Labrador: Sawali, Waterfalls and History

The municipality of Labrador has several distinct themes: Sawali weaving and broom making, Tinakayan Falls, Mt. San Isidro and the parish church of St. Isidore the Farmer. This makes the area interesting for travelers who want to include cultural history and natural attractions in their travel plans. The highlights range from an annual craft festival to pools with differing depths and conditions.

Sawali Crafts and Municipal History

The abundant bamboo makes Sawali production an important livelihood in the municipality. Labrador is also known for broom making and its Sawali weaving industry. The annual Sawali Festival puts Sawali, the municipality’s most lucrative product, in the spotlight. The tradition is thus prominent both as a craft and livelihood and at a recurring festival. If you are considering a trip to coincide with the festival, check the specific event dates.

The municipality was initially known as San Isidro Labrador. It was founded in 1754 under Captain Vicente Escano and became an independent municipality in 1939. Republic Act No. 2390 gave it the name Labrador. This sequence links the former name, municipal independence and the municipality’s present name in a clear historical timeline.

Mountain and Waterfalls

Mt. San Isidro is considered the highest mountain in Pangasinan and lies 2,450 feet above sea level. This superlative places it in regional context, while the elevation provides a specific point of reference. The mountain thus stands alongside the waterfalls as a natural attraction: one is notable for its topographic standing, while the other is about trails and pools with differing characteristics.

Several trails lead to Tinakayan Falls and vary in difficulty. The pools also differ distinctly: above the waterfalls is a shallower pool, while below them is a deeper one. Swimming in the lower pool is difficult because of an adjacent underwater cave and strong currents. Depth alone is therefore not the only consideration; the cave and currents are significant conditions at the lower pool. Check the current condition of the trails before visiting.

Church History and Resort Amenities

The parish church of St. Isidore the Farmer is one of the attractions in the municipality of Labrador. The parish is dedicated to Saint Isidore the Farmer, who is described as the patron saint of Madrid. Fr. Joseph Gallagher worked on repairs to the church from 1952 to 1954. The dedication and repair history offer different perspectives: one points to the patron saint, while the other places specific work on the church in the early 1950s.

Covelandia Du Labrador Beach Resort in Brgy. Tobuan, Labrador has pools, slides and a Jacuzzi. Its offerings also include an event hall overlooking Tobuan Beach, the Viewdeck Bar and Taberna Restaurant. Facilities and businesses may change; if you are interested, contact the resort directly to ask what is currently available.

When looking for a vacation rental in Labrador, you can start by considering what you want your stay to focus on: Sawali and municipal history, or perhaps the mountain and waterfalls.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pagudpud, Bauang, Bacnotan, Sarrat, Agno, San Carlos City, Burgos, Bolinao.

For the main travel overview: Ilocos.