Brief History and Facts

According to PGLU’s historical accounts, Rosario became a municipality in 1869, evolving from a barrio of Santo Tomas. Its establishment was facilitated by local leaders fluent in Spanish, marking a significant development for the growing settlement of Ilocano migrants.

Rosario is known as the “Gateway to Ilocandia,” serving as a crucial junction connecting the lowlands and the Cordillera Provinces. The town is the starting point of Kennon Road and the terminus of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). These transport links make it a vital access point for travelers heading to or from the Ilocos region and Baguio City.

The municipality boasts several tourist attractions, including beach resorts, a zoo, and historical sites like the Queen of Peace Priory and World War II Vintage Cannons at the Town Plaza. The Rosario Nature Park, a large green space, functions as La Union’s biggest camping site and is frequently used for events like Jamborees by the Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts of the Philippines.

Rosario celebrates its local produce and culture through an Agri Trade Fair and the Linubian Festival, held annually from April 17 to 19. The festival, named after a local cassava and banana cake, features a street-dancing competition. The town also observes its Parochial Fiesta, the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion, every December 8.

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SOURCE: PGLU