La Union
Situated on the northwestern coast of Luzon, La Union is the gateway to the Ilocos Region. With its strategic location, the province has become the business, education, and government center of the Ilocos. Not only is La Union the region’s center for trade but also of religious devotees who flock to one of the country’s popular pilgrimage destinations, especially during Lent. But the province is not wanting of natural attractions, thanks to seascapes that make it a watersports paradise. The surf fronting Monaliza in Urbiztondo, San Juan is the best site for board surfing from November to February; other good sites are in Carlatan and Wallace in San Fernando. Scuba diving is ideal in Fagg Reef, which is adorned by sharks, barracuda, sea snakes, Moray eels, and other friendly sea creatures, and Research Reef, which is endowed with several tunnels, caverns, and crevices.
The Ma-Cho or Ma Cho Temple is a temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located on Quezon Avenue in Barangay II, San Fernando, La Union in the Philippines. It was built in 1975 by San Fernando's substantial Chinese community under the leadership of Jose D. Aspiras and Dy Keh Hio.
Ma-Cho Temple
Stone House
The house, aptly called "Bahay na Bato," was made from the stones and pebbles found along the beaches of the municipality. After all, Luna is the Pebble Capital of the North and stone-picking is one of its booming industries. Aside from the stones that make up the foundation of the house, painted pebbles and wooden sculpture made by Bong Kim, a Korean, also adorn the interiors and the grounds of the Chan-Noble's secret hideaway.
Built by the Spaniards during their heydays, the mighty Baluarte was used as watch tower and observation post by the authorities for impending danger from the sea. Not from typhoons or tsunamis, but from the Abu Sayafs at that time: the Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates who took pleasure in raping coastal towns and settlements.
