"They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers."
[BANGUED, ABRA, PHILIPPINES]▬ This series is very long. This is the 9th and the last installment. I think I've already poured out all the words from my heart since Part 1. I don't know what to say now. I think I've said everything I want to say. I think. But yeah, still, this is Abra. Its great surprises have actually put many words in my mind. That maybe the reason why this experience last March ended with 9 long articles. Without such surprises, it would definitely be hard to squeeze out the creative juice.
[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO FLOAT PARADE IS THE FINALE EVENT FOR THE KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015.
Today's highlight is the parade of Bamboo floats. The towns in Abra participated in the event. Some towns joined together to create just 1 float while some towns have their own float each.
I was in front of the Abra Capitol. It was the hottest part of the area because it has no shade. The sunlight directly scorched my skin. The sunblock lotion wasn't enough. You know, no one ever dared to stay where I was staying because of the direct sunlight. But I endured it. Anyway, I knew I was at the best spot to take photos.
I was in front of the Abra Capitol. It was the hottest part of the area because it has no shade. The sunlight directly scorched my skin. The sunblock lotion wasn't enough. You know, no one ever dared to stay where I was staying because of the direct sunlight. But I endured it. Anyway, I knew I was at the best spot to take photos.
[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAGAYAN
The float from the municipality of Lagayan had its turn. Standing on the bamboo float are river fishermen showing proudly their catch—palileng and igat. Like the other towns in Abra, Lagayan is rich in water wonders and resources. Its rivers abound with fish they call as palileng and an eel they call as igat. So this is what the town of Lagayan showcased in their float.
[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUCLOC
[BANGUED] ▬ CULTURAL DANCERS FOLLOWED THE BUCLOC FLOAT.
[BANGUED] ▬ BUCLOC TOWN BROUGHT ITS YOUNGEST CULTURAL STREET DANCERS.
[BANGUED] ▬ YOUNG TRIBESMEN DOING THE RITUAL DANCE WITH THEIR GONGS
[BANGUED] ▬ THEY ARE THE PUBLIC SERVANTS OF BUCLOC.
[BANGUED] ▬ THEY ARE PERFORMING THEIR TRADITIONAL DANCE TOO.
The town of Bucloc, inhabited by the Masadiit sub-tribe, gave their best in this parade. Their float was followed by the dancing tribe which made their presence stellar. The public servants of the town also joined the parade. They wore pink clothes and they executed their traditional dance as they pass in front of the Abra Capitol.
[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF SALLAPADAN AND DAGUIOMAN
[BANGUED] ▬ SIDE VIEW OF THEIR FLOAT
[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO PRODUCTS AT THE BACK OF THEIR FLOAT
The towns of Sallapadan and Daguioman are adjacent to each other. The two towns joined together for this float.
The three towns at the west part of the province of Abra namely San Isidro, Villaviciosa and Pilar also have a common float.
[BANGUED] ▬ PILAQUIN: PIDIGAN, LANGIDEN AND SAN QUINTIN TOWNS
[BANGUED] ▬ PILAQUIN FLOAT WITH A WOMAN HANDLING A BOLO
[BANGUED] ▬ BACK OF THE PILAQUIN FLOAT
The float of PILAQUIN shows bravery. A woman handles a bolo. At the back of the float is the name of a heroine. Pidigan townsfolk claim that Gabriela Silang is from their town. Gabriela is a revolutionary hero who fought for freedom in colonial times.
[BANGUED] ▬ MUSLIM BRETHREN
[BANGUED] ▬ MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF ABRA
This day is not all about the bamboo floats. It also showed how Abra maintains harmony among the different cultures. When I saw these Muslim brethren, my heart melted. I did not expect that there is an organized community of Muslims in Abra. I thought that Abra only has the Ilocanos (mostly Christians) and the Itneg tribes. I was wrong. The Muslim minority live with the Ilocanos and the Itneg people with peace and harmony.
[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF LUBA AND TUBO
[BANGUED] ▬ SIDE VIEW OF THE FLOAT
[BANGUED] ▬ FEATURING THE TAGPAO FALLS FOUND IN THE HINTERLANDS OF TUBO
The two southern towns of Tubo and Luba also had their share. Their float featured the Tagpao Falls, probably one of the highest in Abra (I've been to this waterfall and it required us to hike at least 8 mountains/ridges for 3 days and 2 nights to reach it).
[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF LACUB AND MALIBCONG
[BANGUED] ▬ THE CHILDREN OF LACUB/MALIBCONG ON BOARD A FLOAT
[BANGUED] ▬ BACK OF LACUB/MALIBCONG'S FLOAT
Lacub and Malibcong are tribal towns. The latter is an ancestral domain of three tribes: Mabaka, Gubang and Banao while the former is inhabited mostly by the Binongan tribe.
Check out more photos below.
[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF SAN JUAN TOWN
[BANGUED] ▬ THIS ONE IS FROM LA PAZ.
[BANGUED] ▬ FROM THE TOWN OF LA PAZ
[BANGUED] ▬ TINEG'S FLOAT FEATURES THE ENDANGERED AND EXPENSIVE LUDONG FISH.
[BANGUED] ▬ FROM THE TOWN OF BOLINEY
[BANGUED] ▬ BOLINEY'S COWBOY
[BANGUED] ▬ LICUAN-BAAY TOWN'S PIECE
[BANGUED] ▬ AS USUAL, DOLORES TOWN FEATURES THEIR SAKUTING FESTIVAL.
[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCERS ON THE FLOAT
[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCE STREET DEMO
My personal favorite here is the float from Dolores. Their bamboo float spewed smoke adding drama to their piece. The float also swayed like wave while the tribesmen do their dance rituals.
I intended to flood this post with photos because I want to show everyone the efforts made by each participant in giving us the idea what these Abra towns have to offer through the floats they made.
Each town did a great job. They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers. ▬ end of series
Each town did a great job. They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers. ▬ end of series
[END] ▬ THANK YOU ABRA FOR THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!
► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES
This is the end of the series. To all who followed this, my big gratitude. I hope you will follow again my next blog series. I have more to come.
Part 1
TEASER► ...as the sun sets down with the silhouette of Mt Bullagao, west of the river valley, I leave the place. I never attempted to stay there after dark. | Part 2
TEASER► I thought it would be another ordinary trade fair but I was wrong. The padaya gave me many answers on my search for truth and knowledge: reasons why I love traveling. | Part 3
TEASER► Who would have thought that today, their pasture became greener by keeping the inheritance manifested through their weaving skills. | Part 4
TEASER► Abra has no beach. This river serves as a summer getaway. The sunset here is unique. It represents Abra's distinct landscape. | Part 5
TEASER► Although the stigma of Abra in the politics world is the source of its infamy, there will still be a light to enlighten the dark ages. | Part 6
TEASER► I was surprised even more how rich the culture of Abra is. Very rich. Very unique. Their identity and culture make Abra a very interesting province to love and take care. | Part 7
TEASER► I observed how they prepare this popular soup dish. They just prepare everything right before your eyes. I saw bones, mainly skulls, in a stainless basin. | Part 8
TEASER► No million-dollar dance show can ever fathom the depth of the meaning of the dances their ancestors wanted them to execute. | Part 9
[BANGUED] ▬ My First Midnight in the Hill of Cassamata via Oval Era
_________________TEASER► ...as the sun sets down with the silhouette of Mt Bullagao, west of the river valley, I leave the place. I never attempted to stay there after dark. | Part 2
[BANGUED] ▬ Padaya Trade Fair: Abra Local Industries' Heart & Soul
_________________TEASER► I thought it would be another ordinary trade fair but I was wrong. The padaya gave me many answers on my search for truth and knowledge: reasons why I love traveling. | Part 3
[LA PAZ] ▬ A Village of Abel (Loom) Weavers in Abra Called Bulbulala
_________________TEASER► Who would have thought that today, their pasture became greener by keeping the inheritance manifested through their weaving skills. | Part 4
[BANGUED] ▬ Abra River Sunset in Calaba
_________________TEASER► Abra has no beach. This river serves as a summer getaway. The sunset here is unique. It represents Abra's distinct landscape. | Part 5
[BANGUED] ▬ Silnag: Night Parade of Floats, Lighted with Love and Pride
_________________TEASER► Although the stigma of Abra in the politics world is the source of its infamy, there will still be a light to enlighten the dark ages. | Part 6
[BANGUED] ▬ A Night of Traditional Dances and Cultural Rites
_________________TEASER► I was surprised even more how rich the culture of Abra is. Very rich. Very unique. Their identity and culture make Abra a very interesting province to love and take care. | Part 7
[BANGUED] ▬ Brgy Patucannay: of Waking Up Early and a Soup Dish
_________________TEASER► I observed how they prepare this popular soup dish. They just prepare everything right before your eyes. I saw bones, mainly skulls, in a stainless basin. | Part 8
[BANGUED] ▬ Kawayan Festival: The Biggest Cultural Show in Abra
_________________TEASER► No million-dollar dance show can ever fathom the depth of the meaning of the dances their ancestors wanted them to execute. | Part 9
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC
[1] This experience was made possible through Vice Governor Chari Bersamin who invited us to witness the Abra Kawayan Festival. With me is fellow travel blogger Estan Cabigas of langyaw.com.
[2] The map I used below is courtesy of Eugene Villar on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2
[3] Erratum: Pardon the photo watermarks. All photos here were taken on 08 March 2015.
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[2] The map I used below is courtesy of Eugene Villar on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2
[3] Erratum: Pardon the photo watermarks. All photos here were taken on 08 March 2015.
More Stories from #Bangued
Map Showing the Location of #Bangued
MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *ARTS*
[BANGUED] ▬ A Night of Traditional Dances and Cultural Rites
_________________TEASER► I was surprised even more how rich the culture of Abra is. Very rich. Very unique. Their identity and culture make Abra a very interesting province to love and take care.
[BANGUED] ▬ Silnag: Night Parade of Floats, Lighted with Love and Pride
_________________TEASER► Although the stigma of Abra in the politics world is the source of its infamy, there will still be a light to enlighten the dark ages.
[VIGAN] ▬ Abel House Decor, an Expression of Love
_________________TEASER► This time, the ancestral houses can not run from this fever. These houses need to be a medium of showing to the world the Bigueños' love for their city.
[VIGAN] ▬ World Costume Festival: Vigan Conquers the World
_________________TEASER► The heart and soul were poured to those costumes. Passion was indeed evident.
[BANGUED] ▬ Kawayan Festival featuring Abra-inspired Terno Fashion Show
_________________TEASER► Kawayan Festival is Abra's greatest festival coinciding with the foundation day of the province.
[VIGAN] ▬ Longganisa Festival: A Colorful Vigan City Fiesta
_________________TEASER► The Longganisa Festival marks the opening of a year-long cultural celebration in Vigan.
[VIGAN] ▬ Glass Mosaic and Boklan Arts, and Some Revelations About Me
_________________TEASER► Yes I know, I am not perfect and I can never be the best example you might be looking for but I just feel the need to do my part and to start it.
[VIGAN] ▬ Abel Iloko Fabric as Decoration to Vigan Ancestral Houses
_________________TEASER► It is exposed to sun, air, rain and other elements but I tell you, Abel Iloko fabric is very durable.