La Union - Pilgrimage Center Of North Luzon

This quiet province of the north famed itself as the apparition site of the Virgin Mary during the 1990’s. Until today, Marian devotees head toward the oldest town in La Union to celebrate the Lenten season. Aside from Agoo, the Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan in Luna and Ma Cho in San Fernando City have its own share of devotees as well.

More than pilgrims, La Union has attracted nature lovers as well as it offers its pristine beaches and cool waterfalls. Its beaches has drawn surfers because of this high waves, especially during November to February. La Union also has its share of the rich history of the country, especially during World War II.

Demographics

1. Population – 720, 972 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 1,493.1 sq. km
3. Capital – San Fernando City
4. Language/Dialect – Ilocano, Pangasinense, Ibaloi or Kankanaey, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (1)

• San Fernando City

Municipalities (19)

• Agoo
• Aringay
• Bacnotan
• Bagulin
• Balaoan
• Bangar
• Bauang
• Burgos
• Caba
• Luna
• Naguilian
• Pugo
• Rosario
• San Gabriel
• San Juan
• Sto. Tomas
• Santol
• Sudipen
• Tubao

Beaches
The province has several beaches, the most famous of which is Bauang Beach. Most beaches in La Union are white sand beaches.

Surfing at San Juan
Brgy. Urbiztondo in San Juan has year-round surfing waves. Waves here are good for budding surfers and professionals as well.

Agoo Basilica
This is the shrine of the miraculous Our Lady of Charity. With the stories of healing courtesy of Our Lady, the municipality has attracted Marian devotees worldwide.

Places of Interest...

Cultural

Museo de La Union
Location: San Fernando City, La Union
Tour Days: Monday - Friday
Tour Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
This museum found at the Provincial Capitol building displays archeological finds in La Union during the Pre-Spanish period.

Museo de Iloko
Location: Agoo, La Union
Tour Days: Monday - Friday
Tour Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
The old "presedencia" of Agoo houses artifacts and other pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocanos.

Historical

Bacsil Ridge
Location: San Fernando City, La Union
The ridge was the last bastion of the retreating Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

Wallace Air Station
Location: Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union
The 101-hectare base was utilized by the 848th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron to provide logistics and administrative support to other radar detachments. It was turned over to the Philippines last September 16, 1991, to be converted as a tourism and industrial estate

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Location: Poro Point Junction, San Fernando City, La Union
The marker was built in honor of the soldiers and guerillas who bravely fought the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II.

Battle of Baroro Bridge Marker
Location: Bacnotan, La Union
It commemorates the first victory of the Luzon guerillas from the Japanese forces before the arrival of the American Liberation Forces.

Baluarte Watchtower
Location: Luna, La Union
Built by the Spaniards along the shores of Luna, the watchtower was used to spot marauding Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates.

Centennial Tunnel
Location: Poblacion, Aringay, La Union
This 500-meter tunnel was made in 1913 during the American occupation. It was intended to be used for the trains of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) bound for Baguio City. It was later abandoned by the government when the war erupted. But according to locals, the tunnel already existed during the Spanish occupation; it was only during the American occupation was it developed and fortified.

Pindangan Ruins
Location: Brgy. San Vicente, San Fernando City, La Union The ruins it what was left of the church that was built here in 1764. Since the church was near the sea, it was a common victim of the Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates. Later on the church was destroyed and relocated to a farther site.

Man-made

Freedom Park / Heroes Hill
Location: RDC-NEDA Building, San Fernando City, La Union
Visitors can find the statue of Filipino heroes standing on the side of the stairway leading to the government office.

Poro Point Boardwalk
Location: Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union
The boardwalk offers a scenic view of the sea and the incoming cargo vessels. South of the point is a Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force detachment

La Union Medical Center (LUMC)
Location: San Fernando City, La Union
This medical establishment is a 2004 Gawad Galing Pook Awardee. From a charity hospital, LUMC is now a world class 100-bed medical center with 16 air-conditioned rooms and state of the art equipment, including CT scan, hemodialysis unit, and reagent/solution machine.

Natural

Bauang Beach
Location: Brgy. Baccuit – Pagdalagan, Bauang, La Union
The beach has fine grayish sand and several establishments providing accommodations and other amenities

La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden
Location: Sitio Japan, Cadaclan, San Fernando, La Union
The garden is divided into several smaller gardens, showcasing different types of plants. These are Shade Garden, Sunken Garden, Medicinal Garden, Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Evergreen Garden, Arid Paradise, Fragrance Garden, Fernery, and Palmery Garden

La Union Centennial Tree
Location: Carcarmay, Bacnotan, La Union
Found at the Carcarmay Community School, this 100-year old Acacia tree serves as the silent historian in the municipality.

San Juan Beach.
Location: Brgy. Urbiztondo – Ili Norte, San Juan, La Union
The beach is dotted with tourism-related establishments. The surf in the area is ideal for surfing during the months of November to February.

Tuddingan Falls
Location: Naguilian, La Union
Towering at a height of about 70 feet, the falls has a man-made pool-like base which makes it more tempting to swimmers, especially for those who love to make daring dives by jumping from its perfectly formed multi-layered rock strata.

Lon-oy Spring
Location: Brgy. Lon-oy – Bayabas, San Gabriel, La Union
With an area of approximately 10 hectares, it consists of numerous natural springs, three deep waterfalls and pristinely clear and invigoratingly cool waters.

Agoo – Damortis National Seashore Park
Location: Sta. Rita, Agoo – Damortis, Rosario
The beach stretching from the two municipalities has been declared as a National Park. It is currently being developed as a destination in the province.

Religious

Shrine of Our Lady of Charity Location: Agoo, La Union
Founded in 1578, it is the keeper of 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 or Holy Week.

Agoo Apparition Site
Location: Brgy. San Antonio, Agoo, La Union
This is the much publicized apparition site of the Virgin Mary. Until today, it continues to draw Marian devotees to pray to the Blessed Mother.

Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan
Location: Luna, La Union
Brought to La Union in 1871, the image of the Virgin Mary was supposed to be brought to Immaculate Conception Seminary in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. But due to several unexplainable circumstances, the locals and the Spaniards believed that the Virgin Mary has chosen Namacpacan, the old name of the town, to be Her sanctuary.

Ma Cho Temple
Location: Brgy. II, San Fernando City, La Union
The temple was built atop a hill on September 11, 1975 in honor of the Chinese deity Ma Cho. Devotees of the Virgin of Casaysay, found at the Basilica of Saint Martin in Taal, Batangas also visit the temple in the belied that they are one and the same.

Agoo Semana Santa
Place: Agoo, La Union
Date: Holy Week
In line with the celebration of the Lenten Season, locals pull out their life-sized statues depicting the Stations of the Cross and parade them during Good Friday.

Pinagdangan Festival
Place: San Fernando City, La Union
Date: March 20
Street dancing, trade fairs, beauty pageant, and other activities highlight the festival. The Pinagdangan commemorates the founding anniversary of San Fernando as a city.