Stories Covering " Manabo "
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at 8
Stories of town explorations.
"There was a language barrier but the mere fact that I am witnessing a portion of their culture has made me think that these people are simply unique and blessed!"

Being able to witness a small portion of the cultural beauty of the Ammutan Tribe is already enough to give me chills and fascination. It made me think how meager my exposure is to the indigenous people (IP) of our country; and how little my knowledge is about the original Filipinos (pre-colonial natives, also called as Austronesians, a general term for this original Pacific islanders. "Filipino" is coined after the Spanish regime's King Philip). I have been preoccupied so much with lowland living, and lately, city lifestyle which has changed my view to how should I look the Philippines as a nation.

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra

A young generation of the Ammutan Tribe, to continue the legacy


Then upon seeing and experiencing a dose of the culture of the 4 Tinguian sub-tribes of Abra, my point of view changed instantly. Actually there are 12 sub-tribes, I have seen 4 of them  as of this writing. But for now, I want to take it slow and feature one tribe at a time. Of course, I am on my way of seeing and experiencing more of this Indigenous People and hoping to see all the 12 Tinguian sub-tribes.

With this experience, it would be safe to say that the Philippines is already a thriving civilization before the Westerners came to colonize our beautiful country. We have our own identity as a nation and this is evident by the culture and traditions of our mountain tribes being uninfluenced much by the Westerners.
Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra

Smile of an Ammutan Girl


Ammutan Tribe is said to be the descendants of a certain man called Ammut. But now, the Ammutan tribe is called as Muyadan tribe. Ammutan Tribe a.k.a. Muyadan Tribe inhabit the town of Manabo in Abra.

In a barangay called Catacdegan (subdivided into Catacdegan Viejo and Nuevo), members of the Ammutan tribes (and some non-Ammutan people) gathered to celebrate an occasion.

Suddenly, male kids in G-strings and girls in their Tinguian clothes came. Then they danced their traditional Tadek with pride. The music playing sounds familiar but the words... the words were not. It was sung in their Ammutan dialect. There was a language barrier but the mere fact that I am witnessing a portion of their culture has made me think that these people are simply unique and blessed! They can understand my language but I can't understand theirs. They continued their tribal dancing that served as a cultural feast before my eyes.

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Kids in G-String

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Following the beat

Pretty Ammutan Girl

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Young boys of the tribe

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Love and Pride

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Beautiful gesture

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Colorful Itneg Clothes and Accessories

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

In sync

Ammutan Tribe | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Ammutan/Muyadan kids


As I am making a research more about these Tinguian tribes, I found out that they are considered as pagans, in a Christian point of view. These pagans worship the nature, have rituals and traditions that give honor to the elements of nature.

But as I witness the Ammutan tribes, it was not an absolute paganistic tribe maybe because some members of the tribe have gained exposure to the outside world of Christianity.

As they danced, I was hearing a familiar music at the background that I used to sing when I was a kid (and until now) in our church. The song tells about the great love of Jesus Christ to all children in the world whatever race and nation they belong.

But the music playing has different words. It was studio-recorded in their tribal dialect. I can't understand the words but at least, as a Christian, I am looking forward that paganistic rites and rituals can be modified to a Christian point of view without sacrificing their intangible cultural heritage. It's complicated because most tribal rituals and rites are mainly an-anito-worship. So, the introduction of the gospel would mean stopping nature-worship, hence their traditions. But of course, as I witness the Ammutan tribes of Manabo, they can embrace Christianity without leaving the good traditions of their tribal bloodline.

...to the tune of a kiddie song, "Jesus Loves the Little Children" 

tadek... tadek... tadek...

Proud kid of the Ammutan Tribe


Our society is too complex, and our opinions too. So whatever race or tribe we belong, we need to respect each other. In the long run, the world can be a better place to live if there is unity in diversity.
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You are reading the Part 1 of my Manabo #TownExploration Series


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | 

Map of Manabo, Abra | Courtesy of Wikipedia
Tags: Ammutan Tribe | Muyadan Tribe | Tribes of Manabo, Abra | Cordillera Tribes | 

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at 6
Stories of town explorations.
The question is when are they going to wait? It will be finished soon. But how soon is soon?

The province I am already learning to love is clad with hopes and dreams. I have been going and exploring many of the towns of Abra. Even how far some of the towns may seem, it doesn't matter. Curiosity drives me insane to visit towns that are not even heard by some especially now that someone in the province has been helping me to explore Abra's towns -- a person I met through my blog.

Overview/Etiology

Manabo Bridge | Manabo, Abra, Philippines

Manabo Bridge (aka Sto. Tomas Bridge) as of February 2013


It was Winnie Monsod, a TV host-commentator who called this bridge as the Bridge of Stupidity. It could be insulting, however it is somehow true.

Local residents used to cross the river using bamboo rafts. They bravely took the risk of "going with" the  strong current of the river just to cross it. During medical emergencies at night, the absence of bridge will hinder them from getting a fast access to the nearest hospitals in the capital town of Bangued.

Thereafter, the idea of putting up a barge/ferry to assist the commuting public and private vehicles was realized. This served as a great help for the people of Abra. The towns may have been separated by great rivers but these barge/ferry service is coping up to unite the Abrenios somehow.

But of course during typhoons and heavy rains, the river is too risky to cross hampering the flow of trade and delivery of basic services for the tows after this river. Good to know that upon my visit to the town of Manabo (hometown of the Ammutan/Muyadan Tribe), the bridge is about to be finished and this will be a great reason for the Muyadan tribe to celebrate.

The Story of Stupidity

Crossing the Abra River overlooking the Manabo Bridge

Crossing the river via barge overlooking the Manabo Bridge


Some people I have befriended in Abra know about the source of this tagline -- Bridge of Stupidity. But some are not aware at all. As I said it was Winnie Monsod who called this bridge that way in her documentary.

Luz Rimban is her article at the pcij.org provided a clear discussion about the story of the bridge of stupidity.

Take the Sto. Tomas Bridge, now an eight-pier, six-span eyesore in Manabo town that, if completed, would ease travel to and from southeastern Abra. Its story began in 1994 when the then mayor, through the intercession of relatives with access to budget officials in Manila, managed to obtain P20 million for the construction of a bridge. 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers told the mayor the money was insufficient, and suggested an alternative site in another town where the river was narrower and where there were existing approaches called abutments waiting for a bridge to be built. But the mayor was adamant. It was he who got the money and therefore only he was to decide where the bridge would stand. (Additionally, the mayor wanted to place it at the wider part of the river under his political jurisdiction).
The mayor got his way. The result is a structure that hovers over barely a third of the river. The townsfolk have been told that the mayor, who was succeeded by his son in the last elections, is still trying to raise funds to finish what he started. An additional P8 million from the provincial government has already enabled the DPWH to build one more pier. The CCAGG, though, thinks that kind of money could have built two piers and a span. (excerpts from pcij.org).

Until now, the bridge isn't finished yet. Should the bridge has been placed on the narrower part of the river (which is at the other town), it would have been finished by now.

Stories tell that the then mayor wanted the bridge to be within Manabo since the main beneficiaries are the people of the town, so it has to be constructed at the wider part of the river.

The Remedy

Crossing the Abra River overlooking the Manabo Bridge

Unusable Manabo Bridge from afar

Before crossing the river in Manabo

Toploading? Overloading? -- the barge can handle them all

Anchor


I intended to post the photos after the subtitle "The Remedy" because I know they speak well more than words can say. Since the bridge is of no use, this barge serves as the connection of Manabo and other towns to the external world beyond this river.

So what now?

Bridge of Stupidity

An eyesore, or could it be a stupid megalith?


The bridge is almost finished when I visited Manabo. According to my source, the bridge is set to be finished this year or next year under Cong. Bernos and Gov. Bersamin. But for us to be able to see how stupid this bridge looks like, I borrowed a photo from Gerard Flores taken on May 2009 which is the one posted above.

During the time of Gloria Arroyo, this bridge was funded with an estimated 290 million pesos. We don't know what happened, maybe the fund was carried by the river? Shall we blame corruption? Or shall we blame the strong current of the river that washed away the fund? Now, the people are waiting for the completion of the bridge. The question is when are they going to wait? It will be finished soon. But how soon is soon?
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You are reading Part 2 of my Manabo #TownExploration Series

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Manabo, Abra Map

Map of Abra showing the Location of Manabao


Read more posts about #Manabo. Hint: Click the Map

Tags: Manabo Bridge | Bridge of Stupidity | Bridge in Abra
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