#Urbiztondo

[gastronomicaladventuresph]

Clean Beach Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union

This is now one of our favorite place to eat and chill in Urbiztondo, San Juan. We were on our way up north and was looking for a place to grab a bite, and found this on the map. We got here around lunch on a weekday  (September) and there wasn’t a big crowd that time, but there were still a handful of guests. The weather was sunny but they had huge umbrella trees to shade their outdoor dining area. The floor is pebbled with knickknacks of assorted tables and chairs including a few mini day beds faced the beach. They also have these ”banig” and low tables with bean bags and banana pillows in the beach front so you can laze around in the sun after dining. The north winds were also lightly blowing which kept us cool as well. 

They are a self service restaurant, but it’s quite easy and convenient for us. All you need to do is view their menu, which they have a wide range of dishes and drinks, by the way, then write your orders on a piece of paper and clipboard that’s provided on the side. Walk towards the cashier and pay for your order. They accept other payment methods besides cash. Then they present you a beeper, and beep you when your order is ready for pick up. Pick up of drinks is at the bar, and food is at their open kitchen. You may sit anywhere you like and return your used plates and glasses before leaving. 

We ordered the 

Kaya Toast solo (₱170) which is basically grilled bread with their homemade coconut gata and pandan, a coat of sugar and cinammon that you dip in sunny side egg.

A Good Salad (₱165) which is a mix of cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes and your choice of garlic mayo or viniagarette dressing. This serving can be for two to share. We love this! 

Iced Beachpresso (₱180) a house special fizzy drink made of a shot of espresso and tonic water, with a slice of dried orange. It’s like a cross between an iced tea and espresso, if that makes sense. Not what I am used to, but it’s alright.

Fresh Mango Fruit Shake (₱170)This was a bit bland for my taste, but mango is mango. Pobrably too much ice?

The price range is reasonable for the quantity and taste. One thing to note is that their entrance is a bit steep and narrow from the road, so you may have a hard time driving into their parking space. 

Will definitely save this as our favourite spot every time we revisit San Juan. They also have band nights and alcoholic beverages, just for those party people out here. 

[spilledcoffeefrommy]

03FEB2024, SAT

[kristinemaebsnapshots]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ᜃ᜔ ᜊ᜔ | Snapshots (@kristinemaeb_snapshots)

ElYu

Day 1

📍Urbiztondo Beach 📍Halo Hilo 📍Kabsat 📍Flotsam 📍Onlypans Taqueria

Day 2 📍Fat Wave

10.29-30.2023 | 📸 @kristinemaeb

[runningpinoy]

Explore – Elyu Chronicles (Part 2)

Exploration was the theme of our second day as we visit the sights of San Juan as well as the nearby city of San Fernando, the provincial capital.  And I woke up early that day to visit a unique oddity… There’s just so much beach here that my ultramarathoner younger self would’ve been ecstatic at this sight! First on my agenda for the day was a structure called Mebuyan’s Vessel.  I honestly…

[elcorreografico]

Llega al Coliseo Podestá la gran final del “VII Festival de la Música Italiana”

#LaPlata #Cultura | Llega al #ColiseoPodestá la gran final del “VII #FestivaldelaMúsicaItaliana”

La gran final del tradicional “Festival de la Música Italiana”, que reúne a los diez mejores artistas del certamen, se realizará el domingo 13 de noviembre en la sala mayor del Teatro Coliseo Podestá, en el marco de la semana del 140° Aniversario de la ciudad de La Plata. El ganador viajará a cantar a Roma. El evento, que cuenta con el acompañamiento de la Municipalidad de La Plata, tendrá su…

[maverick-guy]

Urbiztondo beach! 🌊

[toalltheinbetweens]

Clean Beach Coffee

📍134 Beachfront, MacArthur Highway,, Brgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union

[joeymdl]

Urbiztondo beach 🌊 . . . . . . . . . . . . . #launion #elyu #WhenInPhilippines #WhenInLaUnion #WhenInElyu #Temple #lightroom #lightroomedits #lightroommobile #lightroomph #lightroomphotography #lightroomphilippines #vscoedit #vscogram #vscocam #vscophilippines #vscoph #vscophilippines #photography #mobilephotography #travel #travelph #Philippines #launion #hostel #beach #beachlife #beachday #beaches #beachphotography #beachtime #beachwaves (at San Juan, La Union) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChrNc0urGmf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shaineinin]

Wind of Life: B for Brave, Bold, and Bloomed Bright

a biography

She was never too confident in where the wind of life would blow her. The so-called unpredictable life that tested her every time it knew that she became comfortable, cheery, and warmed enough to the coziness of life.

Her name is Bernadette Padlan, she was always called “Ate Ber”, the big sister of them all. She is a 20-year-old independent woman, a working student at Rancho Lokal at Katipunan Avenue in Novaliches, Quezon City. Working her ass off to pay off her tuition at school and at the same time, for her allowance. Thinking she doesn’t want her single mom to carry that weight anymore.

Back in the days, Ate Ber was the big sister who would take care of the rest of class. The big sister not because she has that ‘mom vibe’ but because she was always the homey one who would make you feel that you belong. That you are important and worthy of attention.

At a young age, Ate Ber has always opened her eyes to the reality of life. She was introduced to a life full of noisy relatives (nosy, as well), squabbling neighbors, and a life without a father beside her. A father who will look after her when she stumbles while playing. Or a father who could’ve taught her what to do when she got her heart broken at the first time. A father who will embrace her when the world is too busy for her. But she didn’t, and she accepted that fact ages ago.

The young Bernadette then did nothing but to take care of other people. She let her heart beat the harmonious music that sang inside her all long.

She had been taking care of people who are never blood-related to her, but then the irony of life is that she was never taken care off. She was never the one who will receive warm hugs, power-up cheers, and shining gifts. She was always the giver of love, and never the receiver of it.

However, Ate Ber never thinks of it that way. Never the one who will put up that sad and depressing face. She has this positivity trait that she radiates all the time. Unknowingly brightens up the day of everyone around her, without even exerting an extra effort to do so.

At Urbiztondo, Pangasinan she was raised; there, she started building her dreams. There, she started to think that hardwork is the only way to be free in her uncomfortable life. Urbiztondo Integrated School was where she was molded to be an aspiring leader. Not just a leader whom the members could depend on but a leader who will fight for her members. She didn’t graduate there, she barely finished her 3rd year when her relatives decided to move away and migrate to a much broader life that they could explore.

Ate Ber didn’t protest, she let herself be carried away when the wind of life blew. She was taken in an environment that could’ve engraved her a wound for a long time. An environment she didn’t know was hurting her all along. A place that wasn’t always a home. A place where love doesn’t exist, and a house that wasn’t built of strong foundations like trees.

Thus, there she was. Bloomed like a floral flower, bright, and shiny all along. The wind of life could’ve taken her to a place where she was comfortable. But she didn’t realize that comfort was a bluff and warmth that wasn’t made of love. Later then, when epiphany visited her, she was thanking the wind of life that carried and planted a seed like her to a place where she can grow and learn. To be not just brave but bold.

“Life is a journey, not a destination”, said Ate Ber.

[ckobe0803]

Vigan: Natatanging Paglalakbay sa Kasaysayan At Kultura,

Bumalik ang aking ama mula sa Qatar, matapos ang pandemya na nagpatigil sa mundo ng dalawang taon. Napili ng aming pamilya na magtungo sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Matagal na itong pinaghahandaan ni Papa. Bilang paghahanda sa paglalakbay, tumungo kami sa Pilar, Bataan, upang mapa renew ang driver's licence ni Papa. Dahil malapit lang naman, pagkatapos ay umakyat kami papunta sa Mount Samat National Shrine, Ngunit sa kasamaang palad, sarado ito para sa paghahanda sa nalalapit na Araw ng Kagitingan.

Mount Samat National Shrine - Photo by LJ Allinabac from Tripadvisor

Umalis kami mg 1:00 ng madalingaraw mula sa Guagua, Pampanga, Ilang minuto pa lang sa biyahe ay may malaking pagbagal ng trapiko sa NLEX sa San Fernando, maaaring papunta ang mga sasakyan na ito sa La Union, na nagsimulang sumikat at pumatok sa mga turista sa mga nakaraang linggo, ngunit di ko akalain na nagkakaroon ng mga pagbigat ng trapiko kahit 1:30 ng madalingaraw. Matapos nito ay naging matulin ang aming pagbiyahe hanggang sa makarating kami sa Victoria, Tarlac, kung saan may gasolinahan at pahingahan. Matapos nito, bumiyahe na kami patungong Vigan. Ako, dahil sa kaalaman ko sa heograpiya at sa bisa na rin ng Google Maps, ang nagsilbi na navigator, ipinaalam kung gaano katagal pa ang biyahe, ang mga mas mabilis na ruta, at ang mga madadaanan na pagbigat ng trapiko. Dahil bumiyahe kami ng madalingaraw, karamihan sa amin ay nakatulog sa biyahe, maliban lang sa aking tito na nagmamaneho at ako.

Tanawin na nakuhanan ko habang binabagtas ang Sison, Pangasinan

Umaga sa dalampasigan ng Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union

Pansamantala kaming huminto sa Urbiztondo Beach sa bayan ng San Juan, La Union upang magalmusal. Mahamog ang panahon at malamig ang hangin na nagmumula sa dagat. Hindi nagtagal at ipinagpatuloy na namin ang paglalakbay. Tanghali na noong nakarating kami sa aming destinasyon. agad naming tinungo ang transient house sa Bantay, katabing bayan ng Vigan sa hilaga, kung saan kami makakapahinga. Bago makarating sa transient house ay ilang minuto kaming naligaw, kung saan-saang daan ang pinasok, at nakailang beses na pagtatanong sa mga lokal, Hindi ko na nagamit ang aking phone dahil ubos na ang baterya nito. Dito namin itinuloy ang aming pahinga upang makapaghanda sa pamamasyal sa gabi.

Larawang kuha ko ng Quirino Bridge, sa hangganan ng Bantay at Santa, Ilocos Sur, ang nagdudugtong sa dalawang bayan sa magkabilang gilid ng Ilog Lagben

Kinagabihan, nagtungo na kami sa Vigan. Marami kaming nakasabay na mga turista dahil Semana Santa. Halos buong Lungsod ay may mabigat na trapiko. Hirap kaming makahanap ng mapaparadahan dahil sa dami ng turista. nakappagparada lang kami at nakababa sa isang gasolinahan malapit sa Simbahan ng Bassit. Naglakad kami nang 200 metro papunta sa aming unang destinasyon, ang Calle Crisologo. Masyadong siksikan ang ang sikat na daan na may mga nagbebenta ng mga souvenirs sa gilid ng daan at may paminsan-minsa'y dumadaan na matataas na mga kalesa na may sakay na mga turista.

Calle Crisologo, Vigan - Photo from Freedom Wall

Nilakad namin ang daan hanggang sa makarating kami sa Plaza Burgos at Plaza Salcedo na nasa harap ng Vigan Cathedral. Kapansin-pansin ang pinsala nito noong tumama ang isang Magnitude 7.0 na lindol na nakapinsala sa mga makasaysayan na gusali ng Vigan. Malalaki ang bitak sa mga pader sa labas ng simbahan at may nakasuportang scafforlding na bakal sa façade ng simbahan.

Larawan na kuha ko ng fountain ng Plaza Salcedo at Vigan Cathedral

Dinumog ng mga turista ang Plaza Salcedo para sa Musical Dancing Fountain nito. Nakakamangha ang kaayusan at ang "pagsayaw" ng tubig at pailaw kasabay ang ilang mga sikat na kanta. Nagtagal ito hanggang 9:00 ng gabi. Ilang oras din kami nanatili sa Plaza Salcedo

Larawang kuha ko ng Dancing Fountain sa Plaza Salcedo

Malapit sa Plaza Salcedo ay mayroong night market na siksik ng mga mamimili. Nag ikot -ikot kami roon upang makahanap ng makakain. Pagkatapos ay bumalik kami sa aming sasakyan upang bumalik sa tinutuluyan.

Larawang kuha ko ng Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol Building, sa kabilang dulo ng Plaza Salcedo

Kinabukasan, nagtungo muna kami sa simbahan ng Bantay at sa Bantay Bell Tower, Kasama rin ang dalawang gusali na ito sa napinsala sa lindol. Hindi puwedeng pumasok sa loob ng simbahan at sa labas pansamantalang nagmimisa ang mga residente, Mapapansin ang mga parte ng Bantay Bell Tower na nasira na at nahulog.

Larawang kuha ko ng Bantay Church at Bantay Bell Tower

Larawang kuha ko ng Bantay Bell Tower, kapansin-pansin ang pinsala na dinulot ng lindol.

Bumalik kami ulit sa Calle Crisologo at mabuti'y hindi pa gaanong marami ang turista. Dito na kami bumili ng mga souvenir. Bumalik kami sa Vigan Cathedral kung saan may nagaganap na prusisyon dahil araw ng Biyernes Santo. Mga ibat'ibang mga imahe ng mga santo, ni Hesus at ng Birheng Maria ang nasa mga andas. Nagpunta kami sa gilid ng simbahan at nagalay ng dasal. Nasilip namin ang loob ng simbahan, may mga malalaking bitak sa sahig at may mga bumagsak at natangal na bahagi ng mga haligi at kisame. 4:00 ng hapon nagsimula ang prusisyon na inikot ang buong lungsod ng Vigan. 6:00 na ng gabi nakabalik ang prusisyon sa Vigan Cathedral.

Larawang kuha ko ng prusisyon na ginanap sa araw ng Biyernes Santo

Larawang kuha ko ng isa sa mga andas sa prusisyon

Hindi ko malilimutan ang paglalakbay na ito, lalo na at kasma ko ang aking pamilya. Makikita mo rin ang iba-ibang tanawin, sa biyahe man o sa mismong destinasyon, mula sa malawak na kapatagan ng Tarlac, bulubundukin at kagubatan ng Bacnotan, La Union, hanggang sa makitid na daan sa pagitan ng bundok at dagat ng Santa, Ilocos Sur. Mararanasan ang mayamang kultura at kasaysayan ng rehiyong Ilocos, at ng ating bansa.

Siguraduhin lamang na maghanda ng husto para sa isang mahaba-habang paglalakbay. Madalas ding tingnan ang sitwasyon sa mga daan na tatahakin. Bago pa maglakbay ay mabuti na mayroong kaalaman na sa pupuntahang lugar. Asahan na rin na magiging matao ang mga pupuntahan na destinasyon, lalo na kung ang inyong pagalis ay masasabay sa mga holidays.

[marielombrete]

Roberto H. On August 30, 1850, del Pilar was born in Kupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan. He was raised by Julian H. and Blasa Gatmaitan, respectively. As a young man, he first attended the institution run by Mrs. Herminigilda Flores before transferring to the University of Santo Tomas from San Jose institution. He completed law school in 1880. He developed into one of the best propagandists who used his writing to advocate for Philippine independence. He was appointed editor of the newspaper Diariong Tagalog in 1882, which sharply attacked how the Spaniards handled the nation's affairs and its citizens. He authored satires on the Spanish friars under the pen name Plaridel, including "Dasalan at Tuksuhan" and "Kaiingat Kayo." He succeeded Graciano Lopez Jaena as editor of La Solidaridad in Spain, the front organization for the propagandists pushing for reforms for Filipinos. But he was unable to hold the position for a long time due to illness. He soon became frail from TB. Away from his family, he passed away on July 4, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain.

On October 29, 1869, General Antonio Luna, one of the greatest Filipino soldiers, was born in Urbiztondo, Manila. Joaquin Luna de San Pedro and Laureana Novicio were his parents. Juan Luna, a well-known painter, was his brother.

He began studying at "Ateneo Municipal de Manila" after learning the alphabetic letters at home, where he earned an honors bachelor's degree in arts. He went to Sto to study pharmacy. Tomas College.

General Luna completed his pharmacy studies at Barcelona, Spain. He earned his doctor of medicine degree from the Central University of Madrid. He also went to school in France and Belgium. He was appointed an assistant to renowned chemists Dr. Latteaux and Dr. Laffen there. His abilities led to his election as commissioner of

The Spanish government is investigating communicable diseases. He returned to the Philippines and worked as a chemist for the government there.

Antonio Luna was a talented author as well. By Rizal, Lopez-Jaena, and Marcelo H. in Spain, "La Solidaridad" was established. He published his outstanding works under the pen name "Taga-Ilog" in the journal del Pilar. Additionally, he oversaw the "La Independencia" newspaper. The First Philippine Republic and the Revolutionists were both products of this journal.

Antonio Luna was expelled to Spain in 1897 because it was thought that he knew anything about the revolutionaries. The "Carcel Modelo de Madrid" was where he was detained.

After being freed, he studied military strategy. He did a thorough amount of arm handling and combat training. e left for the Philippines again. When the Philippine-American War started, Antonio Luna became the army's general under Aguinaldo. On September 26, 1898, he was appointed director of the war in recognition of his extraordinary performance and heroic valor. Even their own opponents in the battles of Manila and Central Luzon acknowledged his bravery and unique style of combat.

[chlysbolt-hole]

Huling day 1 photos 🥰 #wheninlaunion (at Urbiztondo, La Union, Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqcwZpjhC42wtI1FDSQPqfi914LIqgka1PIZgs0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[belchieee]

Don’t worry, Beach happy 🌼 (at Urbiztondo, La Union, Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqBG6eKvhniCQm8qyOkamoy-qxnGVosV1Myfng0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aftxrpxrty]

spilled ink

#_homemadecafe #urbiztondo

[geraldxalbis]

📍 Urbiztondo Beach | 01.07.2023 (at La Union) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNAwT7PQyw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shaineinin]

The Sacrificial Lamb

an autobiography

I once stumbled upon a quote that hit me hard enough to just break down amidst something I was doing, and it says, “If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice.”

I was named Shaine Capua for a reason, my Mom always bragged about me being like a diamond. A diamond that was once a little who shines bright even at the darkest places of gloom. She told me—to avoid people being cringe at my name, she decided to add an a. That funny story was always the one she reminisces with me when things get rough sometimes.

However, I never knew before that a single-mindedly province girl could do and shine at a lot of things because of a hard choice. It was rare that a girl as simple as me would become free like a bird once in a cage. A sacrifice that I once blamed, became the sacrifice I am saying ‘thanks’ to, nowadays.

As the pandemic struck back in 2019, I was never alone in our humble home. I am surrounded most of the time by my family whom I always love. To be completely honest, the pandemic was not a problem in our simple hometown, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan, because in the province, the real problem was the struggle to survive every day on a small farm. However, I never had thought that our family would encounter a problem that arose for me to make a big and hard decision and sacrifice I wasn’t prepared for.

“Ate Shaine sarag mo pan nengnenggen may ilulutok di man ed kalan?” (Can you look over the dish that I’m cooking on the stove?), said my sister.

It was afternoon, my father was sleeping with my little brother in bed and I was doing my homework then. Nevertheless, I didn’t budge and just took a look at it and tasted the dish just to be sure. It smelled nice, and it tasted just incredible. I was ready to commend my sister for that, until suddenly, my gaze turned to my father who I thought was sleeping soundly at that exact time, but was convulsing and tapping himself like a madman.

At first glance, I thought nothing was wrong. I didn't think anything could go wrong that sunny afternoon.

The second time I looked at the bed where my father was lying, he was already reaching his limit. I shouted a thousand times with a hint of nervousness in my voice. I don’t cry easily, but the waters in my eyes were like raindrops that came from a mad storm. Next thing I knew we were already at the hospital and my father was diagnosed with a stroke.

Misery completely took over my body, I didn’t know what to do. My mother was in the city, my father was in the hospital, and I have four siblings to tell that their father is sick. I was packed with so many emotions that day but I conquered. I stood still. I fought the entanglement of being stuck at that moment in my life because I wanted to keep going despite the things happening in my family. So, I did.

Because of that circumstance, the root of it all, I was pushed to make the hardest decision in my life as a 16-year-old girl. A sacrifice that molded me into something I never thought of becoming.

After my graduation in High School, I was asked by my Uncle—who offered to provide for my education until tertiary if I lived under his roof. I was having a hard time figuring out what will be my answer to that. Because I know, I will be away from my family for a lot of years. And that’s the only time that that will happen. I was young and naive and I only thought about my father, who provided us everything, and now was at the hospital fighting for his life. Clinging on a machine to breathe. I knew at that moment that he would not be able to support us, most especially our education, just like before.

If I declined the offer, maybe I would stop my study. Maybe I would just work to help my family. Maybe I wouldn’t have the opportunity to reach my dreams. Maybe I wouldn’t become who I am today.

So, yes. I did what I had to do. I sacrificed to help my family. I became a sacrificial lamb to be able to achieve my goals and what my heart desires. I took the risk and jumped off the cliff of unwavering uncertainties. The reason why I think I have a best-seller life story as an 18-year-old woman.

True to what other people say, it is when one begins as being the sacrificial lamb, no matter how high the pedestal of life may bring them, life has its own way of tearing them down. As I finally moved out in the province, I experienced a roller-coaster ride that brought me highs and lows. The adjustments accumulated a lot of my energy and it took several months to finally realize that I am now away to my family.

My sacrifices have big and small impacts. I sacrificed sound sleep every night, the joy of buying new things to save money, and the happiness of talking to my loved ones every hour of the day. Those are the things that I shook off when I came here. I relentlessly tried to jump off way too many cliffs and it’s breaking me how it sounded like a hypocrite because I am not happy with what I am doing.

Nonetheless, I know that these sacrifices that brought changes in my life are a progress that will mold me into becoming a persevered person with dignity and integrity.

Ultimately, my story still has a lot of cliffs to jump off to. I still have to take risks and sacrifice things to surpass the limits I had set for myself. I know that this is not the end, the journey worth a thousand bucks will not unfold unless I try to create one with my hands and mold my decisions not just to be right, but to unleash learnings and knowledge for me to hold forever.