DiscoverTayum
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Tayum.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Tayum
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Tayum
- Take a trip to holidays to Tayum, Abra and explore a town that lies in the central-eastern core of Abra Province, which is part of the Cordillera Administrative Region, whereby rolling hills collide with fertile plains.
- It is famous as the religious centre of the Diocese of Abra, with a cathedral of Spanish origin whose stone front is very attractive to look at.
- Its ancient streets still have the colonial pattern, and there are old houses and government squares, which are talking of hundreds of years ago.
- Even the name Tayum is synonymous with Ilocano culture, and the language, festivals, and life of this region reflect the traditions of the area.
- The country life around is agrarian, and rice paddies and cornfields are the elements which create a picturesque, rough landscape.
- The peaceful atmosphere that strikes the balance between the religious reverence and the countryside rhythm attracts visitors.
- Capital (of the province): Bangued
- International airport: None in Tayum
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Loakan Airport (Baguio City, Benguet) – domestic flights (~3.5–4.5 hours by land)
- Laoag International Airport (Ilocos Norte) – domestic flights (~5–6 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
- The most significant structure in the town is the Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church, which is a tall structure that symbolises the belief of the people.
- The motif-cut stone facade of the church has won the respect of being a masterpiece in the religious artistry in Abra.
- The plaza around it is a living museum of Spanish colonial architecture with the church standing pride of place with colonial homes.
- The agricultural economy of Tayum is powered by the Abra River basin rich soil which yields huge quantities of rice and corn which feed the people of Tayum.
- The attraction site is an Ilocano Cultural Centre that reflects the traditional crafts, music and folklore that enables a visitor to have a comprehensive look into the heritage of the region.
- The peaceful village is also a popular attraction site by both pilgrims and tourists, and thus it is a destination worth visiting especially one who is in need of spirituality and history.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The most appropriate time when there are no problems with making the decisions about the holidays to Tayum, Abra is the dry season, which is the period between December and May, the weather is pretty warm and the skies are transparent.
- The visitor may explore the old time streets with no disturbance by the down pour during these months, and can also thoroughly enjoy the experience.
- June to October is the rainy season and it is accompanied by green vegetation although it can spoil outdoor games and occasionally lead to flooding in the low-lying regions.
- Even during the seasons when it is cooler, it is not too cold due to a tropical climate, so the outdoor festivals and visits to farms are possible.
- Festivals, like the local fiesta on the $25^{\text{th}}$ of November are worth attending during the drier seasons when people can deal with the crowds and the celebrations are colourful.
- All in all, the dry season is the best option in terms of comfort and the possibility to see all the variety of cultural and natural beauty of Tayum.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
The Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church
- Look at the centuries old stone front whose Baroque moulding was a mixture of Spanish and Filipino craftsmanship.
- Enter and be amazed at the richly decorated altar, gilded angels, and stained-glass windows which make the sanctuary radiate a gentle light.
- Attend or merely watch a Mass in the parish where the residents live in order to witness the intense Catholicism in town.
- Stop and listen to the qualities of the church acoustics; the echoes are filled with prayer.
- See the gardens around, which are full of local herbs and small trees to make the background of the contemplation of the surrounding world.
- Discover the history of the church through guided tours that bring about the storeys of patron saints and local legends.
Tayum Town Plaza
- Stroll in the pavement square to inhale the colonial atmosphere that has been more than three hundred years old.
- Look at the complex masonry of the adjacent church yard, in which are inscriptions of the historic town.
- Be amazed with the conventional wooden balconies where the busy market place is below.
- Interview local craftsmen that showcase hand-made textiles and pottery in the area of the plaza.
- Tasting pastry and taking refreshments by busy stands that run along the pavements.
- Hear the musical sounds of a local band of brass which sometimes accompanies morning prayers.
Roman Catholic bishop of Abra (Diocese of Abra).
- Visit the small but stately house where the diocesan offices are located and which is the administrative centre of Catholic Church in the province.
- Note the tranquil courtyard decorated with native plants that provide one with a quiet place of contemplation.
- Get to know hierarchy of the diocese via brochure documents which give details of the roles and responsibility of the clergy.
- See the lives of the clergy, morning prayers and late-night introspections.
- Look at the records that are kept in the archives capturing parish records, this will give us a glimpse of the spiritual world of Tayum throughout the centuries.
- As you enter, imagine all the reverence that engulfs the building, a reflection of its holy intent.
Agricultural Fields
- Travel through agricultural winding roads, which traverse through large rice fields, with panoramic air views of fertile land.
- Visit a local farm and meet the farmers, understand the use of modern irrigation methods that keep the crops going.
- Sample freshly cultivated rice and corn which are still considered staples of local food and are highly appreciated due to their quality.
- You can find groups of workers in the wet season picking, and their movements are in tune, creating a picture of collectivity.
- Hike up the terraced slopes which rise softly out of the river valley and see how ingenious land management can be.
- Photograph the golden fields during the sunrise when the light illuminates each grain of the field making it a beacon of prosperity.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Market (Public Market)
- Stroll through crowded stalls with colourful fruits, both fresh green beans and blistering hot corn.
- Taste some of the traditional Ilocano foods, empanada and suman, which are cooked in front of your eyes.
- Talk to the salespeople who tell about the local harvests and the most appropriate shopping periods of fresh products.
- Savour the aromatic coffee beans produced in surrounding highlands which are a local delicacy that provides a strong taste.
- Notice the rhythm of the market where families meet to shop, trade and socialise, creating a cultural tapestry.
- Take a bag of new produce that will enable you to make Abra culinary pleasures at home.
Abra River Views (Regional)
- Climb a small hill that provides an extensive view of the winding river of the Abra passing the valley.
- See how green all the vegetation along the banks of the river, where the native trees and flowering shrubs grow.
- Experience the transformation of water and sun, as the golden rays are sparkling on the surface of the river on early afternoons.
- Take time to hear the small sound of flowing water, which develops a relaxing background environment.
- Research the purpose of the river as an irrigation system, and how it supports the rice paddies and the cornfields around it.
- Take a few pictures that show the beauty of the river in its natural form, which you can use to reminisce about the time you were in Tayum.
Ilocano/Abrenian Cuisine
- Sample the famous bagnet a deep-fried crispy pork belly that has gained fame throughout the Philippines.
- Savour pinakbet, a vegetable stew with fish sauce which demonstrates the passion of the area towards vegetables.
- Sample dinedinardaraan, a pig blood stew that is savoury and shows how the community is resourceful about food.
- Sample the blend of delicate spices and aroma that makes the local dishes specific to the flavour.
- Interview chefs who will describe the methods of preparation that have been transmitted across the generations.
- Eat a relaxed lunch in one of the family-owned restaurants where hospitality and warmness are as intrinsic to the picture as the food.
Rolling Hills Scenery
- Vehicular routes lead through rolling hills which lead to the flat ground to the mountains in the distance, with an amazing view.
- Behold how meadows of green cover hills, and make an alive quilt, which change with the seasons.
- Homes on terraces form spot groups, locals grow their own gardens and are in close contact with nature.
- Listen to the calls of native birds in the distance which bring a melody touch to the pastoral scene.
- Stop at a vantage point and stretch your legs and exhale the fresh mountain air, a relaxing comparison to the river valley.
- Capture some shots of the horizon in which the hills meet the sky, the ideal background on some memorable postcards for holidays to Tayum.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- In Tayum, the language spoken is Ilocano that dominates the language of conversations and expressions used in the area.
- The religious faith is rampant in the community, and the Diocese of Abra is a religious bastion of Catholics in the province.
- Farming is the blood of the town, particularly rice and corn plantation, that determines the economy and the culture.
- Ilocano spirit can be traced in local festivals, like the town fiesta, where music, dancing, and feasting can be found.
- Elders imbibe traditional practises such as weaving and pottery in their instructions to the younger generations to maintain cultural heritage.
- The warm spirit of the town makes the visitors feel that they are welcomed and any visit to the town becomes a soulful experience.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- A savoury treat, the local deep fried pork belly is crisp and savoury, and one of the things that locals are happy to recommend.
- The dish Pinakbet features a blend of vegetables that are cooked in fish sauce, which is the style of Ilocano cooking.
- The quality of rice grown in the fields of Tayum is of high quality, and therefore each rice dish is a delight.
- A special food of the area is dinnedararaan, a special pig-blood stew that reflects ingenious local culinary practises.
- Local sweetness can be seen in sweet desserts like suman and kalamay which are sweet endings to the hearty meal.
- These dishes are served in large proportions by street vendors and family restaurants so that the diners get to experience authentic flavours.
Fun
- Visit the historical architecture of the town through leisure walks that can show the history of colonialism as well as the contemporary life.
- Enhance your serene country living which will be a break to the hustle of city life.
- Taste local dishes of authentic Ilocano and Abrenian cuisines in local restaurants, an experience to the palate.
- Be a part of or even an observer of the town fiesta that is full of colour, music and togetherness.
- Field visit with farmers, get to know about sustainable agriculture and what agricultural life can and does.
- Travelling with world pinoy flights, it will be easy to fly into the nearby Baguio and then board a plane to transfer to Tayum, and this makes travelling simple and cheap for holidays to Tayum.
Fashion
- The tropical climate is favourable to light and breathable clothing, which will make it comfortable when performing outdoor activities.
- When going to the church, it is best to be dressed more modestly in accordance with the local traditions and religious etiquette.
- One must have comfortable walking shoes to navigate winding farm and cobblestone plazas.
- Sunglasses and hats are used to shield against the intense sun when going out in the middle of the day.
- Bring a light rain jacket in case of a sudden rain, particularly during the rainy season.
- Use local materials when making souvenirs, embracing the local craftsmen and keeping the design the same.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The river valley is the Abra River Valley and it is very fertile with rice and corn growing there forming a green blanket that supports the community.
- The location is a scenic town on rolling hills that offer easy heights that present beautiful scenery and clean air.
- The plains are well tilled and there is the demonstration of effective farm methods and farm traditions.
- The rural landscape is also given an ecological aspect by the biodiversity, such as native birds, in the area.
- The flowers will be blooming in the hills which will provide colours to the colourful fields.
- Tourists are provided with the opportunity to have guided walks through the valley, which describe the ecological value of the valley and the preservation of local flora.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- On November 25th, the Tayum Town Fiesta is celebrated, and it gives honour to Santa Catalina de Alejandria with its procession and feasts.
- Catholic calendar religious practises are in line with Masses, novenas and processional celebrations.
- The fiestas bring people together through community gatherings and also present traditional music and dance.
- The festivals also feature local craftsmen who also showcase their products and provide them with exclusive souvenirs as well as contributing to the local economy.
- The streets are lined with food stalls that offer a food tour on Abrenian and Ilocano delicacies.
- The holidays to Tayum fiestas attract the locals and tourists and make it a dynamic environment that glorifies faith, culture, and community.