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Abulug is a coastal municipality in Cagayan on Luzon, the Philippines. It is the main population hub and commercial center of northwestern Cagayan and the main point of entry into much of Apayao province.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Abulug is located at the mouth of the Apayao aka Abulug River at the northwestern Cagayan panhandle. It was founded in the late 16th century as a Spanish base to conquer the Isneg tribes of the Cordillera mountains of Apayao to the south. The town was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt due to the volatile changes in course by the Abulug River over the centuries, and today's downtown is situated further inland in Barangay Libertad, on the boundary with the town of Luna in Apayao.
Abulug is dominated by Ilocano migrants, with a substantial minority of native Ibanag speakers.
Get in
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Abulug is at a crossroads between Manila North Road and Kabugao-Junction Luna Road, which leads to Apayao. Their meeting point in Barangay Libertad is where the downtown has relocated since the 2000s and is colloquially known as Junction Libertad or Junction Luna. Buses traveling between Cagayan's capital Tuguegarao pass through the town on their way to Ilocos Norte's capital Laoag and other destinations in Ilocos. It is also served by passenger vans and minibuses from Tuguegarao. Travel time from either Tuguegarao or Laoag takes between 3-5 hours.
GV Florida operates daily bus trips to Junction Luna from Metro Manila. The junction is also where jeepneys to various municipalities in Apayao can be taken. Further east, a separate junction in Barangay Lucban leads to the Apayao towns of Santa Marcela and Flora, on the east bank of the Abulug River.
- 1 GV Florida Bus Terminal, Manila North Road, Libertad.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the main form of public transportation within town.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Abulug-Ballesteros Bayview Boulevard. An extensive seaside promenade along the Babuyan Channel running east towards the municipality of Ballesteros.
- 2 Lucban Bridge, Manila North Road. The longest bridge in northwestern Cagayan, offering commanding views over the Abulug River.
- 3 Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish Church (Abulug Church), Centro, ☏ +63 975 953 9615, stthomasaquinasparish1595@gmail.com. Abulug's main Roman Catholic parish church. Nearby is the Dela Torre residence, home to a venerated image of the dead Christ (Santo Entierro).
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Gandia Farm, Banguian. An eco and agritourism venue and recreational space along the Abulug River.
Buy
[edit | edit source]As a coastal and estuarine town, a common souvenir is handicrafts made from the nipa palms that grow at the Abulug River delta.
- 1 ME Shopping Center, Junction Luna.
Eat
[edit | edit source]The most northerly branches of Jollibee and McDonald's in the Philippines can be found in Junction Luna.
- 1 Honey Bakes Cafe, Kabugao-Junction Luna Road, Purok Paraiso, Libertad, honeybakescafeabulug@gmail.com. 9AM–9PM.
- 2 Cuisina Trinidad, Manila North Road, Libertad.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]Most accommodations are concentrated in Junction Luna/Libertad and also accommodate travelers visiting Apayao.
- 1 Travellers Inn by Java, Manila North Road, Libertad, ☏ +63 977 849 8028, travellersinnbyjava@gmail.com. Also has a restaurant.
- 2 Karibu Farmside Resort, Kabugao-Junction Luna Road, Libertad.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Stay healthy
[edit | edit source]Connect
[edit | edit source]The town’s postal code is 3519.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Abulug |
| Tuguegarao ← Ballesteros ← | E  W | → Pamplona → Laoag |
| END ← | N  S | → Luna → Kabugao |