Journey to the Southwest Philippines: ABRA

Abra (Ilocano: Probinsia ti Abra; Filipino: Lalawigan ng Abra) is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bangued, and is bordered by Ilocos Norte on the northwest, Apayao on the northeast, Kalinga on the mid-east, Mountain Province on the southeast, and Ilocos Sur on the southwest.

Municipal Hall of Abra

Official Seal of Abra

Geography

Abra is situated in the mid-western section of the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. It is bordered by the provinces of Ilocos Norte on the northwest, Apayao on the northeast, Kalinga on the mid-east, Mountain Province on the southeast, and Ilocos Sur on the southwest. Abra has a total land area of 4,165.25 square kilometres or 1,608.21 square miles.

The province is hemmed in by the towering mountain ranges of the Ilocos in the west and the Cordillera Central in the east. The Abra River runs from the south in Benguet to the west and central areas, bisecting the whole Abra Valley. It is joined by the Tineg Riveroriginating from the eastern uplands at a point near the municipality of Dolores.

Tourist Spots in Abra

1. 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.

2. Cassamata Hill National Park

Cassamata Hill National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Bangued, Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The park covers an area of 57 hectares and was declared a protected area in 1974. 

3. Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park 

Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Balbalan, Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

4. Kaparkan Falls

Magical. You'll be amazed by the beauty that nature created. It is said to be 500m (length) from the spring source down to the Tineg river. This is a massive water terraces, with pools varying in sizes and depth. Several lagoons can be found near the bottom just before the final fall to the river.

4. Tangadan Tunnel

Marks the entrance to the province of Abra and Cordillera Administrative Region from Ilocos Sur. Right before it is the Gabriela Silang monument and park.

5. Pinsal Falls

It is located in Brgy. Baballasioan, one of the barangays in the far end of Sta. Maria, which borders Pilar, Abra. It is also accessible via the 9-kilometer concrete road so it is almost a 20-minute journey from the town proper. From the drop-off point, it would be almost only a hundred meters walk away.

Food in Abra

Dinaldalem - pork meat and liver in vinegar and soy sauce

Sinigang nga Pasga or Bulidaw - "a sinigang (kamatis or pias (kamias), native sibuyas, salt) of either a fish or a combination of rare fishes native to Abra River

Abra miki - annato-colored noodle soup

Lechon de Abra - "lechon prepared with thinly sliced leaves and seasoned with lots of garlic, salt, and pepper"

Sinuman - triangular-shaped rice cake (suman) served as it is

Patupat - long and rectangular rice cake (suman type) served with muscovado sugar

Abuos - "eggs of big red ants sauteed in garlic, onions, and tomatoes; a rare summer delicacy, it has a rich and tangy taste"

Cascaron - malagkit (sticky rice) balls with coconut and sesame seeds cooked in freshly extracted tagapulot or molasses