SAN JUAN, La Union – The provincial government declared this year’s La Union Surfing Break a success.
Hundreds of people flocked to this town and Bacnotan, this province, for the Nov. 1 to 3 event.
A MAN surfs in San Juan, La Union.
The event now on its 19th year featured sports, music, arts, and eco-friendly activities.
LUSB kicked off with a surfing competition from Oct. 22 to 23 participated in by local surfers, followed by a Palit Basura or garbage collection program on the beach, Tour-tle: Journey with the Flippers or turtle awareness program, and a music festival.
Gov. Raphaelle Veronica "Rafy" Ortega-David led the opening of the music festival where local and national bands performed.
Ortega said the event is a tribute to surfers in this province.
"In this significant event, I would like to recognize the reasons why we have this celebration. Our dear local surfers who have brought home so much pride to our province," David said.
"It is only right that we celebrate our waves, our surfing community, and our La Union tourism industry," she added.
Activities held at the Bacnotan leg at the Quirino-Galongen surfing site in Barangay Quirino were eco booth camp, beach volleyball, free surfing clinic, surfboard painting competition, Zumbaybay (zumba exercise), battle of the bands, foam party, and music festival.
In support of local businesses and to promote La Union's rich food heritage, 30 micro, small, and medium enterprises sold local delicacies at the Surftown Market here.
Police said the event was generally peaceful.
The LUSB launched in 2006 is usually held during the semestral break to enable students from Manila, Baguio, and other cities in Luzon to join.
It is a Department of Tourism Hall of Fame award-winning event and called as the Best Tourism Event in the Philippines for Sports, Adventure, and Wellness.
The La Union Provincial Tourism Office expects an increase in tourist arrivals this year from 300,000 last year.