo naman ako, exxag kung maka-react, lol!
ReplyDeleteAba! Naalala mo talaga, masyado nang matagal, wala pang youtube noon, ako I remember pero di ko na alam kung gaano pa ako kabata noon :p
Kala ko sa Europe at US lang may tunnel na ganyan bro:) Luv reading ur motorcycle diaries, ikaw na talaga ang town explorer with the magic scooter:)
ReplyDeleteTraveling Morion/Jeffrey rilles | Salamat bro, hehe.
ReplyDeleteManong Unyol | Hello Manong Unyol! Yip yeah! Ganda dito lalo na kapag gusto mong mag-relax, silent and cool. There a park nearby :)
ReplyDeleteKarl Kalabaw!haha Sa Bangued pa lang ako nakakapunta bro!Sana naman mawala na yang magulong pulitika sa Abra!
ReplyDeletekillerfillers | OO nga, it's every sound person's dream! Sana makamove-on na ang province "_)
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon this post of yours.. really, you've been going beautiful places that many people don't really know. The feeling must very ecstatic. By the way, a biker advice: It is best not to wear slippers but at least a convenient sneaker that can protect your feet from any possible crashes. Drive safe!
ReplyDeletedimaks | The Urban Walker | Hey dimaks! Thanks! awww! Yeah, thanks for your advice. I usually use shoes talaga, long pants and other protective gear, it just so happened that one of our destination this day can make us wet! hahaha. We crossed a river and all that so I said, I don't want to go home with a wet shoes and jeans that's why I dared drive with slippers and shorts and an extra baggage for wet suite is an extra burden kasi. hahaha!
ReplyDeleteHi! Tungadan Tunnel is an authentic rock boulder. Several years ago, people in Abra decided to solidify the structure that's why it already has bricks on the side. Before, when you shout inside the tunnel it will echo but no longer now. Jst went there for the Lent and it's my boyfie's province. Btw, Diego and Gabriela are both from Abra :)
ReplyDeleteWasnt able to find the commercial also. I thought it was Royal's, Coke pala.
ReplyDeletezanne | Ow wow. Nice to hear that from you, I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteThat's also the mystery am trying to comprehend and solve my friend. I remember when i was still a kid (around 7-8) and living in a remote barrio(7 family-inhabitants, i think) of Lagangilang called Langbao. 'Amma' my maternal-adoptee grandfather used to ride quite-a-large horse whenever he went to town or to visit relatives and acquaintances, and according to him; he had a relative in Lagben(another barrio) who had a mighty horse they called then 'binto-angin' meaning, faster than the wind and i believed him because i was also a horse-rider when i was a kid.
ReplyDeletehttp://condebravo.weebly.com
CondeBravo | Great to hear from you! I appreciate the stories you shared, wonderful!
ReplyDelete