San Juan, Philippines

Reading Time: 5 minutes

San Juan, Philippines

Region: La Union


Geographic Coordinates: 14.600000, 121.030000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Population: 126347
Language: Tagalog

San Juan, Located in the province of La Union, Philippines, Is a coastal municipality with a population of around 38, 000 people. It is renowned for its unspoiled beaches, Breathtaking waterfalls and verdant landscapes. The town was named after Saint John the Baptist. The beaches in San Juan are one of the main attractions for tourists. Urbiztondo Beach is the most popular one and it has crystal clear waters and white sand that are perfect for swimming and surfing.

Surfing enthusiasts from all over the world come to San Juan to experience its waves that cater to both beginners and experts alike. Apart from its beaches, San Juan also boasts several waterfalls that are worth visiting. Tangadan Falls can be reached through a scenic trekking trail surrounded by lush greenery. The falls have multiple levels with deep natural pools where visitors can swim or simply relax. For those who prefer hiking trails on foot, Mount Bauang offers panoramic views of the town and nearby areas such as Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan.

San Juan’s rich cultural heritage is evident through its historic landmarks such as St. John de Sahagun Church built during Spanish colonial times in 1883 which still stands strong today. Food lovers will also enjoy their visit to San Juan as it offers local delicacies such as longganisa (a type of sausage), Bagnet (deep-fried pork belly), Empanada (a pastry filled with meat or vegetables), Among others.

Overall, San Juan provides an excellent destination for travelers who want to escape city life while immersing themselves in nature while experiencing Philippine culture at its finest with stunning beaches, Waterfalls, Hiking trails historic landmarks delicious food options – truly something for everyone!



Important Landmarks

  1. San Juan Beach
  2. Laiya Beach
  3. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church
  4. Taytay Falls
  5. Pinagbayanan Island
  6. St John the Baptist Parish Church
  7. Talaan Aplaya Mangrove Eco-Park
  8. Bantayan Park and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
  9. Kape Kesada Art Gallery and Coffee Shop
  10. Casa de Segunda Heritage House

Primary Industries

  1. Retail – There are numerous small and medium-sized retail stores selling various products such as clothes, shoes, accessories, electronics, and groceries.
  2. Food and Beverage – San Juan is known for its food scene with many restaurants offering local cuisine as well as international dishes.
  3. Real Estate – The city has a growing real estate industry with many residential and commercial properties being developed.
  4. Health Care – San Juan has several hospitals and medical clinics providing healthcare services to the residents.
  5. Education – There are several schools in the city ranging from pre-school to tertiary level institutions.
  6. Tourism – The city is also a popular tourist destination with attractions such as historic landmarks like Pinaglabanan Shrine and Greenhills Shopping Center.
  7. Banking and Finance – The city has numerous banks offering financial services to individuals and businesses alike.
  8. Manufacturing- San Juan also hosts some manufacturing companies that produce goods like textiles or plastic products.

Noteable History

  1. The Battle of San Juan del Monte occurred on August 30, 1896, and was fought between the Philippine revolutionary forces led by Andres Bonifacio and the Spanish colonial army. The revolutionaries emerged victorious.
  2. Emilio Aguinaldo was a prominent Filipino revolutionary leader who played a vital role in both the Philippine Revolution against Spain and later in the Philippine-American War. He declared Philippine independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite.
  3. The Pinaglabanan Shrine is situated in San Juan and serves as a memorial for the Battle of Pinaglabanan that took place on August 30, 1896.
  4. Gregorio del Pilar was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution who gained notoriety for his role as one of the youngest generals during the Philippine-American War. He died at age 24 while leading his troops at Tirad Pass.
  5. The San Juanico Bridge connects Samar Island to Leyte Island and is considered to be one of Southeast Asia’s longest bridges.
  6. Ramon Magsaysay served as President of the Philippines from December 30,1953 until his untimely death on March17,1957 when he perished in an airplane crash near Cebu City.
  7. The St John The Baptist Parish Church is one of several oldest churches built during Spanish colonial period which still stands today.
  8. Jose Rizal is revered as a national hero who once lived nearby San Juan while studying at Ateneo Municipal de Manila.

Museums and Things To See

  1. San Juan City Museum
  2. Pinaglabanan Shrine and Museum
  3. St. John the Baptist Parish Church
  4. Greenhills Shopping Center
  5. Wilson Street Art Center
  6. Santuario del Santo Cristo Church
  7. Mary the Queen Parish Church
  8. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
  9. Museo ng Katipunan
  10. Ramon Magsaysay Center



Cultural Events

  1. Feast of St. John the Baptist: This is a religious festival celebrated every June 24th in honor of the patron saint of San Juan.
  2. Agew na San Juan: This is an annual celebration held every December 27th to commemorate the founding anniversary of San Juan.
  3. Pista ng mga Isda: Held every May, this festival celebrates the abundance of fish in San Juan and features various activities such as fishing competitions, street dancing, and culinary contests.
  4. Karakol Festival: This is a colorful procession that takes place during Holy Week where participants dress up in traditional costumes and dance to music while carrying images of saints.
  5. Kawayan Festival: Celebrated every February, this festival showcases bamboo products made by local artisans through exhibits and competitions.
  6. Sinigayan Festival: Held every April, this festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of San Juan through street dancing, parades, and other cultural performances.
  7. Suman Festival: This food festival held annually in July features suman (rice cakes) made by local producers along with other delicacies from the region.
  8. Bonsai Exhibit – An annual event showcasing bonsai trees from all over Luzon happens during Agew na San Juan celebrations at Pinaglabanan Shrine Grounds

Cuisine

  • Adobo Connection – a chain of fast-food restaurants that serve various types of adobo dishes.
  • Bagnet 8065 – specializes in crispy bagnet (deep-fried pork belly) served with rice and different sauces.
  • Tapsi ni Vivian – serves classic Filipino breakfast dishes like tapsilog (tapa, sinangag, at itlog) and longsilog (longganisa, sinangag, at itlog).
  • Kanto Freestyle Breakfast – offers a wide variety of breakfast meals with a twist such as their famous truffle mushroom omelet.
  • Lola Cafe + Bar – serves modern Filipino cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
  • Goto Monster – specializes in goto (rice porridge with beef tripe) topped with different toppings like chicharon bulaklak and crispy garlic.
  • The Bunny Baker Cafe & Cake Studio – known for their cute bunny-themed desserts and cakes inspired by pop culture icons.
  • Lutong Macau Seafood Restaurant- offers authentic Chinese seafood dishes like steamed fish, dim sum, and crab congee.
  • Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant & Bar- offers traditional Ilocano cuisine such as pinakbet (mixed vegetables), bagnet (crispy pork belly), and dinengdeng (fish soup).
  • Balay Dako- serves classic Filipino comfort food such as kare-kare, adobo flakes fried rice, and lechon kawali platter cooked in an open kitchen setting overlooking Taal Lake view.

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Rizal Park (Luneta)
    2. Quezon Memorial Circle
    3. La Mesa Eco Park
    4. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center
    5. Arroceros Forest Park
    6. San Juan City Hall Grounds
    7. Pinaglabanan Shrine and Historical Museum
    8. Greenhills Shopping Center
    9. Wilson Sports Complex
    10. Santuario de Santo Cristo Parish Church and Garden

    Suitcase

    Enjoy The Journey.


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