The most prominent man of Abra was Don Quintin Paredes. He was our Representative to Congress and became Speaker of the House of Representatives. During the war he was Secretary of Commerce. After the war he became a Senator and was elected as President of the Senate for a short term. He was a tall, […]
1994 Memoir – 50. Bangued Memories – Lagangilang
Across the Abra River, after the town of Tgyum is Laganilang, the town where the father of Mg. Trining lived. In front of his wooden house, hanging on the wall for the public to see is a large placard: “REMIGIO BRAVO NOTARIO PUBLICO” My uncle was the only Notary Public in that town. He notarized […]
1994 Memoir – 48. Bangued Memories – Casamata Hill
Casamata is a landmark in Bangued which is now VICTORIA PARK, named after the late wife of Don Quintin Paredes, the “father” of Abreq, a former Congressman who was Speaker of the House of Representatives and a President of the Senate. Casamata is a Spanish word meaning “house of death.” It used to be the […]
1994 Memoir – 37. Bangued Memories – Cine Tuazon
When Dr. Urbano Bañez brought electricity to Bangued, I was then in grade seven. Everybody got excited with the new plant for generating electricity and making ice. Prior to this, only the Catholic Church had electricity in town. Then the Tuazon family erected a movie house building. It was made entirely of galvanized iron roofing […]
1994 Memoir – 6. My Grandfather Eleuterio Sibayan (Terio)
Lolo Terio was a very sturdy, tall, dark-tanned man. He used to meet us at the Abra River raft landing area to help us with our load of raw leather that Mother was bringing for him to tan. He carried me astride his shoulders as he waded in the knee-deep mud while his cart pulled […]
1994 Memoir – 5. My Grandfather Gavino Bravo and Grandmother Lucretia Bandayrel Bravo
My lolo looked very old. He was baldheaded, wrinkled, and bent. I asked one time how old he was and Mother said he is 60 and is “reservado,” one who does not work and need not pay any tax because of old age. Lolo smoked a lot, chewed “buyo” and was fond of drinking “basi” […]