FOR the longest time, mention the province of La Union and what easily come to mind are garlic and tobacco.

Then came surfing, the sport that is said to be the most effective, most exciting and also the cheaper way to get rid of beer bellies and achieve six-pack abs in a just a couple of months.

In Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan town in La Union, the waves are perfect for surfing. For a time, only the enthusiasts would come, especially foreign and local tourists from Metro Manila.

Not a few celebrities have engaged with the new sport. Away from the hustle and bustle of show business, the likes of Jericho Rosales and Marvin Agustin keep coming back to ride the waves. Most notably, the defunct Eraserheads lead guitarist Marcus Adoro has made San Juan his home after the band called it quits in 2001.

Among the three other well-known surf sites in the Philippines—Siargao in Surigao del Norte, Baler in Aurora and Daet in Camarines Sur—La Union is the most accessible for those coming from Mega Manila.

The enthusiast can just ride a bus going to Baguio City or Ilocos Norte from Pasay City or Cubao. They all pass by La Union, but there are special trips that make a stop in San Juan, where Urbiztondo Beach is just a tricycle ride away. Those who drive their own vehicles can reach the beach in less than four hours. 

“We were surprised with the influx of tourists coming in, so we decided to help the municipal government of San Juan in keeping the beach tourist-friendly,” said La Union provincial tourism officer Joseph Tumuk in an interview with BusinessMirror during a recent press conference at the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Residents had seminars on how to deal with tourists. New facilities like lodging inns and restaurants were built. Security was enhanced. Then people came not only to surf but play Frisbee, volleyball and speed climbing, and also—of course—to party on the beach.

“San Juan is where the mountains meet the sea so people come not only to surf,” said Tumuk.

A couple of years ago, beach buddies Joey Cuerdo and TV personality Paulo Bediones thought of formally organizing all activities into one major event.  

“We found out there were surfing competitions being held, but these were done by friends or groups who occasionally visit the beach,” said Bediones.

“During school breaks, lots of college students would come here. So Paulo and I talked with concerned parties in the local government and got some sponsors to create an event that would cater to this type of vacationers,” added Cuerdo.

Thus in 2006 the La Union Surfing Break was born, with the aim to educate and expose surfing to the general public through proper teaching methods. Timed during school breaks like the long Halloween weekend, the target market was initially students from Manila, Baguio City and other northern Luzon cities.

More than 300 participants came and learned not only about surfing but how to play Frisbee and speed climbing. According to supervising tourism officer Rowena Calica, the 2006 event gathered more than 2,000 tourists.

“This is a modest estimate because most people would stay for one or two days, then go to Baguio City or Vigan and then come back again for the finals. But the number of tourists coming in was greater than those leaving,” Calica said.

Because of the successful event in 2006, the La Union Surfing Break will have a repeat this year, from October 27 to November 4. The surfing clinic will be held for the early birds from October 27 to 29. All competitions from surfing to Frisbee, beach volleyball and speed climbing will start on November 2. The beach party will take place on November 3, with the band Coffee Break Island and Dutch DJ Martijn van Baggem.

The finals in all competitions will be on November 4.

Regarding the prizes, the organizers said they can only give trophies because despite having sponsors like the provincial government of La Union, DOT Region 1, DOT head office in Manila, municipality of San Juan, Thunderbird Resorts, Asian Spirit, Holcim Philippines, Poro Point Management Corp., San Miguel Corp., Chow King, Mojo Sandals, iFM and Jam 88.3, they can only do so much.

“For the meantime, it’s all for the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship among surfers and beach bums. In the future, we’ll have cash prizes. It’s all for clean, wholesome fun,” said Bediones, who admitted that he hasn’t learned how to surf. “I just love to watch.”

So surfer or not, it’s La Union for those who want to avoid the saturation in Boracay, Puerto Galera and Panglao.  

****

For inquiries, call DOT Region 1 at (072) 888-2098, provincial hovernment of La Union at (0921) 804-8338 (look for Art), La Union Surf Club at (0919) 765-0702 (look for Lemon), La Union Conventions Visitors Bureau at (0918) 404-0368 (look for Ed) and Power Up at (0922) 885-6392 (look for Joey).

Riding the waves in La Union for Halloween

FOR the longest time, mention the province of La Union and what easily come to mind are garlic and tobacco.

Then came surfing, the sport that is said to be the most effective, most exciting and also the cheaper way to get rid of beer bellies and achieve six-pack abs in a just a couple of months.

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