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In no particular order, here is a (partial) list of notable sons and daughters of Abra which our generation and our children's generation can emulate.
1. Ignacio Villamor (First Filipino President of UP)
2. Blas Villamor (First Governor of the Mountain Provinces and Colonel of the Katipunan Army)
3. Maria Josefa Gabriela Cariño Silang (First Filipina General and Martyr) Her mother was a Tingguian from Pidigan, Abra.
4. Juan Villamor (Author of Abra's Separation from Ilocos Sur)
5. Jess Paredes (Radio Announcer/Public Official during Magsaysay Administration) Father of Jim Paredes. Insert all the famous Paredeses here.
6. Don Quintin Paredes (First Filipino Fiscal of Manila/Philippine Resident Commissioner in the US Congress)
7. Emil P. Jurado (Veteran Columnist) Her mom is from Bangued. Emil himself grew up in Bangued.
8. Jesus Villamor (Famous Filipino Pilot in the US Army) Villamor Air Base was named in his honor.
9. Lucas Bersamin (Court of Appeals Justice)
10. Veda-Bañez Alonzo (Philippine Dance Choreographer) and her son, Ralion Alonzo (Singer/Dancer/Actor)
11. Bong Lazo (Fashion Designer) He's from Bangued, Abra.
12. Emmanuel Valera or Manny Valera (Manager/Producer)
13. Joy Viado (Singer/Stand-Up Comedienne/Actress) During her past guesting in Abra, she mentioned that she has relatives from Lalaud, Bangued.
14. Bernard Billedo (Photographer) Google his name and chances are, he's all over the net.
15. Samson S. Alcantara (Labor Lawyer/Labor Law Book Author)
16. Don Ramon Valera (Dean of Philippine Haute Couture) His father was from Abra.
17. Conrado Balweg (Rebel Priest)
18. Tetchie Agbayani (Actress) Born in 1961 in La Paz, Abra as Visitacion Parado.
19. Jericho Rosales (Actor/Lead Vocalist of Jeans) His father hails from Bucay, Abra.
20. Pedro Bayle (Structural Engineer) Father of International Fashion Model, Anna Bayle. He designed San Juanico Bridge, Mandawe-Opon Bridge and the electrical steel posts we see today.
21. Nina Ricci Alagao (Beauty Queen/Actress) Methinks her family is from Tayum, Abra. *not sure on this one*
22. Normandie B. Pizarro (Court of Appeals Justice) He was born in Bangued, Abra.
23. Federico T. Lazo (Co-founder of Modern Arnis) He was born in Ananaao, Tayum, Abra.
24. Fay L. Dumagat (Author of "Ways of the Itneg"/Writer) He is from Peñarrubia, Abra.
25. Mike Bigornia (Poet/Editor/Fictionist/Translator) Born in Bangued, he was once a chairman of the Unyon ng Mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL) and a recipient of several Palanca Awards. He penned "Prosang Itim" (Anvil) and "Punta-Blanko."
26. Bernardino C. Alzate (Author of the short novel, Alsa Masa 1763)
27. Leonidas Benesa (Writer/Teacher) He was one of the founders of the International Association of Art Critics and received the first prize in art criticism from the Art Association of the Philippines.
28. Linda Alcid (Singer) Tagalog Wikipedia describes her as "Maliit at may magandang tinig." She was born in 1955 and became famous in 1970s.
29. Rosario V. Cariño (Ambassador to Burma) He's from Tayum, Abra.
30. Jose Ma. Cariño (Consul, Philippine Embassy in Spain) Son of retired Ambassador Rosario V. Cariño.
31. Hortencio J. Brillantes (Ambassador)
32. Cornelio Balmaceda (Professor of Economics/Cabinet Member, Diosdado Macapagal Administration) He was born in September 1896 and considered as the "Father of the Department of Commerce and Industry," now known as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). He "developed the policy of sending commercial attachés abroad to promote Philippine products and expand the market for our exports."
33. Liceria Brillantes Soriano (Director of Public Schools, Marcos Administration)
34. Carmelo Barbero (Deputy Defense Minister, Marcos Administration)
35. Florentino T. Timbreza From Tayum, Abra. First Filipino to author the first book on Filipino Philosophy (Pilosopiyang Filipino). Co-author of the first and only Encyclopedia of Philosophy in the Philippines (Ensayklopidiya ng Pilosopiya). First Filipino to present and defend a dissertation paper in Filipino for a doctorate degree in Philosophy. First Filipino author to translate the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu in Filipino language (Ang Tao Te Ching ni Lao Tzu sa Filipino). "Father of Filipino Philosophy."
36. Antonio L. Villamor (Court of Appeals Justice)
37. Paul "Bong" Alvarez (PBA Player) Well, who doesn't know Bong Alvarez? He's from Angad, Bangued and he attended Sinalang Pilot Elementary School til second grade.
38. Claro B. Lizardo (Military General) He led the Division of US and Philippine Army in Bataan during the Second World War.
Tell me, doesn't this list make you prouder to be an Abrenio?
