Sagada

Nestled on a scenic 100-ft cliff at the highest point of Poro Point Peninsula that overlooks San Fernando Bay and the West Philippine Sea where one can witness the most picturesque sunsets, Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos – Port Point is a 65-hectare Mediterranean-inspired premier integrated resort in La Union, Philippines.

So we are led to believe according the Resorts' web-page.  Pictures do not always reflect reality. Yes the views are scenic and at first the place looks OK. But a closer look at the accommodation and finish of the hotel tells a different story. It is not worth the price we paid. Perhaps the individual lodges have a better review but the hotel rooms don't deserve 5 stars! At best 2 stars. The front desk is pure chaos. At least the food was OK. The staff deserves a better management. All that aside we had a nice Christmas eve.

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• Driving via NLEX-SCTEX and TPLEX to San Fernando, La Union
• The flat rice planes of Pampanga
• Already an indications of our destination on the TPLex
• Passing (historical) Bauang, getting close to our destination.
• Bauang monument.
• Christmas decor in the lobby
• Room not ready yet.
• Exploring the site. 
• Found a restaurant for lunch. 
• One of the 2 pools. This one in front of the restaurant. No trees, no parasols, no shade.
• Pool furniture
• Walking back to the lobby
• Main pool site
• Main Pool site view from lobby level.
• Finally room is ready.
• At least some free amenities.
• Sunset disappearing in the clouds
• Christmas decor in lobby
• Sunset
• A walk around the block
• A separate block with apartments.
• More multi room accommodations
• Some views on the golf course.
• Single rooms
• Right is the hotel accommodations, left are function rooms and casino.
• Kind of "lights" patio
• Outside decor. In the back the block with our room.
• Lobby entrance
• Jas wants to show off the bath outfit
• The Luzon elite arrive for Christmas dinner. We don't have a reservation and choose to have a lighter dinner.
• Artificial rose park lighting up.
• More white roses. The place where we have dinner is in the background
• Our simple Christmas eve dinner.
• Finished dinner.
• Night view on the main pool
• Moon breaking through the clouds.
• Good morning! Calm South China Sea. 
• Christmas morning sun rise
• Early breakfast. have a long road trip ahead.
• Jas want to take a dive before we go.
• Miss Universe...
• It's getting hot.
• Infinity pool.
• Checking out. One last Santa picture...
• On the way out. Wedding patio?

San Fernando City in La Union is a third-class component city in the Philippines. It is the capital city of La Union and the regional center of the Ilocos Region. It also serves as the financial, industrial and political center of the province, as well as the seat of national government agencies in Region I, engaged in agriculture, aquaculture, shipping using port of San Fernando, and other industrial sectors.

History

San Fernando was founded in 1786 (the “cabecera” or provincial capital-seat of La Union province in 1850). The City’s origin, San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de Dalangdang, the 2 settlements during Spanish times, were attacked by pirates and headhunters.

In 1759, Augustinian friar, Padre Jose Torres fused these 2 settlements to Pindangan (dry fish),. where a church with San Guillermo the Hermit as the patron saint. This Church is now the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit. A massive 1860’s earthquake destroyed the church which was later rebuilt.San Fernando City

In the 1896 revolt until in 1898, the Spanish garrison of San Fernando was attacked by Filipino insurgents under Manuel Tinio y Bundoc and Mauro Ortiz whereby, the Spaniards were finally ousted.

In the First World War, the last battle of San Fernando was fought during the Japanese occupation at Barangay Bacsil. The Bacsil Ridge Monument was built on the site in the city (northwestern portion of the Town Plaza) The victory ebabled the establishment of the United States Army Base, Base M at Poro Point (a build up area for the Japan invasion). The town was liberated in 1945.