All you need to know about the Province of Abra.
Abra is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bangued.
Its deep valleys and sloping hills are enclosed by rugged mountains, except in the Western portion where the Abra River flows towards the coastal plains of Ilocos Sur.
ABOUT ABRA
Abra, officially the Province of Abra (Ilocano: Probinsia ti Abra; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Abra), is a 3rd class province in the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines.
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| Abra Province in the Philippines |
Its capital is the municipality of Bangued. It 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.
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FACTS ABOUT ABRA
- Location: 17.5951° N, 120.7983° E | View Map
- Year Founded: 1901 or 1917
- Capital: Bangued
- Area: 4,165.25 km2 (1,608.21 sq mi)
- Population: 251,000
- Density: 58/km2 (150/sq mi)
- Division: Luzon
- Region: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
- Demonym(s): Abreño/-a
- Elevation: 2,454 m (8,051 ft)(Mount Bangbanglang)
- Time Zone: PST (UTC+8)
- Zip Code: 2800–2826
- Area code: +63 -(074)-XXX-XXXX
- Electricity: Standard voltage is 220V. Plug commonly used is Type A but Types B and C are used as well. Bring A to B adapter(s).
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Exchange Rate: Approximately 1 USD = 50 PHP
- Religion(s): Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of the people
- Language(s): Ilocano, Tinguian, Isneg, Tagalog, English
- Known For: Horses and Abra River
- Major Industries: Agriculture (rice, corn, root crops, coffee, tobacco, and coconut)
- Climate: Tropical
- Best Time to Visit: January until June and October until December
- Clothing: Casual light clothing: shorts, t-shirt, sandals. Light jacket and pants at night, at higher elevations, and boating.
- Airport(s): Laoag International Airport (nearest)
- Seaport(s): None
- Website: abra.gov.ph
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| Abra Provincial Capitol in Bangued |
Before traveling, you might want to check the live weather forecast and updates to make your trip even easier and safer for you. You can also get the latest report for land traffic in Metro Manila and major parts of the Philippines.
WHAT TO BRING FOR ABRA
Here are some things you might consider bringing with you for your day tour / adventure:
- Stylish face mask
- Water container/tumbler to rehydrate
- Sunscreen for skin protection
- Goggles for swimming or snorkeling
- Stylish Swimsuit
- Travel backpack / luggage
- Reusable vacuum storage packs
- Selfie stick
- Waterproof phone case
- Acion cam
- Camping tent
- WiFi kit
- Power bank
Shopee is my go-to app for things I needed like the ones above. If you'd like discounts and vouchers, you may get the best offers here:
ABRA'S HISTORY
Abra is from the Spanish word abre meaning gorge, pass, breach or opening. It was first used by the Spaniards to denote the region above the Banaoang Gap where the Abra River exits into the West Philippine Sea, thus the Rio Grande de Abra. |
| Abra River Basin |
Pre-colonial period
The first inhabitants of Abra were the ancestors of the Bontocs and the Ifugaos. These inhabitants eventually left to settle in the old Mountain Province. Other early inhabitants were the Tingguians or Itnegs as they are also known.
Spanish era
In 1585 the Tingguians were mentioned for the first time in a letter from Father Domingo de Salazar to the King of Spain.
In 1598 Bangued was occupied by Spanish-Iloko forces. The Spanish established a garrison to protect their missionaries from head hunters so that they could Christianize the Tingguians and locate gold mines.
Bangued was under the care of the Spanish missions in Vigan and Bantay. Fr. Esteban Marin and Fr. Agustin Minon established a mission in Bangued as early as 1598. On April 5, 1612 Fr. Pedro Columbo became the first minister. It would seem that this actuation of the Augustinians was precipitated by the Dominican take-over of the ministry of Narvacan. The Dominicans wanted to convert Narvacan as a mission center to evangelize the other parts of Abra. To check this Dominican move, the Augustinians elevated Bangued as a ministry.
Fr. Bernardino Lago OSA arrived in the early 19th century. In 1823 Fr. Lago began work in Pidigan. After 25 years the Christians there numbered about a thousand "baptized, living in community, with schools, church and municipal house, tilling the earth to support themselves and their children." Fr. Lago also founded the town of La Paz. Fr. Galende enumerates the foundation of the other towns of Abra:
- Tayum, 1803
- San Gregorio, 1829
- Pidigan, 1823
- La Paz, 1832
- Bucay, 1847
- San Jose, 1848
- Villavieja, 1862
- San Quintin, 1868
- Dolores, 1882
- Pilar, 1882
- San Juan, 1884
- Alfonso XII, 1884
Originally the area was called El Abra de Vigan ("The Opening of Vigan"). During the British Occupation of the Philippines Gabriela Silang and her army fled to Abra from Ilocos and continued the revolt begun by her slain husband Diego Silang. She was captured and hanged by the Spanish in 1763.
In 1818 the Ilocos region was divided into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. On October 9, 1846 Abra became an independent province with the capital and residence of the provincial governor located in Bucay. In 1863 the capital was transferred to Bangued, the province's oldest town. It remained so until the arrival of the Americans in 1899.
American period
In 1908 the Philippine Commission annexed Abra into Ilocos Sur in an attempt to resolve Abra's financial difficulties. On March 9, 1917 the Philippine Assembly re-established Abra as a province under Act 2683.
CITIES & TOWNS
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| Map of Abra Province |
Abra is composed of 27 municipalities, all encompassed by Abra's lone congressional district.
- Bangued
- Boliney
- Bucay
- Bucloc
- Daguioman
- Danglas
- Dolores
- La Paz
- Lacub
- Lagan
- Lagayan
- Langiden
- Licuan-Baay (Licuan)
- Luba
- Malibcong
- Manabo
- Peñarrubia
- Pidigan
- Pilar
- Sallapadan
- San Isidro
- San Juan
- San Quintin
- Tayum
- Tineg
- Tubo
- Villaviciosa
BEST TIME TO VISIT ABRA
The climate in this province is known as a local steppe climate. During the year there is little rainfall. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is BSh. In Abra, the average annual temperature is 20.1 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 345 mm.
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| Don Mariano Marcos Bridge |
The best time to visit the region Abra in the Philippines is from January until June and October until December, when you will have a warm temperature and limited till mediocre rainfall. The highest average temperature in Abra is 32°C in April and the lowest is 28°C in January.
TOURIST SPOTS TO SEE IN ABRA
The following is a list of points of interest relating to the Abra province:
- Abra River
- Bangued Church
- Boliney Hot Spring
- Don Mariano Marcos Bridge
- Kaparkan Falls
- Kimkimay Lake
- Libtec Underground River
- Lusuac Spring
- Pinaing Sacred Stones
- Pinsal Falls
- Sibud-Sibud Cave
- St. James the Elder Cathedral
- Victoria (Casamata) National Park
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| Kaparkan Falls |
ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA
Klook.comHOW TO GET TO ABRA
From Manila, Abra is roughly 8 hours by bus. Partas, Dominion and Viron Bus have daily trips to Bangued, Abra from Manila. If you choose Partas Bus from their bus station in Cubao at around 8:00 PM, you will arrived around 4:00 AM in Bangued town.
For detailed directions, fares and bus trip schedule, read my Manila to Abra guide.
WHERE TO STAY IN ABRA
Here are some of the hotels and resorts accommodation you book for your stay in Abra (mostly in Bangued):
- Strutz Art Garden Resort - Check Rates and Availability!
Location: Nagtong-o, Calaba, Bangued, Abra - Abrassi Hotel and Restaurant - Check Rates and Availability!
Location: Pila, Patucannay, Tayum near Bangued, Abra - Abra Valley Grand Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
Location: Capitulacion St, Calaba, Bangued, Abra
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| Abra Valley Grand Hotel |
ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA
FESTIVALS IN ABRA
The following is a list of festivals celebrated in Abra throughout the year:
- Arya Abra Festival (2nd week of March) – Bangued
- Tingguian Festival (March) – Bangued
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are the most frequently asked questions about the Abra province.
- Where in the Philippines is Abra located?
Abra is located on Northern Luzon. - Is Abra a city or province?
Abra is a province. - What is the Capital of Abra?
The capital of Abra is Bangued. - What is Abra famous or known for?
Abra is famous or known for Abra River, Abel fabrics, and horses.
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