Luna, La Union

PETER PAN’S NEW FOUND ADVENTURE

Luna, La Union, Philippines

By: Levy Kathleen B. Discaya, IX – Silver

Peter Pan left Neverland. He got tired of staying at the same place for centuries. He wanted a way out. So he decided to explore the vast multiverse that he is in and found the world where he met Wendy and the lost boys long ago when his shadow ran away. As he was leaving, he took his last glimpse of his home and so, he went and flew. He flew and flew and flew and flew until he reached his desired destination. The Earth.

He searched around the world and back to find the perfect place for his new adventure. Lots of groups of islands caught his attention for a while, but there was this one archipelago he couldn’t take his eyes off. It is a small archipelago that lies on Southeast Asia. As he approached it, he got more and more fascinated by its beauty. He shivered as he got nearer, making him more and more excited as he rocketed downwards and crashed. As he got up, he found out something that marvelled him. He’s in Luna, La Union.

Luna:

The Town of Luna was once named Namacpacan. “Namacpacan” is an ilocano word which means either “one who had given food” or “one who feeds.”

The main occupation of the people is agricultural farming. Rise is planted twice or thrice a year in some areas. In between cropping, people plant vegetables and root crops. Next to farming, fishing is the most important occupation of the residents of Luna especially the inhabitants along the coastal areas. Various kinds of fishes and different species of edible sea weed and sea shells abound in the seawater of Luna.

Other source of livelihood, especially along the coastal barangays, is stone picking of different sizes and colors. These stones have found market not only in the country but also abroad,

Luna is also home to the famous Ilocano delicacies bibingka and tupig. Damili products (clay products) of various kinds are made in barangay Barrientos.

On 18 October 1906, during the terms of Governor Joaquin Luna and Mayor Primitivo Resurrección Novicio, the town was renamed "Luna" through Philippine Commission Act No. 1543. It was the first town that altered its name since the creation of the province in 1850. The change was made to honour the famous Luna brothers: Revolutionary General Antonio and Spoliarium painter Juan; their mother, Doña Laureana Novicio Luna, who was a native of Namacpacan.

Now that Peter Pan knows all the basic information about Luna’s historical background, It’s about time that he packs up his bag and start his long – awaited journey. Starting off with…

Our Lady of namacpacan church

First stop was the Our Lady of Namacapan Parish, which is also known as the Santa Catalina de Alexandria Church, in Luna, La Union.

This church is popular in La Union and also to neighbouring towns and provinces. Many people come here during the Lenten Season.

This church is popular in La Union and also to neighbouring towns and provinces. Many people come here during the Lenten Season.

Our lady of Namacpacan is a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was year 1871 when a galleon came all the way from Mexico to deliver a statue of the Blessed Virgin to the Immaculate Concepcion Seminary in Vigan, Ilocos sur, They stopped by Darigayos to seek shelter from the stormy weather, According to traditional accounts, after the storm, the galleon could not proceed to its destination because the sea became rough and unnavigable whenever the crew launched the vessel. 

The following morning, the men could not move the statue from the place where it stood. Fray Camilo Naves, an Augustinian priest, interpreted this as a message that the Blessed Virgin wanted her statue to remain in the parish. Amazing isn’t it?

Most churches are already closed in the afternoon. So here’s a tip: for all of those who enjoys church hopping during days which aren’t a part of Holy Week, try to get to the church early morning or late afternoon to see them open during mass.
Nevertheless, Peter Pan was still able to enjoy the architecture and the beauty of the church.  

How to get there: 

First off, From Metro Manila you must ride a bus whose destination is either Laoag or Abra (preferably Partas in Pasay or Cubao), and when you reach Balaoan, La Union, get off the bus and ask for a ride to the Luna Town Center on a Blue Tricycle and there you go.

Bahay na bato

“Bahay na Bato” is a house made from the stones and pebbles found along the beaches of the municipality. After all, Luna is the Pebble Capital of the North and stone-picking is one of its booming industries. Aside from the stones that make up the foundation of the house, painted pebbles and wooden sculpture made by Bong Kim, a Korean, also adorn the interiors and the grounds of the Chan-Noble's secret hideaway.

 The house is open for any occassions such as weddings, baptisms, birthday parties, and other functions. Families and friends who want to enjoy a memorable night under the stars can sit around the bonfire pits. 

This is my little brother sitting with the carved stone ducks. 

This photo was took when we were at the staircase.

Bahay na Bato is located at Brgy. Nalvo Norte, Luna, La Union. General admission is at PhP 20 while kids who are below 4 years of age are free of charge. It is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm.

How to get there:

Buses to La Union depart the terminals in Manila every hour. Travel time is between six to seven hours by commute.

At this point, Peter Pan was already so exhausted but he still chose visit another place and it is…

Baluarte, the Leaning Tower 

of Luna, La Union

Locally called as "Baluarte," the watchtower in Barangay Victoria was built during the Spanish period as a solution to the frequent ransacking of Japanese, Chinese, and Moro pirates in the coastal towns of La Union. The fortress was used by the Spaniards to warn its residents against the looters. During World War II, it functioned as the communication tower post for a temporary airfield for the USAFIPNL forces. 

Like most century-old Spanish structures, the baluarte is made of adobe and coral blocks held together by lime and egg whites. This is why it wasn't surprising that the tower was eventually split into two.

In 2007, the provincial engineering office propped the ruins with concrete columns used in building bridges. They also prohibited the picking of stones 50 meters around the baluarte to minimize erosion of the coast and save the walls from tilting some more. 

In 2013, studies were made to preserve the structure built on the scenic beach. More permanent solutions were recommended such as the injection of cement slurry on the structure's base and tilting of the split portions inwards.

How to get there:

Buses to La Union depart the terminals in Manila every hour. Travel time is between six to seven hours by commute.

Stay the night at luna

As the day closed to an end, Peter Pan grew more and more exhausted from the adventure-filled day of his, and decided to look for places near Luna for him spend the night. Here are the places that might come in handy:

•        Morning Seven Resort Hotel – Nalvo Sur, Luna
•   Pebble Beach Resort – Bacnotan – Luna – Balaoan Rd, Luna
•    Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa – in Urbistondo, La Union (23 km away)
•    Thunderbird Resorts – Poro Point – San Fernando, La Union (29 km away)

What are you waiting for? Come and visit luna