San Fernando City and La Union Province

[ergit222]

Discover BLUE HEAVEN La Union, Philippines
- Mellow & Relaxing, for Longboard Surfers -
text by Hiroshi Yokohama

There is a place up north of Manila where you can relax and have all the peace and quiet in this world. If you love the sun, sand and sea, this spot is perfect for you. If you know how to surf, we've just rediscovered heaven.



La Union, one of the premiere and oldest surf spots in the Philippines, is fast shaping up to be the next surfing Mecca in this part of Asia. La Union's surfing history dates back late in the 1970s when the Americans were stationed in the different U.S. bases like Subic, Camp John Hay & Wallace air base. During their leisure hours, the big beach boys of America would often hang out in the beaches of this province and were the first ones who discovered the surf. Soon, word spread out like wildfire to every American serviceman, especially those who loved to surf. To the young locals back then who watched these big "kids" ride, the sport of surfing was something new. Little by little, people came to appreciate and "feel" the passion and sense of freedom of the sport.



After the discovery of Cloud 9, foreign surfers shifted to Siargao and most of the surfing spots declined, especially places like Puraran with its well-known Majestic, in Catanduanes island. Nobody goes there anymore except for some few freak surfers.But La Union's beauty could not just be ignored. Still, many foreign surfers, most especially longboarders, really have come to love the place.

It was about five years ago when I first surfed in La Union. I used to be the only surfer who carried a 9ft. surfboard back then. Nowadays, many longboarders frequent the place. We have just concluded recently and for the first time a longboard competition, and the main organizers of the event were all longboard freaks who loved to surf in La Union.



In my years as a surfer and with the other places I have been throughout the world, I would affirm that La Union is the best surf spot for longboard surfing in the Philippines and the quality of the wave is world-class. Most of the other surf points are shallow reef breaks and the hollow waves are really challenging. Compared to other spots, surfing in La Union is easier and more relaxing.

Adding to that, there is more to this place's waves that keeps people coming back. I think it is in the atmosphere, wind, air and the warm people of La Union. San Juan town, just minutes away from San Fernando City, is a mellow, easy, peaceful and comfortable place. The main surf point here is Monaliza Point. I have found this place very safe, and I usually sleep in the beach and watch the stars until the break of dawn.


Hanging loose popular actor Jericho Rosales (left) is a surfing regular in San Juan La Union.

This place brings us back in time to the atmosphere of the 1950s, in the north shore of Hawaii. In those days, the pioneer surfers from California went to surf and surfed and surfed. In La Union, you can do that, too.

Peter Drouyn, a legendary Australian master surfer in the 1970s, has been attracted to this kind of atmosphere La Union brings. He even bought an island together with his friend Bryan, and named it Drouyn Island. Of course, the island had excellent waves, too.


Presidential daughter Ms. Luli Arroyo (3rd from left) with surfing friends in San Juan La Union and La Union's great surfer Luc Landrigan (wearing light blue t-shirt) is Ms. Luli's regular surfing instructor.

Dick Hoole, another Australian and one of the most famous surfing filmakers, (Hoole/McCoy Films), is now a regular and he frequently takes pictures and videos of the place. His famous movies include "Stormriders" in 1982 and "Tubular Swells" in 1976. (Dick is a quiet and mellow person, a very nice guy. Once, he got my video camera and took shots of me while I was riding. For someone of Dick's caliber, that was quite an opportunity. Thanks, Dick.)

Monaliza point's waves look like Malibu, even with small swells. The quality of the wave is also like Malibu. From one to four feet breaks. The Surfer magazine was quoted as it described..., "The Monaliza point in La Union is one of the premier spots in the Philippines. It catches swells like a giant magnet, good power on winter north swells with jacking peaks, long walls and an inside bowl, all rights. There is a growing number of local surfers in this area between Monaliza's and Bacnotan is a long beach with some breaks over sand bars, best for beginners."

This spot is available all year round. Best season is from the end of October to the end of January. In the peak season, the waves get to 3 to 5 feet or close out. When this point closes out, our favorite point alternative starts to break. Just minutes away from Monalisa, Car-rille, becomes our secret point. We call it our "1 km. point." Everybody really waits for this point to break, because when it starts to break you can have a long ride, at least 500 meters, if you are good. During such time, Car-rille's waves could be compared to those of Rincon, one of the classic points in California. Do you think I am exaggerating? Come and see the waves for yourself.


Not only the waves but also the babes

http://www.yokohamasurf.com.ph/

MORE GREAT SURFING ACTION SHOTS HERE >> http://surfsebay.allhyper.com/psf_su...ional_2005.htm

[ergit222]

BY SANDRA DIEZ

One can only hope that when we have passed on from this life, our meanderings end, and whatever is left of our physical selves is left to rest forever.

In some circumstances, however, depending on the whim of our loved ones – or twists of fate – our remains can continue to rove from place to place, and perhaps even affect the living in profound ways.

Such was the fate of four ancient Kankana-eys. In 1940, their skeletons were discovered by George Lictao and removed from their resting place in Kidlap Cave in the mountain village of Kambali in Bagulin, La Union. In 1978, the skeletons were turned over to the Philippine Tourism Authority who gave them to the provincial government for safekeeping.

Only recently were the skeletons finally brought home, thanks to the efforts of La Union Governor Victor Ortega and his wife, San Fernando Mayor Mary Jane Ortega.

At the Museo de La Union where the remains were held in display cubicles for over 20 years, Kankana-ey elders from Bagulin performed a sinitsit, a tribal ritual honoring the dead, and proceeded to carefully transfer into a wodden box the 400-year-old bones, together with other precious artifacts like spears, pottery, plates, amulets, and a native musical instrument called a pew-pew. A six-by-six truck then hauled the precious cargo over rough roads to the remote village of Bagulin, a half hour away from the provincial capital.

With all the villagers in attendance, the historical return was celebrated with a cañao, a traditional feast wherein two pigs and a pregnant carabao where slaughtered as offerings. George’s son Jason, who is now municipal secretary, says that since the skeletons were taken, the local community was said to experience a string of ill fortune like drought and crop damage. It is hoped that with the homecoming, the villagers can now look forward to good harvests, and the spirits of their ancestors can finally rest in peace.

As the journey of the Kankana-ey skeletons ended, guests and media from Manila were taken on a spiritual tour of sorts around La Union and its environs to see what the province has to offer.

The City of San Fernando is known as the botanical city of the north and the springboard to regional progress.

The 20 hectares of rolling hills is divided into pocket gardens together with a mini zoo. The pocket gardens and its collection of plants complete with scientific names are grouped according to themes: Japanese garden, the Mexico garden, the herbal, cactus paradise, fernery, sunken garden, fragrance garden, an orchidarium and other variety of fern, palm, flowering plants and fruit bearing trees. A butterfly sanctuary and catalog of plant information makes it a place for research for students from different universities and colleges as far as Pampanga aside from having a place to commune with nature at a low fee of 10 and 5 pesos.

This garden park was a project of then lawmaker Governor Ortega, (the late) former Governor Justo O. Orros, Jr. and former Mayor now Congressman Manuel C. Ortega.

The Botanical garden was a project of Mayor Mary Jane Ortega when she was still and NGO together with Dr. Romualdo del Rosario, the head of the Botany Division of the National Museum. Conceived in December 1994, the Botanical Garden was underway on March 1995 funded through the Coutryside Development Fund of the then Congressman Victor F. Ortega. The garden was opened to the public on March 2, 1996.

A counterpart of the Botanical Garden is the eight hectare sanitary landfill of the city. It is a controlled dumpsite, where the garbage is covered daily after the recyclables are recovered by secondary waste pickers. After a two week study tour in the United States hosted by the USAID-Asian Environment Program, Mayor Ortega was supported by USAID and the World Bank in organizing the Solid Waste management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP). It has conducted training in solid management that gave the name of "Basura Queen" because of the success of the project. Mayor Ortega has planted Ilang-Ilang trees, Champacas and several decorative plants in order to make the visit a pleasurable one.

Pindangan Ruins is located at Brgy. San Vicente, San Fernando City, La Union, about 500 meters from the national highway, near Camp Oscar Florendo, the Regional Headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The original name of San Fernando, Pindangan in the Ilocano dialect means a place where meat is sun dried with salt for preservation. Because of the place’s abundant dried meat, the place was called Pindangan.

The church’s huge buttresses still stand today with its wide windows for better ventilation and view from inside. To centralize and start its evangelization in the area, the Frayles Francisco Romero and Santiago Holarte built a church made of stone thatch at the present site in 1764. Because of its proximity to the sea however, there were numerous raids by Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates that usually loot the coastal areas of La Union. To solve the problem, the Spanish clergy decided to transfer the church to Brgy. Tanqui then to Brgy. Cabaroan and afterwards to its present site in front of the City Auditorium.



Today, the ruins’ buttresses and walls are still standing. An old well which supplied the area with cool water through the centuries, can still be found at the side of the church. Made of corals and bricks, the enchanting well is still in good condition. The Carmelite Sisters, whose monastery stands behind the ruins, are the caretakers of the glorious landmark.

If Boracay is famous for its white sand beaches the town of Luna, is famous for its colorful and fine pebble stones of various sizes and shapes. Named after the heroic Luna brothers, the town has not only provided pebble stones in the country but in abroad as well. What is fascinating is that although generations of stone pickers in the area have constantly harvested the shore’s treasures, including the large scale quarrying the 1980s, the supply of the stones seems to be endless.



It is believed that the stones are gifts from the miraculous "Lady of Namacpacan" to the faithful people of Luna as a source of living and as an alternative to fishing which had claimed countless lives of the brave fishermen of Luna. One of its most famous stone pickers who became very controversial in the 1990s is the much fabled track star Nancy Navalta. According to the locals, one of Nancy’s secret for being a fast runner is the Luna Beaches, where she practiced during her elementary and high school days. Also on the beach of Luna stands a watchtower built by the Spaniards as a watch tower for marauding Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates. Today, the baluarte is almost in ruins, vertically cut in two because of erosion. It still stands as if watching its industrious stone pickers try to earn a meager income.

Situated at the center of the aged town of Agoo, the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity has stood for scores of centuries now as one of the long venerated configurations of the Virgin in the Philippines.

It was founded in 1578 when two zealous Franciscan priests, Fray John Baptist Lucarelli of Pesaro, Italy and Fray Sebastian de San Francisco of Baesa, Spain on the time they got in the country for their evangelical mission. The settlement of the Franciscan Order opened the doors to Agoo’s embrace to God’s supremacy over mankind, making the town the first point of contact with Christianity for the Southern Ilocos region.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec06/trav1.htm

[ergit222]

To inspire people to change their communities, they need to hear the stories of these local executives—again.

By Miriam Grace A. Go

If David Osborne and Ted Gaebler were to write a Philippine edition of Reinventing Government, the bible of innovative and entrepreneurial public administrators, more than half of the cases they will cite will come from the governor and mayors that we have in this issue. The rest will be provided by the emerging leaders from the countryside who, we’d like to think, had been inspired by what these pioneers have achieved.

Let’s not say we’ve heard enough of Josie dela Cruz, Jesse Robredo, Sonny Belmonte, Mary Jane Ortega, Francis Tolentino, and Rudy Duterte. If this country is to move forward, then the push will come from the local governments. If the people are to be inspired to do something for their community, then they will have to look up to the leaders closest to them. If we are to prove that such inspiring leaders are not rare or are flashes in the pan, then we will have to tell the stories of these six again and again.

What made the Outstanding 6 excel? We see from their stories that from the beginning, each of them had honest intentions: to serve and change things for the better. The intentions resulted in management plans and strategies that would be the envy of corporate executives. And what’s reassuring is that they’ve entrenched their most successful programs that their successors would be left with no choice but to sustain them.

How did they not lose sight after several elections and countless recognitions? Clearly, they’ve nurtured those honest intentions.

A lot of people are asking if these model local executives would care to carry to the Senate their good intentions, real intelligence, sensible methods, even their stubbornness on what they know is best. With the polls a year away, and with most of them reaching the constitutional limit on reelection, they are asked this question with increasing frequency.

They haven’t decided on higher office, they say. They are the type, however, who would know what do—and will do it—once they are there.

http://www.newsbreak.com.ph/newsbreak/story.asp?ID=123

[jadebench]

Museu de Iloko, Agoo
once a Presidencia/President's resthouse next to the famous Baguio Mansion


The Arko


Agoo bird's eye view with the famous fountain and tree house of Imelda garden dedicated to former First Lady

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by jadebench

The Arko

Then

Now

@jadebench, actually the 1st photo is the Agoo Museo located just across the Agoo Basilica and Agoo Civic Center. I guess these Agoo photos were taken during the early 1980's.

[ergit222]

Lorma Medical Center has been at the forefront of providing quality medical care since its founding in 1933. From a small wooden clinic, the institution has grown both in size and capabilities over the years. The hospital's hallmark for the past seven decades has been one of service. The patient has come first at Lorma, and no needy patients have ever been refused care due to financial problems.

Through the years, the hospital has gradually built up its services, employee skills, equipment and medical staff. So that today, it offers complete services at par with that found in other medical centers.

Those patients needing treatment no longer have to travel to Manila for excellent medical care.

The doctors and nurses keep abreast of the latest advances in medical science by attending scientific conferences, observing at other hospitals here and abroad, and reading new books and journals in all branches of medicine. The nursing service and other units of the hospital are also being continually improved.

Lorma has an outreach program that provides charity medical services to the outlying barrios. The LORMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, operational in 1986, provides health care, income generating, educational and development assistance to the rural communities of La Union. This program is funded by the Lorma, foreign donors and by civic minded individuals from the Ilocos Region.



The hospital is now a modern 136-bed general hospital with about 180 hospital workers; 2.9 workers for every patient on average. It IS accredited by the Employees' Compensation Commission and the Philippine Medicare Association and licensed for tertiary (the highest) level of services by the Ministry of Health. The hospital is departmentalized containing separate rooms and wards for surgical and medical cases. In 1970, it was adjudged as the Most Outstanding in the Philippines in Community Service.

Services covered include Special and General. Surgery, Neuro-surgery , Cancer treatment, Obstetrics, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Children s Diseases, Well-Baby Clinic, Family Planning, Blood, Heart and Lung Diseases, (X-ray), Anesthesiology, EENT. Diseases, Psychiatry, Respiratory Therapy, Dermatology, Neurology, Dentistry Family Medicine.

Clinical services and facilities include modem air-conditioned operating rooms for abdominal, cancer, orthopedic, urology, and neurosurgery, plastic and chest surgery, and operative gynecology and obstetrics.
Lorma has a modem Central Supply Unit wherein hospital equipment are sterilized. Needles and syringes
are all properly disposed to prevent cross infections. It has several electrocardiographs, a Pulsar portable
Cardio-resuscitation system consisting of a defibrillator. Recent new equipment purchases include 5 cardiac
monitors, a volume ventilator, and a very powerful electro-cautery machine for urinary and other surgical procedures.
The hospital has acquired in 1997 a powerful General Electric X-ray machine. This unit has an image intensifier, television monitor, spot film device, a motorized electric table and an automatic cassette changer. This 1000 MA unit is the only one of its kind outside of Manila. It is able to perform the most complicated of procedures. Also since it is so strong, the amount of radiation dose is greatly lessened. Very special diagnostic procedures such as angiograrns are now possible.

Lorma’s nursery staff is on duty 24 hours a day. This department is also divided. Into a main nursery, a premature nursery, a suspect nursery, and a nursery for boarders. It has several modem electric incubators for premature babies. There is a separate air-conditioned delivery room attached to the OR department.

The laboratory has 5. ful1-time medical technologists and facilities for routine and special examinations for blood, urine, stool and other specimens including some highly sophisticated examinations that are not commonly available. In June 1980, Lorma established the first pathology department in the Ilocos Region. Now histopath specimens can be examined immediately without the need to send them to Manila. The pathologist, who visits the hospital, consults with the patient's doctor to discuss difficult cases. Also, for the first time in the area, PAP smear exams can be done on site to detect cervical cancer in women…. Another major equipment acquired by the laboratory department is a blood gas analyzer. This is useful in the treatment of serious patients, and is unique in Northern Luzon. The hospital also does a complete line of test for cancer, thyroid disorders and other specialty exams not usually found in other hospitals.

Another new piece of equipment at Lorma is the ULTRASOUND Radiology SCANNING MACHINE. This unit is employed in diagnostic tests of the upper abdomen, the heart and obstetric and gynecological cases. This unit is the only one in the area fully capable of doing highly professional. Echo-.cardiography exams,. including color studies. The hospital operates an EEG unit This is used to diagnose injuries or other impairments to the brain. It is one of the few units outside of Manila. The hospital recently acquired a GASTROINTESTINAL .FIBERS.COPE (GASTROSCOPE) the newest fiber-optic instrument for the diagnosis and treatment of most diseases of the esophagus, stomach and small Intestine for in and out-patients. The only unit available in the province and in the Ilocos.

The hospital's INTENSIVE CARE/CORONARY CARE UNITS were brought on line several years ago. It has the most modem, up-to-date treatment facilities for patients suffering from heart and other serious illnesses. It contains modem equipment such as a piped-in oxygen supply to assure a continuous flow of pure oxygen, piped-in automatic suction units with regulators, heart monitors, emergency crash cart and doctor call system to meet respiratory and cardiac emergencies, a volume ventilator, a defibrillator, 3 respirators, and a thermal draining unit. Highly skilled and specially trained nurses are assigned at a central station, with a view to all beds, are there to assist in the needs of the patients. Recently installed is the HTS 220 Central Station/Portable Telemetry Monitor -the most modern unit in evaluating critically-ill patients.

Fully air-conditioned with a sound-proof environment, the lCU composed of a - 2-bed cardiac ward, 2 private rooms, an ICU ward and 3 recovery room beds. All beds are the intensive-care type, each of which can be placed in 12 different positions depending upon the patient's medical requirement. Since patients in this area require more rest and quiet atmosphere, only one watcher is allowed for ward patients and two for private rooms at the same time, and visiting hours have to be strictly followed, which are 10- 11 :30 a.m. and 3 -5 p.m.

A modern Computerized Tomography machine is located in the hospital. It produces excellent images of the brain and other internal organs. It is very usefully to the medical staff for diagnostic purposes. Patients come from areas as far away as Laoag and Baguio.

The hospital's OPD SURGICAL UNIT was opened a few years ago to provide a less expensive, faster, and more convenient way to have minor surgeries. The unit is air-conditioned and is fully equipped for such procedures.

Other hospital facilities include a pharmacy, business office, an out-patient department which provides a television set which we either show films or regular TV program for patients and their companions while waiting for their turn, separate emergency room, patient companions' kitchen, hospital chapel, dietary department, library and medical records department, a maintenance and transportation department, physical therapy, Chaplaincy and Patient Relations.


The new building annex houses an emergency room that is 3 times the current size, 17 new doctor’s offices, 15 additional private rooms, a new elevator, additional parking and a heliport.

[ergit222]

(text by Hans, a German national)


Foreigners from different countries gather for a "hash" event in La Union
http://www.sflu.com/luh3/index.html

The Philippines is a country with some 7100+ islands and islets - with hundreds of totally different provinces - from very remote and nature, wilderness and jungle surrounded to high life cities with 24 hrs of full activities and hot life going on year round - you find all - mountains and mountain regions with up to 2900 meter above sea level - high altitude cities - such as Baguio City approximately 1600 meters above sea level - to remote beaches where you may be the only person within sight - all is available. Jungle or city - nature or high tech - and in some areas even an exotic blend of all above within just a few dozen kilometers.

La Union is one of many such living areas with thousands of foreigners from many European countries, Australia and USA / Canada. The reasons are obvious. Housing directly on the beach for below 200 US $ a months, all infrastructure you need for a happy life, including

• communication by cell phone, land line phone, Internet, mail, bus, and car
• recreational activities such as bowling, tennis, billiard, dancing, videoke ( karaoke + video ), surfing, limited sailing and windsurfing, as well as other activities are very affordable and regularly offered to all
• many hundreds of foreigners from many countries within a few kms around you to instantly get in touch and exchange information as well as to have new friends
• many resort hotels offering special rates for monthly or longer - even permanent residents to give you an instant home away from home at a rate you easily can afford at least during the first many weeks or months - may be even on a permanent basis - but at least while you are looking for a permanent home or housing and getting settled down. Such fares may vary from resort to resort but start at about US $ 200 per month - in some resorts even including a kitchen. The upper limit of monthly rates - including kitchen - inside well maintained resort hotels is in the range of US $ 600 per month seldom higher

Hence you select for your initial stay a location within the country - within the Philippines - that allows you to gather additional information easily, to meet other foreigners and exchange information and learn from other's experiences. A location that allows you to have easy access in any whether condition to airport and national / international transportations, authorities and needed resources to settle down.

The region of Bauang to San Fernando La Union is one such ideal area to accommodate foreigners for an initial visit. It offers all the logistic to travel and access all parts of the country easily - while offering sufficient large number of accommodation free year round even without any advance reservation. In addition you find many foreigners already settled down here - since years or decades - because some of them found THIS to be their best place in country.

Your first home should allow you easy access to many other people - foreigners and local nationals to gather information and get a clear picture of what to expect and how the real daily life conditions will be for you. Hence it best be a resort hotel that has local and foreign guests and is a meeting point for resident foreigners as well.

Being and feeling welcome and taken care of, as well meeting year round many visitors, local guests and many foreigners coming since years for weeks or many months at a time - again and again - as well as meeting some of the foreigners living here in this area is very easy at Beach Resorts between Bauang and San Fernando La Union - Philippines. With many other places within walking distance and dozens of houses for rent all in easy walking distance or within a few minutes by local public transportation along the high way from Bauang to La Union. Some 10 km of beach from Bauang to San Fernando La Union give you plenty of beach and water to enjoy - for a walk, swim day and night or other wet pleasures!

After your initial visit - with some easy trips country side to some of the beautiful islands - you then may be able to make up your mind - select your place - rest another few months there as a guest and if you love that place - settle down. Keep in mind - when retiring from your work and enjoying your pension - there is no need to hurry, you start a new chapter of your life, a new content of life, new environment and new goal with new friends. Take your time, enjoy your well earned freedom and learn to be happy.

[ergit222]

By Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union -- It gives hope to the people that things will get better as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and most local government executives in the provinces remain focused in the development programs of the government even as the political pot continue to boil because of destabilization threats and moves for Charter Change.

In La Union and the rest of the Ilocos region, its business as usual. The stakeholders and businessmen are buoyed by the continued registration of positive growth in the regional and provincial economy since the last quarter of 2005 to present.

Based on the DTI-La Union Provincial Office report, investments in La Union increased considerably by 25.2 % last year compared to investment recorded in 2004. This was due to the effective business matching activities done by the province specially through trade fairs and other marketing endeavors. Likewise, business registration, either sole proprietorship or corporation contributed largely to the increase in investment.

On the other hand, exports increased by 1.97% and tobacco leads in generating export for the province followed by the fashion accessories.

As a result of the increase in investment, employment grew by 8.18%. New establishments greatly contributed to this increase.

Recently, the City of San Fernando, the Capital of La Union was cited by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center as among the 20 Philippine cities most viable for business.

Meanwhile, Governor Victor F. Ortega aggressively continue to pursue innovative and up-to-date programs and projects under his Provincial Master Plan called HEALTH PLUS which is anchored with the development agenda of President Arroyo dubbed as BEAT THE ODDS.

The province’s economy is dominated by agriculture. Due to continuous and aggressive implementation of strategic interventions to improve farm productivity and the income of farmers, La Union, for the first time in its history enjoyed last year a little more than 140 percent self-sufficiency in rice.

Agriculture and tourism development remain the top priority programs of the province this year with health services and small scale industries receiving similar attention.

According to Amelia Sotelo, provincial agriculturist, the provincial government has embarked in a hybrid seed subsidy for which more than P1 million has been set aside for the purchase of 1,000 bags of hybrid seeds for distribution to selected farmers. Rice production is expected to increase by 20 percent, she said.

The coastal towns of San Juan and Bacnotan are being promoted as a prime surfing paradise in the North and businessmen are invited to put up businesses in the area.

According to Governor Ortega, the Provincial Government has taken over recently the building of the tourism complex owned by the Philippine Tourism Authority at Saitan, Rosario town.

He said, that at least P40 million has been earmarked for the development of the area and the rehabilitation of the building that will be converted into a display center for the La Union wood furniture products and furnishings to showcase the One Town One Product (OTOP) project of PGMA. A one-stop-shop investment and tourism center for all travelers will be put up in the building.

The casino which is part of the 68 hectare commercial and tourism complex in Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone in San Fernando City (is now open to the public.)

More tourists and businessmen are expected to come to the province with the (resumption) of commercial flights at the San Fernando City Airport this year.

La Union remains the most peaceful province in Region I if not nationwide. The people continue to uphold the spirit of unity and teamwork as they keep on contributing to the peace and progress of the province and the country. (PIA La Union)

[ergit222]

TUCKED AWAY ON THE NORTHWEST COAST OF LUZON ISLAND IN THE PHILIPPINES, EL CASERON IN CABA LA UNION IS A PREMIERE GETAWAY DESTINATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA



Besides relaxing on the beach or lounging by the pool, indulge with the endless amenities, including: large family-sized airconditioned accommodations -- each with private bath, seaside cottages, poolside bungaloes, famous restaurant (and room service), full wet bar, beach volleyball, various watersports, massages by the sea, ping-pong, billiards, board games, mah-jong, darts, international cable television, and of course, the always popular sunset carabao rides along the beach. ALL THIS, with a cheerful staff always ready to serve every holiday need.



EL CASERON Beach Resort truly is the place where everything is possible.



In addition, enjoy the area around EL CASERON's La Union with the full-day or overnight excursions: You are just minutes away from a world-class American golf course; only one hour away from the luscious mountain resort of Baguio; and The Hundred Islands (one of the Wonders of the World) is just a two-hour yet scenic coastal drive from EL CASERON. The day tours can also take you to world-famous Philippine arts and crafts shops, major shopping districts, full-service bowling alleys, the Philippine's finest surfing destinations, and a host of other exciting outings to make your visit to the Philippines a truly memorable experience.

[jadebench]

Agoo map

Agoo Museum/Museo Iloko

[ergit222]

La Union Map showing 5 cities San Fernando City, Dagupan City (Pangasinan), Baguio City (Benguet), Candon City and Vigan City (Ilocos Sur)

[ergit222]

From youtube.com by agmolo00 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1QEu5kTIr0)
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=agmolo00

[Sinjin P.]

Are there any malls/shopping centers in La Union?

[ergit222]

Originally Posted by sinjin

Are there any malls/shopping centers in La Union?

Yes, the big one is the CSI Mall (you can find CSI photos 1 and photos 2 in this thread), other shopping centers are Eso-Nice Galleria, John-John's Group of Shops, Mart One SuperMart, Yabes South and North Paseo, National Bazaar and smaller ones located around the city.

[ergit222]

Eso-Nice Galleria is one of the established shopping centers located right in the heart of San Fernando City. It houses a cinema, a bank, ChowKing fastfood, an internet cafe, computer shops, appliance shops, beauty parlors, cellphone shops, fashion and accessories boutiques, offices and other service stores.

[ergit222]

Location: Mountain Barangay of Cadaclan, San Fernando City







http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...1&postcount=23

[ergit222]

DENGUE is one of the most dynamic and dangerous diseases in the country especially during the rainy season. This disease comes from a deadly virus carried by female mosquitoes known as Aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus.

The City of San Fernando, in its continuous effort to protect the health of its residents constantly promotes programs and projects that fight the dengue epidemic. A specialized Obi larva trap is used by the City Health Office to catch mosquitoes and prevent them from spreading the virus. This trap is made up of a tin-can, small plywood where the mosquito tends to land and lay eggs, and a screen that covers the container and traps the potential dengue carrier mosquitoes. This trap which is patterned from Singapore is designed and prepared by the sanitation inspectors of the City and is distributed to barangays where high dengue cases are reported. The initiative is motivated by a Singapore-WHO Health Forum in 2001 regarding the ‘Environmental Dimensions and Policies for Dengue Prevention and Control’ attended by the City Health Officer, Dr. Eduardo S. Posadas.

“The obi trap and also the annual fogging operation of the City in the different barangays have contributed to the decrease of the dengue cases from the year 2000 to 2005”, Posadas said. As of this June, there has only been 26 dengue cases reported compared to the 257 cases in 2005.

The Obi larva trap, an innovation that could be pioneered by the City of San Fernando could be replicated in other LGUs to stop and prevent the epidemic.

[ergit222]

Brief History of the City of San Fernando

The City of San Fernando is the first city created in the province of La Union by virtue of Republic Act 8509, sponsored by the Congressman Victor F. Ortega in the House of Representatives, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 13, 1998 and was ratified by a plebiscite on March 20, 1998.

The City of San Fernando is situated in the mountainous area at almost the mid-section of La Union along the China Sea. It was founded in 1786 and made the “cabecera” or provincial capital on the same day that La Union became province in 1850.

During the Spanish times, a settlement was a place where there were about 200 families. Around this area, there were two settlements, San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de Dalangdang, San Vicente de Balanac was along the coast and during summer, when the sea was calm and perfect for sailing, pirates would come and plunder the settlement, taking along with them the women and children leaving behind them a trail of blood. San Guillermo de Dalangdang, however, was at the foothills of the Cordillera mountains, and during summer, when the fire trees were in bloom, the populace was attacked by headhunters who saw in the red flowers of fire trees, a sign of the gods asking for human offerings.

In 1759, an Augustinian priest, Father Jose Torres, convinced the two settlements to come together to a place not so near the sea and not so near the mountains so they will not be plagued by their annual problems. They chose the area called Pindangan, meaning, a place where they dry fish and in this place, they built in a church with San Guillermo the Hermit as the patron saint. In 1765, the newly assigned priest, however, suggested to the inhabitants that they change the name of Pindangan to San Fernando, after the Catholic King of Spain, retaining San Guillermo as their patron saint. The name of the parish priest was Father Fernando Rey, Rey being the Spanish word for King. This was also the time of Diego Silang, and as we know, Silang would travel to and from Manila on his white horse and was killed on May 28, 1763. When an earthquake destroyed the church at Pindangan, renamed San Fernando, the parish priest decided not to rebuild in the same place because during the rainy season, the church was transferred until it found its present place, and it is now called the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit, of the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union.



On May 1786, the Ministerio de San Fernando was established. However, due to lack of priests during the period 1792 to 1831, San Fernando became a “visita” of Bauang and San Juan. In 1831, Father Juan Sorolla, the parish priest of Bauang in 1829, was assigned in San Fernando.

According to historical records, the construction of the present church started in 1817 by Father Simon Torrado with Father Sorolla as its first parish priest.


San Fernando has grown slowly from the time it was founded. This slow growth maybe attributed to the fact that travels during those days was long and tedious. Sectionalism was rampant because education was not widely diffused. Intermingling of the people was limited to neighboring towns. Only the well-to-do and the powerful obtained their education and this too, was limited as it was then the policy of the Spaniards to deny education to the masses. In spite of this backward policy, the people improved economically, educationally and spiritually. An offshoot of this improvement was the revolt of the people against the Spaniards which assumed in greater proportions when the Spaniards became abusive. Although the people were subservient to the ruling power, there were fateful prohibitions that cut deep into the private life of the people which found outlet in the form of uprisings and occasional revolts to give vent to their pent-up emotions. The climax came in 1896 when the country was swept by a widespread revolt. In 1898, the Spanish garrison in San Fernando was attacked by Filipino insurgents under the leadership of General Manuel Tinio and Mauro Ortiz. In the end, the Filipinos prevailed over the Spaniards.

Then the Americans came. Spain fell in ruins, victims of her own greed and ambition. San Fernando experienced naval bombardment of the Americans as well as actual fighting on land when General Gregorio del Pilar commanded the rearguard of General Emilio Aguinaldo to cover the latter’s retreat. In a short while, Aguinaldo and his officers and soldiers were captured by the Americans. Peace and order were restored. A democratic form of government took the place of that once proud despotic government of Spain. The people of San Fernando took advantage of all the Americans could teach politically and economically. San Fernando progressed with the rest of the towns in the province.

In 1941, the Japanese came. Japanese planes bombed San Fernando. The guerillas of the 21st Infantry became active and engaged a do or die battle against the Japanese Imperial Forces. A bloody fighting took place in Barrio Bacsil until the town was liberated in 1945.



The destruction of property in San Fernando was appalling. Only few houses remained standing in what was once a thriving town of beautiful houses. Thus, from the nibbles of war, San Fernando rose until it became the administrative capital of Region I.



In May 14, 1996, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando passed Resolution No. 20 requesting the House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines for the conversion of the Municipality of San Fernando into a Component City. That time, the municipality of San Fernando had satisfactorily met the basic requirements for its conversion into Cityhood pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code 1991. In a certification issued by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, the average annual income of San Fernando for calendar years 1994, and 1995 based on 1991 constant prices was P 44,351,821.66. Further, in a certification by the Land Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the land area of San Fernando is 10,526 hectares, well above the minimum requirement of 10,000 hectares.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union, after a comprehensive study and judicious evaluation of the petition of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando, adopted Resolution No. 425-96 endorsing its cityhood bid to the House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines.

Upon the sponsorship of the Congressman Victor F. Ortega (1st District- La Union) at the House of Representatives, House Bill 7594 (Act Converting the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union into a Component City to be known as City of San Fernando) was approved.

The petition was likewise approved at the Upper House through the sponsorship of Senators Vicente Sotto III and Juan Flavier. On February 13, 1998, Republic Act 8509 was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos and finally on March 20, 1998, the residents of San Fernando manifested their resounding YES in the Plebiscite that ratified said law, thus, the fulfillment of the dream for San Fernando to become a city.

Located some 8 kilometers from the city proper, on a forest mountain is nestled the La Union Botanical Garden – a green spot on the map that is probably the only one of its kind in the country. The 10 hectare garden located at Barngay Cadaclan is a display of varied species of living plants and a sanctuary of varieties of wild animals. Clean and green are the bywords of the garden which provide the visitors maximum satisfaction and a healthful promenade.

The City of San Fernando is now the seat of national government agencies in Region I and center of trade, commerce, financial and educational institutions, among others. From a deep rooted potential of stable community governance to the best gift of Mother Nature- a seaport community governance to the best gift of Mother Nature- a seaport responsive to international shipping, an airport with viable capacity to accommodate international air traffic, natural terrain conducive to tourism development and a people endowed with cultural and virtuous heritage of industry, spirituality, nationalism and aspiration for growth, peace and prosperity, the City of San Fernando has emerged as the booming Metropolis of the North.

[ergit222]

Las Villas Resort

[ergit222]

The PNP will build a world class Police Station to relocate the City Police main headquarters in a 1,000 square-meter-city lot at Barangay Tanqui in San Fernando City.

Director General Arturo Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with Governor Victor F. Ortega and City Officials led the ground-breaking ceremony at the site on October 8, 2005. Lomibao was a two-time provincial director of La Union and Ilocos Regional Director before he became PNP chief.

Lomibao said that P10-million has been allocated to build the new world class police station, P7-million comes from the PNP fund and P3-million is shouldered by the countrywide development fund of Cong. Manuel ‘Manoling' C. Ortega.

The proposed site, a lot donated by the city, was originally planned as a parking and north terminal area of public utility vehicles. Mayor Ortega has said they would still allocate another 200 square meters across the said lot for parking area.

During the ground breaking, Lomibao gave recognition to police personnel and organizations that were instrumental in the maintenance of peace and order in the province.