PEBBLE STONES

If Boracay is famous for its white sand beaches, Luna, La Union is famous for its colorful and fine pebble stones of various sizes and shapes.   Named after the famous Luna brothers during the revolution, the town has not only provided pebble stones in the country but in abroad as well.  What is fascinating is that although generations of stone pickers in the area have constantly harvested the shore’s treasures, including the large scale quarrying the 1980s, the supply of the stones seems to be endless.

It is believed that the stones are gifts from the miraculous “Lady of Namacpacan” to the faithful people of Luna as a source of living and as an alternative to fishing which had claimed countless lives of the brave fishermen of Luna.  One of its most famous stone pickers who became very controversial in the 1990s is the much fabled track star Nancy Navalta.  According to the locals, one of Nancy’s secret for being a fast runner is the Luna Beaches, where she practiced during her elementary and high school days.  Because of its pebbled beaches, it makes running difficult, making her legs firm and strong.

It is only sad that most of the highly demanded stones are packed in a plastic bag printed with “EXPORT FROM JAPAN”, to make an impression that the stones are products of Japan and eventually, according to locals, command a higher price in the market.  This sad scheme is an injustice to the beauty of Luna’s beaches and to the poor folks who invest on their sweat to pick the precious stones under the hot scorching sun.  Perhaps the businessmen who introduced this injustice should stop the practice before Apo Namacpacan herself will act to stop the abusive process.       

Sold by the cans and sacks, the prices vary according to color and sizes.  The average price for a can, almost the size of a pail, is 30 Pesos while the average price for a sack is 60 Pesos.  Also located in the pebbled beaches of Luna is the famous Baluarte Watch Tower which was erected by the Spaniards as an observation post against impending raids from marauders and pirates.

By: Israel O. Rudio, PITO-LU