"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
Abra Province in the Philippines is a famous province, not in terms of tourism but in terms of political instability and election-related violence.
[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
#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
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.
[VILLAVICIOSA] Kimkimay Lake in Brgy Tuquib of Villaviciosa Town
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.
[LICUAN-BAAY] Wilawil Falls in Baay
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.
[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
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.
[BANGUED] Inside the Abra Capitol
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.
[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
Abra is accessed "practically" via the Manila North Road. From Manila North Road, there is only 1 more road that will lead you to Abra and this is "the only" road that will lead you to Abra from the Manila North Road, meaning once this road becomes impassable, the province gets isolated. There are another roads going to Abra but they are practically not a road of choice.
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.
[TINEG] Said to be the Cordillera's murder capital
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.
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
The old and the young, I can see the smile to their faces as they see those calesa/s dressed in a way that they are not used of seeing.
