Abra - The Philippines’ Natural Dye Capital
Abra takes pride in maintaining traditional dye-making and coloring using natural dye taken from barks, leaves, fruits, and roots of different plants. This old tradition was revived and supported by the government and several influential personalities from Abra.
Aside from the dye industry, Abra has several natural wonders which are unknown to most tourists.
Demographics
1. Population - 2,856,765
(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area - 1,287.6 sq. km
3. Capital - Bangued
4. Language/Dialect - Ilocano, Tinguian, Tagalog and English
5. Divisions
Municipalities (27)
Natural Dyeing
The province has an array of dye-yielding plants which
are used by the locals to color textiles, cosmetics,
furniture and other products.
Pinaing
Venerated by the locals, this stone formation symbolized
the anito or spirits of their ancestors.
Cultural
Don Teodoro Brillantes Family Museum
Location:
A private museum which houses the collections and mementos
of the Brillantes family, with a strong reflection of
Spanish culture.
Pinaing
Location: Brgy. Dumayco, Penarrubia, Abra
In the hollow of a huge Balete Tree ( ) are sacred stones
called “pinpinaing”. According to villagers,
these stones symbolize the anito (spirits) of their
ancestors.
Man-made
Don Mariano
Marcos Bridge
Location: Abra – Kalinga National Road
It is the third longest bridge in the country, with
a total length of 886.812 linear meters.
Tangadan
Tunnel
Location: Abra – Ilocos Sur National Road
Found between the borders of Abra and Ilocos Sur, the
40-meter tunnel serves as landmark for travelers and
dignitaries.
Victoria
National Park
Location: Bangued, Abra
The park is found atop of a hill, giving visitors an
overview of the municipalities of Bangued, Tayum, La
Paz, Pidigan, and Penarrubia.
Malamsit
Calm Springs
Location: Brgy. Tingguian, Penarrubia, Abra
It is one of the province’s first privately developed
resorts. It features a swimming pool with clear and
calm water amidst ornamental plants and shady fruit
trees.
Borikibok
Resort
Location: Brgy. San Miguel, Bucay, Abra
It offers a cool, shady, cozy ground for picnic lovers;
heart-shaped swimming pool; and dance and conference
square under the shady atmosphere of trees.
Malanas Dam
Location: San Juan, Abra
A gravity irrigation dam that taps the water resources
of Malanas River irrigating a sizable portion of the
rice fields of San Juan.
Natural
Tugot ni
Angalo
Location: Brgy. Kabaruyan, San Quintin, Abra
Tugot ni Angalo literally means “Footprints of
Angalo". According to Abra Mythology, the giant
Angalo is the First Man. His ‘footprints’
measure around 15 meters long, five meters wide, and
ten feet deep.
Libtec Underground
River
Location: Brgy. Libtec, Dolores
The underground river serves as a pathway to a seemingly
empty cave but once inside, it is filled with stalagmites.
Kimkimay
Lake
Location: Brgy. Taquib, Villaviciosa
According to legend, it was formerly a dwelling place
of several tribes. Now, it is a favorite place for picnics,
swimming, and fishing.
Abra River
Location: all over Abra
It is the biggest, longest, and most popular river among
the numerous rivers crossing the valleys of the province.
Arya Abra
Place: all over Abra
Date: March 9
In celebration of the creation of the province on March
1917 by virtue of Republic Act 2683, locals stage a
grand cultural parade depicting their life; from the
early pre-Spanish era to the present times.
Raniag Ti
Abra Festival.
An ethno-cultural festival featuring the rich and colorful
dances, rituals, and songs of the native tribe, Tingguians
By Land:
By Land Philippine local busses travel to Abra
from Manila or Pangasinan while other take the
Baguio - Abra - Manila route.