DiscoverSan Quintin
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of San Quintin.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit San Quintin
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into San Quintin
- Holidays to San Quintin is located in the western part of the province of Abra and is situated on the Cordillera Administrative Region whereby the rolling hills give rise to the fertile plains that slope gently facing the Abra River valley.
- A high Ilocano influence augments the quiet nature of the Municipality as a heritage of the settlers who have introduced the traditions and farming methods to this low-land village.
- Travellers planning a trip to San Quintin, Abra will also find that the town is an excellent transit point and is a quiet town connecting the highland regions of Abra with the neighbouring province of Ilocos Sur.
- Giant rice paddies, cornfields extend to the horizon creating a living canvas, colour-changing by the season.
- Agriculture is an economic activity the local economy is built around and it has come to dictate the rhythm of life and the cultural identity of the locals who celebrate the harvest with festivals and shared meals.
- Besides the rich arable land, San Quintin also has serene river tributaries, which not only build up the soil, but also offer a low-volume constant backdrop of gently moving water.
- Capital (of the province): Bangued
- International airport: None in San Quintin
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Loakan Airport (Baguio City, Benguet) – domestic flights (~4–5 hours by land)
- Laoag International Airport (Ilocos Norte) – domestic flights (~6–7 hours by land)
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary international gateway (~8–10 hours by land)
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Ilocano, Abra Kankanaey, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- Agricultural production in the town is a pillar of food security in Abra, rice and corn production are some of the largest contributory factors in the province.
- it has got rolling hills that offer stunning scenic views of the countryside, and is the perfect place to be by the photographer and nature enthusiasts who want a panoramic view.
- Proximity to Ilocos Sur implies the flourishing of trade and cultural exchange since markets, and festivals tend to extend across the provincial border, mixing the cultures.
- Ilocano culture is powerful, and it is reflected in the daily lives, as seen in the language used in market stands and in the music played at the community events.
- To those planning a visit to the Algerian city of San Quintin, Abra, the seasons are most favourable when the weather is dry, and the fields appear most vivid.
- The serene location of the municipality is a relaxing escape out of the fast rhythm of urban life and gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy a paced lifestyle.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The dry season between December and May is characterised by clear skies, moderate temperatures, and comfortable road network, thus it is easy to drive across the cornfields and rice paddies.
- It is very green and wet, with a lot of rain, June to October, however, the roads could be wet and there is a possibility of floods along the river tributaries.
- It is tropical in general, but because of the lowland location of San Quintin, the temperatures are relatively constant and rarely surpass $35$ degree C.
- In March, when spring is generally planting, there will be the bright green shoots, and in August, when harvest comes at the end of the summer, there will be the gold corn and ripe rice grains.
- The fall months and October particularly are the period of the largest fiesta in the town, colour, music and feasting together which is a welcome to those in the rest of the region.
- Visitors intending to visit holidays to San Quintin, Abra are advised to ensure that they cheque the local weather patterns before visiting the same to ensure that their visit coincides with the most scenic and accessible seasons.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Agricultural Fields
- Drive through Curvy winding back roads and see the vast rice paddies which are shining under the sun with a turquoise shade on the surface.
- Observe the work of local farmers who were taking care of the crops, using ancient methods of farming that have served the community since times immemorial.
- The harvest season is particularly dramatic in the fields, and the stalks which are golden in colour are blown by the wind forming a harmonious tone, almost musical.
- Take pictures of the never ending lines of crops, which is a contrast to the mountainous hills in the distance and the blue clear sky.
- Find some time to sit on a fence post and be still, listening to the little voices of birds and insects, a necessary thing in the country.
- To understand further, refer to a farmer with inquiries concerning the planting time and the arrangement of the communal harvested by the community.
San Quintin Town Proper
- Walk around the main square in which the municipal hall is situated, a humble but proud structure, which is the representation of local authorities.
- Learn about the daily pattern of people living around the town as they do their business, meet and do the local chores.
- The cobblestones of the plaza are covered with the impressions of the footsteps of many people, each having its own storey about the history of the town and the people, who live here.
- Find small stone inscriptions or murals that record important incidents, e.g. the town's origin, or local personalities.
- Experience the hospitality of the local population, people in the area really have a positive attitude toward visitors and are always ready to greet them with a smile and give fresh products of the harvest.
- Take time to consider how the layout of the town enables social interaction with houses being packed together and streets open to everyone.
San Quintin Parish Church
- Enter the parish church to see its low but beautiful architecture, which is a bearer of serious belief of the community.
- Pay attention to the homemade alter, which is frequently loaded with flowers and gifts of the place, indicating the prosperity of the area.
- Hear the murmur of prayers, and sense the calmness that fills the quiet parts of the sanctuary.
- See the colourful iconography combining catholic imagery with the slightest elements of Ilocano cultural motifs.
- Get to know the place of church within the community, their role in celebrations, rites of passage and festivals that bring the town together.
- When attending in the course of a yearly fiesta, one can see the lively procession, which brings the statue of Saint Quentin to the streets with music and dancing.
Rolling Hills Viewpoints
- Find high points on provincial roads where there is a gentle upside down slope, and where the scenery is panoramic, and involves the valleys on all sides.
- On these perspectives observe the horizon where the waving land brushes the farther Cordillera foothills, and a scene of awe and repose is obtained.
- See how the green fields are eclipsed with patches of cultivated corn and rice, and thus form a living mosaic.
- Savour the light air and the smell of soil and freshly mowed lawn, an acquaintance with the agrarian core of the place.
- Take pictures of sunrise or sunset at these places because the lights turn the colour of the hills to amber instead of emerald.
- Spend some time with local guides who will describe the geological background of the sandy hills, and how they have fashioned human habitation for holidays to San Quintin.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Market (Public Market)
- Get into the crowded marketplace where farmers offer fresh goods, where stalls are full of aromatic rice, corn kernels, and local vegetables.
- Taste the local snacks like pinakbet or bagnet cooked by the local vendors so that the taste of Abra can stay in your mouth.
- Witness the bartering business with the buyers and sellers negotiating in a smiling and humorous manner in Ilocano.
- Observe the vivid colour of fresh products, including green leafy greens and orange corn of all colours, neatly displayed on wooden tables.
- Get to know stall owners by asking them how the goods they sell came to be that way, including seed choice, to time to harvest.
- Note the organisation of the market, which enables free movement of human traffic and maintains the position of the vendors separated and open.
Traditional farming practises are used in Scotland
- See the application of ancient irrigation methods, when the water in the tributaries of the river Abra is redirected into the paddies through plain wooden channels.
- Observe the farmers in the area as they plant rice seedlings manually, a tedious, yet healthy process to protect the soil and maintain sustainability of the agriculture.
- Witness the harvesting of corn stalks using machetes that have been handed down through generations keeping crops healthy and bountiful.
- Observe how the community uses organic fertilisers that are made locally using animal manure, preserving the environment and making the soil fertile.
- Understand how the farmers synchronise the planting and harvesting time to utilise as much of the land as possible as well as to have food security.
- feel the beat of the fields, with the buzz of insects and the scream of a farmer reverberating in the scenery for holidays to San Quintin.
Ilocano/Abra Cuisine
- Have dinner at a local restaurant, and have the chef make up a dish called: dinardaraan a pork blood stew that is savoury, and melts in the mouth, a dish that highlights that people in the area enjoy hearty cuisine.
- Sample bagnet Crispy pork belly, frequently accompanied by a side of clam spiced rice, unforgettable combination of textures.
- Savour hot cooked rice, which is famous in its fluffy texture and aroma, which is a dish that is served as a component in nearly all local dishes.
- Taste the local way dishes are flavoured with local bagoong (fish sauce) and it gives them a richness of umami that is synonymous with Ilocano food.
- Notices the style of the plating, simplicity and elegance come together, and the community is proud of food as a source of life and its cultural representation.
- Inquire of the chef about family recipes that are still a part of the family, and find out how cooking traditions relate to the past.
Proximity to Abra River
- The town is not located actually on the main river, but its tributaries traverse the countryside forming green areas.
- Take a trip to a local tributary where the gentle sound of water is able to provide a natural setting to either mindful contemplation or a relaxing stroll by the shoreline.
- See the way the flow of the river has influenced the micro-climate of the area with cool breezes and fertile soil that supports the surrounding fields.
- Go on a walk to a small fishing area where people fish freshwater fish, a simple but a necessary aspect of their life.
- Be observant of the change of seasons, because in the rainy season the water of the river fills up, and all the scenery looks wild and untamed.
- Hire a local guide to discuss how the water of the river has been historically used to support irrigation, transportation and cultural practises.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Ilocano is the predominant language, which is a rich linguistic tapestry that represents the rich history of the town, as well as the daily communication.
- Each season is characterised by a cycle of harvest, which influenced the community rituals through communal rice-picking and corn-sowing rituals.
- Local festivals are a combination of religious worship, music and dancing, both the traditions of the forebearers and the new celebrations.
- Simple designs in the more light and breathable traditional attire are reminiscent of the agricultural past and the necessity to be comfortable in a tropical climate.
- The town as a whole is based on family ties, community work and mutual respect of the land, which feeds them.
- Education, formal and informal, commonly revolves around agricultural knowledge so that the coming generation will inherit sustainable practises.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Bagnet Deep-fried pork belly that is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside is one of the signature dishes that locals are very proud of.
- Pinakbet, a vegetable stew, which combines squash, eggplant, and leafy greens, is steeped in fish paste, which provides a savoury richness that is uncharacteristically Ilocano.
- Fresh rice that was cultivated in the fertile plains is a component of countless meals in the town and its quality of aroma and ideal texture is a celebration.
- Dinardaraan, a hearty pig offal and blood stew, displays the affection of this part of the world to robust and umami-heavy flavours that represents their culinary tradition.
- Old-fashioned snacks like toddor (sweet sticky rice) and kain (fresh mango) provide fast meals, but are nutritious and delicious.
- Local drinks, particularly, tuba (palm wine) is frequently served on events and this acts as a cultural reference that unites people.
Fun
- The expansive fields beckon to the visitors to stop and take a breath and to enjoy the uncomplicated loveliness of a rice paddy sun-rise.
- Rural immersion will provide the travellers with the opportunity to see the everyday Ilocano-style life, farming, and storytelling.
- Scenic drives around the hilly landscape offer a mellow, thought-provoking tour that only highlights the compatibility of nature with human action.
- A chance to join the community in various activities like seedling planting, builds a feeling of belongingness and appreciation of the local practise.
- The slow rhythm of the town life is a relief to busy living and allows the visitors to get acquainted with themselves and the world around them.
- Walking to bed on the quiet tributary of the quiet town, hearing the sound of the quiet water, makes you feel new and inspired for holidays to San Quintin.
Fashion
- Cotton or bamboo blends are light breathable materials that are everyday necessities, and they are meant to keep the body cool during the tropical weather.
- Minimal and un-embellished clothes such as sundresses or loose trousers are comfortable and do not violate the local standards of modesty.
- Shoes that are cosy and can be closed toed and tough enough to walk in the field or in rough tracks.
- It is also possible to wear bright colours and embroidery during festivals, as the community is celebrating and expressing their artistic nature.
- A cross-body bag or satchel is handy to carry necessities without the need to hold anything in hands so that one can have the freedom to explore.
- Multitasking also allows putting on clothes that are easily functional in shifting weather conditions, particularly when travelling through shady areas and sunny skies.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- San Quintin is a land of fertile plains and has a large number of crops such as rice fields and cornfields which are seen extending beyond the eye of the beholder.
- The topography of the terrain consists of rolling hills, with a gentle rise and a natural background to the town and is easy to wind up and down by hiking.
- The Abra River system, not directly located in the town, however, has a faint effect on the topography of the area, forming valleys and supplying irrigation.
- The small mammals and colourful birds which make their livelihood among the fields and rivers are some of the small wild animals found here and they provide a chance of quiet observation.
- The changes through the seasons are accompanied by different types of plants such as green in the rainy season to golden in the harvesting season.
- the soft breeze blowing over the land brings with it the smell of watery soil and fresh earth, a sensual message of the richness of the land.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The San Quintin Town Fiesta is an event of the town held on the of October every year which celebrates saint Quentin with parades, music and feasting of the town which unites the entire town.
- The communal pride is manifested through Communal harvest festivals, the end of the planting or reaping seasons, where people share their meals, music and dancing.
- Rituals like the thanksgiving ceremony, named as pamaning, are traditional and are held on a yearly basis and invite neighbours to partake in a blessing session to the next planting season.
- People set up bunting of all colours in the streets of the fiesta, and the aroma of pinakbet and bagnet lingers in the atmosphere attracting the locals and tourists alike.
- The main feature of the festival is the parade of the parish church statue that is carried through the main streets of the town with the devotees singing, and it is a very emotional experience.
- The visitors are invited to participate in the festivities and get to know directly how warm and culturally vibrant the community is.