Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ABRA Philippines
Ab
ra
, S
pa
nis
h f
or
"opening" or "gap." Originally the area called El Abra de Vigan ("The Gap of Vigan"), only
referred to the narrow but conspicuous gap along the Malayan (Ilocos) mountain range through
which the Tineg River has cut an exit. This topographic feature, now called the Banaoang
Gap, is situated southeast of the city of Vigan, where the Quirino Bridge is now located; it
serves as the natural entrance to the fertile Tineg River basin. Over time the phrase was
shortened, and the area which Abra referred to expanded to include most of the upland territory
drained by the Tineg River between the Malayan Range and the Cordillera Central, and
inhabited by the Itneg.
WELCOME TO ABRA— The
Philippines’ Natural Dye Capital
ABRA is known as the "Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines" as the province is blessed with
abundant natural dye yielding plants.
In the province natural dyes are extracted from tree barks, leaves, fruits, and roots and used to
color food, beverages, textiles, cosmetics, furniture, and pharmaceutical products.
The revival of Abra's dyeing tradition had been the project of former Governor Ma. Zita Claustro-
Valera in 1992 with the Katutubong Foundation, Inc., headed by former First Lady Amelita
Ramos, with the help of designer Patis Tesoro, renowned for using ethnic designs and fabrics
for haute couture.
Another revival project that is related to the province's natural dye industry is loom weaving and
embroidery.
WHERE EXACTLY IS ABRA:
HISTORY https://pia.gov.ph/provinces/abra
Province of Abra
Abra was created as a politico-military province in 1846, prior to which was part of the old Ilocos
Province and later Ilocos Sur when Ilocos Region was divided into two provinces in 1818. Civil
government was established in Abra on August 19, 1901, but was re-annexed to Ilocos Sur in
February 1905. Abra remained a sub-province in 12 years, regaining its status as a province
only after the passage of Act 2683 in March 1917.
Agriculture is the main economic activity of the province. Horses, which the province is known
for in the Cordilleras and Northern Luzon, were a major mode of transportation during the
Spanish period. The Abra River is widely utilized as a means of traversing and travelling in and
out of the province.
When the Spaniards came, missionary work was done in Abra by the Augustinian Order who
founded the town of Bangued in 1898. The priests also made extensive studies of the culture of
the indigenous people of Abra
The Abreños actively participated in the national uprising in the 18th century. During the middle
part of 1899, a revolutionary government was set-up in Abra through the leadership of Don Blas
Villamor. Leocadio Valera became the Provincial Governor until Abra fell into the American Civil
Government established on August 19, 1909
During the Japanese occupation, a subversive guerrilla organization was formed to resist the
intruders. Like any other place, the province was heavily damaged during the 2nd World War.
Industries and properties were adversely affected. When the Americans took over the war, a
new system of government was introduced and substantial changes in social, religious, political
and economic life of the people took place.
Physical Profile
The Province of Abra has a land area of 3,975.55 sq. km. or 1.3% of the total land area of the
Philippines. It is the largest in terms of land area among the provinces in the Cordillera. Abra's
climate is characterized by two distinct seasons. The dry season occurs from November to April
and the wet season occurs from July to November with high rainfall intensities, storms and
typhoons. It has an extremely rugged terrain with mountains and hills rising along the periphery
and in the interior. Geographically, the province may be divided into two parts, the highlands
and the lowlands. The highlands are the east and northwestern portions bordering the provinces
of Ilocos Norte and Kalinga where most of the hills and mountains are located. The lowlands are
the south and western portions where most of the plains and valleys are situated completely
surrounded by mountain ranges. Grasses and shrubs are the dominant cover occupying 45.7%
of the total land area of the province. These areas are formerly cultivated and then abandoned,
from the northern central portion extending to the southeastern side, closer to the southern part
of the province. Areas planted with rice, corn and other diversified crops constitute only 9.4%,
while 48% is covered with primary and secondary forest. Open/cogonal areas form 16.1% of the
total land area.
ECONOMY
More than half of it’s Land are forestlands which are repository of myriad of forest product and
minerals such as gold,clay guano, rock phospate and cement raw materials. This province is
rich in bamboo and rattan, which local businessmen have translated into successful cottage
industries. In 1992 the natural dye industry, together with loom weaving and embroidery, was
revived by former governor Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera, The first female governor of abra. It’s
major crops are rice, corn and root crops; commercial product include coffee, tobacco and
coconut. Extensive grassland and pasture areas are used for livestock production. The main
occupation and means of livelihood of the people of Abra is farming.
LAND
NO. OF
AREA INCOME NO. OF
MUNICIPALITY POPULATION* REG. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
(sq. CLASS BRGYS.
VOTERS**
Km.)
1 BANGUED 113.10 1st 31 43,936 25,250 -
2 BOLINEY 217.00 5th 8 4,063 2,611 -
3 BUCAY 126.03 5th 21 17,126 11,647 -
4 BUCLOC 40.00 6th 4 2,176 1,621 -
5 DAGUIOMAN 101.00 6th 4 1,715 1,210 -
6 DANGLAS 172.90 5th 7 4,734 3,346 -
7 DOLORES 40.41 5th 15 11,499 6,968 www.doloresonline.gov.ph
8 LA PAZ 60.95 5th 12 14,882 8,499 -
9 LACUB 295.30 5th 6 2,977 2,257 -
10 LAGANGILANG 69.10 5th 17 13,824 8,654 -
11 LAGAYAN 100.50 5th 5 4,477 2,827 -
12 LANGIDEN 120.40 5th 6 3,170 2,322 -
13 LICUAN-BAAY 302.50 5th 11 4,864 3,834 -
14 LUBA 208.50 5th 8 6,391 4,273 -
15 MALIBCONG 309.30 5th 12 3,807 2,607 www.malibcong.gov.ph
16 MANABO 59.63 5th 11 10,756 6,367 -
17 PEÑARRUBIA 39.98 5th 11 10,756 6,367 -
18 PIDIGAN 49.15 5th 15 11,528 6,247 -
19 PILAR 100.45 5th 9 5,985 4,550 -
20 SALLAPADAN 112.45 5th 9 5,985 4,550 -
21 SAN ISIDRO 47.69 5th 9 4,888 2,824 -
22 SAN JUAN 72.5 5th 19 10,546 7,102 -
23 SAN QUINTIN 66.59 5th 6 5,233 3,725 -
24 TAYUM 47.34 5th 11 13,940 8,385 -
25 TINEG 832.23 2nd 10 4,668 3,045 -
26 TUBO 423.90 4th 10 5,719 3,561 -
27 VILLAVICIOSA 88.37 5th 8 5,377 3,609 -
The predominant languages are Ilocano and Itneg. Based on the 2000 census
survey, the majority of the province population is Ilocano 71.9%. Other ethnic groups living in
the province are the Tinguian 18.7%, Ibanag 4.5%, Itneg 3.2% and Tagalog 0.4 Ilocano, also
known as Ilokano and Iloko, is a member of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian
language family. It is the third largest language of the Philippines, after Tagalog and English.
The name Ilocano come from i– ‘from’ +looc ‘bay’ + –ano Spanish ‘native of,’ thus ‘people of the
bay’.
Ilocano is spoken as a first language by some 7 million people, primarily in Northern Luzon, La
Union and Ilocos provinces, Cagayan Valley, Babuyan, Mindoro, and Mindanao. It is also
spoken as a second language by possibly another 2 million speakers in the northern areas of
Luzon as a lingua franca in trade, commerce, and everyday communication. Many ethnic
groups from the northern regions of the country are more proficient in Ilocano than in Tagalog,
the national language. Nevertheless, at present, Ilocano remains a regional language with no
official status. Its use in education is limited to the early elementary grades.
Ilocanos became the first Filippino ethnic group to emigrate in large numbers to North America,
settling in sizable communities in Hawai’i, California, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. It is
taught in some schools in Hawai’i and California.
(http://www.abra.asia/_pages/Offices.htm)
Boliney Fred C. Bucay Alma Daguioman Danglas Lagayan La Paz Elvis Manabo
Luben Boliney Flores C/o Lilyjean Eduardo Crecencio Balbosa Teodora
Municipal Hall Governor's Bacani C/o Pataray Bernal C/o C/o Condoya
Tel # (074) Office Tel # Governor's C/o Governor's Governor's C/o
7528531 (074) Office Tel # Governor's Office Tel # Office Tel # Governor's
7528118 (074) Office Tel # (074) (074) Office Tel #
7528118 (074) 7528118 7528118 (074)
7528118 7528118
Email: abragovernorofc@gmail.com
Landline: (074)752-7857
March is the time when the temperature starts to pick up, signaling the upcoming
summer season. However, weather conditions still make it an ideal time for traveling.
Abra has the Arya! Abra Festival, whereas Pagsanjan celebrates the Bangkero
(Boatman) Festival during the first week of the month. But, be wary of the Philippines’
public holidays. Usually, the Holy Week falls during this month (or early April), and since
the majority of Filipinos are Catholics, there are week-long religious activities that lead
up to Easter Sunday. Most families spend their Holy Week out of town and celebrate
Easter Sunday on beaches and in public swimming pool
Telephone Numbers:
+63 (2) 7257303
+63 (2) 7249820
+63 (2) 4101307
+63 (2) 4145097
+63 (2) 7251756
+63 (2) 4162809
+63 (2) 4146094
SCHEDULE:
First Class Cubao Quezon City, Bangued, Abra Php 665.00
Metro Manila 7:00 PM
First Class Cubao Quezon City, Bangued, Abra 10:00 Php 665.00
Metro Manila PM
First Class Cubao Quezon City, Pidigan, Abra 7:00 Php 656.00
Metro Manila PM
First Class Cubao Quezon City, Pidigan, Abra 10:00 Php 656.00
Metro Manila PM
First Class Cubao Quezon City, San Quintin, Abra Php 636.00
Metro Manila 7:00 PM
First Class Cubao Quezon City, San Quintin, Abra Php 636.00
Metro Manila 10:00 PM
GETTING AROUND:
A lot of the more interesting sights in Abra require long land travel to get to, so it’s best to have
your own vehicle. Some areas in Tineg can only be navigated by dirt bikes or 4 x 4 vehicles or
military trucks because of the terrain. If you’re just going to stick to the capital Bangued and
nearby towns, you can hire a tricycle or habal-habal motorcycle taxi to take you around.
Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Bangued, Abrassi Hotel and Restaurant promises a
relaxing and wonderful visit. Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all
you need for a good night's sleep. Service-minded staff will welcome and guide you at the
Abrassi Hotel and Restaurant. All rooms are designed and decorated to make guests feel right
at home, and some rooms come with linens, mirror, towels, non smoking rooms, air
conditioning. To enhance guests' stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as garden,
karaoke. Discover all Bangued has to offer by making Abrassi Hotel and Restaurant your base.
Oval Era Hotel in Bangued is perhaps the best one in Abra offering cozy comfort, a classy and
well designed lobby interior that looks more like a high end house and with a great view of the
town of Bangued with the Sleeping Beauty Mountain in the background. It’s where guests of the
Local Government unit are booked, from celebrities to high government officials.
Located at Cassamata Hill, at an elevated area amidst trees, it’s partially covered veranda is the
perfect place to lounge and dine as you can see the sweeping vista of Bangued town as well as
wait for sunsets. It used to be the residence of a Marcos era government official and has been
converted into a hotel.
The rooms are spacious, even the ensuite toilet and bath has a large area although hot water is
a manual affair: you have to connect it to the outlet. The mattress and pillows are comfortable
too. Wifi is only available at the lobby.
Oval Era Hotel usually serve typical Filipino dishes but cooked good and delicious food.
Oval Era Hotel in Bangued is a good place to stay.
locales.The hotel’s outdoor pool is an ideal place to relax and unwind after a busy day
ESCALA HOMESTAY
Escala Homestay is the place to stay if you like to stay out of town, be by yourself
and enjoy good views over the Abra River Valley. You will need your own transport
to reach here or take a tricycle ride from town.
Why stay here: Sunrise, Abra River views, mountaintop view, quiet.
Address: Just before Soot Bridge, Mudeng, La Paz, Abra
Closest Landmark: Soot Bridge
Prices start from: 1300 pesos~ .
A pit stop for many travelers, Rico’s Pansitan is popular for its delicious, cheap yet filling miki. A
big, full bowl with lots of noodles, meat, an egg and savory soup will just set you back P35
which can be a meal in itself! The noodles are handmade and fresh everyday while the soup is
a delicious broth of boiled meat stewing for hours. The pansitan also offers traditional Ilocano
fare.
CALABA FIESTA
RESTAURANT
Chats Pizza
Teodoro Balmaceda Street, Tayum, Abra –
Enjoy a Museum and Pizza at theGabriela
Carino Silang Gallery of Fine Arts. One of the
best tasting pizza’s around.
Green Valley Bakery For quick freshly cooked budget friendly snacks such as
Pancit Canton, Arozcaldo, Burgers, and various Sandwiches make your way to
the Green Valley Bakery on Mckinley Street, Bangued. They also have a good
selection of breads and cakes.
Rooftop Grill & Chill in Zone 5, half way up the hill to Victoria Park.
Nana Binang’s at the end of Penarubia Street serves local abrenian and Ilocano
dishes
Roselle’s Kambingan opposite Mikes Dept Store, Taft Street, Zone 5
The Food Court along Penarrubia Street for BBQ, Street food and snacks (access
also from Santiago Street) And of course there are the usual fast junkfood joints
such as McDonald’s, Jollibee, Chowking, and Mang Inasal which can be found
around the Plaza.
In the Central Market is a row of Carinderia Eateries serving the usual local and
filipino dishes.
The market is also the place to buy any supplies you may need for your trip.
DELICACIES OF ABRA
Lechon de Abra, similar with others, proudly have its crispy skin. However, it is still different with
other lechon in the country. It is prepared with thinly sliced leaves and seasoned with lots of garlic,
salt, and pepper.
Sinuman and Patupat are the local version of rice cakes in Abra. The taste is even
comparable to a world-class dessert! Sinuman is a triangular-shaped rice cake that is
served as it is. Patupat on the other hand is served with muscovado sugar.
Palileng is actually a name of a certain specie of river fish that is abundant in the
province of Abra.
Abuos or the eggs of big red ants is a famous exotic
food in Abra especially during the summer season.
These are collected through poking hole in the
treetop nests of the red ants. Abuos are then
sauteed together with garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
Because of its rich and tangy taste, it is indeed a rare
delicacy one should try!
Dinaldalem
Crispy Dinuguan
Calaba Bridge is a 900-meter long modular bridge spanning the Abra River. It’s said to
be one of the Philippine’s longest bridges, since it stretches almost a kilometer. From
the bridge, you can get a great view of the rugged countryside. You can also see the
Sleeping Beauty mountain from here. Before the bridge was built, locals had to use a
ferry to cross the river, which could be quite dangerous during the rainy season. The
huts underneath the bridge is another alternative for a picnic session and bonding with
family and friends providing the panoramic view of the Calaba Bridge and the Abra river.
Pagting Falls
Apao Rolling Hills is another obscure spot that you can see in Tineg, Abra. From the viewpoint
across the high valley, enjoy a picturesque panorama of dry grassland topped mountains. It is
most scenic during sunset when the mountainsides come alive with a spectacular auburn glow.
Kili Falls
Kili Falls is one of many beautiful places in Abra
that you can visit all year round. The main
attraction here is not just the waterfall. Hidden
behind the main cascade is a hot spring that
flows into an icy-cold river. The locals had
made a wading pool beside it. The temperature
is perfectly warm for a dip! Most times of the
year, you can have this relaxing spot all to
yourself. Kili Village does not attract a lot of
tourists because of its remote location in the
hinterlands of Tubo, the southernmost town of
Abra. The trail to the waterfall from the village
crosses scenic rice fields and a few hanging
bridges similar to what you would find in
Banaue, Ifugao, Benguet or Mountain Province.
Piwek
Rock
Formations
This natural beauty can be found farther down
the road from Apao Rolling Hills. The highlights
here are gleaming white limestone rock
formations that wall the banks of the Tineg
River. The glistening and sparking white
limestone rock formations of the Binongan
River are what attract many tourists to this remote part of Abra. Activities include hiking,
rock climbing, cliff jumping, bamboo rafting, swimming, and photography.
Tayum Church
The Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church,
commonly known as the Tayum Church, is a 19th
century Baroque church located in the Philippines
town of Tayum, Abra province. Tayum Church was
constructed in early 1800s by the Augustinians and
was dedicated to St. Catherine of
Alexandria (Spanish: Sta. Catalina de Alejandría).
The town of Tayum celebrates its town fiesta every
25th of November in honor of their patron
saint.Tayum Church was identified by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as
a National Cultural Treasure for its cultural
significance and distinctive architecture.
SABNANGAN FOOTBRIDGE:
Sabnangan Footbridge in Luba town is
said to be the longest footbridge in the
Philippines. That river under this
footbridge is the Botik River.
Abra River
The Abra River is the sixth largest
river system in the Philippines in
terms of watershed size. It has an
estimated drainage area of 5,125
square kilometers and a length of
178 kilometers from its source in
the vicinity of Mount Data in the
Benguet province.
Tourism products and services that they offer
In Abra, a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), bamboo thrives
and is one of the most useful resources in the province, with the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) assisting the province to make bamboo as its One Town One Product (OTOP).In
fact, the province actually calls its foundation anniversary celebration as Abranean Kawayan
Festival, a big picture of the rich culture of the province. In the creation of the festival, the people
of Abra made it sure that at least one product shall receive the attention that it deserves, thus,
bamboo (kawayan in Ilocano) gained the prime spot and became the star in the pool of local
products in the province. Carmelita Bersalona of Bangued town in Abra, who is a teacher and
guidance counsellor, is a promoter of bamboo products and innovation.Bersalona would
demonstrate how bamboo could be an alternate raw material for the wood furniture industry,
and engineered for construction building materials, furniture and fixtures, handicrafts, and
various novelty items.Other than its popular uses, Bersalona said bamboo’s roots have
medicinal properties and its fiber can be loom-woven into smooth garment.She also agrees with
experts in environmental management who recommend bamboo to protect the environmental
because of its fast regenerative character.Bersalona said no part of the bamboo stalk is thrown
away and wastes can be made into charcoal as an alternate energy source.
Cane Wine/”Basi”
Wine made from sugarcane is commonly
known as “basi” among the local people.
This has good quality like any other wine
which may be tried by wine-lovers. It is a
typical drink during occasions and
celebrations and may be given as a gift.
Cane
Vinegar
Cane vinegar has gained wide acceptance in the domestic
market wherein almost all sari-sari stores scattered around
the country sell this product. Cane vinegar is mostly used
in Filipino cooking like “adobo” , in preparation of food such
as “kilawen” and “warek-warek”, and may also be used as
a dip for some.
MUSCOVADO SUGAR
Muscovado sugar has gained its way into the
vast market for sweeteners. More and more
people are becoming health conscious and
looking into the nutrition contents of a specific
product that is why muscovado has grown to
be popular in the market these days. In 2008,
the Philippines exported a total of 740 metric
tons of muscovado valued at US$1,164,078.
Where to SHOP?
Accredited Travel Agencies and Establishments
Complete assortment of merchandise: fashion, home, accesories, toys, cosmetics, footwear, small
appliances and others
PASALUBONG CENTRE
SAN QUINTIN, Abra, Nov.15 (PIA) -- With tourism industry growing in the province, local
officials are strengthening efforts to help promote and showcase Abra’s native products and
delicacies and its different tourist spots through pasalubong centers. Congressman Joseph Sto.
Niño B. Bernos, San Quintin Mayor Amador B. Diaz and Department of Trade and Industry –
Cordillera Regional Director Myrna P. Pablo opened last October 30 the Pasalubong Center in
Brgy. Tangadan in San Quintin. It is strategically located near the Tangadan Tunnel, the
gateway to the province, where most travelers drop by to take pictures. The Pasalubong Center
has three sections. The tourism office which serves as the information center for travelers; the
coffee shop where souvenir items can be purchased, and the Micro Small Medium Enterprise
(MSME) section featuring native delicacies.
Pablo said the Pasalubong Center will give great opportunities for Abrañeans not only to
showcase their native products to tourists but will also help more residents, especially those
engaged in the production of Abra’s native products gain sustainable livelihood
(JDP/MTBB/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
Prepared by:
Annabelle B. Marigondon