#LetMeTElyu Why I Love Elyu
By: Cherry Garcia Dacpano - La Union COMMunity Press Corps | Photos By: PIO | Date: June 13, 2024
Waking up to the chirping of the birds on a bright, sunny morning with a 360 ̊ view of the green rice fields and towering mountains makes me realize that the most wonderful place to be is right here, at my home, in my beloved province of La Union.
• La Union is a paradise blessed with the beauty and bounty of the land and the sea.
Cows grazing on the wide, grassy field, a carabao resting under the mango tree, chickens and turkeys roaming around and a young boy driving the tractor plowing the field are among the sights I see at the moment. How could I not love getting up every day with such relaxing views?
At a distance is the cool and clean river teeming with freshwater fishes like kiwet, bunog, tilapia and udang. In the summer, there are piwis, gusipeng, bukbukaig and lots of kangkong. At the riverbanks under the trees, families, and friends enjoy their picnics with mouth-watering sinigang or paksiw na kinammelan.
Going further up the river is Tapuakan. It is a great destination for nature lovers and adventure-seekers as it features natural rock slides and giant rock formations where they can jump off from a high rock plunging into a deep, refreshing pool of water. It is surrounded by lush green forest that comforts you from the hustle and bustle of life.
With just a 30-minute jeepney ride, I can escape to smell the sultry scent of the sea and witness the marvelous sunset at Agoo Eco Park. Aside from simply sitting on the sandy shores watching the rolling waves, one can indulge in more adventurous water activities like surfing in San Juan or chasing the waterfalls of Tangadan. Among the most remarkable beaches I saw with their own unique charms are Pebble Beach in Luna, Thunderbird in San Fernando, and Immuki Island and Paraoir in Balaoan. As a home of majestic landscapes and seascapes, Elyu is, undoubtedly, one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines.
• Life is simple and food is everywhere.
Any vegetable paired with bagoong is dinengdeng. Papaya and saluyot freshly picked from the backyard cooked with bagoong would make a satisfying dinner for the family. Who wouldn’t love fresh talbos ng kamote or pakpako with boiled eggs for breakfast? Vegetables and fruits in the neighborhood are often free for we still have enough space for gardening. Native fruits like bayabas, santol, caimito, niyog, and papaya are all around. Animals such as pigs, native chickens, goats, turkeys, and cows are raised for food or sale. During their seasons, boiled peanuts, corn, and bananas are best for merienda. When pockets are empty, we don’t lose hope as we still have backyard vegetables to rely on or wait for “padigo” from neighbors.
• Ilocanos’ Bayanihan spirit is treasured.
In happy celebrations like weddings, it has been a practice in the barrio to prepare food, not only for families and friends but for the entire barangay. I remember being tasked to invite every household from end-to-end of the barangay when I was young. During the preparation, relatives, friends, neighbors, and barangay folks come to contribute rice, vegetables, or cash and assist in the preparation and cooking. To commence the celebration, the folks dance to Ilocano and Igorot music like Abalayan, Isem, Sissiwit, or Dayang-dayang and offer their gifts called tupak to newlyweds.
In times of adversity or grief, Ilocanos offer help to one another and show sympathy through prayers and saranay. No matter what the situation is, in happiness or sadness, you’ve got the Elyu community to back you up.
• Ilocanos living in Harmony with the Indigenous Peoples Community
Settled at the borders of La Union and Benguet, we share our place with the Cordilleran cultural groups like Ibalois, Ifugaos, Kankanaeys, and Bagos. Ever since, we’ve got to experience their culture, arts, and traditions as we share with them our unique Ilocano heritage paving the way to understanding differences and appreciating our cultural diversity.
• Hard work, Humility, and Hospitality of Elyu People
In heavy rains or summer’s heat, a farmer works hard so his family can eat. Despite the threat of the sea, fishermen overcome the dangers to bring home food to the table. These reflect the ordinary lives of families in Elyu. Many fathers toil the land and unveil the bounty of the sea to send their children to school and provide food for their families. Through their hard work, they were able to raise successful children yet remain humble. Despite the meager income, they can give you the best dish or hospitality you deserve when you enter their doorsteps.
Believe it when they tell you that it is more fun in Elyu.
It is with great pride to tell the world that I was born, raised, and continuously living in contentment and peace in this little corner of my home in La Union.
