Rosario, municipality of the Philippines in the province of La Union
Rosario is a coastal town at the southern tip of La Union in the Philippines. It extends from flat shoreline to steep mountains inland, with several rivers flowing through the area and rice fields and farms surrounding the settlements.
Rosario started as a small part of Santo Tomas and was officially made a town in 1869 by Spanish authorities, with Agustin Isidro de Guzman appointed as the first town leader. During the Philippine Revolution and World War II, the town showed resilience as residents fought against Spanish forces and later against Japanese occupation.
The name Rosario connects to wild roses that once bloomed along the rivers, or to hills that resemble rosary beads when viewed from a distance. These stories link the town to its natural landscape and the traditions of the early settlers who arrived and built their communities here.
Visitors should know that the weather here is dry in summer, while the rainy season runs from May to October and makes the landscape greener. The town has 33 barangays, and it helps to understand the local Ilocano language, though many also speak Tagalog and English.
Rosario is often called the Gateway to Ilocandia because it is the southernmost town in La Union and major roads lead from here to other regions, including the famous Kennon Road to Baguio City. This geographic position made it an important passage point for travelers moving between different parts of Luzon.
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