For PURVEYR’s 20 Light Years initiative with San Mig Light, the third of our #MahabaHabangUsapan panel talks took us to La Union’s Shrine of Satisfaction, for a discussion on community: moderated by El Union’s Kiddo Cosio; featuring muralist Anina Rubio, El Union & Cutback Barbers’ Chloe Samontanes, and Clean Beach’s Camille Pilar.
It’s easy to argue that San Juan’s community is thriving. The town has undergone quite a change since I first went there some four years ago, no doubt bolstered by its increasing popularity as a weekend getaway and surf spot. Despite this, the community has done everything it can to ensure the growth is holistic, and that the beach is never negatively affected by the rapid development. It’s a testament to their hard work: even when the beachfront is at its busiest it remains beautiful.
Images — Marvin Conanan
Without a doubt, this goes back to the active, creative folks of La Union. You can see that everyone loves where they are, and that same love begets a respect for their surroundings. It’s easy to say that a lot has changed, but even easier to feel the ease and warmth that has characterized this idyllic surftown.
As per Kiddo Cosio, “culture takes on a life of its own.” Kiddo moved to San Juan in 2012, so he’s seen a lot of the growth and development over the past eight years. He went on to point out that the recent accelerated developments are just a small part in the history of San Juan’s changes, which can altogether be attributed to the community that has grown and fostered a culture around surfing and all of the things that surround it: art and environmental consciousness among them.
“You can easily convey a message through art,” said Anina Rubio — lengthy position papers are important, but not necessarily the most efficient means of communication. If you can use something beautiful to say everything you’d like to, why not do so? Anina used to work corporate, moving into art and like many creatives finding herself frequently in La Union. Anina’s main advocacy is marine biodiversity preservation, but she also pointed out that one of the ways she adds value to a community is by enlisting the help of locals whenever she works on a commissioned mural, providing additional options for livelihood however possible.
Anina Rubio, Chloe Samontanes, and Camille Pilar
“I’m only growing because I’m part of a growing community,” said Chloe Samontanes, who also added that in order to really become a part of a community you must first add value before taking value. Having prior experience as a barista, Chloe moved to San Juan from Iloilo to work for El Union, opening Cutback Barbers in the process. This was his way of adding value: the barbershop became a safe space to foster friendships within the community, and push the idea that looking good helps one feel good, too. Camille Pilar moved to La Union in 2014, working at El Union before taking the chance to open Clean Beach. Camille’s first foray into raising awareness of trash on the beach was an Instagram account which took photos of beautiful areas that were marred by the presence of garbage, and she would later find out that not all locals were receptive to it, if only because some felt it made light of the community’s efforts to keep the beach clean. It was at this point she realized, “Making use of perspectives from other people who come from different backgrounds will only enrich your original idea.” Clean Beach incentivizes cleanups by giving out a coffee or iced tea to those who use their provided baskets, and encourages the use of tumblers: no takeout cups.
These are small pieces in the full picture of San Juan’s growth, and while the approaches and perspectives may not always be the same, everyone shares a common belief in community; a shared and inclusive idea of growth that strives to make the most of what everyone has to offer.
