San Juan, Philippines

Reading Time: 6 minutes

San Juan, Philippines

Region: La Union

---

Geographic Coordinates: 13.826000, 121.396000

Climate: Tropical climate with a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April.

Population: 114068

Language: Tagalog

---

San Juan is a first-class municipality situated in the province of La Union, Philippines. It’s renowned for its unspoiled beaches, Breathtaking landscapes, And cultural heritage. The town is located on the western coast of Luzon Island and shares borders with the municipalities of Bauang to the north, San Gabriel to the east, And Bacnotan to the south. One of San Juan’s primary draws is its long stretches of powdery white sand beaches. Urbiztondo Beach and Sabang Beach are two of the most popular among them.

These beaches provide a variety of water activities such as surfing, Swimming, Kayaking, Snorkeling, And diving. Surfing enthusiasts from all over Southeast Asia come to San Juan because it has some of the best waves in this region. Apart from its beaches, San Juan also boasts several natural wonders that are worth exploring. Tangadan Falls is one such attraction that features a 50-foot cascade surrounded by lush greenery. Visitors can trek through scenic trails before taking a dip in cool waters below. San Juan also has a rich cultural heritage that can be seen in its landmarks and festivals.

The town celebrates St John de Baptist every June with colorful processions and street dances called Kinnallog since he’s their patron saint. Another notable landmark in San Juan is Luna Watchtower which was built during Spanish colonial times as part of their defense system against pirates. For those interested in local cuisine or handicrafts shopping experience then they should visit Pindangan Ruins Park where you will find small stores selling local products like woven bags or hats made from pandan leaves or other natural materials while enjoying some delicious Filipino food at one of many restaurants nearby.

San Juan offers visitors an ideal tropical vacation destination filled with stunning natural beauty combined with rich culture & history making for an unforgettable experience that will not soon be forgotten!

---

---

1. San Juan Beach
2. Laiya Beach
3. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine
4. Tanghalang Pasigueño
5. Pinagbayanan Island
6. St John the Baptist Parish Church
7. Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort
8. Mt Daguldol
9. Tiaong Quezon Eco Farm
10. Lucban San Isidro Pahiyas Festival

---

1. Real estate
2. Retail
3. Food and beverage
4. Healthcare
5. Manufacturing
6. Education
7. Tourism
8. Business process outsourcing (BPO)

San Juan is well-known for:

• High-end residential properties and commercial spaces in the real estate industry
• Several shopping centers, supermarkets, specialty stores that cater to the needs of residents in the retail industry

The thriving industries in San Juan:

• Food scene with numerous restaurants offering a variety of cuisines to locals and tourists alike in the food and beverage industry
• Several hospitals and clinics that provide quality healthcare services to the community in the healthcare industry
• Several manufacturing plants producing various products such as garments, electronics, and consumer goods in the manufacturing industry
• Numerous schools from pre-schools to universities providing quality education to students in the education industry
• Popular tourist destination due to its historical landmarks like Pinaglabanan Shrine and Greenhills Shopping Center in the tourism industry
• Several BPO companies have set up operations in San Juan due to its strategic location near Metro Manila’s central business district in the BPO industry

---



Noteable History

1. Spanish friars founded San Juan on June 17, 1801.
2. Japanese forces occupied San Juan during World War II from 1942 to 1945.
3. In 1970, San Juan became an independent municipality after being separated from Bacnotan.
4. The town is renowned for its stunning beaches and surfing spots like Urbiztondo Beach and Carlatan Beach.
5. Notable individuals hailing from San Juan include former Philippine Senator Francisco Tatad and Filipino actor John Regala.
6. Every year on June 24th, the town celebrates its annual fiesta in honor of St.John the Baptist patron saint.
7. In recent years, tourists have been flocking to San Juan as it offers a quieter alternative to nearby cities such as Baguio and Vigan.

Overall, even though there may not be many famous historical events or figures related to San Juan specifically; it still holds great significance in Philippine history and culture as a whole.

---



Museums and Things To See

1. San Juan National Museum
2. Pinaglabanan Shrine and Museum
3. St. John the Baptist Parish Church
4. Mary the Queen Parish Church
5. The Philippine Arena (located in nearby Bocaue, Bulacan)
6. Art Portal Gallery and Studio
7. Pintô Art Museum (located in nearby Antipolo City)
8. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (located in nearby Quezon City)
9. La Mesa Eco Park (located in nearby Quezon City)
10. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (located in nearby Quezon City)

---



---



Sports Teams

1. San Juan Knights is a professional basketball team that participates in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). They were established in 2018 and won the MPBL Datu Cup championship during their inaugural season.
2. San Juan Predators is a professional volleyball team that competes in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference. They were founded in 2019 and made their debut appearance during the PVL Open Conference of the same year.
3. San Juan Sharks is a professional football club that plays in various local leagues such as United Football League (UFL) and Philippine Football Federation (PFF). They were established in 2005 and have been one of Metro Manila’s most successful football clubs.
4. St. John Bosco College Braves is a collegiate basketball team based in Mandaluyong City but represents schools from other cities including San Juan City during National Collegiate Athletic Association games.
5. La Salle Greenhills Greenies are one of Metro Manila’s most prominent high school basketball teams with several championships won over different seasons of NCAA games including those held within or near to San Juan City limits.
6. San Beda University Red Lions, although not based primarily on SJ city, represent several schools within its limits when competing against other universities during collegiate basketball seasons like NCAA games where they have won multiple championships over different seasons.
7. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags is another collegiate basketball team not primarily based on SJ city but represents several schools within its limits when competing against other universities during NCAA games. They have won several championships over different seasons.

---

---



Cultural Events

1. The Feast of St. John the Baptist is celebrated every June 24th in honor of the patron saint of San Juan.
2. The Kasadyaan Festival is held every August and showcases the culture and traditions of San Juan through street dancing, parades, and other cultural activities.
3. Araw ng San Juan is celebrated on March 8th to commemorate the founding anniversary of San Juan with various activities such as concerts and sports competitions.
4. Pista ng mga Isda, also known as Fisherman’s Day, celebrates the bountiful harvest from the sea with food fairs and fishing competitions.
5. The Pagoda Festival takes place every January or February along the Pinaglabanan River featuring a procession of decorated boats carrying images of saints.
6. Flores de Mayo is a month-long celebration in May that honors Virgin Mary with daily masses and processions featuring flower offerings.
7. The Christmas Lantern Festival highlights colorful lanterns made by local artisans during December to celebrate Christmas season.
8. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on February 11th with novena masses and procession around town to honor Our Lady’s apparition in Lourdes France in 1858.

---



Cuisine

• Adobo Connection – a chain restaurant that serves various versions of the classic Filipino dish adobo.
• Gerry’s Grill – a casual dining restaurant that offers Filipino favorites such as grilled seafood, sisig, and crispy pata.
• Kanto Freestyle Breakfast – known for their all-day breakfast menu featuring Filipino-style breakfast dishes with a twist.
• Lola Cafe + Bar – a cozy restaurant that serves modern Filipino cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
• Mang Inasal – famous for their grilled chicken served with unlimited rice and various dipping sauces.
• Project Pie – allows customers to customize their own pizzas with unlimited toppings at an affordable price.
• Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant – offers authentic Chinese-Filipino dishes such as fried chicken, oyster cake, and kikiam (Chinese sausage).
• Titto’s Latin BBQ & Brew – specializes in Latin American-inspired barbeque dishes like ribs, pulled pork, and brisket paired with craft beers on tap.
• Via Mare Oyster Bar & Grill – known for their fresh seafood dishes like oysters Rockefeller and kinilaw (Filipino ceviche).
• Zark’s Burgers – home of the famous Jawbreaker burger which is made up of four beef patties topped with cheese sauce, bacon strips, lettuce, tomato slices, onions rings served between two buns

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Rizal Park is a historical park that features the monument of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
2. Paco Park is a circular park with Spanish-era architecture and a chapel.
3. Intramuros is a walled city that offers historical tours and horse-drawn carriage rides.
4. Manila Baywalk is an oceanfront promenade perfect for sunset viewing and jogging.
5. Quezon Memorial Circle is a large park with gardens, playgrounds, and sports facilities.
6. La Mesa Eco Park is an eco-tourism destination featuring hiking trails, zip lines, and bike rentals.
7. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center is a wildlife sanctuary that has various species of flora and fauna.
8. Star City Amusement Park is an amusement park with many rides including roller coasters.
9. SM Mall of Asia is a shopping mall near Manila Bay which has an ice skating rink as well as other entertainment options.
10. Enchanted Kingdom is an amusement park in Santa Rosa Laguna which is around 2 hours away from San Juan by car or bus.

---



Experience Life

---