The Librarian’s Witching Hour: Finding Quiet at Alpas Before the Loud Crowds Come
As an Ilokana librarian who writes (and now makes art), my life usually lived between the lines—whether I’m cataloging books or drafting poetry.
People often ask me where I go to decompress in La Union, especially since our little corner of the world has become so famous for its loud, vibrant party scene.
My answer is usually Alpas LU. Yes, that one in Bacnotan, La Union owned by Hale's vocalist. The beachside concert place.
It sounds contradictory because Alpas is known for big crowds and live music (it’s owned by Champ from the band Hale, after all). But there is a specific window of time—right around 4:00 PM—when the energy shift is perfect for someone like me who just wants to think, write, and breathe.
Why 4:00 PM?
This is the "in-between" time. The sun is losing its bite, and the night’s concert crowd hasn’t arrived yet.
In the video, you’ll see the sound check happening. There’s something deeply therapeutic about hearing a band tune their instruments against the backdrop of the waves. It’s not a performance yet; it’s just a process. As a writer and artist, I find so much inspiration in that "process" phase—it’s a reminder that we don’t always have to be "on" or "loud" to be creative.
Finding Focus
I went there to escape the desk and the screen. Sitting by the bamboo fence with a girl friend, watching the turtle hatcheries, and feeling the sea breeze—it’s the fastest way to clear the mental clutter of a long week.
If you are visiting San Juan but staying at a busier hostel, or if you’re a local needing a low-stakes hangout, try this:
Skip the midnight rush. * Come for the sound check. * Stay for the sunset.
By the time the music really starts to kick in and the crowds get thick, I’m usually already packed up and heading home, feeling light and ready to write and make art again. No stress, no loud speakers, just the salt air and a bit of headspace.
I share many more La Union stories at Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@LaUnionLife) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/launionlife/)
