THE PROVINCE OF ABRA

Got a chance to visit the province of Abra when one day after a meeting with the Execom of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines I joined Msgr. Nilo Peig who was also a member of the Execom  in going back to his home province of  Abra.  He had an open invitation for me to come to the province and I got this opportunity. Tagging along one of my assistant priest we joined Msgr. Nilo in about a nine hour drive to Bangued.  Along the way, we made a short  stop at the S.O.U.L. Cafe in La Union to taste the world famous Coffee Alamid, a coffee made from the droppings of the civet cat.

The entrance to the province of Abra is short tunnel with the monument of Gabriela Silang on a horseback.  In Bangued,  one very good vantage point where one can see the whole town is found at the Victoria Park.  It is also called as the Cassamata Hill National Park. One can have a panoramic view of Bangued and the whole surrounding areas like the Abra river and the Cordillera and Ilocos mountain ranges.

Aside from the Cathedral of Bangued which we visited, we visited also the old town of Tayum with its old church. 

            We just had an overnight stay in Bangued as on the following day, Msgr. Nilo gave us also a tour of Vigan where he would usually go every week to teach Canon law at their school of theology. We passed by Magsingal where the diocese of Bangued was constructing a retirement home for the clergy by the beach.  

Being served the coffee Alamid at the S.O.U.L. Cafe in La Union. 

Entrance to the province of Abra is this monument of Gariela Silang which is also situated at the mouth of the short tunnel leading to the province. 

Gabriela Silang on a horseback. 

The Abra River. 

THE CATHEDRAL OF BANGUED

ST. JAMES THE ELDER PARISH

Founded: 1612

The altar retablo. 

Stations of the Cross. 

At the school museum is found  a map showing the different dialects of Abra. 

View of the town of Bangued from the Victoria Park. 

Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Victoria Park. 

Holy Spirit Catholic School in Bangued. 

Bishop's Residence of Bangued. 

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA PARISH CHURCH

TAYUM, ABRA

Founded: 1803

Church altar of  Tayum.

A miniature replica of the church of Tayum found by the church plaza. 

Teodoro Brillantes ancestral house in Tayum. 

An unfinished bridge in Abra. 

Bantayan Island

The Budyong Beach Resort in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu.

Bantayan island, north of Cebu is composed of three towns: Bantayan, which is the biggest, Sta. Fe, where most of the exquisite white beaches can be found and Madredijos. Aside from the beautiful white beaches, Bantayan island is famous for its eggs. More than a million eggs are laid everyday from the several poultry farms that are all over the island. The island comes alive especially during the Holy Week when tourists would swoop down to the island, not really for the religious festivities but for the beach and the various bands and shows that are staged throughout the week. Since the resorts cannot accommodate the many tourists, tents are put up along the beaches. After the Holy Week, the island becomes so peaceful again. The atmosphere is so quiet and leisurely that it is a good peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of a busy life.

Sta. Fe Beach Club in Bantayan Island.

Ogtong cave with freshwater pool.

The priests from the Vicariate of Ormoc posing for pictures during our Easter break to Malapasqua and Bantayan islands last April 16, 2006.

Sts. Peter & Paul Parish (F-1580) Bantayan, Cebu

The chandelier being taken down for cleaning. 

Immaculate Conception Parish (F-1922) 

Madridejos, Bantayan Island, Cebu

Sto. Niño Parish (F-1891), Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu