THE PEARLS OF LAPOG (SAN JUAN, ILOCOS SUR)

     As our nation struggles for its economic recovery, the Municipality of San Juan (Ilocos Sur) strives to move forward for progress, peace and prosperity.
     Amidst the economic strife, San Juan (then Lapog) is now on its first level of metamorphosis. The infrastructure projects like the construction of the public market, municipal hall, bridges and paving barangay roads to boost ventures in agriculture and local industry will totally facelift the whole municipality.

St. John the Baptist Parish Church

     Speaking of natural beauty, the panoramic view in the east is invigorating to see. The Pikkang Falls at Brgy. Malamin invites tourists to bathe in its cool, pristine and fresh water. The mountains in the eastern part of the municipality promise abundance of resources for life's sustenance: food, medicine, lumber and habitat for wildlife. Mountain hiking in Brgy. Barbar is totally enjoyed by mountaineers or hikers when they pass by the nerve-wrecking Asilang footbridge to complete the trail.

Tapao Mountain Resort

     The fertile soil of Lapog terrain assures plenty of harvest for farmers economic boom. Eggplant, onion, bulbs, corn, rice, tobacco, pepper, string beans, squash, bitter gourd, and the Ilocano favorite food - Malunggay grow in abundance in every barangay's fertile soil.

Buri Festival

The buri industry in Malamin, Darao, Bannuar, Immayos Norte, Caronoan, Camanggaan and other barangays starts to bloom. The weaving industry has been featured in local and national networks to showcase its products. The municipality  has been staging its Buri Festival every year (done in April previously but moved in June to coincide with St. John the Baptist Feast Day). Its 2nd Buri Festival featured the longest Buri mat in the country. For sure, this will push the economic growth for the Lapoguenios.

Solotsolot Beach

     The seascape in the west promises a beautiful destination for tourists here and abroad. The richness of the sea guarantees lifetime nourishment of the folks along coastal areas like Barangays San Isidro, Saoang, Sabangan, Camindoroan, Solotsolot and Dardarat. Who would forget the unique taste of sea urchins, spiny puffer, sea ganyde, lobsters, shellfish such as balinggasa, kallu-it, battuki, and sea weeds like urba, pokpoklo, ar-arusip, balballulang, kanut-kanut, kaw-kawayan, ar-aritos and nagpurok?
     San Juan is truly blessed with nature's gifts. These blessings which are considered precious "pearls" need to be taken care of for the sake of the coming generations.