Surfing Philippines

San Juan, La Union

The town of San Juan was formerly called "Baratao" and belong to the province of Pangasinan. The town was re-named San Juan by the Augustinian Fathers in 1586 deriving its name from the Patron Saint San Juan Bautista. The two extensive provinces of Pangasinan and Ilocos got into trouble arising from boundary disputes. To settle the dispute, the province of La Union was created. And the newly created province took its name from the Historical Fact -the union of the part ceded by Pangasinan which include San Juan and that part ceded by Ilocos.

There is no available record stating how or when the municipality was created. That is recorded is the foundation of the municipality. Pedro C. de Galando states that the town was founded in 1850, it was one of the Ministries accepted by the Augustinian Definitory on January 5, 1582 as stated in the Nueva Segovia Bi-centennial souvenir dated on April 25, 1587. By the year 1586, San Juan became the center of the Ministry for it was here that the encomienda of Baratao or San Juan was established. It has an Augustinian convent and a population of 6,000 and its first Minister was Fr. Agustin Nino. The center of the Ministry was later transferred to Bauang and San Juan alternated to being a visita of Bauang and Bacnotan. It was one of those places given to the administration of the Dominicans in 1772. A permanent parish was appointed for San Juan in 1807, at that time it was separated from its mother parish.

The economy of the town of San Juan was disrupted by the destruction of crops and facilities as well as a shortage of foodstuff during the Japanese occupation. Inflation during the postwar period led to financial crisis in 1950 followed by the introduction of import control. However, because of the government effort to construct and improve the irrigation system and the introduction of modern methods of farming plus the assistance of farm technicians, the people recovered from the shortage of food. Aside from agriculture, some of the people are also engaged in home or cottage industries such as pottery and hallow blocks manufacturing. The good effect of rural electrification also improved the living condition of the people in the barangays.

Just like in other areas of the province there is a strong foot hold of the Western culture in this town. But inspite of this strong western influence the people still practice the old customs and traditions even in agriculture.

At present, the economy of the town is gradually improving as shown by the fact that San Juan is now classified as a fourth class municipality.

La Union Surfing is centred around the area both south and north of San Fernando. Where you go will really be dependent on the time of the year you go.

The season which has two parts, quite unique for the Philippines, spans from July to October, waves are not nearly as consistent and from November to February, this is when the waves are bigger and more consistent due to the typhoon season providing bigger waves.

The surf is great for both novice and experienced riders alike and is never crowded, a good range of sites ensures this.

San Juan is considered to be the Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines.
Location: San Juan, La Union and around.