A Mother’s Stuff

Abulug municipality in Cagayan Province

Abulug is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 28,769 people in 5,297 households.

The municipality of Abulug lies between the municipalities of Ballesteros and Pamplona on the Northwestern part of Cagayan along the China Sea. Tulug, the original name of Abulug had been a flourishing fishing village long before Don Juan Salcedo sailed to the mouth of Abulug River in 1572. In 1629, the name “tulug” was changed into Abulug, including two barangays of Totol and Capitana.

It is a typical Ybanag town. The immigrating Ilocanos had contributed to large extent to the progress of the town.

Silk weaving at one time flourished in Abulug but with the abdication of Spanish rule and the absence of Spanish friars who introduced the industry, silk culture, has been totally forgotten.

Its important agricultural products are rice, vegetable and industrial products are lumber and fish. Its native craft, cottage and trade are mat-weaving, pottery, nipa shingle and native winemaking.

Favored with many attractions, the majestic bend of its namesake river, immensely fertile agricultural areas, unspoiled back-country scenes and friendly people. A trip down the river to the sea in the late afternoon, the magnificent sunset in all its splendor can be viewed and you can listen to the eternal sea-wishing you would be as close to nature to Abulugueños.

Piat Sambali Festival of Cagayan Province

The “Piat Sambali Festival” of Cagayan province held on June 23-30 features a reenactment of the “sambali,” a war dance of tribes that were united and converted to Christianity through the intersection of the Lady of Piat (known also as the Black Mary). Said festival is followed by the “Feast Day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Piat” on July 1-2 with activities centered at Piat Basilica Minore which houses the Image of Mary.

Aggao Nac Cagayan Festival

Every June 23-29, Cagayan province celebrates a province-wide festival called “Aggao Nac Cagayan” which commemorates the establishment of the civil government in Cagayan on June 29, 1583.

Lallo Cabibi “Clam” Festival

Cabibi (clam) Festival is being held in Lallo every August which depicts the “cabibi” as an enduring major source of livelihood for those living along the banks of Cagayan River.

Buguey’s Crab Festival

In Cagayan province, it is the municipality of Buguey that holds a Crab Festival every May 14-20 to celebrate its more modern achievement in crab aquaculture.

Lasam, Cagayan’s Aringay Festival

The Aringay Festival is an annual celebration in Lasam held every May 15-21 that depicts farming as the municipality’s major livelihood since old times. There was even a competition held among several provinces to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records for preparing the longest “tupig” (a variety of rice cake). For the people of the northern provinces of Luzon island cooking and selling “tupig” is rooted in their way of life, is a source of livelihood, and a regular fare during festivals and the Christmas celebrations.

Rumang-ay Festival @ Gonzaga, Cagayan

Gonzaga municipality celebrates the annual Rumang-ay Festival every May 5-10 to commemorates the historical establishment of Gonzaga.

Bangkarera (Boat Race) Festival @ Cagayan Province

Bangkarera Festival or Boat Race Festival is a rare event that sees local fisher folks racing around a pre-designated course using their trusty bancas. Thousands bear the mid-day heat to witness this adrenaline-filled event. Participants from the neighboring municipalities like Pola and Bongabong make sure that they have entries in this competition.

Every April 21st there is a Bangkarera Festival being held in the clear waters of Pinacanuan River within the Callao Caves Tourist Zone. In the municipality of Aparri they hold the same festival every May 10th participated by up to a hundred of boats of different sizes and shapes as thanksgiving to their patron saint, St. Peter Thelmo.

Cagayan province’s cultural tourism

Visit the various “horno” (kiln) sites in Tuguegarao, Piat, Camalaniugan, and Rizal, which were used to manufacture bricks for construction of churches around the province (the religious and social focal points during the Spanish era). Today they are no longer used, but the old churches still standing today bear witness to the materials quality as well as to architectural traditions.

You may still come across an old Ibanag custom where some local living masters chant the verso, an oral literary tradition, accompanied by the kuribao, a native bamboo musical instrument.

In summer or after harvest time, you may witness lively ceremonies during Ibanag weddings, such as the maskota, a fun-filled community dance where the bride, groom, relatives and guests dance as a way to pitch in their gifts.

Your experience will not be complete without tasting the local “pansit” (fried noodles) with your choice of toppings. There are many pansiterias (noodle houses or counters) which serve pansit with many combinations of toppings, such as ground pork, corned beef, shrimp, quail eggs, and so on. Try the special bali-patong, Cabagan or Tumauini noodles, with egg soup.

Take a leisurely joy ride around Tuguegarao city on a “calesa” (horse-drawn vehicle) which seats 6 to 10 people (and which uses actual mag-wheel tires!).

For a glimpse of craftsmanship from olden times, see the blacksmithing work still being done in Larion Bajo, Tuguegarao where the sounds of hammers on metal can be heard from early morning. Or visit the pottery makers in Iguig who work on the clay pieces with their hands.

To see where it all began, drop by the Provincial Museum at the Capitol of Tuguegarao or other local museums to see artifacts of ancient stone tools, ornaments and pottery which show that pre-historic people who lived in the Cagayan area had already a settled way of life.

Calvary Hills in Iguig

A more modern devotional site is Calvary Hills, located in Iguig, about 16 km. from the capital city, is on an 11-hectare site of rolling hills. It features larger-than-life concrete statues in tableau settings of the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on Mount Calvary .

St. Hyacinth Church

St. Hyacinth Church (or San Jacinto Chapel) is an elevated church whose construction dates back from 1604, or more than 100 years older than St. Peter’s Cathedral. Used as American headquarters in the Filipino-American war of 1899, it was reconstructed afterward by the Americans.

San Jacinto Polona Parish Church

The oldest bell in the Far East is in San Jacinto Polona Parish Church, in Camalaniugan. Forged in the year 1595, it was brought to Manila in 1937 as part of the attractions during the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress.

Alcala Philomene Church

Alcala Philomene Church, built in 1881, is the widest church in the province, measuring 30 meters wide by 90 mtrs. long, yet is made principally of bricks.

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Cathedral is the biggest Spanish-built church in the Cagayan Valley region. Its construction was completed in 1767; it suffered massive destruction in World War II but was rebuilt and is now considered one of the most beautiful works of art in the country and the world today.

Diocese of Lal-lo

Lal-lo was one of the first four cities in the Philippines (the others being Manila, Cebu and Naga). The first bishop of the Lal-lo diocese, Miguel Benavidez, O.P., was also the founder of the University of Santo Tomas.