By Mario B. Casayuran
The National Historical Institute (NHI) has approved the provisions of a Senate resolution declaring the residence of Don Quintin Paredes in Abra as a national historical site.
This was disclosed yesterday by Sen. Loren Legarda, author of the Senate resolution (No. 136) approved last month, who said that the scheduled Feb. 23 inauguration and the cornerstone laying ceremony at the Paredes residence is “only fitting to honor a great and distinguished man who lived his life in the service of the Filipino people.”
“From his humble beginnings in Bangued, Abra, Don Quintin went on to hold many important government positions such as Manila City Fiscal, Attorney General, Secretary of Justice, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate President Pro-Tempore, and later, Senate President. He was also a member of the parliamentary mission to the United States in 1919,’’ she said.
Legarda said Don Quintin authored the Magna Carta for Labor while never giving up on his advocacy in promoting vocational courses in education.
“Don Quintin also contributed to the review of the provisions of the Revised Penal Code as a member of the Code Commission. But more than his exemplary service as a lawyer and legislator, Don Quintin championed the cause for civil liberties,” she detailed.
The lady senator noted that author Frank Ephraim, in his book ‘Escape to Manila,’ which documented the plight of the Jews during the Nazi regime, chronicled how Quintin Paredes chaired a local rally to denounce the persecution of Jews by Nazi in Germany.
“Even after he retired from public service at the age of 79 in 1963, he continued to be a defender of rights through his practice of law. Don Quintin’s is a life from which we can draw inspiration as he exemplifies hard work and belief in the importance of every individual,” she said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/391683/paredes-residence-made-historical-site#.UQjUAx00WSo
abrenian.com 
Great news for abrenios !
Posted by musilat mulagat | January 30, 2013, 12:53 amDON QUINTIN PAREDES – Nobility, class, wisdom and integrity personified. A paragon of excellence in public service worth emiulating.
Posted by pedro abreno | February 1, 2013, 4:31 pmana kuma ti maited na dayta kanyami nga taga abra mapakan na kami laglag.. nakabalud pay ta maysa a miembroda kasano nga great news for abra.
Posted by bebe | January 30, 2013, 1:56 amYou would have been a good excuse for an abortion by your parents, Bebe!
Posted by Landog | January 31, 2013, 2:31 pmyou’re not from Abra bebe! keep your brain shut!
Posted by apo ta danglas | July 5, 2013, 7:08 pmagpanunut kay ketdi no kasano nga sumayaat ti abra saan a dagita ti kayat ti taga. we want peaceful abra.
Posted by lokomoko | January 30, 2013, 1:58 amCongratulations!
Posted by Carmelita E. Omli | January 30, 2013, 2:47 amBebe & Lokomoko, historical values does or do not in anyway includes politics, it is worth preserving. Kasla tay nabati ni Lolom a nasayaat a pakalaglagipan ga agserbi a pagwadan ti kaaduan.
Posted by Condelleza Price | January 30, 2013, 4:08 amAwan pay adu nga ag comment ditoy. Talaga nga negative issues laeng ti makapataliaw ti kaaduan nga tao. Isu nga nagulo ti lubong ta gapu met laeng ti “mind set” ti tattao. Puro tinnudo ken destructive criticisms. Piman pay nga panagbiag…… Opinion laeng apo. Ti agsida ti sili isut magasangan……
Posted by jerry | January 30, 2013, 6:05 amThat is why most abrenians I would say cannot even move forward because of negative setbacks, they don’t even know how to praise at least their fellow abrenians because of apal and kinarit . We just hope that this type of attitude be set aside for us to move what is ahead of us. Awan pay ti panag kaysa ti taga abra! Puro kinarit ken pinatay ti Ada ti dila da, fellow abrenians if we want a true and honest change in leadership for our province then we unite and not to divide ourselves like factionalism . Ken dagitoy met awan maaramid na nga Tao a las Tay maysa koma nga abogado nga instead of him or her to try to write honest opinions ket Saan but trying to write things that is just beneficial to her or him , be honest!
Posted by Cqb | January 30, 2013, 10:12 amwe have a lot of abrenians who did great during their time and we are awaiting to our time.
Posted by kita kits | January 30, 2013, 6:08 pmwe are awaiting new leader to do a great things for abra in our present time. ayusem met ah grammar mu but i like you u have good sense of observation just watch your tenses.
Posted by eric shawn | January 30, 2013, 11:29 pmEric Shaun, maybe you should not be too critical of other’s knowledge of the English language – to almost all filipinos, English is their second language. Can’t expect everone to write as well if it was their native tongue or hold a Phd degree in English literature! We are here to share our thoughts and defintely not to display our skills in writing in English!
Posted by itellitlikeitis | February 3, 2013, 5:13 amExcellent input!
Posted by cdr.dayang-dayang | February 1, 2013, 7:10 pmJust ignore Eric CQB except the good part of his comment. Nobody deserves such unacceptable comment for we are not all journalists or lawyers here. We are just common tao but has the right to express what’s in our mind, regardless.
Posted by cdr.dayang-dayang | February 1, 2013, 7:19 pmRegardless of grammar rules as long as it won’t violate the “Rules of Engagement”, as should say.
Eric, it may appeared as constructive criticism but don’t forget that only Math is a perfect science. You can make your own rules like what you are doing of some of the hidden articles of your word phrases that appears like a telegram. Why, you are doing it purposely to hide your perfect “tenses” or are you just ashamed to face the truth?
Be nice buddy and be professional for I don’t see anything wrong with CQB’s grammar. It’s just our own different kind of understanding that makes the difference.
Posted by cdr.dayang-dayang | February 2, 2013, 12:05 pmCorrection: “Rules of Engagement”, I should say.
Posted by cdr.dayang-dayang | February 2, 2013, 12:08 pmam very nice to everybody in fact kita kits did not react. this is a common problem of abrenian they keep on talking based on what they had read and heard. i believe that not all written in the news and written by indvidual who claim to be crusader of truth but afraid to use his real name are true.
Posted by eric shawn | February 5, 2013, 7:15 pmand pls dnt use the word be professional. in every profession there are norms and practices which are taboo to others. just be yourself and avoid stereo type.
Posted by eric shawn | February 5, 2013, 7:26 pmFYI. I’ve deleted out of topic comments. I suggest you read AGAIN the rules in posting comments.
thanks
Posted by SysOp | January 30, 2013, 11:11 pmAha! Taga Bangued gayam ni DA GREAT QUINTIN PAREDES. Often I have read that he is one of the greatest Senators who ever walked the august halls of the senate. Agungar ka koma apo ta balbaliwam man ti ugali dagitoy abrenyo itatta.
Posted by PiNikPikan | January 31, 2013, 12:24 amwell he was not buried at jerusalem.
Posted by kita kits | January 31, 2013, 1:35 amKet kitaen yo Apo ti naggapuan daguiti nagannak ken Preident Carlos P. Garcia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_P._Garcia
both are natives of Bangued, Abra, adu Apo ti natatakneng nga taga Abra.
Posted by Krukong Jabiong | January 31, 2013, 3:26 amYes…I have just read it and makes me wonder why our past and current politicians could not emulate his and Sen. Paredes’ public performance. The province earned a lot of admiration from all over the world during their time but now we are suffering a lot of humiliation because of corruption and killings that jolted the world on our time. WHAT A SHAME! Parents…we need now to reposition our mindset and straighten the twisted minds of our children not only when 2016 Election comes. We are producing criminal and thief politicians that destroying us and it’s our own fault if we all die with disgrace and humiliation without opposition or resistance. When did the last time you read your bible? That explains why……..
Posted by cmdr. dayang-dayang | January 31, 2013, 6:21 pmThe life of Don Quintin Paredes, arguably d most prominent of all Abra politicians, is d epitome of dedicated public service, and d ultimate measure of every public servant, especially to Abrenian politicians past or present!
Perhaps, many of our politicians today do not even know the man, widely acknowledged as d “face” of Abra politics…his numerous contributions to d nation’s pride beyond reproach.
He lived in a time when leaders serve d people, and not when d people serve their leaders; a time when one’s reputation is measured by good performance, dedicated service, and his lasting contributions to society; as contrasted to the present, where personal wealth and d absolute control of power seems to have inappropriately become d norm…
Perhaps, if only our leaders are able to perform to a level even half of his performance, and put public interest above theirs, they could one day be in d discussion of Abra’s Great Leaders. It’s a challenge for them; a victory for us, if it happens…
But then, in order for them to also become great, they should take a page from history, read the life of this man, and emulate the things he did to become d person he was. They might have a chance…
For now, I personally think d gap is still distant, no one seems close to what Don Quintin Paredes had achieved…
And this could be a testament to how things have changed in our Abra politics…
Posted by RIMAT TI ABRA | January 31, 2013, 9:40 pmI would like to thank you for your kind words regarding Don Quintin Paredes, as he was my grandfather and he meant a great deal to me. I would like to add that in addition to his many public service accomplishments, he was a wonderful man. Reading the article of the dedication of his home in Abra as a historical site touched me deeply. It was especially meaningful to me as the date set for it’s dedication is just a few days from both my and father’s, (Victorino Peralta Paredes), birthday. I wish I were able to attend but will not. I don’t know where you live but if you happen to attend I would be most grateful if you could take some photos and share them with me. If you have video capability that would be even better! : ) Again, thank you so much for your kind words.
Victoria Paredes-Orton
Posted by Victoria Paredes-Orton | February 20, 2013, 2:56 pmdont rely too much to the bible not all written there especially the old testament are accurate.
Posted by eric shawn | February 6, 2013, 5:45 amSYSOP:..
Sir, may I join you and the many Abrenians who wishes to know more about our rich Heritage.
I encourage my kababayans to adhere to this adage…”Protecting Our Heritage By Preserving Our Past”.
I would like to contribute my meager knowledge about the Paredes Family of Bangued.
I must invoke (call upon) the help of a ‘Time Machine’ to bring us back to the years of 1935- 1936- 1937.
To be continued:…
Dr. Leo
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | January 31, 2013, 8:38 ampls doc join us but i want you to visit jerusalem n consider to invest a lot there
Posted by eric shawn | February 1, 2013, 6:00 amMy reply to ERIC SHAWN on his posting of Feb. 1, 2013:..
Mr. Shawn, your comment for me to visit Jerusalem to invest. Your article is a puzzle to me, invest on what? You appear to be an educated person, please be more articulate in your writings… make it ‘simple laeng lakay’.
Sir, don’t find faults on the “tenses” on articles written by your fellow Abrenians…
this is who we are…we are only simple people, no one who is ‘mortal’ is perfect.
It appears that you are familiar with the Bible. the Old Testament. I too am familiar with them but not as knowledgeable as you on many aspect of it.
Perhaps, a person who is from the MIDDLE EAST or born in the ARAB WORLD would know more about Jerusalem, a place where an Abrenian like me should (as you mentioned) visit to ‘invest’ on what?
Eric, where did you get the family name ‘SHAWN’. It is not a FILIPINO much less an ABRENIAN name.
To be continued:..
Posted by ' | February 20, 2013, 3:33 amDr. Leo Tuason, Go! Go! Go! that was a very noble intention. We want to know more.
Posted by jampol | January 31, 2013, 2:02 pmMaking the Paredes Residence a Historical site is our pride as abrenios. Let us realize and be aware of what they have done and contributed to our province and to our country… Wag sana natin pairalin ang inggit instead we should know what and how they became great leaders and they could be our inspiration of becoming a future good leaders to our kababayans.Parang masaklap isipin na kung kelan pa maraming nakapag aral sa atin sa abra ay lalo lng pumapangit ang image ng ating bay an kumpared during the times na bibihira lng ang nakakpag aral dahil sa hirap ng buhay, mga ninuno natin ay namumuhay ng tahimik at masaya kahit mga magsasaka lamang sila.We are just showing that we are not properly educated because we lost our respect and fear to do bad things against our neighbors. buti pa nga ninuno natin, di man sila educated, learned naman sila at marunong silang rumespeto saa kapwa at may takot sila sa Diyos….We should be greatful na kahit hindi maganda ang image ng Abra ngayon, meron pa rin palang mga tao na naging huwaran ng marami di lang sa Abra but the whole country like Don Quintin Paredes and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.
Posted by lavander | February 1, 2013, 11:12 amLavander AGREE AKO!!!!!!!!
Posted by jampol | February 1, 2013, 12:50 pmnapintas daytoy a damag! agserbi koma a pagtuladan daguitoy agtuturay tayo .narigrigat ti mangirugi, nalaklaka ti mangtulad!!maipagpannakkel ken mairaman tayo iti dayaw.
Posted by KARASAKAS | February 2, 2013, 12:07 amDeclaring The Paredes home historical is good news! To recognize in some way an Abranian who was a bright beacon of political & diplomatic skills is long time coming! It certainly brings pride to those of us who knew the man!
Posted by itellitlikeitis | February 3, 2013, 5:21 amThis is A great News.. Nalawlawgan nak pay ketdi ken napaamwan ti history ni Don Quintin Paredes na mabasbasak lang ti nagan na.. hehehe…
Posted by Disipulo ni Rizal | February 6, 2013, 6:01 pmCONTINUM:..
“Time Machine” has taken us back in the year 1936…( describing the EVENTS in the PRESENT TENSE ).
1. I, Leo am the youngest of the 9-children of Don Mariano Tuason and Dona Juana Villamor.
2. Don Mariano is Political Campaign Manager and Confidante of Don Quitin (a Lawyer whose office is in Manila) for his bid for Assemblyman in the Phil. Congress (later years called Representative for the province of Abra).
3. Atty. Honorio Tuason, the oldest son of Don Mariano is Judge of Dolores, Abra who is courting a beautiful lady, the only daughter of Gov. Eustaquio Purogganan.
4. Maid of the Paredes by the name of ‘CION’ an uneducated, unschooled who becomes the “MEDIUM”–Maloganan (in Ilocano dialect) a person who transmits messages or actions from the ‘Spirit World’).
To be continued:..
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | February 7, 2013, 5:28 amDr. Tuason, I met “CION” in my early 20’s mind you she speaks fluent spanish. How I met her is accidental on the residence of the Alejandre’s, she work’s there as a maid. Exciting to hear more, Go, Go, Dr. Leo.
Posted by Jampol | February 8, 2013, 8:05 pmON Jampol posting:..
Sir, the incident you met ‘Cion’ in the early ’20, was before my time. Did she speak the English language then? And who are the ALEJANDRE FAMILY, where was the house located in relation to the Paredes house?
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | February 9, 2013, 5:22 amDr. Tuason, I mean “I” in my early 20’s not the year 1920, presently I am now 62 and by the way “CION” passed away during the term of Vicsyd as Governor of Abra. “Cion” work as maid in Dr. Ildefonso Alejandre house during that time, son of Mr. Santiago Alejandre, I beleived they are a relatives of Purogganan. I was not able to test her english language, only her Spanish and Cion is 99.8% fluent in spanish, because I speak the language too. Hasta luego Dr. Tuason.
Posted by Jampol | February 9, 2013, 4:17 pmI seem to have come into this conversation in the middle. Can you explain why you are discussing Cion? And what the full discussion is? I am Don Quintin’s granddaughter and can attest to both her existence and her remarkable abilities. I seem to recall that my father told me that she was also able to channel information in French.
Victoria Paredes-Orton
Posted by Victoria Paredes-Orton | February 20, 2013, 4:33 pmMy reply to Victoria Paredes Orten Posting on Feb.20, 2013:..
Victoria, the reason why ‘Cion’ is in the discussion, is because she (Cion) was important fixture of the Paredes residence as a maid in Bangued in the years of 1935-36-37-40.
She was a “MEDIUM” of the SPIRIT WORLD (In Ilocano dialect…’maloganan’).
I lost tract of her ‘CION” after WW II (1941-1945). What became of her?
The PAREDES RESIDENCE in Bangued being groomed now as “HISTORICAL SITE” by the PHIL. CONGRESS.
Victoria, may I know your parents names. If your parents are still alive, they might know my father Don Mariano Tuason, a very good close friend of Don Quintin.
Dr. Leo
Posted by ' | February 21, 2013, 7:32 amHello, Dr. Leo! Thank you so much for your prompt response.
Although I never met Cion myself, my father told me many stories about her abilities to communicate with the spirit world and, in fact, both my father and I have had some abilities/experiences as well. My father’s were more consistent and he was in regular contact with his mother, my grandmother and namesake, Victoria. My mother was terrified of Cion. My mother was the only American who married into the Paredes family (at least at that time) but my grandfather adored her. She attended a seance with Cion once and refused to go again as she told me that during that session Cion told them that when she passed her abilities might pass to either my brother or myself and this frightened her. I didn’t realize that people outside of the family had any knowledge of Cion. Is there somewhere that I can learn more about her? I have always wished that I had met her. As a side note, my grandfather’s home in Manila was filled with spirits and I experienced many an incident when visiting him.
My father and mother have both passed but if your father was a close friend of my grandfather I am certain that my father must have known him. My father was Victorino Peralta Paredes, my mother, Sybil Farley Paredes. My father was a career Ambassador for the Philippines and passed in 1996. My mother passed in 2008.
Can I assume that you are living in the Philippines? What area? Will you be attending the dedication of my grandfather’s home? I wish I could attend. I would love to have photos or a video clip of the event. Lolo was very special to me. A friend was frequenting Manila on business and was kind enough to take flowers to Lolo’s mausoleum and to the Paredes’ mausoleum where my father is interred. He also sent me photos and I have to admit I was very hurt by the conditions of their final resting places.
I look forward to hearing from you again, Dr. Leo.
Victoria Paredes-Orton
Posted by Victoria Paredes-Orton | February 21, 2013, 2:14 pmSana di tayo paapektuhan sa mga negatibong pag-iisip ng iba dyan, tama kayo, may mga taong madamot mag-appreciate sa mga magagandang nagawa ng kapwa. Palibhasa, may ginagawa din namang mali kasi NOBODY is perfect. Congratulations sa ating lahat sa Abra dahil sa Don Quintin Paredes Historical Site. . .
Posted by Kasandra | February 8, 2013, 12:20 amkudos to us abrenians, one thing to be proud of regardless of many predicament events in our province ..
Posted by crusnik deneuve | February 8, 2013, 12:24 amABRENIANS:..
Our story is of great importance to our Kababayans as it revolves around two events that took placed in the municipality of Bangued that expand several years apart.
1. The Residence of Don Quintin Paredes being groomed as Historical site by the Congress of the Philippines.
2. Also the Paredes Residence where ‘CION” was employed as a maid by the Paredes Family…
who became a “MEDIUM” maloganan (Ilocano Dialect) of the SPIRIT-WORLD.
To be continued:..
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | February 11, 2013, 12:04 pmTO VICTORIA PAREDES ORTON, posting of Feb. 21, 2013:..
My knowledge of the Paredes of BANGUED is limited.
Allow me to tell you about myself…I am a NATIVE of ABRA, born in BANGUED.
I came to the USA as a physician in the early 1950′ to get more training in surgery. Got married here and raised a family.
I’ll invoked the help of a “TIME MACHINE (T.M.)” to clearly visualize the past…
The ‘T.M.’ shall take us back to the years…. 1936- 37- 38- 40. WWII…1941 to 1945.
I was very young then when I frequented the Paredes residence. Being the youngest child of Don Mariano Tuason friend of Don Quintin Paredes, I have had many visits to the Paredes Residence. I have come to know several people in the household… two ‘spinster’ sisters of Don. QUINTIN… by the name of ISIDRA ‘IDDANG’, the name of the other sister escapes my memory.
There were two sisters, by the names of IDA AND VOLET. Both daugthers of Don Martin were left under the care of the two SPINSTERS SISTERS after he (Don Martin) died earlier.
Ida married Dr. Ceasrar Valera and Volet married to Atty. Jose ‘Pepito’ Valera.
VOLET and PEPITO are the parents of Former GOv. VIcente ‘VICSYD’ Valera of the province of ABRA.
Two sons of Don Quintin who came to Bangued during ELECTION TIME were…
1. Ex- Congressman LUCAS ‘CASING’ PAREDES.
2. Atty. ANTONIO ‘TONY’ PAREDES.
Don Quintin Visited Bangued and stayed at the Paredes Residence. But his main home is in MANILA where his extensive ‘MEMORABILIA’ is located.
To be continued:.>>> Next is the “SPIRIT WORLD of CION “.
Posted by ' | February 21, 2013, 9:21 pmCONTINUM:..
Historians relies on two ways of obtaining KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of how “HISTORY IS
WRITTEN”….(AN EXCERPT TAKEN FROM THE BERSAMIN-TUASON-VILLAMOR Genealogy Book Written by
Dr. Leo Tuason).
1. Historical events rest for its facts upon written records by people who either lived at the time so near to them or witness to the event.
2. Other historians reads and accept all contemporary records but also compare one account with another, weighing all that he can find, making due allowance for prejudice, and on his own part trying to reach a conclusion that shall be true.
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | February 12, 2013, 3:35 amDon Quintin Paredes has been a puzzle to me. Let us follow the HISTORIAN No.2 listed above.
PREMISE:.. basis of arguments.
1. My father Don Nariano Tuason was of the same age as Don Q.
2. My father was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
3. Don Q. was of Spanish Heritage…
4. The was a time that the municipality
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | February 13, 2013, 9:25 amDon Quintin Paredes has been a puzzle to me. WHO WAS HE BEFORE HE BECAME FAMOUS IN LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE CONGRESS.
Let us follow the HISTORIAN No.2 listed above.
PREMISE:.. basis of arguments.
1. My father Don Mariano Tuason was of the same age as Don Q.
2. My father was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
3. Don Q. was of Spanish Heritage…
4. There was a time when the municipality of CANDON, several kilometers south of Vigan (the most suffisticated advanced commercial community, “aciento de Governacion” THE SEAT OF THE RULING Spanish Government).
5. CANDON AND VICINITY WAS THE “HUB” OF SPANISH COMMUNITY, the residence of pure Spanish blood and mixed Spanish-Filipino blood or ‘mestizo’.
6. Pure Conjecture on my part… Don Q. was born in Candon or nearby, for his advance education, his parents sent him to Vigan. At Vigan, it is possible that Don Q. got acquainted as student with my father Don. Mariano, they became past friends. Don. Q. was sent by his parents to Manila to continue his higher education… He became a Lawyer.
As a Lawyer, he established his practice in Manila.
To be continued:… DR. Leo
Posted by Dr. Leo Tuason | February 13, 2013, 8:51 amADDENDUM:.. to Victoria Paredes Orton posting on Feb. 21, 2013.
My father Don Mariano Tuason, might have known your father Victorino Paredes. My father died in 1940.
I’m not able to attend the dedication of the Bangued Paredes Residence. However, I’ll give a name, who could give you information or video tape of the ‘dedication ceremony’
your relative… Mrs. Volet Paredes Valera, her address: Bangued, Abra, Philippines.
If you have time to read my previous postings as shown above, please do so.
Dr. Leo
Posted by ' | February 22, 2013, 8:09 pmTO VICTORIA PAREDES ORTON:..
Historians relies on two ways to acquire knowledge or understanding on how “HISTORY IS
WRITTEN”.
To be continued:..
Posted by ' | February 24, 2013, 8:52 pm