La Union – Pilgrimage Center Of North Luzon

La Union

Description

La Union is renowned for the sea shore town of San Juan, the surfing capital on this side of North Luzon.

This region is an extraordinary spot to go for non-surfers and surfers the same. There is a whole other world to encounter here separated from its acclaimed surf. Also, there are many fascinating spots worth visiting in close by towns in the event that you need to wander outside of San Juan.

You can encounter a great deal in La Union, even on a short excursion!Three days is sufficient to visit most sights and attractions on this rundown. On the off chance that you just have two days, an end of the week trip, for instance, you can avoid a few things, yet at the same time have the option to encounter the features.

I adored that it was so natural to go in La Union. Arriving and around is advantageous as most towns are strategically placed along the interstate. Additionally, visit transports pass by the roadway to/from Manila, Vigan (Ilocos Sur), Laoag (Ilocos Norte) and Baguio. This is particularly valuable on the off chance that you need to pass by driving on open vehicle.

Situated on the northwestern coast of Luzon, La Union is the gateway to the Ilocos Region. With its strategic location, the province has become the business, education, and government center of the Ilocos. Not only is La Union the region’s center for trade but also of religious devotees who flock to one of the country’s popular pilgrimage destinations, especially during Lent.

Agoo, the oldest town of La Union, was once the site of the much-publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary. The Agoo Apparition Site in San Antonio has established the town as a destination of choice for Marian devotees. Agoo comes alive most on Semana Santa, or Holy Week, which is the week before Easter. Yearly, the townspeople bear witness to ardent devotees relentlessly pulling life-size statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross along the processional roads in Agoo during the Good Friday procession on Semana Santa.

But the province is not wanting of natural attractions, thanks to seascapes that make it a watersports paradise. The surf fronting Monaliza in Urbiztondo, San Juan is the best site for board surfing from November to February; other good sites are in Carlatan and Wallace in San Fernando. Scuba diving is ideal in Fagg Reef, which is adorned by sharks, barracuda, sea snakes, Moray eels, and other friendly sea creatures, and Research Reef, which is endowed with several tunnels, caverns, and crevices.

1. Surf in San Juan

La Union is home to nearest surfing spots from Manila. Aside from good swells, this is one of the reasons why it had become a popular destination for avid surfers and people who want to learn the sport. Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan is the most popular surfing spot and main tourist area. 

LA UNION

2. Halo Halo de Iloko

The food scene is exciting as well in San Fernando, the capital city of La Union. Getting there only takes 20 minutes, it’s a shame if you miss it. The most popular place to eat here is Halo Halo de Iloko, located along Zandueta Street. They sell Halo Halo with a tasty twist.

Try the Buko Halo Halo, Ginataan nga Halo Halo or Deep Fried Halo Halo. Try the Buko Halo Halo, Ginataan nga Halo Halo or Deep Fried Halo Halo. They also serve delicious Ilokano-fusion dishes. You might have to queue a bit before getting a table since the restaurant is almost always full. The wait is worth it.

La Union

3. Ma-Cho Temple

While you are in San Fernando, stop over at Ma-Cho Temple, a picturesque temple found on top a hill. It is a Taoist temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located on Quezon Avenue in Barangay II, San Fernando, La Union in the Philippines.

La Union

4. Luna Pebble Beach

On the beachfront of Bahay Na Bato, you can find the most beautiful pebble beach that remains in Luna. This section of the coastline is surrounded by vibrant blue waters and strong sea waves. 

La Union

5. Luna Church and Baluarte

Visit some of Luna’s remaining heritage sites. The St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, also called The Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan or Namacpacan Church, stands beside the town plaza.This Spanish-colonial church was built in 1690. It is one of the grandest churches in the province. It is listed as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. 

La Union

Geography

La Union is located in the southwestern part of Region I and stretches over a length of 102 kilometers from North to South between 120o16′ and 120o35′ longitude and 160o15′ latitude. It is bounded on the north by Ilocos Sur, on the south by Pangasinan, on the east by Benguet, and on the west by the China Sea.

It has a land area of 149,309 hectares with a predominantly hilly terrain that gradually rises eastward from the shore. Its irregular coastal plain is narrowest in Damortis, Sto. Tomas and widest in Balaoan. Its highest peak is in Bagulin with an elevation of 1,200 feet above sea level. The province has several rivers which are short and rapid.

Political Subdivisions

La Union has 19 municipalities and one component city, which are subdivided into 576 barangays. The northern towns of Sudipen, Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, San Juan, and San Fernando City comprise the First District. Belonging to the Second District are Bagulin, Naguilian, Burgos, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Tubao, Sto. Tomas, Rosario, and Pugo.

Climate

The climate condition prevailing in La Union is dry from November to April and wet from May to October. The southwest monsoon brings about the abundant rainfall experienced during the wet season. The relatively dry season is caused by the northeast monsoon passing over the Cordillera Mountains. The average temperature is 27.21°C.

Population

The population of the province in 2000 was 657,945. The population is concentrated in the coastal municipalities. The capital San Fernando, now a component city, registered the most with 102,082. The population count showed a 2.09% increase from the previous census in 1995.

Language / Dialect

Ilocano is the common dialect. The residents of the coastal barangay of Sto. Tomas and Rosario also speak Pangasinense while the cultural communities in the towns bordering the Cordillera speak Ibaloi or Kankanaey. English and Filipino remain as basic tools of instruction in schools.

Major Industries

Agriculture remains to be the primary industry. Cottage industries are blanket weaving, basketry, bamboo craft, pottery, and broom making. The commercial activity consists mostly of wholesale and retail business.

La Union History…

La Union was created by virtue of a “Superior Decreto” issued on March 2, 1850, by Governor-General Narciso Zaldua Claveria out of nine towns of Pangasinan, three of Ilocos Sur and settlements of the Eastern Pais del Igorots in the Cordilleras. Its creation as a province was formally approved by a Royal Decree issued by Queen Isabela of Spain on April 18, 1854.

From its inception as a province up to the Second World War, La Union experienced transformations in the socio-cultural and politico-economic aspects. After the War, rehabilitation and reconstruction were done, eventually propelling the province as the center of commerce and trade and the administrative center of Region I.

La Union Is Famous For…

Beaches

La Union’s favored beaches include Bauang Beach, the San Fernando beach area of San Francisco-Canaoay-Pagudpud, and San Juan Beach.

Surfing at San Juan

Urbiztondo, San Juan is known worldwide for its year-round surfing waves.

Grapple.

Grapes.

Baggak Festival

(Bauang; April 26 – 29).

Agoo Basilica

It enshrines the miraculous image of Our Lady of Charity. This imposing structure of Mexican-Baroque architecture is the venue of religious rites, foremost of which is the Semana Santa.

Agoo Museum

Museo de Iloko, the old “Presidencia” of Agoo, houses artifacts and other pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocanos.

Filipino-Chinese Pagoda

The Macho Temple at San Fernando is believed to be the only one built with five gates. It enshrines the image of the Virgin of Caysasay, the patroness of the Filipino-Chinese residents.

La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden

The 10-hectare botanical garden in Cadaclan features various themed gardens, picnic areas, a natural museum, and an aviary.

Things to Do and see in La Union…

Historical

Bacsil Ridge

Located 9 kilometers northeast of San Fernando town proper through the San Fernando-Bagulin Road, Bacsil Ridge was the last bastion of the retreating Japanese Imperial Army in the province. Later, the Ridge constituted the East Flank of the 121st Infantry of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP, NL) during the Liberation in 1945.

Wallace Air Station

These 101 hectares of base land located at the end of Poro Point in San Fernando were acquired in 1903 for the United States Cavalry. It was the home of the 848th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron which provided logistics and administrative support to other radar detachments under its chain of command. Formally turned-over by the United States to the Republic of the Philippines on September 16, 1991, the Bases Conversion Development Authority is overseeing the plans for the conversion of the area into prime tourism and industrial estate.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Built as a tribute to the heroism of the soldiers who fought during the last World War, the marker stands at the junction leading to the Poro Point.

Battle of San Fernando Marker

Situated at the northwestern portion of the Town Plaza, inscribed as an account of how the Battle was started and won, enabling the establishment of the United States Army Base at Poro Point, which was eventually used as a build-up area for the projected invasion of Japan. San Fernando is 264 kilometers north of Manila.

Luna Watchtower

This rotund structure built along the shore in Luna during the pre-Spanish time was used as a lookout point for impending attacks by pirates.

Baroro Bridge Marker

The siege of Baroro in Bacnotan started the operation to liberate San Fernando. This marked the first victory of the Luzon Guerillas over a Japanese armed unit before the American Liberation forces landed on Luzon. The marker stands at the southern approach of the bridge approximately 14 kilometers north of San Fernando.

USAFIP, NL Military Shrine, and Park

Camp Spencer, the general headquarters of the USAFIP, NL located along Darigayos Cove in Luna, is reserved as a Military Shrine and Park by virtue of Proclamation 590 signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on June 1, 1995. Darigayos is approximately 34.2 kilometers north of San Fernando accessible through the Bitalag Junction in Bacnotan or through Balaoan.

Cultural

Museo de La Union

Located at the Provincial Capitol ground in San Fernando, the Museum showcases archaeological finds in La Union during the pre-Spanish period. The Museum is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday visit is by arrangement.

Pottery-making

Clay products are on display and produced in Taboc, San Juan utilizing the same age-old procedure in pottery-making. Taboc is about 9 kilometers away from San Fernando City.

Blanket-weaving

This age-old practice of weaving wider Ilocano blankets is a prime home industry in Bangar. Rayon, cotton and polyester combination, and the “tinagudan” are yarns used in the weaving of blankets and other products.

Basi-making

Basi, the Ilocano native wine concocted from sugar cane juice and bark of “duhat” tree for the coloring, is a home industry in Lioac, Naguilian. Utilizing the age-old process, the taste of the basi differs from one producer to another.

Museo de Iloko

The old “Presidencia” of Agoo houses artifacts and other pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocanos. The Museum is open from Monday to Friday at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday visit is by arrangement.

Natural

Bauang Beach

Lined along the fine grayish sand of Bauang Beach from Baccuit to Pagdalagan are establishments providing accommodation and other amenities. The beach is 6 kilometers south of San Fernando.

San Francisco-Canaoay-Pagudpud Beach

Tourism-related establishments dot the beach area in San Fernando.

San Juan Beach

Approximately 8 kilometers north of San Fernando, the beach stretching from Urbiztondo to Ili Norte is dotted with tourism-related establishments. The surf in the area is ideal for amateur surfing during the months of November to February.

Agoo-Damortis National Seashore Park

Declared as a National Park, the beach stretching from Sta. Rita, Agoo up to Damortis, Rosario is proposed for development as a tourist destination in La Union.

Religious

Shrine of Our Lady of Charity

The Agoo Basilica enshrines the miraculous image of Our Lady of Charity. This imposing structure of Mexican-Baroque architecture is the venue of religious rites, foremost of which is the Semana Santa.

Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan

The century-old church of St. Catherine in Luna, formerly called Namacpacan, houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Namacpacan, patroness of Ilocano travelers. The shrine is located at the town proper of Luna, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of San Fernando.

Agoo Apparition Site

The much-publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary in San Antonio have established Agoo as a destination of Marian devotees.

Macho Temple

This Chinese temple believed to be the only one built with five gates sits on a promontory north of the town proper of San Fernando and overlooks the San Fernando Bay. The temple enshrines the image of the Virgin of Caysasay, the patroness of the Filipino-Chinese residents.

Man-Made

La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden

Located in Sitio Japan, Cadaclan, San Fernando, La Union. Showcased are the following: Shade Garden, Sunken Garden, Medicinal Garden, Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Evergreen Garden, Arid Paradise, Fragrance Garden, Fernery and Palmery.

Festivals

Agoo Semana Santa

In the oldest town of La Union, the life-size statues depicting the Stations of the Cross are pulled by devotees along the processional roads during the Good Friday procession. During the Holy Week, the town people of Agoo come up with religious activities to make the occasion more meaningful and sacred.

Feast of Our Lady of Caysasay

Annual activity in La Union held every December. Sports activities, beauty contests, and painting contests are among the featured event’s visitors enjoy. It is also a time to give importance to Filipino balikbayans through free tours and a balikbayan night.

San Fernando City Fiesta

The city of San Fernando is the center of festivities on February 6 to 12 to honor St. William, the Hermit.

Rambak

The upland municipality of Bagulin offers trails and sites for trekking. Its terrain is predominantly hilly and mountainous with second-growth forests and traversed by the winding Bagulin-Naguilian River. One passes through geological formations, scenic spots and some areas which are being threatened by environmental degradation. Trekking time starts in October. Other sites recommended for trekking activities are the Bebeco, Condura and Dacanay Reforestation in Sto. Tomas, Rosario, and Pugo, respectively.

Special Interest

Surfing

The surf fronting Monaliza in Urbiztondo, San Juan is the best site for board surfing from November to February. Surfboards can be hired at the Surf Camp nearby. Other recommended sites are in Carlatan and Wallace in San Fernando.

Trekking

The large flat reef at 40 feet with sharp drop-offs to the north and west sides characterize the Fagg Reef located at 330 degrees, approximately 2 miles from the tip of Poro Point. The best area is to the north, drop in and drift with the current to the north where the coral heads are big enough for 10 divers to crawl under. Sharks, barracuda, sea snakes, Moray eels, and other friendly sea creatures adorn the area where visibility is excellent most of the time.

Scuba Diving Fagg Reef

Scuba Diving Research Reef

Adjacent to the Bauang Beach, the Research Reef has several tunnels, caverns, and crevices. Beginners must beware of narrow caverns that extend quite far.