Friday, March 12, 2010

Traversing the Province of Abra (Part 4)

On top of the hill - Beside the Rizal statue


Day 5 - Our penultimate day in Abra gave me some free time in the morning for some sight-seeing and pasalubong shopping.

The postponed opening of bids yesterday at the Abra DEO reset for today was again mysteriously moved for Monday. We felt that move was highly suspicious to say the least considering they knew we were joining the CCAGG observers. Moving it to next week assured them that we would not be present anymore during their initial proceedings.




Views of Bangued from Victoria National Park


Making the most of our new found free time, I took the opportunity to visit one of the most famous spots in Bangued - the Victoria National Park. The park is located atop a hill overlooking the town of Bangued and neighboring municipalities of Tayum, La Paz, Pidigan and Peňarrubia. A shrine of the Blessed Mother Mary holding the Infant Jesus was built near a reservoir of Bangued waterworks. A swimming pool is also available for swimmers.




The Victoria Park sign post’s decrepit condition reflects the park’s inadequate maintenance and decay





It’s a place with a scenic view but is deficient in the most basic amenities like park chairs





The Abra river can be seen from afar







Up on the large Mama Mary and Child Jesus shrine


From the park, Bert our OMB driver and I scoured the commercial district of Bangued in search of pasalubong items. The walis tambo (native broom) were very expensive so I didn’t buy one. Instead I bought some dried fish from the public market and a bottle of honey from a souvenir shop.

After we went back for Perry and had lunch at a nearby hotel’s restaurant, we bought additional items at the ADTEMPCO Coopmart near the Pastoral Center.

I bought another bottle of honey, two packs of Yema (it was a hard candy version) and a native delicacy, the Balikutsa or Balicutcha. This very sweet hard candy is derived from sugarcane.

Later that afternoon, Perry and I met with CCAGG Chairperson Pura Sumangil where she updated us with the latest activities of the NLCGG and the CCAGG. These activities included the World Bank funded “Road Watch (Bantay Lansangan) Project and a “Pre-Election Activities Training Program.”

We thanked Manang Pura and the CCAGG staff today for their warm welcome, assistance and cooperation on this study knowing we may not be able to see them tomorrow morning as we headed back for Manila.


March 6 - Last day in Abra


The Pastoral Center’s Conference Hall near our sleeping quarters at the third floor





The youth prepare for an upcoming festivity




We left Bangued at around 9:15 a.m.

My planned courtesy call to Bishop Jaucian this morning again fizzled out. If I remember right I was told that he was in Manila.

At any rate, I was able to pass by the Bulda residence in Bangued and personally meet Bro. Moding and Sis. Glo Bulda, our CFC Provincial leaders in Abra and bid them farewell.




With Bro. Moding Bulda and his two grandchildren Kristine Coleen Ballestra and Farelle Baroňa


On our way home, we again passed by Perry’s parents in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, had lunch at an eatery in Rosario, La Union and stopped over places like the Villasis Public Market in Pangasinan to buy some mangoes and garlic. We later took a different route (longer but less traffic) which brought us through Camiling, Tarlac. Somewhere thereabout, we again stopped over for an irresistible round of cheap halo-halo. In Abra, as well as in the other provinces, we saw dozens of tables beside the streets selling halo-halo. The halo-halo we ate was quite the simple version with mostly crushed ice, evaporated milk and a few other ingredients. But the summer heat has a way of making a simple desert so delectable!

Looking back, there were other numerous points of interest we didn’t get the chance to see in Abra. Places like the Libtec underground river in Dolores or the Kimkimay Lake in Taquib, Villaviciosa supposedly a favorite area for town picnickers who go there to swim and fish as well. Next time.






Some have envisioned the province of Abra to be developed as a northern “Gateway to the Cordilleras”. With its rich cultural and historical heritage, I believe this will be very possible. However, local politicians have to come together abandoning their violent ways and rise up above their political partisanship to work for a peaceful and progressive Abra. More importantly, I believe that the vast majority of the people in Abra are peace loving and upright. In the end, it would be their continued vigilance as seen in the volunteerism spirit of CCAGG that would bring lasting peace and prosperity to this rugged paradise.





Traversing the Province of Abra (Part 3)


March 4 - After having breakfast at Jollibee which became our morning ritual, Perry and I went around the town square again to take some more pictures of the nearby landmarks.




Bangued’s Municipal Hall building







The provincial seal of Abra





Informal morning talk with the provincial governor
(Left to right: Ferddie, Perry, Gov. Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin and Cris Albolote, ENRO)



Either it was by fate or pure luck that we had the chance to meet and have an informal talk with the present Governor of Abra, “Takit” Bersamin and Cris Albolote, the provincial environment and natural resources officer. We were told that the governor would regularly sit in front of the provincial capitol building and interact with constituents. I appreciated the Governor’s hospitality, receptiveness and candor during our short conversation where we gave our fifty centavo advice on how Abra could further achieve progress. Apparently, he will again run for Governor this coming local election uncontested. If that is the case, I wish him well during his next term of office.






Facade of the St. James the Elder Church



I took additional pictures of the St. James the Elder Parish Church. Since we stayed at the Parish Center, I passed by the church everyday but it was only today that I had entered it.


Inscribed above its main door were the Latin words ‘Domus Dei Et Porta Coeli’ (The House of God and Gate of Heaven).




At the side of the church is the Holy Spirit Academy and
tablets of the Ten Commandments ( in the Ilocano dialect)





Inside the St. James the Elder Church








The DZPA building: Home to the CCAGG



Also home to several offices like the provincial branch of the National Statistics Office (NSO), it is also known as the Arnold Janssen Communications Center housing two radio stations DZPA (‘Puso ti Abra’ - Heart of Abra) 873 kHz and DWWM 96.9, and the local newspaper Abra Today.





The Malanas Left Irrigation System Project in the Municipality of San Juan





Today, we joined CCAGG volunteers look over the ongoing Malanas Left Irrigation System in Barangay Baug in the Municipality of San Juan, some 30 kilometers away from Bangued.

The effects of the El Niňo have been evident in many parts of the country. Abra has been no exception.





Irrigation canals bring much needed water to the rice fields






A deep contrast between the green irrigated rice fields…




…and the brown parched earth on the non-irrigated lands of the countryside









Local folk hunt in the irrigation canals for Hito (catfish) and Tilapia (St. Peter’s fish)











At the horizon is the town proper of San Juan









The ongoing concreting of the Lagangilang- Tabiog Road



From San Juan, we traveled to the Municipality of Lagangilang for the inspection of the Lagangilang-Tabiog Road Project affecting Barangays Presentar, Paway, Nagtupacan and Dalagisan. This particular road project is around 25 kilometers away from Bangued Town Proper.




CCAGG volunteers inspect the concrete roads for compliance to building standards











Half-way through










Stopover at Talledo’s in Dolores municipality


Later, in search of native Abra delicacies to bring home, we made a side trip to a place called Mudiit in the Municipality of Dolores locally famous for miki and canton noodles. We were introduced to Talledo’s Miki Commercial, a home grown food manufacturer assisted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Special Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP. Through this program, the DOST assists small enterprises improve its yield and enhance product competitiveness.


In the case of Talledo’s, DOST-CAR’s intervention involved upgrades of its squash canton processing. I think the DOST also supports this product because Vitamin A-rich squash heightens the nutritional content of commercially sold noodles.




Talledo’s is the home of quality miki and canton noodles



There were actually several differently flavored miki and canton noodles. They included vegetables like ampalaya, saluyot, malunggay, broccoli, squash, and carrot. I bought 400 pesos worth of different canton noodles and half a kilo each of carrots and kalabasa enriched miki noodles at 40 pesos per pack for a total cheap price of 480 pesos! If you visit Abra, these delicious and nutritious noodles are a must buy!





Definitely a must buy for ‘pasalubong’ (homeward bound treats) seekers







Afternoon visit to the District Engineer’s Office of the DPWH in Bangued


We all had a late lunch at a local eatery near the DPWH’s District Engineer’s office. We decided to eat there so as not to be late for a scheduled observation of an opening of bids for a road maintenance project at the said office.

Intriguingly, the opening of bids didn’t push through due to a lack of quorum on the part of the concerned Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). It was tentatively reset for tomorrow without any strong assurance. A classic "don’t call us, we’ll call you" kind of response.






Children near the CCAGG office play war games






Respite beside the great Abra river



After a long, grueling, hot summer day of traveling and inspection, we were all looking forward to an evening of rest and relaxation.

When you’re in Bangued, you can enjoy this respite beside the cool waters of the Abra River. Only 5 kilometers away from Bangued’s town proper, we went to a nipa hut owned by Engr. Brasuela under the almost completed Calaba bridge.




Children enjoy the cool waters

The Abra River is the most popular as well as the biggest and longest river among the numerous waterways crisscrossing the valleys of the province. Said to be an ideal place for swimmers, it is also a favorite spot for fishing enthusiasts with its spacious and clear waters.


Dusk is almost upon us in this tranquil place







Fellowship with the CCAGG volunteers



What is your kind of drink?




Grilled tilapia and catfish with raw shrimps (Jumping salad) in vinegar served as the main ‘pulutan’






Viands of this evening’s dinner are equally enticing to the palate



One thing about rustic places like Abra, you get back to truly enjoying the simpler things in life. Fresh air, fish and vegetables, the tranquil flow of water in a river, the beauty of a sunset and other things we have taken for granted in the hustle and bustle of our busy world.

In a place like Abra, one can rediscover the uncomplicated joys in life.


Traversing the Province of Abra (Part 2)

Bangued’s Town Plaza


On the morning of our third day in Abra, I told Perry we had some free time in the morning to roam around the nearby sites of the poblacion. So we went around the block taking pictures of the most conspicuous structures standing at the town proper.




The provincial capitol building


Similar to the urban planning of many old towns during the Spanish colonial period, the political, economic, religious and cultural hub of the municipality were all physically situated around the town plaza. A one stop-shop so to speak during the colonial times, much of the most important institutions were built closely beside each other.


A peace covenant is displayed at the lobby of the capitol building




This familiar fast-food restaurant is strategically situated at the poblacion’s hub



I’ve always thought that the presence of a Jollibee fast food restaurant in a provincial locality was a positive sign of progress. In the case of Abra, it was their first and still only Jollibee in the whole province. No rival hamburger restaurants in front of it as always the case in Metro Manila. Not just yet.




The great St. James the Elder Cathedral symbolizes
the great influence of the Church in the province


The Cathedral of Bangued carries a long historic past. Originally under the Diocese of Nueva Segovia, construction of the first church by the Augustinian Friars started in 1722 but was only completed in 1807. Like many old churches, it was heavily damaged during the Second World War with the original altar destroyed; only the walls and tower remained intact. Reconstructed after the war, it was later declared a cathedral and its administration handed down to the Diocesan clergy.

Interestingly, Bangued was inaugurated capital of Abra on the feast day of St. James the Elder on July 25, 1861.

It was only much later that I discovered what “Bangued” meant which was “roadblock”. Evidently, the early native Tingguians opposed the Christianization introduced by the Spanish friars that they established roadblocks including large logs in the Abra river and big rocks across roads which the natives called ‘bangen” or obstacles. The American colonizers eventually modified it to “Bangued”.



The nearby parish rectory


The statue of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus in front of the parish convent was erected in 1959 to commemorate the 50th year anniversary of the S.V. D. (Society of the Divine Word) in the province of Abra. In 1920, the bishop of Nueva Segovia (Bishop Peter Joseph Hurth) entrusted the whole province to the SVD. During that same year, the S.V.D. transferred its regional house from Tayum to the Bangued Parish Convent. However, in 1964 its seat of the region was again moved this time to Ubbog, Bangued.



At the back of the rectory is the Diocesan Pastoral Center




Inspired by the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi -
a prayer for CHAMP (Clean, Honest, Authentic, Meaningful and Peaceful) elections


CCAGG maybe focused nowadays in project monitoring but it has never forgotten its roots born out of the 1986 snap presidential elections. It continues to be a significant electoral watchdog in Abra especially with the upcoming synchronized national and local elections this May.



CCAGG’s 2nd office room

Now back to work.

With some CCAGG staff and volunteers, we visited an on-going bridge (Sto. Tomas - Manabo Bridge) construction project in Barangay Sto. Tomas in the Municipality of Manabo approximately 33 kilometers away from Bangued. Intended to connect the municipalities of Bucay and Manabo, as well as neighboring towns of Buliney, Luba, Tubo and Sallapadan, the bridge project has lingered in limbo for decades.


The “longest” bridge in the world - the Sto. Tomas - Manabo bridge


Locals called it the “longest” bridge in the whole world, not so much because of the projected bridge span but because the previous contractors only constructed the middle part of the structure, leaving it without a beginning or an end. Thus, the longest bridge in the world.


Boarding the ferry barge

In order to get to the actual bridge construction site, we boarded a wooden ferry barge along with our service vehicle (Isuzu Crosswind) and other vehicles across the river.


Much of the river bed is exposed during the long hot summer months







Crossing the river




Our service vehicle disembarks





The view from the other side of the river




Our point of destination nears






Concrete columns await placement at the bridge’s Phase 1 area







The “longest” bridge from a closer vantage point







A drill-carrying heavy crane goes off to work



From the construction site, we proceeded to Manabo’s town proper for lunch. Quite expectedly, one couldn’t find a big restaurant in a small provincial town composed of 11 barangays and a population of roughly ten and a half thousand people. So we opted to eat in one of their sari-sari (mom and pop) stores cum eatery.



A simple yet satisfying lunch meal in Manabo


It was like ordering a home cooked meal from that local eatery. We waited while they cooked it at their home at the back of the store.

I was really famished by the time the food got served. But the simple meals were at least worth the wait. While the meatlovers enjoyed their pork adobo, I dug into to the fresh vegetables immersed in fish bagoong.



Vegetables with ‘bagoong’ never looked so delicious








Back in Bangued: The bishop’s office and residence

We went back to Bangued that afternoon where Perry interviewed some CCAGG staff and volunteers on the previous projects they have monitored.

I took some time to visit the Couples for Christ (CFC) leaders in Bangued whose names I got from Bro George Asensi who worked full time at the CFC Home office. The current CFC Provincial Area Director of Abra was Bro. Moding Bulda. I was told that his wife, Sis Glo was working for the Diocese as secretary to the Bishop.

The Bishop’s office and residence was nearby so I decided to just walk and look for Sis. Glo. As previous blog readers of mine would know, I often touch base with local CFC and Gawad Kalinga leaders wherever I go across the country.

Fortunately, I was able to meet Sis. Glo at the Bishop’s residence. Unfortunately though, the bishop assigned to the Diocese of Abra, Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian (a priest from the S.V.D.) wasn’t around that day.




With CFC Sister Glo, secretary to the Bishop and
wife of the CFC Provincial Area Director, Brother Moding Bulda







An informative map of the vast province



Back inside the DZPA building, I took a picture of this painted map of Abra. Maps of Abra are apparently not so common even in the province itself so this picture would really be worth more than a thousand words for our continuing journey through this massive expanse.