La Union (), officially the Province of La Union (; ; ; ; ; ), is a coastal province in the
Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
situated in the
Ilocos Region on the island of
Luzon
Luzon ( , ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago, it is the economic and political ce ...
. The province's capital, the
City of San Fernando, is the most populous city in La Union and serves as the regional center of the Ilocos Region.
Bordered by
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
to its north,
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
to its east, and
Pangasinan to its south, with the
West Philippine Sea to the west, La Union is located 273 kilometers (170 miles) north of Metro Manila and 57 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of
Baguio City. The province spans an area of 1,497.70 square kilometers (578.27 square miles). As of the 2020 census, La Union had a population of 822,352, resulting in a density of 550 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,400 persons per square mile. The province had 538,730 registered voters as of 2022. The province official language is
Iloco (Ilocano), as declared by the provincial government of La Union.
La Union is renowned for its picturesque coastal towns, popular
surfing spots, and pristine
beaches
A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from Rock (geology), rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle beach, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological s ...
. The province is rich in natural and cultural attractions, offering activities such as red clay
pottery
Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
, grape picking,
loom weaving, and pilgrimage tours to historic churches, alongside beautiful waterfalls and
eco-tours. The population includes both the
Ilocano people from the lowlands and the Cordilleran (
Igorot) people from the highlands, contributing to its diverse
cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. Not all heritages of past generations are "heritage"; rather, heritage is a product of selection by socie ...
.
History
Early History
During its early history, the province was inhabited by various ethnolinguistic groups, including the
Ilocanos,
Pangasinenses, and Cordillerans (
Igorots), who actively engaged in
trading
Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market (economics), market.
Traders generally negotiate throu ...
and
bartering while practicing
animistic
Animism (from meaning 'breath, Soul, spirit, life') is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct Spirituality, spiritual essence. Animism perceives all things—animals, plants, Rock (geology), rocks, rivers, Weather, ...
and
polytheistic
Polytheism is the belief in or worship of more than one Deity, god. According to Oxford Reference, it is not easy to count gods, and so not always obvious whether an apparently polytheistic religion, such as Chinese folk religions, is really so, ...
indigenous religions and traditions.
In the northern section, early settlements were established along the coastal plains of ''Purao'' (now
Balaoan),
Darigayos, and the areas surrounding the
Amburayan River. These settlements were primarily inhabited by the ''Samtoy'' (Ilocanos).
Historian
William Henry Scott documented that Balaoan was historically referred to as being ''"rich in gold"'' due to its proximity to the gold mines in the
Cordillera region.
The town served as an emporium for the exchange of Igorot gold through barter and trade among lowlanders, highlanders, and foreign merchants in
Tagudin.
Similarly, ''Baratao'' (now
Bauang) has been identified by historians as a settlement of comparable importance to Purao as emporium of gold mines.
In the southern section, the areas of
Agoo and Aringuey (now
Aringay) were early settlements of the Pangasinenses.
Agoo functioned as a trading port with
Sual as its only rival. Agoo was frequented by
Japanese and
Chinese ships, whose merchants engaged in commerce or bartered
gold
Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...
with natives.
Aringuey served as a coastal maritime trading hub and the terminus of the
Aringay-Tonglo-Balatok gold trail, located along the delta of the Aringay (Ifugao) River.
This route facilitated the transport of gold from the
Ibaloi villages of ''Acupan'' and ''Balatok'' in the southern areas of present-day
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
to the trading centers of Aringay, with further distribution to the port settlement of Agoo.
These trading activities were part of a larger maritime exchange network that extended across the
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...
and the
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
.
Products exchanged within this network included
porcelain
Porcelain (), also called china, is a ceramic material made by heating Industrial mineral, raw materials, generally including kaolinite, in a kiln to temperatures between . The greater strength and translucence of porcelain, relative to oth ...
,
silk
Silk is a natural fiber, natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be weaving, woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is most commonly produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoon (silk), c ...
,
cotton
Cotton (), first recorded in ancient India, is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure ...
,
beeswax
Bee hive wax complex
Beeswax (also known as cera alba) is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus ''Apis''. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in o ...
,
gems,
beads, and precious
minerals
In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid substance with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. (2011): M ...
, with ''gold'' being a significant commodity.
Artifacts like porcelain and pottery, uncovered during the renovation of the Catholic church in Agoo and now housed in the
Museo de Iloko, testify to this trade activity.
Spanish Colonial Era
16th Century
A year after
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made
Manila
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
the capital of the Philippines on June 24, 1571, the Spaniards launched expeditions to
Northern Luzon "''to pacify the people in it''".
In June 1572, Spanish explorers led by conquistador
Juan de Salcedo, the grandson of
Miguel López de Legazpi
Miguel López de Legazpi (12 June 1502 – 20 August 1572), also known as ''Adelantado, El Adelantado'' and ''El Viejo'' (The Elder), was a Spanish conquistador who financed and led an expedition to conquer the Philippines, Philippine islan ...
, navigated the Angalacan River to the
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
, where they encountered and attacked three Japanese ships.
Following the retreat of the ships, Salcedo pursued them and arrived at a Japanese settlement in
Agoo.
The Japanese mercenaries and local natives were subjugated and required to pay tribute to the
Spanish Crown. Although some resisted initially, those who complied were allowed to remain.
This interaction earned Agoo the title ''"el puerto de Japón"'' (
Japanese Port) by Miguel de Loarca in 1582 and as it had long been a hub for trade among Japanese, Chinese merchants, and natives.

Salcedo continued his expedition northward and arrived at what is now
San Fernando.
When he demanded tribute from the natives, they sought permission to ascend the mountains to gather their offerings but failed to return.
Salcedo then proceeded to ''Atuley'' (modern-day
San Juan) and further north until they encountered a large Ilocano settlement called "Purao," referring to the gleaming white sands of its beaches along the
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
.
When the natives of Purao refused to pay tribute, it led to the first recorded conflict in the
Ilocos region,
known as the ''Battle of Purao''.
This encounter resulted in the shedding of the first Ilocano blood in defiance of foreign rule. The river "Purao" was later renamed ''"Darigayos,"'' derived from the
Iloco words ''"dara"'' (blood) and ''"ayos"'' (flowed), meaning ''"where blood flowed."''
Continuing his journey, Salcedo arrived at Bigan (now
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
), a settlement of Chinese traders, and formally established it as ''Villa Fernandina de Vigan'' in honor of Prince Ferdinand, the son of
King Philip II of Spain
King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...
.
17th Century
By the 17th century, the Spanish had established settlements, or
pueblos, organized into sitios and rancherias, in Igorot land in La Union. These were governed by a
gobernadorcillo
The (, literally "little governor") was a municipal judge or governor in the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Philippines during the History of the Philippines (1565–1898), Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined ...
,
alcalde-mayor and
cabeza de barangay
A ''cabeza de barangay'' ("barangay head"), also known as ''teniente del barrio'' ("holder of the barrio"), was the head of a barangay or barrio political unit in the Philippines during Spanish rule.Scott, William Henry. ''Barangay Sixteenth-C ...
, with many of these settlements established by
Augustinian friars during the 16th century's expansion phase.
Society during this period was divided into two classes: the babaknang and the cailianes. The ''baknang'' or ''babaknang'' means ''"the rich"'' and ''agtuturay'' or ''agturay'' refers to ''"the powers-that be''" or ''"the authorities."'' Propertied, landed, and educated, they formed the local elite class or were the
principalia or
insulares who spoke
Castilian, On the other hand, the unlearned ''cailianes'' had less or no property that spoke
Iloco,
Pangasinan,
Kankanai and
Ibaloi. Iloco served as the province's
lingua franca
A lingua franca (; ; for plurals see ), also known as a bridge language, common language, trade language, auxiliary language, link language or language of wider communication (LWC), is a Natural language, language systematically used to make co ...
.
The Spaniards' search for gold (oro) in
Igorot territories fueled their expeditions. Religious orders were also motivated by opportunities for missionary work. By 1620, however, the gold trade had begun to decline in the province including the Aringay-Balatok-Tonglo, Bauang and Bangar gold trails. ''Captain Garcia de Aldana'' led expeditions into areas like
Aringay,
Bauang, and
San Juan, while ''Sargento Mayor y Capitan Alonso Martin Quirante'' centralized the industry in 1624, deploying a force of 1,748 troops, including
Spaniards
Spaniards, or Spanish people, are a Romance-speaking ethnic group native to the Iberian Peninsula, primarily associated with the modern nation-state of Spain. Genetically and ethnolinguistically, Spaniards belong to the broader Southern a ...
, Chinese, Japanese,
Mexicans
Mexicans () are the citizens and nationals of the Mexico, United Mexican States. The Mexican people have varied origins with the most spoken language being Spanish language, Spanish, but many also speak languages from 68 different Languages o ...
, and 500 Ilocanos.
Natives and mercenaries were often faced harassments forced to reveal gold sources.
Many converted to Christianity to avoid persecution, while others fled to the Cordilleras.
In 1661,
Andrés Malong of Pangasinan, who declared himself king, led a rebellion against Spanish colonial rule in an attempt to liberate several areas in the northern pueblos of Pangasinan and the
Ilocos provinces.
As part of his campaign, Malong sought to reclaim
Agoo from Spanish control. However, his forces, consisting of
Pangasinenses,
Zambals, and
Negritos, suffered a decisive defeat during the ''Battle of Agoo''. The Spanish, with their superior weaponry and strategic fortifications, successfully repelled the rebellion.
18th Century
In the early 1700s, Spanish missions in
Agoo,
Bauang, and
Bacnotan aimed to convert resettled Igorots through the Spanish ''reducción policy'', which subjected natives to harsh treatment.
By 1739, friars discovered that
Bangar engaged in barter trade with the Igorots in the east. Smuggling became rampant under the ''Tobacco Monopoly'' in the late 1700s, impacting Spanish revenues significantly by 1788. Despite Spanish efforts to control the highlands, the Igorots retained their autonomy well into the 19th century.
In 1754, Igorot chieftain ''Lacaaden of Bukiagan'' (now part of
Tubao) negotiated with the Spaniards to avoid punitive expeditions by requesting missionaries for his people.
This led to the
baptism
Baptism (from ) is a Christians, Christian sacrament of initiation almost invariably with the use of water. It may be performed by aspersion, sprinkling or affusion, pouring water on the head, or by immersion baptism, immersing in water eit ...
of Igorot chieftain in
Tondo under ''
Governor-General Pedro Manuel de Arandía Santisteban''
''.'' However, resistance resumed in 1759, prompting Pangasinan ''Governor Arza'' to launch a military campaign. On March 18, Lacaaden led a five-hour battle against Spanish forces armed with rifles and artillery. The Igorots held their ground, forcing the Spaniards to retreat along what is now Naguilian Highway, burning villages along the way.
The town of
Caba became notable as the birthplace of
Diego Silang, leader of the ''Ilocos Revolt'' (1762–1765) during the
British occupation of Manila. Silang persuaded the gobernadorcillo of Balaoan to encourage Ilocanos and Igorots in the town to join his anti-British struggle, which extended to the revolt in
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
.
19th Century
On February 2, 1818, the ''Real Cédula'' divided
Ilocos Province into
Ilocos Norte and
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
after the
Basi Revolt in 1807. The towns of
Balaoan,
Bangar, and
Namacpacan (Luna) were incorporated into the province of Ilocos Sur on February 10, 1819.
In 1820, Don Agustin de Valencia, the ''
gobernadorcillo
The (, literally "little governor") was a municipal judge or governor in the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Philippines during the History of the Philippines (1565–1898), Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined ...
'' of Bangar, and Don Agustin Decdec, an Igorot chieftain from Kayan, together with other Igorot leaders from Bacong and Cagubatan in
Tagudin, formalized an Ilocano-Igorot ''
bodong'' (peace pact).
This agreement, facilitated by the ''Capitanes Pasados'', reinstated highland-lowland trade, which had been disrupted three years earlier due to the killing of an Igorot in Tagudin and the subsequent retaliatory killing of an Ilocano from Bangar.
By 1826, the Spanish established the ''Commandancia del Pais de Ygorrotes y Partido del Norte de Pangasinan'' to combat tobacco smuggling. Lieutenant Colonel Guillermo Galvey led campaigns into the Cordilleras, using towns like Agoo, Bauang, Bacnotan, and San Juan as military bases.
From 18th to 19th century the coastal towns frequently faced raids by
Moro marauders locally known as ''tirongs'' (raiders, attackers, pirates) and
Chinese pirates, who looted barrios or villages and captured women and children. To counter these attacks, the Spaniards built circular adobe
watchtowers, or
baluartes, in 1836. These structures, ranging from 6 to 7 meters in height, were constructed along the coastline in towns such as
Namacpacan (Luna),
Balaoan,
San Fernando, and
Bauang. These baluartes played a crucial role in protecting coastal settlements and securing trade routes throughout the 19th century.
Formation of La Union
La Union was officially established on March 2, 1850, through the unification of territories from the provinces of
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
,
Pangasinan, and the
Cordillera, making it the 34th province of the Philippines.
After
Cebu became the first
provincia in 1565, new provinces have been created by the Spaniards. Three main functions were considered so: ''Political-Civil Administration, Ecclesiastical governance and Geographical considerations.'' For more than two and one-half centuries, the original
Ilocos province remained intact until 1818 when it split into
llocos Norte and
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
. In 1846,
Abra was created by Governor General Narciso Zaldua Claveria.
Governor General Narciso Zaldua Claveria was a visionary administrator who recognized the need for innovative solutions to address the demands of political and civil administration. He proposed combining three contiguous areas that were far from their respective provincial capitals, seeing it as a viable approach to improve governance. Claveria also recognized the agricultural and commercial potential of the territory. Moreover, he saw this initiative as an opportunity to extend
Hispanic civilization and
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
to the area.
Distance posed significant challenges to local administration. From
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
, the capital of Ilocos Sur, the three southernmost pueblos (
Balaoan,
Namacpacan, and
Bangar) were located approximately 13 to 14 hours away on foot. The ''cailianes'' and the ''babaknang'' often complained about the physical distance from their officials in the cabecera or capital town.
Similarly, from
Lingayen, the capital of Pangasinan, the nine northern pueblos (
Santo Tomas,
Agoo,
Aringay,
Cava,
Bauang,
Naguilian,
San Fernando,
San Juan, and
Bacnotan) were also burdened by the 13 ½ hours of travel required from Bacnotan.
The situation was even worse for the 40 to 45
rancherías located in the depths of the ''Eastern País del Igorotes''. The ''commandancia'' established in 1826 proved ineffective in maintaining order among the Igorrotes, whose remoteness from central authorities led to rampant smuggling of tobacco and other merchandise, thereby disrupting the region's economic stability.
Thus on October 29, 1849, Governor General Claveria signed the ''promovido'' (proposal) to unite the ''
Pangasinan-
Ilocos-
Cordillera'' areas into a new province called La Union (the official name designated by Claveria himself) as San Fernando as ''cabecera'' (capital) and
Amburayan River in the north and Rabon River in the south as provincial boundaries. For 124 days, high and important Spanish colonial officers studied and deliberated on the proposition to create La Union or not.
On March 2, 1850, Governor General Antonio María Blanco signed the s''uperior decreto'' that founded La Union – the 34th province since the founding of Cebu in 1565. It was classified as a ''Gobierno Politico-Militar'' (Political-Military Government). Blanco appointed, on March 4, 1850, ''Captain Toribio Ruiz de la Escalera'' (Claveria's former trusted aide de camp) as the first Gobernador Military y Politico. La Union is the union of lands, people, cultures and resources. On April 18, 1854,
Queen Isabella II of Spain issued the ''real orden'' (royal decree) from
Madrid
Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...
confirming Blanco's s''uperior decreto''.
By 1869 and 1885
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
and
Tubao became towns in La Union respectively. In 1869, ''Governor-General de la Torre'' converted Concepcion into Rosario, which remained spiritually dependent on Santo Tomas. Despite the bishop's refusal to assign an assistant priest, Rosario became the 13th town, with its priest overseeing both towns.
In 1885, after 12 years of petitions, Tubao was officially recognized as the 14th town as ''San Isidro de Tubao'', named after the patron saint of farmers.
By 1860, there was significant progress in commerce and agriculture in the province. La Union became an exporter of
tobacco
Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus '' Nicotiana'' of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the ...
,
rice
Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...
, and ''
sibucao'' from the 1860s to the 1880s.
Tobacco was the primary product and the reason for the province's economic growth. Spanish authorities relied heavily on the prized leaf for further economic development. The industry was so lucrative that a ''Tobacco Monopoly'' was established. All tobacco leaves were strictly monitored and purchased exclusively by the government at a fixed price.
Simultaneously, other provinces were also experiencing economic growth. Relying on its own indigenous resources, La Union did not import rice, palay, tobacco, sibucao, or other products during this period.
By 1887, the province's population had grown to 100,775. La Union's heterogeneous population mingled throughout this period. The Chinos, or
Mestizos de Sangley,
Españoles-Peninsulares, and
Españoles-Insulares coexisted with the native
Pangasinenses,
Ilocanos, and
Igorots (particuallaly the
Kankanai and
Ibaloi), whether Christianized or non-Christianized. The Christianized Igorots or ''Nuevo Cristianos'' were often referred to as ''Vagos'' or ''Bago''.
Gobernadores Politico-Militares of La Union (1850–1898)
The following is a list of Spanish ''
Gobernadores Politico-Militares'' who served the province of La Union from its establishment in 1850 until the
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...
in 1898. During this period, approximately 32 individuals alternately held the titles of Gobernador Politico-Militar and Gobernador Militar-Politico. From 1890 to 1898, these officials were ranked as Gobernador Civil or Civil Gobernador by the superior gobierno, with the honorific title ''"
Don"'' prefixed to their names.
Philippine Revolution
Philippine-Spanish War
The
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...
began in 1896, but La Union initially saw limited revolutionary activity. On November 15, 1896, the newspaper ''La Campaña de Filipinas'' reported that the provinces of
Ilocos and La Union were ''"not up in arms"'' but showed ''"sympathy for the uprising."'' Despite this initial passivity, the province eventually joined the struggle against
Spanish colonial rule. In response, Spanish authorities enacted severe reprisals, including torture and false accusations, often targeting local elites, clergy, and suspected rebels.

In 1896, three native
coadjutor priests from La Union, ''Padre Adriano Garces'' of
Balaoan, ''Padre Mariano Gaerlan'' of
San Fernando, and ''Padre Mariano Dacanay'' of
Bacnotan, were arrested and charged with masterminding a ''"supposed conspiracy"'' in La Union. They were brutally tortured by
friars and the
Guardia Civil in
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
, enduring inhumane treatment that left lifelong scars on survivors like Padre Dacanay.
In
Balaoan, a secret revolutionary group formed by seven prominent citizens namely; ''Luciano Resurreccion, Proceso Ostrea, Antonio Ostrea, Rufino Zambrano, Fernando Ostrea, Patricio Lopez'', and ''Julian Peralta''—sought to revolt against the tyranny of the Guardia Civil and
''Cora Parrocos''. The group was betrayed by Captain Juan of
Agoo to the friars. They were arrested, and without trial, executed by firing squad at the town cemetery. Only one of the men survived, having been wounded in the leg. In their honor, a Masonic lodge named ''Siete Martires'' was established.
In
Agoo, around 60 suspected subversives were executed by the Guardia Civil and their bodies later interred in a corner of the town plaza. In nearby
Aringay, 96 citizens were shot without trial by Spanish forces. A monument was later erected in the plaza to honor these patriots. On September 10, 1896, Spanish authorities, led by ''Friar Rafael Redondo'', arrested ''Dr. Lucino Almeida'', the highest-ranking native official in La Union, along with other suspected revolutionaries. They were accused of involvement in a fabricated conspiracy to assassinate Spanish officials, based on a false confession from a telegrapher. Almeida and 20 other prominent natives were exiled to
Balabac Island, Palawan.
Despite these events, La Union was hailed as ''"una provincia modelo"'' (a model province) in 1897 by the pro-government ''El Comercio'' for its contributions to Spain's defense. However, in 1898, the relative tranquility of La Union was shattered when an uprising and massacre in
Santo Tomas ignited widespread agitation.
Uprising of 1898
The revolution in La Union began on May 22, 1898, with a small uprising in
Santo Tomas. A shot from a small
revolver
A revolver is a repeating handgun with at least one barrel and a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers (each holding a single cartridge) for firing. Because most revolver models hold six cartridges before needing to be reloaded, ...
(''“una revolver pequeña”'') was heard, igniting the ''“seditious movement of Union.”''
A single shot from this revolver ended the life of the much-hated
Augustinian friar, ''Mariano Garcia'', marking the end of Spanish rule in the province. The enraged revolutionaries stormed the convent, seized the priest, chained him, and beheaded him, his head rolled to the ground like a soccer ball. This act sparked a series of mass massacres ''(“
hecatombes”)'' throughout the province.
The subsequent violence led to the massacre of various individuals, including Garcia's visitors and others. Women also became victims of brutal acts, with one storekeeper in
San Fernando left mentally deranged. In
San Juan, pro-Spanish inhabitants were massacred, while in Caba, pro-Spanish sympathizers were captured and held ''
incommunicado'' in the mountains. In Bauang, revolutionaries clashed with Spanish soldiers and seized the town hall, led by ''Captain Remigio Patacsil''.

From May to August 1898, citizens of La Union fought several heroic battles against the Spanish forces in key towns such as Darigayos (
Luna),
Bacnotan, Rabon (
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
),
San Fernando,
Bangar, and
Balaoan. Despite heavy losses and diminishing supplies, Spanish forces under ''Lieutenant Colonel Jose Herreros'' mounted a five-day defense in ''Casa Real''. However, they were eventually overwhelmed by revolutionaries in towns like Bangar, Bacnotan, and Balaoan, and the Spaniards were forced to surrender. The final stand in Balaoan saw Spanish forces barricaded in the convent, but despite their valiant defense, they were outmaneuvered, and many escaped to
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
.
On July 22,
Novo-Ecijano troops, reinforced to over 600 men, arrived in San Fernando after
Dagupan surrendered to
''General Francisco Makabulos''. The town was under siege by revolutionaries led by ''General'' ''Mauro Ortiz''. Spanish forces, commanded by ''Lieutenant Colonel Jose Garcia Herrero'', fortified themselves in key buildings, awaiting reinforcements. The ensuing battle lasted for 120 hours, with the Spanish troops enduring extreme conditions.
''Major Ceballos'', who had surrendered in Dagupan, attempted to negotiate the surrender of Spanish forces in San Fernando, ultimately convincing Herreros to capitulate. The proud Spaniards with the ''Cuerpos de Voluntaries'' (Corps of Volunteers) did not simply put up the white flag. This led to the signing of the ''Actas de Capitulaciones'' (Acts of Surrender), and San Fernando became the 13th of 29 towns to witness Spanish surrender, with 400 soldiers and eight officers capitulating.
After securing San Fernando, the Tinio Brigade and other revolutionaries continued north from July 31 to August 18, 1898. Key battlegrounds included the rice fields of San Juan, Bacnotan, Namacpacan, Balaoan, and Bangar. Many local
Katipuneros joined the Tinio Brigade after this ordeal, which saw stubborn resistance from entrenched Spanish troops in the
convent
A convent is an enclosed community of monks, nuns, friars or religious sisters. Alternatively, ''convent'' means the building used by the community.
The term is particularly used in the Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and the Anglican ...
.
Final Victory

In the
Amburayan Valley, Spanish forces built defensive trenches and placed
bamboo
Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial plant, perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily (biology), subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, in th ...
traps. However, the
revolutionaries, buoyed by previous victories, attacked with renewed vigor.
In
San Juan, they burned municipal buildings and the homes of
Spanish insulares, resulting in a massacre of over 100 families attempting to flee. In
Agoo, pro-Spanish sympathizers were captured and executed in the mountains.
As Spanish forces retreated, they reinforced their positions in Balaoan and
Bangar, but revolutionaries quickly fortified their own defenses. Any potential reinforcements from neighboring provinces were blocked.
In Darigayos Cove, Filipino rebels burned all anchored boats, preventing escape by sea. The revolutionaries then moved to Bangar, successfully besieging the Spanish forces, resulting in a decisive victory on August 7, 1898. The surrender of 87 Spaniards marked a significant milestone, with the remaining forces fleeing to Ilocos after just four days of fighting, which saw minimal Filipino casualties.
By August 18, 1898, La Union had achieved final victory, marking the definitive collapse of Spanish resistance in the province. This victory brought the revolutionaries closer to their ultimate goal of freedom from Spanish colonial rule.
Philippine-American War

The
Philippine-American War in La Union began on the night of February 4-5, 1899, marked by the ringing of church bells across the province.
By April 1899, Filipino guerrillas, under the command of
General Manuel Tinio, had prepared for combat, constructing
trenches throughout the province. Tinio's forces numbered 1,904, including 68 officers, 200
bolo men ''"hermano"'', 284
auxiliaries such as armorers,
telegraphers, medical corpsmen,
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...
,
artillerymen, and two Spanish engineers stationed in Northern Luzon.
On November 16, 1899,
President Emilio Aguinaldo arrived in La Union via the
Tubao trail, making his way to
Aringay, where he was welcomed by the townspeople (''cailianes'') and elites (''babaknang''). From Aringay, Aguinaldo continued his journey through
Cava,
Bauang, and
Naguilian where they spent the night in
convent
A convent is an enclosed community of monks, nuns, friars or religious sisters. Alternatively, ''convent'' means the building used by the community.
The term is particularly used in the Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and the Anglican ...
.
On November 18, 1899, American forces under
General Samuel Baldwin Marks Young entered La Union, landing in
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
via ''Rabon Point'' along the coast in pursuit of Aguinaldo.
At dusk, American forces engaged 130 Filipino revolutionaries at Tubao, commanded by Captain Santiago Fontanilla'','' who led a force of four officers and 87 rifles. The Americans then moved toward Aringay, where
Major Matthew Arlington Batson led an attack on the town the following morning.
He was wounded in a skirmish with Guerrilla Unit No. 5, an event known as the ''Battle of Aringay River''.
Throughout the week, heavy fighting ensued between American forces and five Filipino guerrilla units in La Union led by Colonel Juan M. Gutierrez:
* Guerrilla Unit 1: Operated in
Bangar,
Namacpacan (Luna), and
Sudipen under ''Captain Anacleto Mendoza''.
* Guerrilla Unit 2: Operated in
Balaoan,
Bacnotan, and
Santol (rancheria of Balaoan) under ''Captain Aniceto Angeles''.
* Guerrilla Unit 3: Operated in
San Juan,
San Fernando,
San Gabriel, and
Bagulin under ''Captain Furtunato Gaerlan''.
* Guerrilla Unit 4: Operated in
Bauang,
Caba,
Naguilian, and Galiano (now
Burgos) under ''Captain Rivera''.
* Guerrilla Unit 5: Operated in
Aringay,
Tubao,
Agoo, and
Santo Tomas under ''Captain Santiago Fontanilla''.
Simultaneous battles were fought across various towns, including Santo Tomas, Aringay, Naguilian, Bauang, and San Fernando. By November 19, the Americans had taken Santo Tomas and Agoo.
On November 20, General Young entered San Fernando where describe the town as ''“series of the most formidable entrenchments,”'' capturing the revolutionary headquarters and estimating the presence of 1,000 Filipino insurgents. Several revolutionaries were captured.

Meanwhile, Aguinaldo continued his escape, traveling through the mountain roads of San Fernando, San Juan, and Bacnotan, narrowly evading capture. Upon reaching Balaoan, he learned of a plot to avenge
General Antonio Luna, who had been killed five days earlier. This plot, intended to unfold in Luna's mother’s hometown of Namacpacan (now Luna), was thwarted by Doña Laureana Luna y Novicio.
On November 21, Aguinaldo arrived in Bangar, escorted by General Tinio,
before continuing his journey to
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
. On the same day, La Union's ''insurrecto governor'', Dr. Don Lucino Almeida y Almendrada, paid a courtesy call to General Young, offering assistance to the U.S. government. By November 23, Young reaches Namacpacan (now Luna).

While seemingly cooperating with U.S. forces, Almeida secretly supported the Filipino guerrillas by establishing a network with town leaders and chieftains. He mobilized resources such as money, rice, and provisions for the guerrillas, and his
''haciendas'' in San Juan, Balaoan, and Bacnotan served as covert guerrilla hideouts.
From January to February 1900, the Tinio
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military unit, military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute ...
engaged in several battles against American forces in La Union, achieving notable victories despite being outnumbered. In January, they repelled American forces at Malabita, San Fernando and ambushed a 40-man patrol near
Bangar.
In February, they conducted additional ambushes at Sabang, Bacnotan, Panicsican, San Juan, and Kagunan in Balaoan. On February 26, they successfully retaliated against an ambush between San Juan and Bacnotan, killing several American troops, including a captain-doctor, and capturing supplies.

By April 1900,
Colonel William Penn Duvall, the U.S. military governor of San Fernando, grew suspicious of Almeida's activities. First Lieutenant William Thomas Johnston was assigned to investigate Almeida's involvement in the resistance. After months of scrutiny, Almeida was court-martialed on June 3, 1900, and exiled to
Guam
Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...
in January 1901.
Following Almeida's conviction, local leaders in San Fernando, Bacnotan, San Juan, Tubao, Agoo, and Rosario ceased supporting the guerrillas. Many of Almeida's former supporters switched allegiances to save themselves, earning the nickname chameleons or ''"balimbings."'' Johnston's anti-guerrilla efforts, aided by local spies, contributed to the overall pacification campaign.
One of them, ''Crispulo Patajo'' native from Bauang, served as a spy, scout and leader for the U.S. forces to suppress guerrilla resistance in the province.
On April 17, 1900, Patajo's forces attacked and pacified the guerrilla presence in Barrio Castro, Bangar, capturing weapons and forcing insurgents to retreat. From May to June 1900, Crispulo Patajo led successful anti-guerrilla operations throughout La Union.
He attacked Fontanilla's band in the Pagalan Mountains on May 26, killing 10 insurgents and capturing 13 rifles. His forces continued to clear towns like Naguilian, Bauang, and Aringay, killing or capturing guerrillas.
In San Fernando, Patajo pacified the town in one week, capturing officers and securing rifles. He also targeted northern towns like San Juan and Bacnotan, eliminating a guerrilla company and capturing 80 rifles. Despite these successes, Colonels Juan Gutierrez and
Joaquin Luna managed to escape and relocated their camp further north.
Between March and April 1901, guerrilla forces led by Aniceto Angeles, Sixto Hipolito, and Santiago Fontanilla engaged in skirmishes with American troops in various areas, including Sitio Guilong (Balaoan), Sitio Kalumboyan (Balaoan), Sitio Nabual (Bacnotan), and Barrio Castro (Bangar) that leads Major Aniceto Angeles withdraws.
While they achieved some victories, their effectiveness diminished due to internal divisions, lack of discipline, and the failure to maintain unity.
By May 1, 1901, the Tinio Brigade surrendered to the Americans in
Sinait, Ilocos Sur, marking the end of the Philippine-American War in La Union and the surrounding region.
American Colonial Era
After the
Philippine-American War, La Union, like much of the country, faced widespread chaos. La Union revolutionary leaders such as Capt. Aniceto Angeles, Francisco Peralta, and Col. Juan M. Gutierrez were executed through
public hanging and
firing squad
Firing may refer to:
* Dismissal (employment), sudden loss of employment by termination
* Firemaking, the act of starting a fire
* Burning; see combustion
* Shooting, specifically the discharge of firearms
* Execution by firing squad, a method of ...
in
Bangar and
San Fernando town plaza, underscoring the conflict’s harsh aftermath.

From 1899 to 1901, La Union was under military rule, with
Colonel William Penn Duvall administering both the province and
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
beginning on March 18, 1900. During this time, both the elites (''babakanang'') and townspeople (''cailianes'') endured forced relocations,
extrajudicial killings,
sexual assaults and significant
property damage
Property damage (sometimes called damage to property) is the damage or destruction of real or tangible personal property, caused by negligence, willful destruction, or an act of nature. Destruction of property (sometimes called property de ...
.
This period of military governance, however, was short-lived.
In 1901, La Union transitioned to
''civilian governance'', signaling the start of a more organized and democratic system inspired by American models. The transition marked a shift from the ''"
spiritualism"'' enforced by the Catholic friars under Spanish rule to a secular system.
Despite this shift, U.S. military leaders, including Colonel Duvall, resisted relinquishing power and frequently clashed with the
Philippine Commission, led by
Civil Governor William Howard Taft. The conflict escalated to U.S. Secretary of War
Elihu Root, who intervened to ensure La Union’s formal adoption of civilian governance on August 15, 1901.
Don Joaquin Vicente Eulogio J. Ortega became La Union's first civilian governor, ushering in a new era of governance. However, key positions, such as the provincial treasurer, remained under American control.
The colonial administration also prioritized
education
Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...
,
suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally in English, the right to v ...
,
civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' political freedom, freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and ...
, and
political participation
Citizen participation or public participation in social science refers to different mechanisms for the public to express opinions—and ideally exert influence—regarding political, economic, management or other social decisions. Participato ...
, thus empowering Filipinos to engage in the
democratic process.
Introducing the
Thomasites—American teachers tasked with promoting ''"
Americanization."''
English became the primary medium of instruction, aiming to instill American ideals. A notable example of this initiative’s success is
Camilo Osias, a student from Balaoan, who pursued studies in the U.S. and later emerged as a respected
educator
A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching.
''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...
and
public servant.

By 1902, La Union's education system had grown to include 89 schools spread across various ''pueblos'' (towns). A total of 8,917 pupils were enrolled—5,652 boys and 3,265 girls—constituting 15% of the province's population. Schools were established in key towns like San Fernando, Bangar, Rosario, Aringay, Cava, Agoo, Balaoan and Namacpacan (Luna), with some operating in repurposed Spanish-era convents.
In 1902,
public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the de ...
boards were established to address health crises such as
cholera
Cholera () is an infection of the small intestine by some Strain (biology), strains of the Bacteria, bacterium ''Vibrio cholerae''. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea last ...
outbreaks. Measures taken during the 1902 epidemic proved effective in curbing a severe outbreak in 1908–1909.
Governor Sixto Lachica Zandueta championed the establishment of a resident health officer for La Union, leading to the creation of a sub-health district by 1910. Public health continued to improve under
Governor General Francis Burton Harrison (1913–1921), with coordinated efforts significantly reducing cholera cases by 1914.
In 1902,
Camp Wallace was established on Poro Islet, San Fernando, under
Captain Frank Tompkins, as it was considered a strategic location. The U.S. formally acquired it as a military reservation on September 1, 1903, and the War Department set guidelines for its creation on October 13, 1903. Governor Joaquin Ortega supported the establishment of a permanent military post in San Fernando, endorsing a petition signed by 2,637 citizens on August 9, 1902.
The integration of non-Christian tribes from the
Cordilleras, referred to as the ''“taga-Montañosa,”'' became another priority. In 1902, Governor Taft proposed incorporating these groups into the municipal code or merging them with
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
. By 1905, tensions between Bangar’s lowlanders and mountain communities led to court interventions. In 1906,
Igorot settlements were transferred to sub-provinces of Benguet and
Amburayan under
Lepanto-Bontoc province to resolve jurisdictional and tax-related disputes. By 1911, many non-Christians sought permission to resettle in lowland areas.
By 1912, Christianized Igorot ''"Bago"'' communities in
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
,
Tubao,
San Fernando,
San Juan, and
Bacnotan were fully integrated. Boundary adjustments and the conversion of mountain settlements into
townships followed, with
Pugo officially becoming a township on December 11, 1911. Despite proposals for a new province, the municipal districts of Sudipen, San Gabriel, Santol, Pugo, Bagulin, and Burgos remained part of La Union.
These districts served as models of harmonious Christian-Igorot relations during the colonial period. By 1920,
San Gabriel, Pugo,
Sudipen, and
Santol became official towns under ''Section 2 of Act No. 2877'', or the ''Revised Administrative Code of the Philippine Islands'';
Bagulin followed in 1922, and
Burgos in 1925, under ''Executive Order No. 54.''

Under
Governor General William Cameron Forbes (1909–1913), infrastructure development flourished in La Union. Roads, airports, ports and railways (
Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan) were expanded, with the rail line reaching
Aringay in 1910 and
Bauang in 1918. This enhanced connectivity significantly boosted the local economy, particularly in southern La Union, by linking it to
Dagupan.
Major projects included the construction of the ''Taboc Bridge'' on the ''San Juan-Bacnotan Road'', the
Bauang-Naguilian Road, the ''Bacnotan-Balaoan Wagon Road'', the ''San Fernando
Wharf
A wharf ( or wharfs), quay ( , also ), staith, or staithe is a structure on the shore of a harbour or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more Berth (mo ...
'', and the
Amburayan River irrigation system, which supported tobacco and rice fields, bolstering agriculture and trade.
By 1915, under Governor Mauro Ortiz, the ''
Naguilian Road'' was extended to
Baguio
Baguio ( , , ), officially the City of Baguio (; ; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", ...
, the
''San Fernando Port'' became operational, the ''Balaoan-Bacnotan Road'' was initiated, and the ''Baroro'' and ''Darigayos Bridges'' were completed. By 1921, over 150 kilometers of roads had been developed, facilitating commerce and the transportation of goods.
The transition to the
Philippine Commonwealth in 1935 granted La Union greater autonomy and opportunities for political engagement, though colonial structures persisted. This era fostered local development while reinforcing American influence. Full independence remained elusive until the Philippines gained sovereignty in 1946.

The American colonial period left a mixed legacy in La Union. While it brought modernization in education, infrastructure, and public health, it also entrenched colonial dependency and caused lasting cultural and social impacts. The memory of resistance and the province's enduring struggle for identity continues to shape its historical narrative and aspirations for self-determination.
As the Filipinos awaited independence under the
Tydings-McDuffie Act,
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
erupted, further delaying their aspirations for sovereignty.
Japanese Occupation

The
Japanese invasion of La Union during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
was a pivotal moment in the province's history, given its strategic importance to both
Allied and Japanese forces. In December 8, 1941, Japan launched an attack on U.S. military installations including the
Camp Wallace and residential areas in the province, following the attack on
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is an American lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. It was often visited by the naval fleet of the United States, before it was acquired from the Hawaiian Kingdom by the U.S. with the signing of the Reci ...
.
By December 11, the Japanese forces had successfully captured
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
and dispatched additional troops to seize
Laoag and its airfield. As American forces retreated,
Lieutenan Gen. Masaharu Homma left a small garrison in Vigan and redirected the main forces to support operations at
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
.
By December 20, the combined forces of the Col. Kanno and
Gen. Shizuichi Tanaka Detachments advanced south along Route 3. By December 21, 1941, Japanese forces had occupied
Bacnotan following the successful overcoming of Philippine defenses in the area. On December 22, they advanced to
San Fernando further consolidating their position. Japanese troops also landed in
Agoo and swiftly established control over the town by early 1942. Despite these rapid advances, Filipino and American forces continued to resist the Japanese occupation, contributing to the broader efforts of the Allied campaign in the Philippines.
[William L. O'Neill, ''A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II'', p. 115 ]
Battle of Rosario (Invasion of Lingayen Gulf)
On December 22, 1941, the Japanese 4th Tank Regiment and the 47th Infantry Regiment under the command of Col. Isamu Yanagi, supported by a massive flotilla of navy ships tried to land in
Agoo to make it one of three major beachheads for the
Japanese Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, although weather dispersed their forces and made them deploy on a wide stretch of beach that ranged from
Poro Point (San Fernando) to as far south as Damortis. These forces later met the commonwealth defence forces—consisting of the
26th Cavalry Regiment (
Philippine Scouts), the Philippine 21st Division, the Philippine 11th Division, and the newly formed Philippine 71st Division—in what would later be called the
Battle of Rosario.
During the Japanese occupation in the province, La Union was governed by Gov. Jorge Camacho (1941–1942), Gov. Bonifacio Tadiar (1942–1944), and Gov. Bernardo Gapuz (1945) under the administration of
President José P. Laurel's Japanese-sponsored
"puppet" government. The province endured strict military controls, forced labor, food shortages, and widespread violence including
extrajudicial killings and
sexual violence
Sexual violence is any harmful or unwanted Human sexual activity, sexual act, an attempt to obtain a sexual act through violence or coercion, or an act directed against a person's sexuality without their consent, by any individual regardless of ...
. Despite these conditions, resistance movements emerged, with many residents engaging in guerrilla warfare against Japanese forces. Guerrilla camps was established all over the province including Camp Spencer in
Darigayos, Luna and Camp 121 and Barrio San Cristobal in
Bangar.
Mangkaeng Massacre
In
Naguilian, over 400 refugees from the barrios of Imelda, Natividad, and Ortiz sought refuge in the small, forested sitio of Mangkaeng in barrio Gusing Norte to escape Japanese forces stationed in the town proper as part of
General Tomoyuki Yamashita’s rear guard during his retreat to the
Cordillera mountains. The area served as a strategic route for Japanese soldiers traveling between lowland and Cordillera camps particularly
Baguio
Baguio ( , , ), officially the City of Baguio (; ; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", ...
.
[Municipal Government of Naguilian, La Union. (2018, January 23). ''Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in commemoration of World War II soldiers.'' acebook post Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.facebook.com/NaguilianLU/posts/january-23-2018-the-honorable-abraham-p-rimando-vice-mayor-of-the-municipality-o/1573239252756900/]
On the early morning of January 23, 1945, Japanese troops launched a sudden and brutal attack on Mangkaeng, aiming to eliminate potential resistance or witnesses. The unarmed villagers were caught off guard as gunfire (
bayonet) erupted, killing men, women, and children. Some families attempted to flee into nearby creeks and the dense forest, hoping for cover, but the soldiers were relentless, pursuing and killing those who tried to escape. Others hid in nearby caves or bushes, clinging to the hope of survival while hearing the cries of those captured. Some survivors managed to reach neighboring villages, where they warned others of the massacre, spreading shock and grief across the province.
Battle of Baroro
On January 4, 1945, Filipino-American forces captured the Baroro Bridge in Bacnotan, marking a significant turning point in the liberation of the province during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. The bridge, a vital link connecting Northern Luzon to San Fernando, was a strategic objective for the Allied forces. The operation began with an assault by the 121st Infantry Regiment of the
United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), against Japanese positions along the south bank of the Baroro River.
The battle was characterized by heavy exchanges of gunfire, with the Filipino-American troops ultimately securing the bridge after intense fighting. This victory played a crucial role in ensuring the liberation of La Union and was followed by subsequent operations, including the ''Battle of San Fernando'' and the capture of Bacsil Ridge.
Battle of San Fernando
Following the Battle of Baroro, Allied forces launched a concerted attack on Japanese strongholds to the south of Baroro. This included operations targeting key enemy positions along Oaig Creek, where it crossed the San Fernando–Camasin Road, as well as strategic locations such as Reservoir Hill, Insurrecto Hill, and the Bacsil–Apaleng Range. These assaults took place during the second week of February 1945 as part of the broader campaign to secure San Fernando and its surrounding areas.
By March 24, 1945, after the Battle in Bacsil Ridge Allied forces had successfully secured the entire San Fernando area. This victory enabled the establishment of a critical military base "
Camp Wallce" at Poro Peninsula, which became the headquarters for U.S. Army Base M. The area also served as a vital build-up zone for the projected invasion of Japan, marking a crucial step in the Allied preparations for the final stages of the
Pacific War
The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War or the Pacific Theatre, was the Theater (warfare), theatre of World War II fought between the Empire of Japan and the Allies of World War II, Allies in East Asia, East and Southeast As ...
.
Battle of Bacsil Ridge
The
Battle of Bacsil Ridge was fought in March 1945 was one of the continued main battles of the Philippines Campaign of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
are between the Filipino soldiers under the 121st Infantry Regiment,
Philippine Commonwealth Army, USAFIP-NL, under the command of
Russell W. Volckmann, and the
Japanese Imperial forces under by
General Tomoyuki Yamashita.
The
Battle of Bacsil Ridge ended the month-long battle for control of
San Fernando. The Japanese defenders called the Hayashi Detachment, composed of 3,000 armed troops and 2,000 unarmed support forces, took hold of San Fernando and its surrounding areas which denied entry to the port of the town and a road leading to
Baguio
Baguio ( , , ), officially the City of Baguio (; ; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", ...
. As part of the San Fernando-Bacsil Operations, the 1st Battalion of 121st Infantry were sent to loosen the enemy positions starting late February with the assistance of the Allied Air Force.
The 1st Battalion made a general attack to the ridge on 16 March 1945 and fought the Japanese defenders until the capture of Bacsil on 19 March. On the same day, the 3rd battalion captured the Reservoir Hill.
The Battle of Bacsil Ridge between the Filipino soldiers and recognized guerrillas and the Japanese Forces resulted in the recapture of San Fernando, La Union. Which resulted in the capture of San Fernando, La Union on 23 March 1945, and
Bacnotan, La Union and the military offensive throughout the province ended on 24 March after two months of fighting.
Liberation of BauangThe Liberation of
Bauang, was part of the San Fernando-Bascil operations aimed to liberate the province of La Union and open one of the roads to
Baguio
Baguio ( , , ), officially the City of Baguio (; ; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", ...
.
Units from
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
, La Union including elements of the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) under the command of Major Diego Sipin, were tasked to make the northward advance to
Bauang.
The 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, USAFIP-NL reinforce the other battalions in the efforts to capture San Fernando.
Meanwhile, combat units from the “B” company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, USAFIP-NL attacked the defensive lines in Bauang to aid the 1st Battalion, 130th Infantry (US) in its advance from the south. Bauang was first liberated on 19 March 1945, followed by the declaration of the end of operations at La Union on 24 March 1945.
On January 4, 1945, La Union was liberated by the Battle of San Fernando and Bacsil Ridge.
As San Fernando was in ruins at the time,
Bacnotan became the provisional seat of the province administration after the war. The La Union National High School was also relocated to Bacnotan as a result of this relocation. When things returned to normal, the provincial government was relocated to San Fernando, followed by the La Union National High School. The North Provincial High School was established after the provincial high school in Bacnotan was transferred (now Bacnotan National High School).
Post-war Era
The postwar recovery period marked a return of the
tobacco industry
The tobacco industry comprises those persons and companies who are engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, shipment, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products. It is a global industry; tobacco can grow in any ...
to the Ilocos Region. Ever since the end of the tobacco monopoly, tobacco production had declined in the Ilocos as Filipinos started shifting from locally made cigars to foreign made cigarettes.
But after reading a feature article series by
Maximo Soliven which explained why Virginia tobacco would grow well on Ilocos soil, businessman
Harry Stonehill was convinced to invest extensively in rebuilding the industry. He established the Philippine Tobacco Flue-Curing and Redrying Corporation (PTFCRC) in 1951 and recruited farmers throughout Region 1 to produce tobacco.
The following year, La Union Congressman Manuel T. Cases filed a bill to "limit the importation of foreign leaf tobacco," which was eventually signed by President
Elpidio Quirino
Elpidio Rivera Quirino (; November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956) was a Philippine nationality law, Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 6th President of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953.
A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered p ...
as Republic Act No. 698. This allowed Stonehill's investments to make a handsome profit,
and the newly-rebuilt local industry to bloom.
While Stonehill was later deported in the 1960s for tax evasion and bribery of government officials in what would later be called the
Stonehill scandal,
the tobacco industry continued to grow.
During the Marcos Dictatorship

Although economically affected by the
rapid peso devaluation brought about by unbridled election spending heading into the
1969 presidential elections,
political life in La Union was not significantly impacted by
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino lawyer, politician, dictator, and Kleptocracy, kleptocrat who served as the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled the c ...
’
declaration of Martial Law in 1972.
[Turner, Mark M. (1989) Elites and Power in a Philippine Town. Under Martial Law, 1972–76. Philippine Studies 37: 283–300.]
The powerful family factions which had dominated La Union politics since before the American colonial era largely remained in place, although the family of Congressman
Jose D. Aspiras became much more prominent after he became Marcos’ Tourism Minister. The main political change was the increased power of regional and provincial offices of national agencies, whose directors were answerable directly to Marcos.
This technique used by Marcos to consolidate political power did not get much resistance in the
Ilocos Region,
including La Union, which had strong ethnic associations with the
Marcos family.
[Cortes, Rosario Mendoza. (1990) ''Pangasinan, 1901–1986: A Political, Socioeconomic, and Cultural History''. New Day Publishers.] The Marcos administration's use of violent methods for stifling dissent thus mostly took place in other, non-Ilocano provinces, such as nearby
Abra,
Kalinga, and
Mountain Province.
Long-time second district congressman Manuel T. Cases had formed an alliance with Marcos
along with the other strongman congressmen of the Ilocos Region,
and his successor
Jose D. Aspiras was also a close associate of Marcos who was made Minister of Tourism after Martial Law was declared.

But there were still La Union natives who were willing to object to the authoritarian practices and
abuses of the Marcos administration, despite personal risk.
["Mula Sigwa hanggang Commune hanggang EDSA: mga kabataang martir at bayani ng UP"](_blank)
manilatoday.net. Accessed 28 July 2022. This included San-Fernando-raised student activists Romulo and
Armando Palabay, UP Students and La Union National High School alumni who were imprisoned for their protest activities, tortured at Camp Olivas in Pampanga, and later separately killed before the end of Martial Law.
Romulo (age 22) and Armando (age 21) were posthumously honored when their names were etched on the Wall of Remembrance at the Philippines'
Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which honors the heroes and martyrs who fought the authoritarian regime.
[Burgonio, T]
"Museum puts a face on little-known martial law martyrs"
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 21 September 2008.
Agoo, La Union, native
Antonio L. Mabutas had become Archbishop of Davao by the time of Martial Law, and spoke actively against the human rights abuses of that time,
particularly the torture and killings of church workers. The pastoral letter he wrote against Martial law, “Reign of Terror in the Countryside,” is notable for having been the first pastoral to be written against Marcos' martial law administration,
and even doubly notable because Mabutas was considered a conservative within the Catholic church hierarchy in the Philippines.
Contemporary
1990 Luzon earthquake
La Union was severely hit by the
1990 Luzon earthquake. Five municipalities in La Union were affected:
Agoo,
Aringay,
Caba,
Santo Tomas, and
Tubao with a combined population of 132,208. Many buildings, including the Agoo Municipal hall,
the
Museo de Iloko, the parish church of Aringay,
and the
Basilica Minore of our Lady of Charity,
collapsed or were severely damaged. 100,000 families were displaced when two coastal villages sank due to
liquefaction. The province suffered many casualties leaving 32 people dead.
2010s Tourism Boom

From the mid-2000s to the early 2010s, an influx of entrepreneurs began putting up establishments such as
boho-chic
Boho-chic is a style of fashion drawing on various Bohemianism, bohemian and hippie influences, which, at its height in late 2005 was associated particularly with actress Sienna Miller, model Kate Moss in the United Kingdom and actress/business ...
-style
art hostels and
third-wave coffeeshops in
San Juan and
Agoo. They were initially attracted to the already-established surfing scene of
Barangay
The barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as ''barrio'', is the smallest Administrative divisions of the Philippines, administrative division in the Philippines. Named after the Precolonial barangay, precolonial po ...
Urbiztondo in San Juan, but eventually envisioned business in the province as an alternative to the stresses of city-based employment. This coincided with the phase-by-phase opening of the
Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), which made La Union more accessible to tourists from Metro Manila.
Alongside the rising influence of social media outlets
Twitter
Twitter, officially known as X since 2023, is an American microblogging and social networking service. It is one of the world's largest social media platforms and one of the most-visited websites. Users can share short text messages, image ...
and
Instagram
Instagram is an American photo sharing, photo and Short-form content, short-form video sharing social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. It allows users to upload media that can be edited with Social media camera filter, filters, be ...
, these factors led to a drastic tourism boom that made San Juan—previously been seen as just one of the Philippines' many surfing venues—a major backpacker's destination whose attractions centered on surfing and art.

San Juan began to be featured prominently in independent films such as Jay Abello's 2015 film ''Flotsam'' and JP Habac's 2017 film ''I'm Drunk, I Love You'',
and the province began to be referred to by the colloquial
initialism
An acronym is a type of abbreviation consisting of a phrase whose only pronounced elements are the initial letters or initial sounds of words inside that phrase. Acronyms are often spelled with the initial letter of each word in all caps wi ...
“ElYu.”
Among Philippines literary circles, the town of Bauang has also become a pilgrimage site of sorts for celebrating the life of and works of writer and World War II martyr
Manuel Arguilla, with writers visiting the author's hometown to experience the landscapes that inspired him, and which featured prominently in his stories.
The most prominent event celebrating Arguilla was the 2017 run of the Taboan Literary Festival, a celebration of Philippine literature which changes venues every year, organized by the
National Commission on Culture and the Arts during every National Arts Month in February. Among the prominent artists who spoke about Arguilla at the festival were writer-academic
Butch Dalisay and
National Artist of the Philippines for literature
Bienvenido Lumbera.
Geography
La Union, located in the southwestern part of the
Ilocos Region, is bordered to the north and northeast by
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
, to the south by
Pangasinan, to the east by
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
, and to the west by the
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
and
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
. Geographically, it lies 273 kilometers north of
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila ( ), commonly shortened to Metro Manila and formally the National Capital Region (NCR; ), is the capital region and largest List of metropolitan areas in the Philippines, metropolitan area of the Philippines. Located ...
and 57 kilometers northwest of
Baguio City.
Among the provinces in the Ilocos Region, La Union is the smallest in terms of land area, covering 149,309 hectares, which constitutes 11.60% of the region's total land area and about 0.5% of the entire country.
The province is divided into two districts. District I, comprising 70,069 hectares (46.93% of the province's land area), includes
San Gabriel, the largest municipality, with 15,500 hectares, followed by the
City of San Fernando with 10,688 hectares, while Luna is the smallest. District II covers 79,240 hectares (53.07% of the province), with
Bagulin having the largest area, followed by
Aringay, while
Santo Tomas occupies the least space.
Topography
La Union’s
topography
Topography is the study of the forms and features of land surfaces. The topography of an area may refer to the landforms and features themselves, or a description or depiction in maps.
Topography is a field of geoscience and planetary sci ...
is predominantly hilly, gradually rising eastward from its
coastal plains.
The province’s
physiography
Physical geography (also known as physiography) is one of the three main branches of geography. Physical geography is the branch of natural science which deals with the processes and patterns in the natural environment such as the atmosphere, h ...
can be classified into four primary surface configurations: coastal plains, coastal hills, broad interior valleys, and mountain ridges with narrow valleys. These landforms have been shaped by
coral alluvium (sand and clay) deposited by flowing water.
The coastal plains of La Union are narrowest near Damortis and
Santo Tomas, and widest near
Balaoan, extending up to 15 kilometers inland. Along the
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
, the coastal plains transition sharply to steep ranges, with elevated areas in Santo Tomas,
Agoo,
Bauang, and
Balaoan, and gentler slopes in
Bacnotan,
San Fernando, and
San Juan.
These towns also features
mangrove swamps, and the soils in this area are ''sandy'' and ''saline'', particularly in southern San Fernando and surrounding areas. Coastal hills in La Union rarely exceed 300 meters in elevation, merging with the
Cordillera mountain ranges to form narrow valleys. The soils in these areas are primarily heavy
loam and
clay
Clay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolinite, ). Most pure clay minerals are white or light-coloured, but natural clays show a variety of colours from impuriti ...
, which are common in Agoo, Aringay, Santo Tomas, and
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
, while northern San Fernando is characterized by gravelly,
eroded loam.
The eastern frontier of the province is predominantly mountainous, dominated by the Gran Cordillera mountain ranges, specifically the Central and Northern Cordillera, which run parallel to the South China Sea coast. The highest peak in the province is located in
Bagulin, at an elevation of 1,200 feet, with other elevated areas found in San Gabriel and
Burgos. The fertile, fan-shaped interior valleys in San Juan, San Fernando, and Balaoan, formed by
river delta
A river delta is a landform, archetypically triangular, created by the deposition of the sediments that are carried by the waters of a river, where the river merges with a body of slow-moving water or with a body of stagnant water. The creat ...
sediments, are crucial for agriculture, though they are prone to
flooding during heavy rainfall.
Salty-loam and
alluvial soils, which are ideal for crops such as rice and tobacco, are prevalent in
Naguilian,
Aringay, Bauang, Balaoan, and
Luna. The eastern mountain ranges, characterized by
steep slopes and narrow valleys, are covered with reddish, clayish soils, particularly in Bacnotan, Agoo, San Fernando, San Juan, and Bauang, which are not suitable for agricultural use.
La Union is home to nine
valleys—four in the northern part of the province (Bangar, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan) and five in the south (Tubao, Aringay, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Naguilian)—which support agricultural land. These valleys are crossed by narrow, turbulent rivers. Further to the east, elevated plateaus and peaks that rise dramatically.
The province is traversed by eight principal rivers, most of which originate in the
Cordillera Central Mountains and flow into the
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
and
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
:
*
Amburayan River: The largest river in the province, it passes through
San Gabriel,
Sudipen, and
Bangar, marking the northern boundary between
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
and La Union before flowing into the South China Sea.
*
Bued River: Flows through
Pugo and Rosario, draining into the Lingayen Gulf, marking the southern boundary with
Pangasinan.
* Aringay River: Class B River Basin with a length of 45km that originates in
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
, passes through Pugo, Tubao, and Aringay, and flows into both the South China Sea and Lingayen Gulf.
* Baroro River: A length of 22.2km that starts in the mountains of San Gabriel, crossing San Gabriel, San Juan, and Bacnotan, and flows into the South China Sea.
* Maluyo River (also known as Bucilac River): Flows through Santol, Balaoan, and Bangar, marking regional boundaries.
*
Naguilian-Bauang River (also known as Balili River): Originates in
La Trinidad, Benguet, and flows through Bagulin, Naguilian, and Bauang to the South China Sea.
* Maragayap River: Passes through San Gabriel, Balaoan, and Bacnotan, eventually flowing into the South China Sea.
* Darigayos River: Flows from the mountains behind Balaoan to Darigayos Cove, emptying into the South China Sea.
La Union’s coastal rim is indented by four bays or coves: San Fernando (at the central point), San Juan in the northeast, Darigayos in the northwest, and Santo Tomas in the southwest.
Land use in La Union is varied. Forests and wooded areas cover 41,240 hectares (27.62%), enhancing its biodiversity. Agriculture dominates, occupying 54,701 hectares (36.64%), while grasslands and shrublands account for 22,834 hectares (15.29%). Urban development takes up 15,555 hectares (10.42%), alongside 14,788 hectares (3.30%) of bare land, and 191 hectares (0.13%) are classified as wetlands.
Climate
According to
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), La Union experiences a 1st Climatic Type of the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
, which is characterized by two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. The
Southwest Monsoon (SWM) brings heavy rainfall during the wet season, while the
Northeast Monsoon (NEM) causes relatively dry conditions as it passes over the
Cordillera Mountains. Rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year, with the peak rainfall occurring from July to September.
La Union is also affected by
tropical cyclones, with 85 such weather systems recorded between 1948 and 2009, including one super typhoon. These storms, which occur most frequently from July to October, have adverse effects on tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure. During strong typhoons, businesses often close, power outages are common, transportation becomes limited, and crops suffer damage, reducing agricultural production.
Administrative Divisions
La Union comprises 19
municipalities
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
and 1
component city, all of which are organized into two
legislative districts. The First
Congressional District consists of 8 municipalities and 1 city, while the Second Congressional District consists of 11 municipalities.
Barangays
La Union consists of ''576
barangays'', which are spread across its ''19
municipalities
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
'' and ''1
city
A city is a human settlement of a substantial size. The term "city" has different meanings around the world and in some places the settlement can be very small. Even where the term is limited to larger settlements, there is no universally agree ...
''. According to the 2020 census, the barangay with the highest population is ''Sevilla'', located in the
City of San Fernando, boasting a population of 11,316. When cities are not taken into account, Central East (Poblacion) in the municipality of
Bauang ranks as the most populous barangay, with 4,249 residents. In contrast, ''Caggao'' in
Bangar has the smallest population, totaling just 192 inhabitants.
Demographics
Population
According to the 2020 census conducted by the
Philippine Census of Population and Housing, La Union had a population of 822,352, with a population density of 550 people per square kilometer (1,400 per square mile). This is an increase of 35,699 persons over the total population of 786,653 persons in 2015 Census of Population.
The household population was nearly evenly distributed, with 50.6% male (414,860) and 49.4% female (405,480).
The
City of San Fernando is the most populous area in La Union, with 125,640 residents (15.28% of the province's total population), followed by
Bauang (78,449),
Agoo (66,028),
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
(60,278), and
Naguilian (52,189). Conversely,
Burgos is the least populous municipality with 9,006 residents, followed by
Santol (14,166),
Bagulin (14,428),
Sudipen (17,187), and
San Gabriel (18,943).
Santol recorded the fastest population growth between 2015 and 2020, with an annual rate of 2.71%, followed by Burgos (2.34%),
Tubao (2.13%),
San Juan (1.81%), and Rosario (1.77%). In terms of population density, Agoo was the most densely populated municipality, with 1,250 persons per square kilometer, while Burgos had the lowest density at 127 persons per square kilometer.
Age distribution reveals that 26.3% of the population were young dependents (under 15 years), 66.1% were of
working age (15–64 years), and 7.6% were elderly (65 years and older). Males slightly outnumbered females in younger age groups, while females were more numerous among the elderly, reflecting higher
life expectancy
Human life expectancy is a statistical measure of the estimate of the average remaining years of life at a given age. The most commonly used measure is ''life expectancy at birth'' (LEB, or in demographic notation ''e''0, where '' ...
for women. The overall
sex ratio
A sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. As explained by Fisher's principle, for evolutionary reasons this is typically about 1:1 in species which reproduce sexually. However, many species deviate from an even sex ratio, ei ...
was 102 males per 100 females, with variations across age groups: 108 males per 100 females among those under 15, 105 in the working-age population, and 70 among the elderly.
The median age in La Union was 28.5 years.
Senior citizen
Old age is the range of ages for people nearing and surpassing life expectancy. People who are of old age are also referred to as: old people, elderly, elders, senior citizens, seniors or older adults. Old age is not a definite biological sta ...
s (60 years and older) comprised 11.5% of the population, 56.4% of whom were women. As of 2012, La Union had the longest life expectancy in the Philippines at 78.3 years.
Religion
According to the 2020 census on
religious affiliation in the
Ilocos Region, the majority of La Union's household population identifies as
Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
, with
Roman Catholics comprising 69.5% (695,867 individuals).
Iglesia ni Cristo
The (INC; ; ) is an independent Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, church founded in 1913 and registered by Felix Manalo, Félix Manalo in 1914 as a corporation sole, sole religious corporation ...
represents a significant minority with 23,374 members, while
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
accounts for 0.19% of the population (1,932 adherents).
Buddhism
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
, though present in smaller numbers, constitutes 0.25% or 163 of the population.
In addition to Roman Catholicism and Iglesia ni Cristo, the province is home to a range of
Christian denominations
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...
, including
Protestantism
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
, the
Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan),
Jehovah’s Witnesses, the
Pentecostal Church of God Asia Mission, Bible Baptist Church,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and the ...
, and the
Church of Christ, among others. Non-Christian religions such as
Taoism
Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ' ...
and
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
are also practiced by a small portion of the population, reflecting the province’s cultural diversity and historical influences from trade and migration.
Ethnicity
Historically, La Union has been home to several ethnolinguistic groups, including the
Ilocanos,
Pangasinan, and
Cordillerans (Igorot). The Cordillerans primarily consist of the
Ibaloi,
Kankanaey, and the Bago, also known as Bago-Igorot. The Bago are a highland indigenous people referred to as new Christian converts during Spanish colonization in the province.
Ethnically, La Union is predominantly Ilocano, according to a 2020 report by the
Philippine Statistics Authority
The Philippine Statistics Authority (; PSA) is the central statistical authority of the Philippine government that collects, compiles, analyzes, and publishes statistical information on economic, social, demographic, political affairs, and gene ...
. The
Ilocano ethnic group accounts for 673,312 or 81.88% of the population.
In the southwestern part of the province, there are 10,319
Pangasinan people. Indigenous communities, including the
Kankanaey (42,552), Bago (24,757), and
Ibaloi (9,107), reside in the municipalities of
Sudipen, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, Tubao, Pugo, Bagulin, and Burgos.In
Bagulin alone, 85% of the population, or 11,539 individuals, belong to indigenous groups. In
Pugo, the majority of indigenous residents are from the Bago people.
These communities have faced displacement, such as the eviction from the Mount Shontoug area in Pugo during the construction of the Marcos bust.
Southern La Union, particularly Agoo, Santo Tomas, and Rosario, was historically ethnically Pangasinan;
by the 16th century, migration from northern La Union and Ilocos, as recorded by Fray Andrés Carro in 1792, resulted in the area becoming predominantly Ilocano-inhabited and ethnically Ilocanized Pangasinenses.
Other ethnic groups in La Union include 23,518
Tagalog people
The Tagalog people are an Austronesian Ethnic groups in the Philippines, ethnic group native to the Philippines, particularly the Metro Manila and Calabarzon regions and Marinduque province of southern Luzon, and comprise the majority in the p ...
and 10,025 Bisaya or
Binisaya people, 4,043
Bicolano people, 2,410
Kapampangan people, 2,383
Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) people, 2,311
Ifugao people, 1,717
Itneg (Tingguian) people, 1,586
Waray people, 1,319
Cebuano, 1,181
Maranao, people as well as foreign nationals such as 473
Chinese, 410
Indian, and 142
American, contributing to the province's cultural diversity.
Language
Iloco, or Iloko, is the primary language spoken in La Union, with the Abagatan (Southern) dialect as its regional variation. In 2012, Iloco was officially recognized as the language of La Union through ''Provincial Ordinance No. 026-2012'', known as the Iloco Code.
Pangasinan is also spoken in the southern part of the province, particularly near the border with
Pangasinan. Meanwhile,
Kankanaey and
Ibaloi are spoken by the
Cordilleran communities residing in the highland areas of La Union.
Historically, in 1884, Governor Federico Francia issued an ''espediente'' (report) on the ''dialectos que hablan'' (dialects spoken) in La Union.
The report noted that most ''umilis'' (townspeople) spoke Ilocano and Pangasinan, with
Santo Tomas and
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
being the only towns where both languages were spoken due to their proximity to Pangasinan. The remaining 11 towns predominantly spoke Iloco, excluding the scattered ''Igorrotes'' communities in ''
rancherías''. Up to the end of Hispanic rule, Ilocano remained the predominant
lingua franca
A lingua franca (; ; for plurals see ), also known as a bridge language, common language, trade language, auxiliary language, link language or language of wider communication (LWC), is a Natural language, language systematically used to make co ...
of La Union.
Economy
La Union’s economy is driven by three primary sectors: ''
agriculture
Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
,
industry'', and ''
services''. The service sector plays a dominant role, comprising 81.28% of all business establishments, while industry contributes 17.21% and agriculture makes up 1.51%. In 2022, La Union emerged as the second fastest-growing economy in the
Ilocos Region, with a growth rate of 7.7%.
According to preliminary estimates from the 2019 Provincial
Human Development Index
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical composite index of life expectancy, Education Index, education (mean years of schooling completed and expected years of schooling upon entering the education system), and per capita income i ...
by the
Philippine Statistics Authority
The Philippine Statistics Authority (; PSA) is the central statistical authority of the Philippine government that collects, compiles, analyzes, and publishes statistical information on economic, social, demographic, political affairs, and gene ...
(PSA), La Union scored 0.76, indicating a high level of development and rank as top 9 in the Philippines. The province’s
Gross Domestic Product
Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the total market value of all the final goods and services produced and rendered in a specific time period by a country or countries. GDP is often used to measure the economic performanc ...
(GDP) in 2022 was valued at ₱118.60 billion, representing an 18.1% share of the region’s total economy.
La Union ranked second in terms of per capita
GDP, which was recorded at ₱140,840 and ₱124,580 over two different measures.
However, the 2021 data from the PSA showed an increase in
poverty incidence, with 13.90% of the population and 10.70% of families living below the poverty line, up from 5.20% and 3.70% in 2018, respectively.
Agriculture
Crop Production
Agriculture
Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
, particularly
crop production, remains vital to La Union's economy and its city and municipalities. Major crops include
rice
Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...
(palay),
corn
Maize (; ''Zea mays''), also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout Poaceae, grass that produces cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples of Mexico, indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago ...
,
tobacco
Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus '' Nicotiana'' of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the ...
,
sugarcane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...
,
root crops,
legumes,
fruits
In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants (angiosperms) that is formed from the ovary after flowering.
Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particular have long propaga ...
, and a variety of lowland and highland
vegetables
Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. This original meaning is still commonly used, and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including flowers, fruits, ...
.
In 2023, the province recorded a palay production volume of 173,891.55 metric tons, a 1.53% increase from the previous year's production of 171,276.53 metric tons. The highest production levels in 2016 were in the towns of
San Juan (9,941.36 metric tons),
Naguilian (8,787.06 metric tons),
Rosario
Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
(8,156.72 metric tons),
Agoo (8,649.21 metric tons), and
Bangar (7,701.41 metric tons).
For
corn
Maize (; ''Zea mays''), also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout Poaceae, grass that produces cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples of Mexico, indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago ...
, La Union produced 25,197.17 metric tons in the first quarter of 2024, with a yield of 5.86 metric tons per hectare across 4,299.63 hectares.
However, corn production decreased by 1.46% in the second quarter of 2024, due to a reduction in harvested area and yield per hectare.
In 2021,
sugarcane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...
production reached 2,073.64 metric tons.
In terms of fruit farming,
banana
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large treelike herbaceous flowering plants in the genus '' Musa''. In some countries, cooking bananas are called plantains, distinguishing the ...
and
mango
A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree '' Mangifera indica''. It originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' has been cultivated in South and Southeast As ...
are the most prevalent, while
grapes,
guapple, and
dragon fruit are also cultivated, mainly in
Bauang and
Caba. The province also produces highland vegetables, with the towns of
San Gabriel,
Santol,
Bagulin, and
Burgos being the main producers of crops like
cabbage,
wombok,
carrots
The carrot (''Daucus carota'' subsp. ''sativus'') is a root vegetable, typically orange in colour, though heirloom variants including purple, black, red, white, and yellow cultivars exist, all of which are domesticated forms of the Daucus ...
, and
cucumber.
La Union is of the top
tobacco
Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus '' Nicotiana'' of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the ...
producer in the Philippines, particularly known for
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...
and native tobacco. In 2021, the province produced 4,606.88 metric tons of tobacco.
Balaoan is the leading tobacco-producing town in the province, contributing the highest
excise tax
file:Lincoln Beer Stamp 1871.JPG, upright=1.2, 1871 U.S. Revenue stamp for 1/6 barrel of beer. Brewers would receive the stamp sheets, cut them into individual stamps, cancel them, and paste them over the Bunghole, bung of the beer barrel so when ...
shares from Virginia tobacco production. Other contributing towns include
Agoo,
Bacnotan,
Burgos,
Caba,
Luna, San Gabriel, Santo Tomas, San Juan,
Pugo, Naguilian, Bauang, Bangar, Bagulin, and
Aringay.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
The province's economy also heavily depends on its twelve coastal municipalities and fisheries. In the first quarter of 2024,
municipal fisheries accounted for 75.27% of La Union's total fisheries production, with 1,932.23 metric tons produced.
Marine fisheries made up the bulk of this, contributing 1,814.97 metric tons (93.93%), while inland fisheries contributed 117.26 metric tons (6.07%). Key species include
threadfin bream (''bisugo''),
skipjack tuna
The skipjack tuna (''Katsuwonus pelamis'') is a perciform fish in the tuna family, Scombridae, and is the only member of the genus ''Katsuwonus''. It is also known as katsuo, arctic bonito, mushmouth, oceanic bonito, striped tuna or victor fish. ...
(''gulyasan''),
cavalla (''talakitok''), and
Spanish mackerel
Scomberomorini is a tribe of ray-finned, saltwater, bony fishes that is commonly known as Spanish mackerels, seerfishes, or seer fish. This tribe is a subset of the mackerel family (Scombridae), which it shares with four sister tribes, the tu ...
(''tanigue'').
Aquaculture
Aquaculture (less commonly spelled aquiculture), also known as aquafarming, is the controlled cultivation ("farming") of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae and other organisms of value such as aquatic plants (e.g. Nelu ...
contributed 22.01% of the total fisheries production, amounting to 564.89 metric tons in the first quarter of 2024. The majority of aquaculture production came from
milkfish (''bangus''), which totaled 481.33 metric tons, followed by
oysters
Oyster is the common name for a number of different families of Seawater, salt-water bivalve molluscs that live in Marine (ocean), marine or Brackish water, brackish habitats. In some species, the valves are highly Calcification, calcified, a ...
(43.56 metric tons) and
tiger prawn (13.21 metric tons).
In 2022, the top five species produced in La Union were milkfish,
grouper,
tilapia, tiger prawn, and
threadfin bream.
Aquaculture farming is concentrated in the towns of
Santo Tomas, Aringay,
Bacnotan, the City of San Fernando, Luna, and Bangar.
Seaweed (a''rarosep'' or
sea grapes) and
sea urchin
Sea urchins or urchins () are echinoderms in the class (biology), class Echinoidea. About 950 species live on the seabed, inhabiting all oceans and depth zones from the intertidal zone to deep seas of . They typically have a globular body cove ...
farming is also present in the province, mainly in
Balaoan.
Commercial fisheries contributed 2.72% to total fisheries production, with 69.88 metric tons.
Animal Husbandry
In 2023, La Union's
livestock production reached 13,556 metric tons liveweight.
Hog production was the largest contributor, while
carabao production accounted for 7.57%, and
cattle production for 14.73%.
Goat production increased by 3.82%, totaling 904 metric tons liveweight.
Poultry production in 2023 reached 24,579 metric tons liveweight. Chicken production was the largest, with 1.35 million heads.
However,
chicken egg production decreased by 15.81%, and
duck egg output dropped by 39.29%. The province also had an inventory of 1.35 million chickens, with 15.72 million chickens dressed.
Quail farming is prominent in
Pugo, where eggs and meat are commercially raised.
Industry
La Union’s economy is driven by
agro-industries,
cottage industries
The putting-out system is a means of subcontracting work, like a tailor. Historically, it was also known as the workshop system and the domestic system. In putting-out, work is contracted by a central agent to subcontractors who complete the p ...
, and
manufacturing sectors, which support the growth of
micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), serving as key drivers of economic growth in the province.
The province participates in the
One Town, One Product (OTOP) initiative, promoting local products such as weaving (''
inabel'') and
blacksmithing (''panday'') in
Bangar,
sugarcane wine (''
basi'') and vinegar (''
sukang Iloko'') in
Naguilian, rice wine (''
tapuy''), and soft broom (''buyboy'') production using
tiger grass in
Bagulin and Burgos,
honey
Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several species of bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of pl ...
(''diro'') production or
apiculture in Bacnotan, fish paste (
''bugguong'') and dried fish (''
daing'') in Santo Tomas,
salt farming in Balaoan, chichacorn (''
cornick'') production in Tubao, and mushroom farming or
fungiculture
Fungiculture is the cultivation of fungi such as mushrooms. Cultivating fungi can yield foods (which include mostly mushrooms), medicine, construction materials and other products. A ''mushroom farm'' is involved in the business of growing fu ...
in Agoo.
Handicrafts
A handicraft is a traditional main sector of craft making and applies to a wide range of creative and design activities that are related to making things with one's hands and skill, including work with textiles, moldable and rigid material ...
also contribute to the local economy, with red clay
pottery
Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
(''damili'') in
San Juan,
woodcarving and furnishing products in Pugo and Rosario, and
rattan
Rattan, also spelled ratan (from Malay language, Malay: ''rotan''), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae. The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in the clos ...
and
bamboo
Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial plant, perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily (biology), subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, in th ...
basketry (''laga'') in
Santol and
Sudipen.
Manufacturing industries include Universal Leaf Corporation in Agoo,
Holcim Cement, Inc. in Bacnotan,
Pepsi Cola Plant in Rosario,
Coca-Cola Plant in San Fernando City,
B-Meg Satellite Plant in San Juan and Bacnotan, Amanianan Motors in Rosario, and
Fortune Tobacco Corporation in Rosario. These industries provide significant employment opportunities and contribute to the economic stability of La Union by leveraging its local resources and products.
Service
The service sector is a vital driver of La Union’s economy, significantly contributing to the province’s development through
trade
Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market.
Traders generally negotiate through a medium of cr ...
,
healthcare
Health care, or healthcare, is the improvement or maintenance of health via the preventive healthcare, prevention, diagnosis, therapy, treatment, wikt:amelioration, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other disability, physic ...
,
education
Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...
,
commerce
Commerce is the organized Complex system, system of activities, functions, procedures and institutions that directly or indirectly contribute to the smooth, unhindered large-scale exchange (distribution through Financial transaction, transactiona ...
,
transportation
Transport (in British English) or transportation (in American English) is the intentional Motion, movement of humans, animals, and cargo, goods from one location to another. Mode of transport, Modes of transport include aviation, air, land tr ...
, and
hospitality
Hospitality is the relationship of a host towards a guest, wherein the host receives the guest with some amount of goodwill and welcome. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Louis de Jaucourt, Louis, ...
.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure
Transport (in British English) or transportation (in American English) is the intentional movement of humans, animals, and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, land ( rail and road), water, cable, pipelines, ...
, including the San Fernando International Seaport and
San Fernando (Poro Point) Domestic Airport, plays a crucial role in facilitating economic activity. The seaport, with its 30-hectare facility and multiple
piers, supports trade by accommodating various vessels, while the Soiltech Pier enhances
cargo-handling capacity.
The airport, covering 40.5 hectares, provides critical access to regional destinations, boosting tourism and trade, which contribute to local revenue and job creation.
Public transportation, operated by providers such as La Union Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LUTRAMPCO), Central Ilocos Transport Service Cooperative (CITRANSCO)
Partas Transportation,
Viron Transit, and La Union Pangasinan Transit, ensures mobility such as
e-jeepney and taxis across the province, supporting commerce and the daily needs of residents and businesses.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
The emerging
BPO sector drives economic growth by generating employment and supporting businesses with customer service, technical assistance, and administrative functions. Companies like
TaskUs Lighthouse and VIRTUS BPO Corp. contribute to the local economy by attracting investments and providing jobs to residents.
Education
La Union has 413 educational institutions, including a
state university
A public university, state university, or public college is a university or college that is State ownership, owned by the state or receives significant funding from a government. Whether a national university is considered public varies from o ...
with four campuses, supports workforce development, equipping residents with skills and knowledge that contribute to the province's economic productivity.
Healthcare
The healthcare sector, anchored by 16 private hospitals and 7
public hospitals, including the
Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), which is recognized as the core of public health and medical care in the
Ilocos Region, strengthens the economy by offering essential services and creating employment in medical and allied fields. These institutions attract patients from neighboring regions, boosting local spending.
Hospitality
The hospitality industry is a major economic pillar in the province including in
food and beverage services, also known as the
Surfing
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suita ...
Capital of the North, with hotels, resorts, and restaurants generating significant revenue. Establishments such as
Thunderbird Resort and Casinos, Aureo La Union, and Sunset Bay Beach Resort attract domestic and international tourists, boosting local businesses and creating jobs in travel, entertainment, and culinary services. Tourism spending contributes directly to the province’s economy, reinforcing
Tourism
La Union is positioning itself as the ''Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025''. The expansion of innovative agricultural practices has boosted the province’s tourism sector, with many farms transforming their sites into destinations that offer various activities for visitors.
In 2022, the province welcomed 494,387
tourists, a figure that increased to 550,359 in 2023, generating over ₱1 billion in tourism receipts. During the first half of 2024, La Union attracted 237,868 overnight visitors, with an average length of stay of 1.37 days, bringing in an estimated ₱462,210,706.59 in tourism revenue. These numbers underline the significance of tourism to La Union's economy, with strong visitor arrivals and considerable financial contributions.
The top three tourist destinations in 2023 were
San Juan, which attracted 215,645 visitors,
Bauang with 100,762 visitors, and
San Fernando City, with 97,726 visitors. These destinations highlight the province’s appeal as a tourism hub, contributing both to the local economy and to La Union’s growing reputation as a premier destination in
Northern Luzon.
Culture
La Union’s culture is a rich ''union'' of
Ilocano,
Pangasinan, and
Cordilleran traditions, shaped over centuries by the province’s unique history, geography, and social dynamics. This cultural heritage has been influenced by indigenous practices as well as colonial and foreign interactions, making it both diverse and enduring.
Anchored in Ilocano heritage, with approximately 82% of the population identifying as Ilocano and the majority being
Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
, ''Elyucanos'', are recognized for their hardworking, thrifty, and resilient nature. They are often celebrated for their ability to endure adversity, with ''gasat'' (fate) determining their life on earth, reflecting a deep connection to their Ilocano roots.
The province is well-known for its traditional industries, which include ''
abel
Abel ( ''Hébel'', in pausa ''Hā́ḇel''; ''Hábel''; , ''Hābēl'') is a biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within the Abrahamic religions. Born as the second son of Adam and Eve, the first two humans created by God in Judaism, God, he ...
'' (weaving), ''damili'' (
pottery
Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
), and
wine-making. These crafts are integral to the province's identity, showcasing the skill and artistry of the local population. La Union’s colorful and vibrant
fiestas are central to the province’s cultural and religious expression, embodying the spirit of community and celebration.
The province's contributions to
Philippine arts and culture are significant, as it is the birthplace of prominent national figures such as writer and World War II hero
Manuel Arguilla, and
National Artist for Music,
Lucrecia Roces Kasilag. Their legacies further highlight the cultural richness and artistic heritage of the province.
Weaving

The municipality of
Bangar is renowned for its loom-weaving industry, producing ''
inabel'', a traditional Ilocano fabric. ''Abel'' means to weave in Ilocano, and ''inabel'' refers specifically to textiles that are distinctly Ilocano in origin. The town has been known for centuries for its expertise in producing these fabrics, a key element of the local heritage.
Pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
, or ''damili'' in Ilocano, is one of the oldest and most cherished art forms in La Union. In the town of
San Juan, particularly along Barangay Taboc, the craft of pottery making thrives. Local artisans produce traditional items such as ''dalikán'' (firewood-fed stoves), ''
burnay'' (earthen jars), ''banga'' (cooking pots), and ''dongdóng'' (larger cooking pots), among other items like plant pots, decorative pottery, and roof tiles.
WineryThe tradition of wine-making in La Union is particularly preserved in
Naguilian, where ''
basi'', a
fermented alcoholic beverage
Drinks containing alcohol (drug), alcohol are typically divided into three classes—beers, wines, and Distilled beverage, spirits—with alcohol content typically between 3% and 50%. Drinks with less than 0.5% are sometimes considered Non-al ...
made from
sugarcane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...
, has been produced for centuries. The method of making ''basi'' in Naguilian is distinct, involving a preparation of ''bubod'' (starter), boiled sugarcane juice, and unique additives like
lomboy bark, tangal bark, and green guava leaves. Historically, ''basi'' was integral to Ilocano rituals, marking significant life events such as marriages, births, and funerals.
Traditional rice wine, known as ''
tapuy'', is also widely enjoyed by the
Cordilleran (Igorot) communities in the province, further enriching the local cultural heritage.
Festivals (Fiestas)
La Union’s festivals are a lively celebration of the province’s agricultural roots and the everyday lives of its people. Throughout the year, every town hosts its own fiesta, each one a unique expression of local culture and tradition. These vibrant festivities not only honor the hardworking spirit of the community but also highlight the province’s agricultural wealth. Alongside these local events, La Union also hosts several major festivals that bring together the province’s rich history, cultural diversity, and the deep sense of unity among its people.Dinengdeng Festival - The Dinengdeng Festival is the official annual festivity of Agoo, celebrated in the summer. The festival is named after dinengdeng, an Ilocano vegetable-based dish traditionally cooked in a banga (clay pot). The festival honors this dish and the agricultural heritage of the town.
Sillag Festival - The Sillag Festival, also known as the Poro Point Festival of Lights, is held during the summer in La Union. Sillag means "moonbeam" or "illumination" in Iloco, and the festival features various light displays and activities that start at sunset, showcasing the beauty of Poro Point.Panagyaman Festival - The Panagyaman Festival celebrates a bountiful harvest and is a five-day event held annually from December 18 in Balaoan. The Iloco term panagyaman means ''"thanksgiving,"'' emphasizing the community’s gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Pindangan Festival - The Pindangan Festival commemorates the founding anniversary of San Fernando as a city, ratified on March 20, 1998. The term pindangan is the former name of the city refers to a place where meat was traditionally sun-dried. The festival highlights this preservation method and the town’s historical roots.Diro Festival - The Diro Festival celebrates the honey industry in
Bacnotan, as diro is the Iloco word for honey. The festival symbolizes unity and oneness within the community, and it features a float parade, cultural performances, and giveaways for residents.
Tinungbo Festival - The Tinungbo Festival is held annually in
Pugo, named after the traditional cooking method of tinungbo, which involves grilling rice and local delicacies in bamboo tubes over a low fire. This festival celebrates the town’s culinary heritage and indigenous practices.Danggayan Festival - The Danggayan Festival in
San Juan showcases the town’s cultural heritage and spirit of unity. Danggayan means ''"togetherness"'' in Iloco, and the festival emphasizes collaboration and community through various activities and performances.
Baggak Festival - Held every January, the Baggak Festival celebrates
Bauang’s cultural diversity and unity. The term baggak means ''"morning star"'' in Iloco, symbolizing the dawn of a new day. The festival features parades, street dancing, and cultural performances.Abel-Panday Festival - The Abel-Panday Festival is a two-day celebration held every December 26 and 27 in
Bangar. It honors the local products ''
abel
Abel ( ''Hébel'', in pausa ''Hā́ḇel''; ''Hábel''; , ''Hābēl'') is a biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within the Abrahamic religions. Born as the second son of Adam and Eve, the first two humans created by God in Judaism, God, he ...
'' (woven fabric) and
''panday'' (blacksmithing), which are integral to the town's craftsmanship and cultural identity.
Daing Festival - The Daing Festival in
Santo Tomas celebrates the town’s renowned dried fish industry, particularly ''
daing'' (sun-dried fish). Held every April 20, this festival is followed by the town’s annual fiesta on April 24–25, highlighting the town’s local trade and exports.

Basi Festival - The Basi Festival is held every third week of February in
Naguilian to celebrate
''basi'', a traditional Ilocano wine made from sugarcane. The festival features street dancing, sports events, an agri-trade fair, and other amusement games, promoting basi as a local product.
Tabako Festival - The Tabako Festival in
Tubao, held every second week of May, celebrates the town’s tobacco industry, a testament to the resilience of Ilocano farmers. The festival highlights the harvest of premium tobacco cigars, enjoyed by both local and foreign smoking enthusiasts.
Mais Festival - The Mais Festival in
Tubao celebrates the town’s abundant corn harvest, reflecting the resilience, hard work, and rich cultural heritage of its people. Held every second week of May, the festival honors the victory and prosperity of the town’s farmers, showcasing the importance of corn to the community’s way of life.
Kaykay Festival - Kaykay Festival is a week-long celebration on the month of March in the municipality of Bagulin, that includes a sportsfeast, mural painting competition, and IP dance competition.
Buyboy Festival - is a celebration of the municipalities' town fiesta showcasing their major produce “buyboy” or tiger grass during the month of February. This raw material is made into the soft brooms and other decorative items. Featured is a civic parade, trade fair and handicraft exhibition. Cultural performances can also be seen during this time. They are also known for its colored soft broom.
La Union Foundation Anniversary Celebrations - The La Union Foundation Anniversary celebrations are held annually around March to mark the formation of the province in 1850. One of the highlights of this event is the Mutia ti La Union (Miss La Union) contest, showcasing the beauty and talent of local women. In the 174th anniversary celebrations, Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David led the Second La Union Hot Air Balloon Show at Poro Point Baywalk in San Fernando, accompanied by other activities like a static display and car and drift shows.
Government
Just as the national government, La Union provincial government is divided into three branches:
executive,
legislative
A legislature (, ) is a deliberative assembly with the legal authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city on behalf of the people therein. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers ...
, and
judiciary
The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law ...
. The judicial branch is administered solely by the
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court (; colloquially referred to as the ' (also used in formal writing), is the highest court in the Philippines. It was established by the Taft Commission on June 11, 1901, through the enactment of Act No. 136, which abolished th ...
. The
Local Government Units (LGUs) have control of the executive and legislative branches.
The executive branch is composed of the
governor
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...
for the provinces, the
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
for the cities and municipalities, and the
Punong Barangay (Chairman) for the barangays.
The legislative branch is composed of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (abbreviated as SP; ), commonly known as the Provincial Board, are the legislatures in Provinces of the Philippines, Philippine provinces. They are the legislative branches of the provinces, and their powers and responsibi ...
(provincial assembly) for the provinces,
Sangguniang Panlungsod
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is the local legislature, legislative body of a Philippine city, city government in the Philippines. The name of the legislative body comes from the Filipino language, Filipino words "''sanggunian''" ("council") � ...
(city assembly) for the cities,
Sangguniang Bayan
The Sangguniang Bayan () is the local legislative branch of the municipal governments in the Philippines. It is responsible for passing ordinances and resolutions for the administration of a municipality. Its powers are defined by the Local Go ...
(town assembly) for the municipalities,
Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the
Sangguniang Kabataan
A Sangguniang Kabataan (abbreviated as SK; ) is a community council that represents the youth in a barangay in the Philippines. Established to provide young people with a platform for civic engagement and participation in Local government in ...
for the youth sector.
The seat of government is vested upon the mayor and other elected officers who hold office at the City Hall of San Fernando. The Sangguniang Bayan is the center of legislation, stationed in the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Building, the Legislative Building at the back of the Capitol.
Elected Officials
La Union is governed by
Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David, the chief executive, her vice governor, Mario Ortega, and 13 board members.
The La Union has two congressional district represents by two congressman Francisco Paolo Ortega for the First Congressional District and Dante S. Garcia for Second Congressional District.
Governors
District Representatives
Court System
The
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court (; colloquially referred to as the ' (also used in formal writing), is the highest court in the Philippines. It was established by the Taft Commission on June 11, 1901, through the enactment of Act No. 136, which abolished th ...
recognizes La Union (''inter alia'') regional trial courts and metropolitan or municipal trial courts within the province and towns that have an overall jurisdiction in the populace of the province and towns, respectively.
''Batas Pambansa Blg. 129'', ''"The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980",'' as amended, created Regional, Metropolitan, Municipal Trial and Circuit Courts. The Third Judicial Region includes
Regional Trial Courts in La Union xxx Sec. 14. Regional Trial Courts. (a) Fifty-seven Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for the First Judicial Region. Nine branches (Branches XXVI to XXXIV) for the province of La Union, Branches XXVI to XXX with seats at
San Fernando City, Branches XXXI and XXXII at
Agoo, Branch XXXIII at
Bauang, and Branch XXXIV at
Balaoan;
The law also created Metropolitan Trial Courts in each metropolitan area established by law, a Municipal Trial Court in each of the other cities or municipalities, and a Municipal Circuit Trial Court in each circuit comprising such cities and/or municipalities as are grouped together pursuant to law: three branches for Cabanatuan City; in every city which does not form part of a metropolitan area, there is also a Municipal Trial Court with one branch, except as provided: Two branches for San Fernando, La Union;
The courts of law are stationed in Halls of Justices of the Province and towns. In La Union, the Regional Trial Court is stationed at the ''Bulwagan ng Katarungan'' or Halls of Justice in
San Fernando, La Union and other Regional Trial Courts in Bauang and Agoo, La Union.
Education
As of 2022, based on the
Department of Education (DepEd) Masterlist of Schools for School Year 2021-2022, La Union has a total of 413
educational institutions. These include 325 public and 27 private
elementary schools, 13 public and 1 private
secondary schools offering purely secondary education (Junior and Senior High School), and 28 public and 2 private integrated schools providing both elementary and secondary education (Junior and Senior High School) under the
K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.
In addition to these, the province is home to 14 private
colleges
A college (Latin: ''collegium'') may be a tertiary education, tertiary educational institution (sometimes awarding academic degree, degrees), part of a collegiate university, an institution offering vocational education, a further educatio ...
and 1
state university
A public university, state university, or public college is a university or college that is State ownership, owned by the state or receives significant funding from a government. Whether a national university is considered public varies from o ...
with 4 campuses, all administered by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The
literacy rate
Literacy is the ability to read and write, while illiteracy refers to an inability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of "literacy" as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was ...
in La Union among the household population aged 10 years and older was recorded at 99.0% in 2020, with a slightly higher rate among males (50.4%) compared to females (49.6%).
Historically, education in La Union dates back to the
Spanish colonial period, following the 1863 reforms that introduced primary schools for boys and girls. In 1901, the
American administration established the Philippine public school system through Act No. 74. This system, with its superior infrastructure and resources, was widely embraced by communities and became a vital driver of social and economic progress in the province.
Universities:
*
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
** Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-North La Union Campus (Bacnotan)
** Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus (City of San Fernando)
** Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (Agoo)
** Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-East La Union Campus (Naguilian)
** Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Open University System (City of San Fernando)
Colleges:
*
Saint Louis College La Union
*Union Christian College
*
AMA Computer College – La Union Campus
*LORMA Colleges
*CICOSAT Colleges
*Northern Philippines College for Maritime Science and Technology
*
STI College La Union
*Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon
*Sea and Sky Colleges
*La Finn's Scholastica
*Sta. Veronica Colleges
*South Ilocandia College of Arts and Technology
*La Union College of Science and Technology
*La Union Christian Comprehensive College
*Agoo Computer Colleges
*Polytechnic College of La Union
*Philippine Central College of Arts, Science and Technology
Notable people
Leaders and Politicians
*
Diego Silang (December 16, 1730 – May 28, 1763) – Filipino Revolutionary
*
Joaquin Luna (December 11, 1864 – November 7, 1936) was a Filipino revolutionary and former
La Union governor from 1901-1908.
*
Anacleto Diaz (1878–1945) – 31st
Associate Justice
An associate justice or associate judge (or simply associate) is a judicial panel member who is not the chief justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the Supreme Court of the United States and some ...
of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
*
Magnolia Antonino
Magnolia Rodriguez Welborn Antonino ( Welborn; December 14, 1915 – July 22, 2010) was a Senate of the Philippines, Senator of the Philippines. The daughter of George Welborn and Hipolita Rodriguez, she was married to Gaudencio Antonino, also a ...
(1915–2010) – former
Senator of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines () is the upper house of Congress of the Philippines, Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the House of Representatives of the Philippines, House of Representatives as the lower house. The ...
*
Manuel Arguilla (1911–1944) – writer, patriot, and martyr
*
Jose D. Aspiras – 1st Secretary of the
Department of Tourism and former congressman
*
Camilo Osias (1889–1976) – Filipino politician, 6th and 8th
President of the Senate of the Philippines.
*
Fortunato Abat (1925–2018) – 20th Secretary of the
Department of National Defense (DND), Ambassador to the
People's Republic of China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
, and
Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
*
Armando "Mandrake" Ducusin Palabay (1953–1974) - Filipino student leader and activist from
San Fernando La Union, honored at the Philippines'
Bantayog ng mga Bayani as a martyr of the resistance against the
Marcos dictatorship.
*
Rolando Joselito Bautista – retired
Filipino lieutenant general
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was norma ...
and 26th
Secretary of Social Welfare and Development
The secretary of social welfare and development (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Kalihim ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Pagpapaunlad'') is the head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and is a member of the Cabinet of the Philippin ...
*
Rafael Buenaventura – Governor of the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
*
Samuel Gaerlan – 187th
Associate Justice
An associate justice or associate judge (or simply associate) is a judicial panel member who is not the chief justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the Supreme Court of the United States and some ...
of the
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court (; colloquially referred to as the ' (also used in formal writing), is the highest court in the Philippines. It was established by the Taft Commission on June 11, 1901, through the enactment of Act No. 136, which abolished th ...
*
Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway theatre, Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on ''Saved by the Bell'', ''S ...
— 185th
Associate Justice
An associate justice or associate judge (or simply associate) is a judicial panel member who is not the chief justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the Supreme Court of the United States and some ...
of the
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court (; colloquially referred to as the ' (also used in formal writing), is the highest court in the Philippines. It was established by the Taft Commission on June 11, 1901, through the enactment of Act No. 136, which abolished th ...
*
Antonio Mabutas – Agoo-born first bishop of Diocese of Laoag and the second Archbishop of the
Archdiocese of Davao, historically noted as the first Roman Catholic Archbishop to write a pastoral letter to criticize human rights violations under the
Marcos dictatorship.
* Doña Laureana Novicio Luna y Ancheta (July 4, 1836 – August 18, 1906) — Mother of
Antonio Luna
Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta (; October 29, 1866 – June 5, 1899) was a Filipinos, Filipino army general and a pharmacist who fought in the Philippine–American War before his assassination on June 5, 1899, at the age ...
and
Juan Luna.
*
Wenceslao Padilla – Filipino
Scheut priest who from 2 August 2003 was the
Apostolic prefect of the
Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar, a diocese of the
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
in
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south and southeast. It covers an area of , with a population of 3.5 million, making it the world's List of countries and dependencies by po ...
.
*
Jessica Soho — Multi-awarded (''Asia Journalist of All Times,'' ''
Peabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards (or simply Peabody Awards or the Peabodys) program, named for the American businessman and philanthropist George Foster Peabody, George Peabody, honor what are described as the most powerful, enlightening, and in ...
'') Filipina broadcast journalist dubbed as the Asia's Powerhouse Journalist and known as the host of the news magazine program ''
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho'' on
GMA Network
GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...
and formerly anchored the newscast ''
State of the Nation with Jessica Soho'' on
GMA News TV.
National Artists and National Scientists
*
Lucrecia Roces Kasilag (1918 2008) –
National Artist of the Philippines for Music
*
Bienvenido Nebres (born 1940) – academic,
National Scientist of the Philippines for Mathematics, former
Provincial Superior
A provincial superior is an officer of a religious institute (including religious orders) acting under the institute's Superior General. A provincial superior exercises general supervision over all the members of that institute in a territorial ...
of the
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome. It was founded in 1540 ...
in the Philippines
*
Clare R. Baltazar (1927-2024) –
National Scientist of the Philippines for Systematic Entomology
Actors
*
Vice Ganda – Comedia, actor, singer, and host, from San Juan, La Union.
*
Edward Barber — Filipino-British actor and host who came to prominence in 2016
Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7, 4th placed. from Aringay, La Union.
*
Gloria Diaz (born 1951) – Miss Philippines 1969, Miss Universe 1969, Actress, from Aringay, La Union.
*
Vaness del Moral – Filipina actor, dancer and singer from San Juan, La Union.
* Carina Cariño — Miss Millennial 2017 1st Runner up, Binibining Pilipinas La Union. from Agoo, La Union.
*
Coleen Garcia
Danielle Claudine "Coleen" Ortega Garcia-Crawford (born September 24, 1992) is a Filipina actress. Garcia began her career as a child and teenager appearing in several commercials. She eventually signed by Star Magic, where she has starred in s ...
— is a
Filipino actress, host, and model from the City of San Fernando, La Union.
*
JB Magsaysay (born 1980) –
Pinoy Big Brother (season 1) housemate; actor, public servant, and businessman. from San Juan, La Union.
*
Cheska Garcia Kramer — is a
Filipino actress and model from Bauang, La Union
*
Ashley Ortega — is a
Filipino-German actress well known for her roles in ''
Dormitoryo'' and ''
My Destiny'' on
GMA Network
GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...
. She is formerly a co-host of the variety show ''
Wowowin''. from the City of San Fernando, La Union.
Athletes
*
Carlo Biado (born 1983) — Filipino Athlete and professional pool player “
2021 US Open Pool Grand Champion”. from Rosario, La Union.
*
Roger Casugay — Filipino surfer who competed for the Philippines at the
2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. He is the first Filipino to receive the Pierre de Coubertin Act of Fair Play Award of the
International Fair Play Committee in recognition of saving a competitor in longboard semifinals of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. from the City of San Fernando, La Union.
*
José B. Nísperos — (1887–1922) First Asian and Filipino to win US Medal of Honor
*
Tyler Tio — (born 1998) Filipino-Canadian professional basketball player of the
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines, composed of twelve company-branded Franchising, franchise teams. Founded in 1975, it is the first professional basketball league in Asia ...
(PBA) from San Fernando, La Union.
*
Rhenz Abando — (born 1998) Professional basketball player who last played for the
Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters of the
Korean Basketball League
The Korean Basketball League () or simply KBL is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea which was established in 1997. The league consists of ten teams and each team plays a total of 54 games (27 home and 27 away) in the regular s ...
(KBL) from Santo Tomas, La Union.
*
James Sena — (born 1988) is a Filipino professional basketball player from Agoo, La Union.
References
External links
*
*
Official Website of the Provincial Government of La UnionPhilippine Standard Geographic Code
{{Authority control
Provinces of the Philippines
Provinces of the Ilocos Region
States and territories established in 1850
1850 establishments in the Philippines