San Gabriel La Union
here’s this location in La Union, veiled in serene
T
As noontime emerges, we thank God that we are
rice fields, viridescent woods, virgin mountains, shaded by verdant mountains and soaring trees and
pristine waterfalls, sparkling rivers, a charming that even a simple “Kubo” can save your life from the
culture of mortals, and ancestral architecture of houses. heat without the need for electronic devices. In summer
This unobtrusive municipality distant from the when we demand a refresher, we are also conserved
province’s heart is presumed to be magical as it by the rivers and waterfalls as it is the perfect spot to
dispenses more secrets concealed by its veil. Known as spend the season, especially to our not-so-hidden gem,
the prime producer of highland vegetables, the Tangadan Falls, the giant river stone Batong Borlas,
unknown creator behind the mystical soft broom of pristine river Lineng Pool and our unraveled enchanted
Baguio’s commodity, and a countryside christened after cascade the Bakes Falls, uttered to supply the water of
the patron Saint Gabriel – the mystical rural of La Union, San Juan, Bacnotan, and San Fernando City. Apart
San Gabriel. from that, the mountains away from the grid livelihood
were also an astonishing extension of our place, as all
As the morning sunlight sweeps beyond the spaces of them are accessible not only in terms of vehicles but
of our louvered windows and gently reaches my eyes, also by foot. An exquisite landscape engulfs 60% of our
the consciousness around me uprise. Oh! What a municipality making it one of the purest land for
beautiful day to be alive. sustainable houses. Additionally, It is also where the
Stepping outside our vintage home was a sight of highest peak of La Union which only a few people know
unending acres of farm crops, with a tumbler of named Mt. Mugong. Besides, this is where our
chocolate weights in the palm of my hand, I was able to ancestors mainly reside, the Igorots, and the creators of
run down the road through the stunning, lush green the mystical soft broom. A pinnacle where ancestral
fields, and trees. Similar to some municipalities, streets houses are kept, a house similar to “Kubo” but sizeable,
are established as simple as 1,2,3, with no curves, and entirely made of wood, elevated from the ground, the
no perplex roads as they are all precedented roof is made of steeply pitched nipa leaves, and the
somewhere. The houses on the other hand were occupant uses “Banga” as their water storage.
spaced like stacked shelves of grocery milk, systemized As the sun sets behind the mountains creating
and sizes at odds, and in between is the peeking beauty silhouettes, houses slowly blend with its topography
of rice fields, a simple yet bracing scene that creating an artistic scenery of the horizon, the end of a
accentuates the panorama. Besides, the municipality cycle, and a symbol of rest. The time when city lights
hall was the core of the grid, surrounded by a plaza, a start to ignite the whole place, enhancing the way we
small hospital, a church, commercial establishments, perceive our place, and the time that I too should go
and houses beyond that build up the whole place. There home.
are also three main bridges, that connect our place, one
from the entrance which is the Cabaroan Bridge, one As moonlight sweeps beyond the spaces of our
from the middle called the Bumbuneg Bridge, and one louvered windows and lightly reaches my eyes, my
on the way to Tangadan, Duplas Bridge. Considering breath slowly suspires. Oh! What a beautiful place to
that number three was deemed the perfect number in live in.
architecture, associated with harmony, wisdom, and
understanding, this just gives our place a noble sense - Siglat! San Gabriel
of foundation.
