Paradise Philippines Information Blog Features: Abra, Kalinga and ApayaoMountainous Abra is the home of the Itneg or Tingguian cultural group, who were once well-known for their indigenous weaves which made use of native dyes. Nowadays, the province is also home to numerous Ilocano settlers. Much of Abra's landscape is ruggedly mountainous, as the region is already part of the vast Cordillera chain.
The capital of Bangued has a cathedral (built 1722) and Victory Park atop Casamata Hill, which has fine views. In San Quintin is the so-called Footprint of Angalo, said to be that of a legendary giant. Pidigan has brick church ruins, while in Tayum is the Abra Museum, which has interesting relics. Natural dyeing, a native industry, has been revived in Peñarrubia, where dyes are derived from local plants.
The newly-separated provinces of Kalinga and Apayao are home to forests, mountain ranges, waterfalls, winding rivers and rice terraces as well as the Kalinga and Isneg communities. It's been said that when the two provinces were still one, the geographical boundaries resembled a profile of a former president. In Kalinga is the Chico River Valley with Mount Manting-oy, known as Sleeping Beauty due to its resemblance to a reclining woman. In Apayao is the Apayao River (which is ideal for whitewater rafting), the Agamatan wildlife sanctuary, and the church ruins of Pudtol.