October 16, 2012

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Tourist Destinations

La Union Science Centrum & Museum

La Union Science Centrum and Museum (LUSCM), the

first-ever interactive hands-on discovery museum in the

North, provides a practical and exciting alternative to formal

education through interactive exhibits and its portable

Planetarium. LUSCM is a learning center for everyone. It is an

environment where science is portrayed as a dynamic and

active process more than just a collection of facts and

figures. It encourages children and adults alike to explore,

interact and appreciate science and technology, culture and

environment.

A museum, collections coming from the formerly the Museo

de La Union, was also instituted to augment the science

interactive exhibits aiming to preserve the rich local history

of La Union.

Location: Barangay Cadaclan

A project of:

Senator Francis N. Pangilinan

The City Government of San Fernando

The Provincial Government of La Union

Office of Congressman Manuel C. Ortega

Department of Science and Technology

Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology

National Museum of the Philippines

LUSCM is composed of 5 Galleries

1. Kadaklan Burial Site and Environmental Gallery

2. Museum

3. Dark Room

4. Main Science Gallery

5. Portable Planetarium

The Garden is situated on a hilly twenty-hectare land, eight

kilometers east form the city proper of San Fernando, La

Union, with fully maintained concrete roads. The first of its

kind in the Philippines, a scientific garden and the center for

laboratory research in Northern Luzon was inaugurated on

March 2, 1996.

The Garden as main tourist destination is meant to give an

accurate impression of the various plant worlds, which grow

in tropical, sub-tropical and desert climates. All plants are

labeled in their local and scientific names with their origin. It

is a country-style garden where plant life and wildlife,

ornaments and oddments go hand in hand. The resulting

harmony, together with the solitude and peace naturally give

the Garden a great therapeutic effect.

Location: Barangay Cadaclan

 Shade Garden     : displays the shade-loving  plants

Sunken Garden   : which has natural terrain of the area

Fragrance Garden : especially for the blind

Children’s Garden : which has natural playground

Medicinal Garden : where dozens of herbs and medicinal

plants are cultivated and neatly arrange serves also as a

butterfly sanctuary that can surely catch a visitor’s eye.

Chinese Garden  : with a complete scenery of ornamental

plants which leads the way up to the White Garden and a

View Deck.

Banana Area and the Garden of Native species which all

could be reached through the Mabolo Avenue, lined with

opposite rows of Mabolo or Kamagong, (Diospyros

philippinesis), a tree specie native to the Philippines.

Japanese Garden : which gives fitting honor to the Japanese

Peace Corp Volunteers, whom planted about 1,500 mango

trees in the area about twenty eight years ago.

Arid Paradise : where several species of cacti and succulents

are found.

Friendship Garden : located just above the Picnic Ground.

Evergreen Garden

Palmery

Arid Collection

Heliconia Collection

Small Mulbery and Pineapple Plantations

Mango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18

bamboo specieMango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at

least 18 bamboo specie.

Aviary : where exotic birds like talking mynah, monkeys,

eagles, iguana and other friendly animals were displayed.

Doña Corazon Ortega Orchidarium : a place of different

orchid specie.

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 settlement, taking

along with them the women and children leaving behind

them a trail of blood. San Guillermo de Dalangdang, however

was at the foot 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 the fire

trees as a sign of the gods asking for human offering.

Location: Barangay Parian

In 1759, an Augustinian priest, Fr. 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 this

place, they built a church with San Guillermo, the Hermit, as

the patron saint. In 1765, the newly assigned priest, however,

suggested to the inhabitants that they replace the name

Pindangan, toSan Fernando, after the Catholic King ofSpain,

retaining San Guillermo as their patron saint. The name of

the parish priest was Fr. Fernando Rey, Rey being the

Spanish word for King. This was also the time of Diego Silang,

as  know, Silang would travel to and fromManilaon his white

horse and was killed onMay 28, 1763. When an earthquake

destroyed the church at Pindangan, renamedSan Fernando,

the parish priest decided not to rebuild in the same place

because during the rainy season, the church would get

flooded. There were two other sites where 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.

October 15, 2012

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Tourist Destinations

Bacsil Ridge Monument

Bacsil Ridge is one of the most famous battle sites in the

region. This is found in a mountainous terrain about 10

kilometers east of the city proper. It was the border of the

Japanese Line established in mid-January 1945 and the Joint

121st Infantry Regiment of USAPIF-NI. A monument stands in

the ridge to commemorate the hard-fought and won battle in

the city.

Location: Barangay Bacsil

In the Chinese hierarchy of folk deities, Ma-Cho (Matzu) is the

powerful Queen of Heavens and protector of the sea. She is

the patron saint of fishermen and overseas Chinese.

Legend says she was born a mortal named Lin Mo-liang

(silent girl) sometime during the Northern Sung Dynasty

(960-1127 A.D.) near Meizhou Bay in Fujian Province, China.

During her lifetime of only 28 years she was said to be

exceptionally pure of spirit and compassionate. It is said that

she had supernatural powers and performed miracles,

subduing evil spirits and averting disasters at sea. She

sacrificed her life while trying to save seafarers endangered

by rough seas.

After her death, people began to pray to her for succor and

good fortune. She has a huge following in mainland coastal

areas. In Taiwan, where many Fujian folk migrated, she is

worshipped by almost two-thirds of the population. March is

the height of “Ma-cho Mania” in Taiwan, when her birthday is

celebrated in over 500 Ma-Cho temples. The most famous of

these ceremonies is the Ma-Cho procession or journey, known

as Chin hsiang (“carrying the incense”).

In Macao and Fujian (China), Taiwan and the Ma-Cho Temples

in La Union and Batangas, the goddess Ma-Cho is believed by

millions of devotees to be ONE AND THE SAME  as Our Lady

of Caysasay. Today, the Filipino-Chinese Communities of

Northern Luzon based in San Fernando City, La Union, come

to visit her on yearly pilgrimage at her “Mother” shrine in

Tall, bringing along the image of Mama Ma-Cho of the Ma-cho

Temple.

October 15, 2012

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Tourist Destinations

Car-rile WatchTower

Stands as a symbol of the bravery and unity of the earlier residents in their fight against the marauding pirates called “Tirong, who plundered the Ilocos seacoasts more than 400 year ago. The watch tower was turned-over to the City Government on June 29, 2007.Location: Barangay Carlatan

October 15, 2012

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Tourist Destinations

Christ the Redeemer

In grateful thanksgiving to the City of San Fernando and

Province of La Union, we have personally commissioned the

25 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer at Reservoir Hill,

overlooking the city proper and San Fernando Bay.

This was inspired by former Undersecretary Jose “Peping”

Mabanta whose wife Belle, is first cousin on the Campos side. 

He invited us to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer that

he put up in his retirement home in Pililla, Rizal, similar to

that in Brazil. I thought it would be good to have similar

statue at Bacsil Ridge. Again Peping suggested that we put it

up near the city proper. When Mr. Juan Go heard about this,

he offered his lot for free. We are thankful that Mr. Juan Go

and family donated the 100 sq. meter area on which the

statue stands. We have a common dream, a dream of leaving

a landmark that would express our gratitude for the love and

support from our community.

We give the statue with the hope that we will be reminded to

pray for our city and our province so that its residents and

visitors will be kept safe from harm. May His outstretched

arms radiate His Blessings into our homes. May His open

heart pour His unconditional love into the hearts of each one

of us. As we look up into the sky to reach for Him, may His

overwhelming presence infuse in us the gratitude for the life

that we now enjoy.

Blessed by

Most Rev. Artemio I. Rillera, SVD, DD

Msgr. Alfonso V. Lacsamana, Msgr. Greg Nillo, Rev. Fr. Froilan

Saluta,

Rev. Fr. Perpetuo Concepcion, Rev. Fr. Val Narcise, Rev. Fr.

Manny Bahiwag &

Rev. Fr. Mario Valdez

June 4, 2007

On the Birthday of then Governor Victor F. Ortega

 Pedestal was constructed by Engrs. Pablo and Johnathan

Salanga

Statue was fabricated by Mr. Bernie Caber of the Black

Nazarene Enterprises.

August 28, 2012

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Visiting SFC

Facts and Figures

POLITICAL BOUNDARIES

North Municipality of San Juan

South Municipality of Bauang

Municipalities of Bagulin and Naguilian

West South China Sea

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SUBDIVISIONS

Land Area 106.88 sq. km.

Climate Wet and Dry Season

Number of Barangays 59

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population 115,494 *

Growth Rate 2.27%

Population Density 1,081 persons/sq.km

Households 24,139 **

Major Dialects/Languages Ilocano, Filipino and English

Religion Predominantly Roman Catholic

Literacy Rate 97.77%

EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FINANCE

Labor Force 29,937

Labor Force Participation Rate 54.22%

Employment Rate 94.73%

Poverty Incidence 14.60% ***

Classification Class C Component City

Average Annual LGU Income P 253,154,737.43

Number of Banks 31 (Rural Banks, Government and Universal Banks- including branches)

Number of Cooperatives 129

AGRICULTURE/FOOD SUFFICIENCY

29%

108%

Livestock 32%

Fruits 71%

Vegetables 97%

BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS

Trading 44%

Services 53%

Manufacturing 3%

INDUSTRIES Commercial, Trading Center and Manufacturing

RESOURCES Marine

TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS Corn, rice, livestock, tobacco, vegetables, mango, marine and fresh water fish

INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES

Road Network 189.946 Kilometers ****

Bridges 39 bridges or 628.89 Lineal Meters ****

Airport 1 (Domestic)

Seaport 1 (International)

Power all barangays electrified

Water 97.03% households with potable water; 1 water district

Telecommunication 100% postal and telegraph coverage; 11,404 telephone connections

SOCIAL SERVICES

Number of Hospitals / Clinics 5 (Government and Private)

Number of Schools 32 (Public) & 55 (Private)

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Botanical Garden, Bacsil Bridge, Pindangan Ruins, Macho Temple, Heroes’ Hill,

Tomb of Unknown Soldier, Poro Point Board Walk

CITY FIESTA January 28 to February 15

PATRONAL FIESTA February 10 (St. William the Hermit)

Note: * NSO Projection

PPDO Projection

NCSB

**** National, Provincial, Municipal and Barangay

August 28, 2012

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Visiting SFC

Milestones in History

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.

October 16, 2012

Posted by: sfcsite

Visiting SFC

Shopping and Dining

Name of Restaurant   Classification 

Danish Baker Bakery / Breads

Mr. Donut South Bakery / Breads

Ros Multifoods Mr. Donut Bakery / Breads

Sit N Sip (SNS) Café & Restaurant Bar & Restaurant

G5 Restobar Bar & Restaurant

J1  Restobar Bar & Restaurant

SKADS Comedy Bar & Restaurant Bar & Restaurant

Brother’s Grille Fast Food

Carmen’s Native Delicacies Fast Food

Chowking Fast Food

Goldilocks Bakeshop & Restaurant Fast Food

Happy Tummy Fast Food

Jollibee II Fast Food

Jollibee III Fast Food

JollibeePlaza Fast Food

KentuckyFried Chicken Fast Food

Mang Inasal Fast Food

McDonald’s Fast Food

McDonald’s II Fast Food

Alcora French Resto Maisan Fine Dining

Caerulea Café & Restaurant Fine Dining

Café Ezperanza Fine Dining

Edith’s Mini Resto Fine Dining

Gasera Fine Dining

Golden Society Restaurant Fine Dining

Greenwich Pizza Corp. Fine Dining

Halo-Halo de Iloko Fine Dining

Ilonggo Grille Fine Dining

Kaw Bins Restaurant Fine Dining

LaMur Fine Dining

Mandarin Restaurant Fine Dining

Max’s Restaurant Fine Dining

Midtown Restaurant Fine Dining

Midway Grille And Restaurant Fine Dining

Mommy Luz’s Fine Dining

Natalna Grille & Resto Bar Fine Dining

Oasis Hotel & Restaurant Fine Dining

Olives-Thunderbird Resort and Hotel Fine Dining

Patio del Sol Seafood Restaurant Fine Dining

Pizza Hut Fine Dining

Ramonchito, Casa Comida Fine Dining

Razon’s Fine Dining

Sabali BBQ Grille Fine Dining

Shakey’s Pizza Fine Dining

Taipan Restaurant Fine Dining

The Bay Restaurant Fine Dining

United Palace Restaurant Fine Dining

Vegas Café-Fiesta Casino Fine Dining

Gualberto Complex Reception Area

October 16, 2012

Posted by: sfcsite

Visiting SFC

Health and Wellness

Name of Recreational Establishment Address /Location

Royal Bowling Barangay Catbangen, CSF Bowling

The Cliffs Barangay Poro, CSF Golf

Wallace Golf Club Barangay Poro, CSF Golf

San Fernando Badminton Barangay I,CSF Badminton

Padi’s Gym Barangay II,CSF

Fitness / Wellness

Badminton

City Gym Barangay I,CSF Fitness / Wellness

Ilocos Regional Hospital Tennis Court Barangay Parian, CSF Tennis

PNPRegional Office Tennis Court Barangay Parian, CSF Tennis

PNPLa Union Provincial Office Tennis Court Barangay Carlatan, CSF Tennis

Speedo Hill Barangay Cadaclan, CSF Swimming

Resort de Marea Barangay Cabaroan, CSF Swimming

Sea & Sky Hotel Barangay Pagdaraoan, CSF Swimming

Oasis Country Resort Hotel Barangay Sevilla, CSF Swimming

Star Shooter’sShootingRange Barangay San Vicente, CSF Shooting

Children’s Park Barangay II,CSF Park

La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden Barangay Cadaclan, CSF Nature Trail and PathThemed Garden

Fiesta Casino Barangay Poro, CSF Casino

Various Barangays Coastal Barangays Sea Bathing

Cycling Road and Area Eastern Barangays Mountain Biking

August 28, 2012

Posted by: sfcsite

Visiting SFC

Event and FestivalsAnnual City Fiesta

Date: February

The city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, Saint William

the Hermit, on February 10 with much merrymaking that

lasts for about a month.

Bacsil Ridge Celebration

Date: March 19

To commemorate the bravery of the Filipinos during the

Battle in Bacsil Ridge in the year 1945 that led to the

complete liberation of the town.

Pindangan Festival

Date: March 20

The celebration of the Founding Anniversary of San Fernando

as a City ratified during a plebiscite on March 20, 1998

subsequent to Republic Act 8509, authored by then Gov.

Victor F. Ortega, converting the municipality into a

component city of La Union on February 13 that same year.

Ma-tzu Festival

Date: September 16

September is the feast of the Lady of Caysasay, patroness of

the Filipino-Chinese, whose image journeys annually from

Batangas and is enshrined at the Ma-cho Temple.

Trade Fairs:

Rimat ti Amianan

Date: December

Venue: In front of the City Hall

City Agri-Trade Fair

Date: February

Venue: In front of the City Hall

Baratillo sa San Fernando

Date: February

Venue: Around the City Market

Provincial Agri-Trade Fair

Date: March

Venue: In front of the City Hall

Night Market

Date: Every weekend

Venue: In front of the City Hall

Arts, Crafts and Flavors

San Fernando is the gateway to the rich cultural heritage of

the Ilocanos. At the la Union Trade Center beside the City

Hall, one could sample the exquisite arts and crafts that the

local people created by hand using age-old traditions. These

include “inabel” (hand-woven cloth), baskets, shell crafts and

novelty items made from indigenous materials.

San Fernando’s numerous downtown restaurants and seaside

resorts serve fresh seafood cuisine. Mainstays ain local menu

are “kilawen” (uncooked goat meat in spicy vinegar

marinade) and “papaitan” (sautéed beef or goat meat with

innards and bile).

A sweet local wine made from sugar cane called “basi” and

its full-bodied vinegar by-product called “sukang iloko” can

be bought at downtown market stalls. Other favorite

“paslubong” are guapples, “longganiza”, honey and native

rice cakes like “puto”, “suman” and “bibingka”.

August 28, 2012

Posted by: sfcsite

Visiting SFC

Where to Stay

Hotel & Resort Address

Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point

Oasis Country Resort National Highway, Barangay Sevilla

Hotel Mikka Quezon Avenue, Barangay III

Plaza Hotel Quezon Avenue, Barangay II

Sea and Sky Hotel National Highway, Barangay Pagdaraoan

Blue Lagoon Beach Resort Airport Road, Barangay Canaoay

Sea Park Beach Resort & Restaurant Barangay San Francisco

City Gate Hotel National Highway, Barangay Pagdalagan

Sunset Bay Beach Resort Barangay Canaoay

End of the Road Navy Road, Barangay Poro

Ramon & Delfina Beach Resort Barangay Pagudpud

California Beach Resort Barangay Pagudpud

Branz Cottage Barangay Pagudpud

Ritz Apartelle Barangay Canaoay

Naps Resort Hotel Pennsylvania Avenue, Barangay Poro

City Golden Heaven Beach Resort Barangay Pagdaraoan

Master Hotel P. Burgos St., Barangay III

Green Palm Beach Apartelle Barangay Pagudpud

Come Inn Barangay Canaoay

Branz Cottage Barangay Pagudpud

Green Palm Beach Apartelle Barangay Pagudpud

Miramonte Beach Resort Navy Road, Barangay Poro

Salangas Beach Cottages Barangay Pagudpud

Meridian Beach Cottages Barangay Pagudpud

Clarissa Jade Village Resort Barangay Parian

La Mer Resort Barangay Carlatan

Wil Jam Beach Cottages Barangay Pagudpud

West Meridian Beach Barangay Pagudpud

Pearl Drive Inn Sampaguita St., Barangay San Vicente

Y Foods Inn National Highway, Barangay Parian

Go Inn Barangay San Vicente

Jasmine Lodge National Highway, Barangay Catbangen

Car-rille Terrace Barangay Carlatan

Vacationer’s Drive Inn Sampaguita St., Barangay San Vicente

Lady Maritess InnNational Highway, Barangay Pagdalagan