Are you ready for an extraordinary adventure? Want to have a ride? Pack your things, dress up, and get ready to explore an effortless beauty of nature. A breathtaking town covered with gifts of nature such as serene beaches, abundant forests, and rich heritage. This humble town is one of La Union’s superb pride. Here we are, San Juan!
An international surfer once said, “Surfing is the most blissful experience you can have on this planet, a taste of heaven.” No wonder many people aim to experience the thrilling waves in the Surfing Capital of the North for bonding, picnics and unwind moments. It is not just known to local surfers but it’s also recognized in the world surfing circuit. With the fifth-longest coastline on the planet, it is being looked up into as one of the famous surfing areas for almost 10 years, a thought for the San Juaneros to be proud of. It has consistent surf breaks and boasts beautiful white beaches. Local and international surfers visit the town to participate in some of the much-awaited surfing competition of the year.
Another pride of San Juan is the pottery industry which highlights the creativity and artistry of the natives. If you would travel up north, you would right away be captivated by the magnificent pots displayed along the narrow borders of San Juan, La Union, particularly in Barangay Taboc. San Juan products range from the famous “dalikan” or the traditional cooking stove, bricks, jars, and other earthenware products of varied sizes and designs. Just like any other work of art, pottery making does not only draw out more of a person’s artistry, but it also helps him pattern and nurture a legacy that would live on and on. A living legacy that even a hundred years could not eradicate its aesthetic influence not only in the province but also in the whole nation.
Let us also take a look at some of the ancestral treasures of San Juan. The old lighthouse which is a relic of the Spanish Era still stands though it has been withered through the times. This is a standing witness of how San Juan had grown into a well-developed town through the years that passed. The local government takes an effort to restore the house to its original form to attract more people and tourists. San Juan is usually rich with ancient historical structures such as the Museo de San Juan, Saint John the Baptist Church, and the Municipal Building which seem to have been built during the Spanish years because they were Spanish era inspired. The ancient Acacia trees that surround the town plaza also give life especially on the façade of the municipal buildings.
Do you want to take your loved ones to special places but short with your budget? Don’t worry because San Juan makes it real for you. You can tour them to the famous Amparo Park. You can buy your snacks, lay mats on the Bermuda grasses which cloth the grounds green, and play soft music. I bet this is more romantic than being in a luxurious restaurant. The Mini Lake is also a real attraction especially to kids because tilapia fingerlings add spice to it making the kids frantic trying to catch them.
At last, after a long day of strolling, we can rest, satisfy our tummies, and meditate for a while. Just search for Kahuna, Puerto de San Juan, Isla Bonita, Final Option, and Awesome Hotel because any will do. These are high-class beach resorts and hotels which offer choice cottages, cabins, and family rooms. Anyone can stroll around and recharge the mind or refresh the soul. The landscape around the hotels would even be so relaxing; you could free your mind and just enjoy life.
San Juan does not only possess beautiful places and destinations; it is also rich with beautiful people inside and out. The natives exemplify the sense of hospitability and value unity and responsibility. During town fiestas, there would be friendly competitions to uplift the morale of the youth and to promote every town’s pride and products.
“Oh, San Juan, La Union, a blessed place. A gift to man from God.” As the hymn implies, this blessed town is truly a precious gift from God the Highest. That is why the natives are doing their best to flourish these gifts and return it all for the glory of God. It offers beauty in its own rights of beyond compare. It is a paradise in the north that is worth discovering. The rich culture and heritage of San Juan will always be there no matter how many generations would pass. We might not be here anymore in the next hundred years but San Juan assures its people that no matter what happens, it will remain and it will serve as the living conveyor of our greatness to the next generations to come. Are you ready to go home? Pack your things, dress up, and promise yourself that you’ll definitely come back to this splendid town in God’s perfect time. VIVA, SAN JUAN!
You really love your region :") I have no idea how to get to la union from manila but your place looks like a great place to stay for a while too